Sunday, August 20, 2006

Selling Out for 100 Million Dollars

An interesting little bit of news I was previously unaware of:

Colgate-Palmolive bought Tom's of Maine.

Back when I was an idealistic teen, I often bought Tom's of Maine toothpaste in Fennel flavour. It's like cool, hip, enviro-friendly, toothpaste with mountain-climbing, hiker indie-cred! Toothpaste that the Man wouldn't brush his teeth with! I would still buy it (for the occasional change in toothpaste flavour), except that even as it's become more available, the price has never gone down. I think it still sells for around $5.50 CAD. It's a bit hard to justify when you're not rolling in money and plain old Colgate goes on sale for 59 cents.

Even though I'm sure the founders will do a lot of good with their money - I'm sure they'll conserve wetlands etc - it still struck me as a bit sad. I like having a lot of choice. And now, even though the choice to buy the product is still there, the money goes to the same people as if I buy the 59 cent Colgate. I know my logic is flawed, seeing as I haven't bought their product in years, but it affects me emotionally, not rationally.

I can't really blame them. I'm sure most contracts look really really good with $100 million attached.

"Mama, if that's selling up, then I'm sellin' out! Doo doo dee doo dee doo...."

4 comments:

nitabita said...

Wow, I feel a little betrayed. I am a recent whole foods/personal products convert and Tom's is in my arsenal. I guess as long as they don't compromise the ingredients I'll be okay.

...for the love of money...

JuliaMazal said...

Yeah, but can ya blame them? I'm not above selling out for 100 mil (depending on the consequence, of course - I'm not completely heartless either). The press release on their website sounds very concerned about not alienating their loyal customers.

tyroscribe said...

i agree, capitalism is bad.

JuliaMazal said...

tyro, you are a BRAT
(ignore the commie behind the curtain!)