I use Tide detergent because it's a status symbol?!?

[disneysnowflake]

A woman from our church came over with fund raiser items.
She said they needed to get more money into the church. We have a smaller church. We have a new pastor that is used to a larger church.

This woman wanted to know if we could commit a specific amount per month to donate above what we already give each week.

I said we have a budget, and right now with upcoming surgery that isn't covered by insurance 100% we are really cutting back.

This woman was in our kitchen and said she noticed we used Tide detergent. She said that people who use Tide do so because it's a status symbol. No, I use both Tide and Gain because I like them.
She said we could buy Xtra brand from discount stores for 1/3 of the price of Tide. If we spend $10 a month on Tide, but Xtra costs $3 we could afford to donate that $7.

Then she mentioned our dishwasher detergent I had on the counter since I just started the dishwasher. The detergent I had was free with a coupon I had, but she said the Cascade 2 in 1 Action Packs are again a status symbol as are the Clorox Wipes I have.

If I just gave up wanting to be "in" and start using generic items (which she said are made by the same manufacturers) we could clear up a lot in our budget to donate.

My husband said we will continue to give what we do each week, but until the surgery is out of the way and all bills are paid we will not be donating any additional money. He was really offended.

DH told her that he works, and he decides where our money goes. It's none of her business.

I don't mind donating extra if it's needed, but we just can't right now. That doesn't make us people who use Tide as a status symbol.

Do you think using name brand products like Tide and Clorox wipes means you
are using these products because it's a status symbol? I thought people used what they liked. Besides the Clorox Wipes I got 1/2 price at Target. I bought 4. The Cascade I got free from a coupon, but that's none of her business.

I guess she can't say much because she and her husband drove off in their gold colored Lincoln after just getting back from their winter home in Florida last week, but I guess that's different.

 

[Christine]

I wouldn't consider any of these products "status" symbols. Maybe she just doesn't know her terminology. My favorite detergent is Tide and I think it cleans the best. I have recently switched to ALL because I might have an allergy to Tide and, I swear, I don't think it cleans my DH's grimey stuff as well.

Having said all that, if I was really trying to save some money though, I would probably cut back on the name brands whether I like them or not--as long as the stuff like Xtra Detergent worked well enough. Some of these products are expensive.

 

[stargrazer]

Oh. My. Gosh.

Don't know what else to say...that is shocking to me. And pushy. I'm sorry, I couldn't give money to anyone that is going to comment on my laundry detergent to guilt me into giving money to charity.

 

[cinmell]

Tide and Clorox Wipes are a status symbol? Is she serious? I use Tide and Clorox Wipes because they work well. If I was going to buy something as a status symbol so I could show off, it certainly wouldn't be cleaning products! That's insane!

 

[horseshowmom]

A woman from our church came over with fund raiser items.
She said they needed to get more money into the church. We have a smaller church. We have a new pastor that is used to a larger church.

This woman wanted to know if we could commit a specific amount per month to donate above what we already give each week.

I said we have a budget, and right now with upcoming surgery that isn't covered by insurance 100% we are really cutting back.

This woman was in our kitchen and said she noticed we used Tide detergent. She said that people who use Tide do so because it's a status symbol. No, I use both Tide and Gain because I like them.
She said we could buy Xtra brand from discount stores for 1/3 of the price of Tide. If we spend $10 a month on Tide, but Xtra costs $3 we could afford to donate that $7.

Then she mentioned our dishwasher detergent I had on the counter since I just started the dishwasher. The detergent I had was free with a coupon I had, but she said the Cascade 2 in 1 Action Packs are again a status symbol as are the Clorox Wipes I have.

If I just gave up wanting to be "in" and start using generic items (which she said are made by the same manufacturers) we could clear up a lot in our budget to donate.

My husband said we will continue to give what we do each week, but until the surgery is out of the way and all bills are paid we will not be donating any additional money. He was really offended.

DH told her that he works, and he decides where our money goes. It's none of her business.

I don't mind donating extra if it's needed, but we just can't right now. That doesn't make us people who use Tide as a status symbol.

Do you think using name brand products like Tide and Clorox wipes means you
are using these products because it's a status symbol? I thought people used what they liked. Besides the Clorox Wipes I got 1/2 price at Target. I bought 4. The Cascade I got free from a coupon, but that's none of her business.

I guess she can't say much because she and her husband drove off in their gold colored Lincoln after just getting back from their winter home in Florida last week, but I guess that's different.

Many generics are manufactured by brand name manufacturers.

That has nothing whatsoever to do with the choices YOU choose to make. If you like what you're using, I'd sure keep using it.

