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Rant

76.241.132.67

Posted on January 10, 2017 at 23:15:33
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
How come every damn thing i like either gets discontinued or "new and improved" ? I can't even remember all the things. One was these stuffed chicken breasts. They had broccoli in them with a nice rich and flavorful cheese sauce. I think it may have just been pure cheddar cheese. the broccoli was in nice size chunks and when cooked just right still had a wee bit of snap to it.

Then it was "new and improved". the chicken was the same but now the cheese sauce had hardly any flavor and was white and quite thin, oozed all over the place. The broccoli was in tiny little pieces like when they dry it and put it in those pasta n whatever sides, like Knorr. I was paying over a buck apiece for these things, but not no mo.

So now, in the cheese department, I used to get Hoffman's super sharp cheddar cheese. this stuff was sharp, it smelled like other cheddar tastes. The thing about it is that it was not acidy. Most brands are. This shit was good. Now all the sudden you can't get it anymore around here.

What, people don't like any flavor in their food ? (I think bullet can understand that, ordering those pizzas with garlic, others probably gasp)

What's more, looking around at the grocery store I can't seem to find simple cheddar cheese. Cheddar with pimento, pepperoni, other cheeses and any other damn thing but not just cheddar. After

 

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Look around more and keep on asking for what you want, posted on January 11, 2017 at 01:03:37
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
and let's leave it at that.


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

The only constant is change. nt, posted on January 11, 2017 at 05:38:03
Justlisten2
Audiophile

Posts: 1266
Location: SE PA
Joined: March 8, 2001
nt

 

Gee, who pissed in your cornflakes?, posted on January 11, 2017 at 05:38:13
Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999
You'll just have to get off your butt and shop around. Hoffman's cheese is junk -- "super sharp" is rather bland and anything but sharp. If you want decent stuff ("nostalgia ain't what it used to be") you might need to check out local stores and perhaps specialty shops. You'll have to spend a little more in some cases. If you're not willing to do the legwork and spend a few bucks more you have no right to complain. I get "super super sharp" (literally) for just under $8 a pound, and it's great. The same (chain) store sells up to 12 year old cheddar, albeit at a steep price. Your user info indicates you're in northern Ohio. Worst case, Heinen's which started in the Cleveland area and has several stores around there has good cheese, at a price. Seek and ye shall find!
Brian Walsh

 

"new and improved" keeps people employed... , posted on January 11, 2017 at 05:42:56
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31815
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since:
January 28, 2004
unfortunately.



"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Not always..., posted on January 11, 2017 at 06:23:35
MaxwellP
Audiophile

Posts: 1618
Location: New York
Joined: September 19, 2007
It is unfortunate, but when things claim to be "new and improved" they are usually just processed/manufactured more cheaply.

 

RE: Rant, posted on January 11, 2017 at 06:45:41
I have a similar problem with lots of things. If it is finding a slab of filet mignon, very had to get. I have to be literally the first person in the supermarket as soon as the delivery comes to get it. Why do they only have 1 slab every 3 days who the hell knows. If not they have this shit Australian beef instead which tastes gamey.

Another thing. Beef Jerky, have to order online because all they carry is Jacks Links, while good still not optimal.

The rare cases I need caviar I have to go to a Russian Deli where the price is jacked up 3 times and the last one I got of caviar I gather the owners of the Deli had some of it because it was almost none in the container. I guessing they are laughing saying "stupid American".

I haven't gotten into cheese yet but that sounds good. I like it with crackers, and damn if I can find a good cracker. Nope just processed crap from a major label. I gather nowadays it is better to order all this stuff online.

I know what it is like walking into a Best Buy really the only electronic store here and finding absolutely nothing I can use as it is all substandard garbage. Reading weekly circulars of sales at Staples for a cheap USB hard drive, drive all the way there to find out it is not in stock. Workers tell me to order online to get the deal, why even have a storefront at this point if I can get nothing I need.

