I missed the old Downy...

@aejey322 (1004)
Philippines
October 18, 2012 1:56am CST
I have just called Procter and Gamble a while ago to complain about their new Downy sunrise fresh. I have been using this fabric conditioner for many many years now. When I got married, I still practiced the same, until I had my 2 babies. I bought a new batch for my stocks last Friday. I noticed that the Downy has its new look. It already has a new packaging. And i also noticed that the anti-bac variant also wears a new look. So I was thinking that well maybe they really have changed the packaging for a change. Last Saturday was the wash day at home. Our helper did the washing and I was in charge of my kids. And when the clothes were gathered from the line in the afternoon, I noticed there was a different smell. It has a strong smell. SO I asked the helper whether she used another one. She confirmed it was the new Downy that I bought. It was really very strong. My nose is very sensitive to smell and easily being attacked with sinusitis. When my kids wore the newly washed clothes this week, I also noticed they were sneezing. So I called P&G Philippines and reported to them my concern. The customer representative then gave attention and asked for details. I requested if the items could be replaced with the old version because I did not have any problem with the original scent. She said they will not replace the item with any Downy product to avoid any issues again. I don't know why they even did not confirm if they still have stocks of the old version. But anyway, they assured me they will replace the value of Downy with any other products of P&G. But they will not retrieve the Downy anymore. It is up to me to keep it or give it away. Of course, I'd rather give it away. I really could not afford to use it anymore because I'm afraid it might cause allergies to the kids. And also to keep away my sinusitis. I'm just sad they changed the formulation of Downy. I have been loving their product for a decade already. I am not saying that their product is poor. But maybe it's just that we are a family of sensitive to smell. And now, I will be facing a problem of what fabcon brand should I replace with that... I hope some supermarkets still has the old ones. But I still need to decide what to use next...
1 person likes this
6 responses
adnileb
@adnileb (5256)
• Philippines
18 Oct 12
Wow, you have a powerful nose. Me and my fiancé do not use fabcon, just tide with Downy. But in our home, my mom used to put some and I think it's Del. I think it has a very light scent and I like it. Maybe Downy has changed the chemicals used that's why. But having a good sense of smell is an advantage. The sinusitis isn't good though.
aejey322
@aejey322 (1004)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
My officemate also suggested that I should try Del... Well there's no problem if they changed their formulation but they should have informed the consumers like putting in their packaging "now with scent" so I could have decided to buy just a few to test. Because i bought 5 dozens thinking that only the packaging has changed. yeah... sinusitis is never good
aejey322
@aejey322 (1004)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
sorry... "now with new scent"
adnileb
@adnileb (5256)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
Oh, my... 5 dozens?? So what are you planning to do with them? Maybe it's okay to ask for replacement at the store where you bought it.
mariaperalta
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
18 Oct 12
This happens many times with several companies. I think they change products sometimes to make more money. They then make the product not as good as it was before.
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
18 Oct 12
You have a sensitive sense of smell aejey. So you have every reason to feel that way for that change in formulation of Downy. Maybe you can use other brand's fabric conditioner. They have very mild variants. Although, at home our wash lady doesn't use fabric conditioner. But the clothes that she washed are all smelling fresh and nice. At least, we don't have extra expense anymore.
aejey322
@aejey322 (1004)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Yeah I really do... ANd I hate it because my sinusitis will also easily attack. I have been experimenting other brands before... or if I can hear that there is a new brand. I even have cursed one brand because it also gave me the same effect. They also have a very strong smell.. I also applied it to our bedsheet, pillow cases and blanket. You know, how good it feels to have a fresh-smelling sheets... But the result? I was up the whole night because the smell is really disturbing. I also remembered during college, I also wash clothes without fabcon. But now that I'm used to it, it's like something's lacking without it and maybe you are just fortunate you have a good wash lady. Our current helper is not that good so I really needed her to use fabcon...
Raine38
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
18 Oct 12
Wow, you are one meticulous customer! I wouldn't have known the difference, but then, I hardly use fabric conditioners for my clothes. But you are correct to assert your rights as a consumer. Maybe the R&D of PNG for Downy failed to conduct thorough olfactory tests to sample consumers with nasal issues, like your sinusitis, etc. I used to be in a manufacturing company and one of the reasons why they change the formulation is to substitute the raw material for a cheaper one with the least effect on the final product. But it could be any other reason for Downy why they changed their scent.
aejey322
@aejey322 (1004)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I've been using it for a decade already, so maybe it's more than enough for me to familiarize the scent. But it's just sad that they did not even put some marks on their new packaging like "with improved scent" or something like that... because if it is only there, I would not have bought 5 dozens. Maybe I'll just buy a few to test it first...
Belle_of_the_Ball
@Belle_of_the_Ball (896)
• Philippines
18 Oct 12
I don't like fabric conditioner in my clothes because I have a very sensitive skin. I use the mildest soap for my clothes and undergarments. Though I don't use this product,my brother and his wife couldn't wear clothes without fabcon that's why I know the difference of old downy scent from the new one.and I agree,the scent is too strong.
aejey322
@aejey322 (1004)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
It's nice to know that there is somebody agreeing with me. Because I was also thinking that I was just too sophisticated to raise my complain to P&G. But I was just trying to tell them honestly that the effect is no good for me and my kids. But it's also nice to tell them so they could be aware that there are a portion of their consumers that doesn't like the new downy anymore. The only thing is, they should have informed us that their downy has changed...
kokomo
@kokomo (1867)
• Philippines
18 Oct 12
I think there are also fabric conditioners which are not strong to the nose.You should try another brand for you to know which is better.Sometimes, companies generates improved smell and quality to their products but not all consumers will buy and stick into it like with that of your situation.
aejey322
@aejey322 (1004)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Yes that's the next thing that I would probably do... But I actually have tried experimenting other brands before. Some are too strong... some are too mild like you couldn't noticed that you applied any fabcon... But since now that DOwny is a no - no to me, I think I need to decide to use even if it is very mild...