Most people only know the names of two comets: Halley’s Comet and Comet Cleanser. Over the years, I’ve only been able to observe one close-up and recently filed these findings with the force behind it, Prestige Brands…
Dear Chief of Comet Quality:
As far as disinfectant cleansers go, I think Comet is superb — even though I don’t understand why you named it Comet because a Comet is really a celestial body having a solid head surrounded by a nebulous luminescent cloud and an elongated curved vapor tail arising when the head approaches the sun — and your Comet is just white stuff that shakes out of a can. Wasn’t that one of the longest sentences you’ve ever read?
Comet is terrific for getting out tough stains I never thought would come out. Does Comet have anything in it that could fight yellow teeth stains from taking Tetracycline as a child? I’d love a Comet Mouthwash! If that stuff could be made into a safe, oral version, I’ll bet my teeth would be whiter than a mime’s face on a snowy Minnesota day.
Anyway, the reason I’m writing is about your cans. The tops of those things are just plain silly. All you did was punch 7 holes in the middle and cover it with a sticker. That’s not a top! Once you peel the sticker off, it just rolls up and doesn’t cover the holes anymore. Then the Comet residue starts building up on the can and cakes up.
Maybe you could try putting one of those little spouts on top like they do with salt. Those salt canners are using their heads! Are you working on this problem? If not, I suggest you steal one of those salt can designers away as fast as a Comet, if I can use a metaphor or even a metafive.
Disinfectantly yours,
“Me”
A Consumer Affairs Representative responded with:
Thank you for contacting Prestige Brands, Inc. and for your interest in our products.
We always like to hear from consumers who use and enjoy our products. We pass all comments onto our quality assurance and marketing personnel each month.
Please accept the enclosed as a thank you for sharing your comments and ideas with us. We hope that you will continue to use our products.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call our toll free number (phone number followed).
Final Thoughts: Enclosed was a coupon good for ONE FREE Comet Product, which is appreciated and will certainly be entering my home’s atmosphere soon.
In 2001, Procter & Gamble sold the Comet brand to Prestige Brands, although they continue to sell and distribute it in European countries as part of a licensing arrangement. Prior to the sale, I sent a very similar letter to P&G. Their response included a handy cap that snaps onto the top of the container, a FREE coupon for Crest (another one of their brands, which was quite humorous considering the Comet Mouthwash inquiry) and a Comet Homecare System flyer outlining the complete line of Comet products for “Home Clean Home.” P&G’s response also stated: “Our goal is to develop packages which protect our products during shipping and storage. They must also be convenient to use, attractive, and easy to distinguish on store shelves. It is important for us to know if our packages are meeting the needs of consumers and I am sharing your comments with our Packaging Department.”
The green Comet container is highly recognizable. Why it isn’t sold with the cap is beyond me! However, Comet is also now available in a resealable plastic container. Comet Cleanser was introduced by Procter & Gamble in 1956 and has captured the attention of many followers. Here’s where you can follow the Comet from Prestige Brands. Finally, if you have questions about a brand you’ve been observing or have trouble containing, be sure to Write The Company.