Don't get me started on needing anything having to do with computers and related equipment, again only substandard companies with hardware that doesn't work that well. Need a nice beer, an exotic beer, well forget it. If you do find a bottle it is many years old and expired.

All the stores where you have to step your foot into suck, have no stock so Amazon Web site I am left with.

 

RE: 'New and Improved', posted on January 11, 2017 at 07:40:12
b.l.zeebub
Audiophile

Posts: 9361
Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W
Joined: April 17, 2006
Read: Cheaper to make for us and you probably won't notice that the product is actually worse than it was before.


If all the 'improvements' actually happened it would mean that laundry detergent in the 50s was basically diluted dye.

 

RE: 'New and Improved', posted on January 11, 2017 at 09:51:47
You'll see "New and Improved" in bold letters on the product packaging. Then you find out that "new" actually means smaller (14oz. where it used to be 16oz. for example) and "improved" generally means that the manufacturer found a way to cut his cost (not yours) by cutting down on the main ingredient and replacing it with some kind of cheap filler:-(

Cheers,
SB

 

I hear ya, Wal Mart just let me down on two items I, until recently, loved, posted on January 11, 2017 at 16:00:07
Road Warrior
Audiophile

Posts: 21652
Location: Dallas
Joined: August 31, 2004
Their bacon, cheese, and egg biscuits used to be killer good. 2 half slices of center sliced bacon, a decent scrambled egg "pattie", a decent biscuit, and a tasteless (hey, you can't have everthing) slice of "cheese", for a buck. Now, the egg, biscuit, and cheese are the same but the center cut slices of bacon have been replaced by some round, ground up and formed, non descript concoction that perfectly fits the biscuit. Just freekin awful.

And today, I buy their Black Forest ham (in a plastic container, 2 8oz packages). Used to be some damn good (considering it wasn't slice off a real ham in the deli section) ham sold at a discount to their competitors' offerings in the refrigerated area. Today's offering? Some kinda chopped and formed crap that resembles bologna and has no taste, at all.

I feel yer pain
----------------------

"E Burres Stigano?"


 

My theory is part of 'we are all just a huge computer simulation' Stuff good? real world, bye bye, posted on January 11, 2017 at 23:05:58
My theory is that yes we are just some advanced beings giant computer simulation.
So good stuff, once it is recognized by enough of us, is no longer 'needed' to be researched, so it vanishes, or is changed, to further research good or bad.
I have also noticed plenty of foods in particular which are great for a period... Then mysteriously turn to crap. Same company, same brand, but it no longer is anything but damn sawdust and pink slime.

So IMO all that reinforces the notion we are just guinea pigs in some vast socio-political-psychological marketing scheme.

 

RE: Gee, who pissed in your cornflakes?, posted on January 11, 2017 at 23:21:17
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
"You'll just have to get off your butt and shop around. Hoffman's cheese is junk -- "super sharp" is rather bland and anything but sharp."

Can't disagree there. I just bought it because it was the best stuff I could find around. I consider it like - normal. The rest of the shit is wax or something.

I used to get Kraft Olde English 800, which to me is barely cheese, but at least it has some flavor.

I didn't even know Heinens was still in business, they don't seem to advertise at all. I guess I can look online.

So what brand is this "super super sharp" of which you speak, and ddo you think Heinens would have it ? Because I am pretty sure I will seek one out.

There is one problem for me though, I hate traveling long distances. This whole friggin state is one huge construction zone. Nobody knows how to drive, and I mean that. Sure we got insurance but an accident is a PITA anyway. The way some of these assholes drive literally makes me want to take my gun on the road and start putting them out of my misery. It IS that bad. Not so much once you get out into the stix, but personally I don't want to have to drive ten miles to get beer.

I dunno. I used to go to Heinens. Thing is their stores always seemed smallish and not really fit for the market. After what I've seen in life I simply assumed they were out of business. If they're still around, thanks for the heads up.

 

RE: Rant, posted on January 11, 2017 at 23:44:48
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
"I have a similar problem with lots of things. If it is finding a slab of filet mignon, very had to get. I have to be literally the first person in the supermarket as soon as the delivery comes to get it."