The main issue here is that this woman was very, very rude. Your husband had every right to be offended. In fact, she was so rude that I would probably have told her that people who winter in FL sometimes do so as a status symbol and that if she would go back to just having one house, she would be amazed at how much more money she would have to contribute.

 

[MareQ]

Geez!

#1 It's YOUR money to spend how you WISH!

#2 I think your Church friend needs to spend some serious time reevaluating her reasons for going to church.

 

[pearlieq]

She was out of line and way annoying, but not 100% wrong, I think.

I know a lot of people who do only buy name brand products and shop at the most expensive grocery store because they do believe they convey a certain status. These are the same people who sniff and say "I could never by generic". We've all met them.

I'm not saying it happens in every situation, but it does happen.

 

[Maleficent13]

Who the heck am I impressing, the spiders in the basement?

 

[alabamaalan]

Well personally, I always wash my clothes in Tide















Because it's too dang cold out-tide

 

[dreamcometrue]

I have never heard of cleaning products being a status symbol! Tell her the Lincoln she's driving is a status symbol, not your laundry detergent!

 

[lindakmonty]

omg...I would have showed her the door! Its MY money and I will spend it HOWEVER I wish. Generic or brand name products! Some people have allergies and can only use certain products etc. We use some name brand and some generic, due to what we prefer. I don't buy due to any status symbol at all. For me, its mostly habit. When I was younger, it was name brand everything, until I realized that some generic is the same as the name brand product. Now we compare and buy what we like. No big deal. I would have told that lady how I felt. It is my decision how much I donate, and I'm not going to change my way of life and sacrifice so I can donate more. I'm sure the new pastor knew he was coming to a smaller church to begin with

 

[stargrazer]

I said we have a budget, and right now with upcoming surgery that isn't covered by insurance 100% we are really cutting back.

Well, there's your problem right there! If you would give her the money instead of having surgery, think of all they could do with your money!

 

[imsorry]

Well, does she realize you need 3 times as much of the cheap detergents to do the job as well as Tide or Wisk? which means you save nothing in the long run - we figured this out last year. The only reason I prefer Wisk over Tide is that Tide is too sudsy for my septic tank.

She was beyond nervy - I would not let her in my house again!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Tide and Clorox Wipes are a status symbol? Is she serious? I use Tide and Clorox Wipes because they work well. If I was going to buy something as a status symbol so I could show off, it certainly wouldn't be cleaning products! That's insane!

I agree. Cleaning products are not a status symbol. I would have a live in maid if I wanted a status symbol.

I would have asked her to leave and not return. I would then call the pastor and have a talk.

 

[NMAmy]

The main issue here is that this woman was very, very rude. Your husband had every right to be offended. In fact, she was so rude that I would probably have told her that people who winter in FL sometimes do so as a status symbol and that if she would go back to just having one house, she would be amazed at how much more money she would have to contribute.

Absolutely. What right does she have to come into your house and tell you how to cut corners to donate more to the charity she deems appropriate? I'd have been offended, too. And probably would have had a few choice words for her.

 

[KristinBelle]

That's crazy rude, I would've asked her to leave.

 

[Poohbear123]

I hope you are not still thinking of attending that church? THIS is one of MANY resaons I DO NOT go to Church! I buy WHAT I want, and no-one tells me HOW I spend my Money, incuding DH!

 

[shirleyb]

I don't know how they could be a status symbol, when most of your neighbors/friends probably don't have a clue what detergent you use.

I did read the Consumer Reports recently on laundry detergent, and Tide got the best rating, but Wal-Mart's Great Value brand got the best buy rating, because its numbers were just a shade less than Tide's and about half the price, so that's what I'll be looking for in the store.

Very pushy woman though, and she would really turn me off from wanting to donate anything to that church.

 

[diznygirl]

Well personally, I always wash my clothes in Tide



Because it's too dang cold out-tide

Meanwhile - I'd be contacting the church and telling them exactly why I wouldn't be giving them any more money, and why I'm looking for another church!!!!!!


Just realized I'm also a status-symbol buyer - I have Tide, Clorox Wipes and Cascade - and I didn't get mine free with a coupon! I'm going straight to hell!

 

[Nana Annie]

I use Tide because:
1) It is the only HE detergent available at Costco. But then, perhaps having a front loading washing machine is a status symbol.

2) Consumer reports rated Tide as the #1 detergent years ago when I researched and I just keep buying it.

3) As mentioned above, there are many reports out there that using some generic brands causes you to use x amount more to get the same cleaning results as the name brands. Consequently, you can actually end up spending more by buying the cheaper off brands.

I would be marching straight to the minister and lodging a complaint. If she is this rude, she is going to turn people off from donating at all.