Product Flops
Products that didn’t make it
Chase Dallas
Marketing
November 13, 2013
1. Colgate Kitchen Entrees
Launched: 1982
Colgate had an idea that maybe the logical way oto help boost it’s toothepaste empire was to launch a line of
frozen dinner entrees. Obviously, customers did not rush to get their hands on these dinners, which I can fully
understand. Who would want to eat a meal by the same people who put peppermint paste in a tube? I can see
why this product flopped, I wouldn’t have even given it a try.
2. Thirsty Dog Bottled Water
Launched: 2008
This product is exactly like the title. Bottles water that you could have purchased for your dog. Obviously, it
bombed quickly. This product flopped like a fish on a deck. These bottles of water came in different varieties of
taste, like crispy beef for dogs and even tangy fish for cats. I can see why this product flopped, if you’re giving
your dog water then you would just give him tap water, there’s absolutely no need to buy him an expensive
bottle. And honestly, your dog does not need its own Evian, I find this product to be a stupid idea in all
honesty.
3. New Coke
Launched: 1985
The coca-cola company saw their sales drop and heard bad reviews when they decided to come out with a
different version of coke. They tried to improve the formula of regular coke, and improving is something they
did not do. I can see why this product flopped because there was no need to try to better a product that
literally could not be better. Coke started to face protests, boycotts and bottles were even being emptied into
the streets of Southern cities. This product flop caused the company to soon reintroduce it’s original formula,
calling it “Coca-Cola Classic.”
4.
BIC Underwear
The pen company BIC came out with a few products that launched. They achieved success with their lighters
and razors, but the success didn’t follow through when they came out with disposable women’s under where. I
find this an extremely bizarre brand extension. Although the disposability element was still there within the
product, it simply could not attract customers.
I do not feel like the mind of the consumers simply was not flexible enough for a move into an unrelated
product category. BIC messed that one up.
5.
PS Vita
Launched: 2011
It came out as a hand held came console, but the Nintendo 3DS Came out at around the same time so it just
blew this product out of competition. Also, the $300 price tag was too expensive, especially when games were
cheaper on phones and tablets that were out at the same time
Product Flops
Products that I don’t understand
1. Mosquito Laser
I feel as though this product will not be successful, although already acclaimed, because the
cartridges that you put into the laser do not simulate our breath closely enough. The cartridges
are also extremely expensive, and since they must be plugged into the wall you are also paying
for hydro. If they are not plugged into the way, you have to use propane. And when it comes
down to it, yes the product will zap the mosquito when it comes into contact with it, but it does
not attract the mosquitos like it says it does. If the mosquito happens to come into contact with
it, then only at that time will the laser work.
Have you ever been on your deck outside? If you have, then you know that mosquitos don’t line
up and head for on object or one direction, they’re everywhere, going after everything. Also,
they are attracted to our breath, not to lasers.
2. Segway Two Wheel Personal Transportation vehicle
Segways did not go over well because they were priced for over $3,000 dollars per unit, with the
more exclusive models selling for over$8,000. This price range is just too expensive to land a
product in every house hold like they had expected to. Another problem that had raised was that
in certain countries, this Segway was classified as a road vehicle, which needs licensing. Some
countries have also deemed them to even be used on their roads. In the first 6 years that
Segways were sold, only 30,000 units were sold, which was way below the millions that they
thought they would sell.
3. Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue is a berry flavoured drink, sold by Pepsi. It flopped because this was not the original
Pepsi. The taste is too sweet, the colour turned people off, and it even went flat faster than the
regular Pepsi did! These were only a few complaints from customers of the product. Indonesia is
one of the few countries around the world to still sell this product.
4. Coors Water
The brewing company Coors had tried to come out with their own line of mountain spring water.
I think this will fail simply because parents would not want their kids to walk around with Coors
water, since Coors is simply a beer. They didn’t want their kids saying “Mom can I have some
Coors?” It would simply lead people in the wrong direction.
5. Maxwell House Ready to drink Coffee
Although it sounds appearing to the consumer and appears to be convenient, it has to be
refrigerated and then when you are ready to have the coffee, you have to grad your cup, pour
the refrigerated coffee into then cup, and then microwave it. I do not find that convenient
whatsoever. It is just as time consuming as it would be to start a fresh pot. I feel as though this
product is false advertising because the name of it clearly states that it is ‘Ready to go’ when it is
actually not, its not ready to go. It would make more sense if the product was an “iced coffee
product ready to go”, but it isn’t. It is refrigerated and you now have to heat it up and then add
your condiments. I feel as though no one will buy this and it will be soon off the market.