I wonder what happened around here. Up until several months ago they had them all the time. I use them for other things than just steaks too. I sometimes make these killer steak sandwiches. I put it on the meat slicer and slice it thin, thinner than you could with a knife unless it is partly frozen, and even then it is a PITA. Ilearned a way to do the mushrooms that makes them really good, you don't just sautee' them, you actually fry them. It takes time because you have to do them individually. But these things kick ass, which brings us to my next bitch. I want UNCUT buns. Reason ? for these, and certain other sandwiches I vee cut them at the top. You practically have to bake your own. Even the dedicated bread store down the street doesn't have them. convenience ? Not for me.

"Another thing. Beef Jerky, have to order online because all they carry is Jacks Links, while good still not optimal. "

I hear people are starting to make their own with these little convection doodads they sell on TV. This gives for alot of flexibility. I imagine with one you could make pork jerky, chicken jerky, pepperoni and all kins of neat shit.

"Workers tell me to order online to get the deal, why even have a storefront at this point if I can get nothing I need."

Marketing. They get you in the store and think "They might see something and have to have it". They love it when you bring kids. We have a Microcenter within reason, just barely - about 27 miles. They almost always have alot in stock and don't over advertise. In fact I haven't seen an ad from them lately. I think they target you once you but something and if you don't come back in a while they stoop. It would be hard to catch me dead at a Best Buy.

Thing is, some people do not "shop". I don't even grocery shop. I know what I want and I look for that. Once I got it I get in line and GTFO. I don't like how they mix things up and try to put all this shit in your face. And all of it, look at the ingredients and second or third is sugar or HFCS.

Can't speak to the caviar situation, not into it. The whole idea turns me off, like mollusks etc. That joke about down in Louisiana they eat what we call the Orkin Man for, well that's me when it comes to that. Fish and shrimp are about all I eat in the way of seafood ad I am picky about that. I won't eat tilapia, salmon, swordfish. It's just the way I am.

"Need a nice beer, an exotic beer, well forget it. If you do find a bottle it is many years old and expired."

One thing this area does have is a ton of microbreweries. They seem to be doing alright, probably because the usual beverage stores don't carry much what people call real beer. Few imports either. I like the thin stuff because I drink it like soda pop and don't want to get hammered. But a nice real beer now and then is good. Just like booze.

 

RE: 'New and Improved', posted on January 11, 2017 at 23:49:54
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
"Read: Cheaper to make for us and you probably won't notice that the product is actually worse than it was before."

Yeah kinda like coffee. how many ounces in a five pound can of coffee now ? And they say you don't have to use as much. Bullshit. They got you drinking dishwater, but paying for the rich coffee of the old days.

Hint for them : When you put coffee in a glass cup, you should not be able to see through it.

 

RE: I hear ya, Wal Mart just let me down on two items I, until recently, loved, posted on January 12, 2017 at 00:06:49
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
"Some kinda chopped and formed crap that resembles bologna and has no taste, at all."

I think they're getting the idea that the sheeple will buy whatever they're selling.

I am sure the car companies hold that attitude. I want the powertrain to conform to regulations of course, and then with MECHANICAL controls I want a good heater, air conditioner, defrosters, wipers. Brakes that fit a car not a motorcycle. I want hydraulic power sterig and if they can't figure out how to shift gears without a computer I want a stickshift and I DO NOT wat a light on the dashboard telling me when to shift. I also want a way to disconnect that damn seatbelt beeper. I KNOW I am not wearing it. So what.

In fact I was in a car wreck in which I would have been paralyzed if I had it on. The people in the back seat flew up aginst the back of the front seat where I was and pushed the seat forward so far that I coulld not get to the handle to open the door. I would have likely had a broken pelvis. Boy the hospital would have made a tome of money on that. See, if you die they don't make any money. So my head hits the windshield and is all bloody and the nurse says "Learned your lesson about seatbelts eh ?", to which i replied "Yeah, never wear them". That is another thing, no drivers air bag. If you are driving and hit something and get hurt, next time you learn about following distance. These assholes because of all this shit think proper following distance is one inch per hundred miles per hour. they need to get hurt a couple of ties so they learn. And if I am driving and hit something, the last thing I need is a big balloon in my face.

It almost hurts to see kids in helmets riding bikes. what happens when they climb a tree ? Oh, can't climb trees anymore.

Around my Grandparents' house when I was young there was a doctor who worked out off his house. You could walk there. If a kid fell out the tree and broke an arm the Mom at the house would take him to the doctor and call his Parents. On the phone, without signing anything it was "I'll be down in a minute, go ahead and put a cast on it". If he neeeded to do surgery he booked time at the local hospital.

Now if a kid falls out of a tree even if not injured in any way, there are three cop cars, a SWAT team and at least five lawyers chasing the ambulace coming to take the kid to a hospital to get full Xrays ad all this to the tune of thousands of bucks. In the old days the Parents discussed who was going to pay the twenty bucks for the cast.

This is progress.

 

RE: My theory is part of 'we are all just a huge computer simulation' Stuff good? real world, bye bye, posted on January 12, 2017 at 00:25:17
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
"So IMO all that reinforces the notion we are just guinea pigs in some vast socio-political-psychological marketing scheme. "

It is not a notion, it is fact.

 

RE: Gee, who pissed in your cornflakes?, posted on January 12, 2017 at 03:29:14
Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999
Heinen's is definitely still in business. They opened about 3 or 4 stores in the Chicago area in recent years, including in my town, Barrington. How they're doing, I don't know, because like most people I shop around and their prices are for those who don't pay much attention to prices. The 'super super sharp' is made by a company out of Wisconsin, sold by a Wisconsin based chain. You won't get it in Cleveland, so I'd just look around for a good NY state sharp cheddar. Vermont cheddar is good, too. If you have Trader Joe's around, and chances are you do, they have good cheese, too. Good luck and eating!
Brian Walsh

 

RE: Rant, posted on January 12, 2017 at 06:11:07
dean_martin
Audiophile

Posts: 1747
Location: lower alabama
Joined: January 26, 2006
That's at the top of my "minor annoyance" list. Our local grocer stopped carrying my favorite canned beans. Told the wife and she ordered me a case from Amazon that arrived 2 days later. McCormick discontinued one of my go-to seasonings. Told the wife and she got me a 3-pack from eBay. The minor annoyance which I can't seem to exorcise is the scarcity of my favorite toothbrush.

I call them minor annoyances, but they're really demons.

 

RE: Rant, posted on January 12, 2017 at 08:12:24
The quality and price of stuff is driven by the consumer.

You want something cheaper? Suppliers will do their best to accommodate you.

You want something better? Suppliers will do their best to accommodate you.

:)

 

No cheddar cheese?, posted on January 12, 2017 at 11:16:58
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
...try going to a different store.

 

RE: Cheddar Cheese, posted on January 12, 2017 at 20:59:59
Postal Grunt
Audiophile

Posts: 3439
Location: Northeastern Kansas, USA
Joined: January 18, 2001
Start looking for a grocery store that carries either Cabot or Tillamook cheeses.I find the Tillamook to have a salty taste at times but that may just be me. Try the local Kroger affiliate.

Here in the KC, MO area, Costco carries large 2 or 3 lb blocks of Cabot's Seriously Sharp Cheddar and Tillamook's Extra Sharp Cheddar for very reasonable prices. If you know someone with a Costco membership, you might ask your acquaintance if you can go to the local store with them when you're in town.

 

RE: 'New and Improved', posted on February 2, 2017 at 19:22:19
"Yeah kinda like coffee. how many ounces in a five pound can of coffee now ?" JURB quote." Well I'll answer that ? Let me see,16 ounces to a pound. Soooow, lets multiply 5lbs by 16 ounces. That should give us 90 ounces. I don't think that has ever changes since pounds and ounces were invented. T456

 

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