Should I make the call - or shouldn't I?

[C.Ann]

Okay - I know you'll have a field day with this - but that's okay.. Everyone has their weird little quirks - whether they admit to it or not..

I have mentioned on this board before that I love to color (yes - in coloring books) and I've been doing quite a bit of it for the past month or more.. I have tons of crayons: Crayola; Rose Art; Sargeant; Kmart; Woolworth; Lovett; and 3 different "no name" brands.. Some of these crayons are extremely old, but still sharpen to a nice point and color very evenly..

Two weeks ago my DGD surprised me - went shopping with her own money - and purchased a 120-pack of Crayola crayons for me - along with 2 smaller Crayola packs (16 and 24) so I would have extra blacks, whites, and reds (colors I use frequently).. The big pack was purchased in a department store and the 2 smaller packs were purchased at CVS..

Well - the crayons are awful!! They're very "waxy" (so you can't color or outline smoothly) - yet when I try to sharpen them, they are very dry inside and break off.. (My very, very old Crayola crayons are not like this at all..) Anyhow, I was putting them in the big container I have (where all of my crayons are separated by color so it's easy to find what I need) and I noticed on the back of the Crayola box there is a 1 - 800# to call if you're not satisfied with the crayons - as they are "satisfaction guaranteed".. Well - I'm not satisfied - and I guess I really don't want (or expect) them to do anything about it - but I was wondering if I should call anyhow just to let them know that their quality isn't as good as it used to be..

Would you bother to call? Do they really want to know if their customers are satisfied or not?

I have to admit that I'm disappointed.. One - because my DGD spent her own money to buy these for me - and two - because I "used" to think Crayola was "the best"..

Yep - crazy old lady upset over her crayons..
Have fun!!

 

[bgirldeb]

sure you should!

 

[Jennasis]

You know it's funny you mention this, but DH and I have been known to bust out the coloring book on a rainy afternoon when we want to feel young again and I was VERY unhappy with the new box of crayons. The colors were not as saturated as they used to be, the were waxy and the color just blah. They were crayolas.

Make the call. For the good of us all!

 

[hereyago]

I am 42 and I still enjoy coloring. Mostly when DD and I are on a plane, but we also doodle at home.

I say call. Any company worth it's weight want to know if their product is below par. It could have been a bad batch.

 

[Magic Mom]

Call. That's what the number is for.

 

[wowsmom]

I'm 46 and I love to color. We've always gotten Crayola crayons cuz they were the best. It sounds like quality has gone downhilll, or there was a bad batch. I would definitely call them.

Have you tried the Dover coloring books that some Barnes & Nobles carry? They have a lot of different ones. I've also gotten them at Michael's and AC Moore.

 

[starrzone]

Definitely call! I agree with you, though; I have an old cookie container of even older Crayola and Prang (sp?) crayons, and they're like rock. The crud they sell these days doesn't even begin to stack up.

p.s.- I love coloring too. You're not alone!

 

[Silent1CB]

I believe I've heard that crayons are no longer made the way they were long ago. I do not remember why.

Since crayons are intended for children, and they seem to do a fine job for that age group, I do not believe they will take your complaint seriously at all. You can call if you want, but don't expect much.

Most adult artists use other mediums.

 

[C.Ann]

Make the call. For the good of us all!

This struck me so funny - the way you worded it.. Like my call will stamp out world hunger or something..

I guess I will call.. They've always been such a good quality crayon.. Hopefully the goal is to maintain their reputation - rather than save a few bucks by cutting corners and rolling out inferior products..

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I would definitely call!

But be prepared that they may think it's a prank. I'm sure they don't get many calls about people not satisfied with their crayons.

(Once I called the number on a pack of M&Ms because my friend and I were wondering if they were safe to eat if you have a peanut allergy and they really thought I was pranking them!)

 

[Luvchefmic]

You are not as unique as you think I LOVE to color...and I love those oversized coloring books and I will get right down on the floor and color. Great way to relax ! YES call the number for all the reasons you state, you know they are a terrific company, they'll do the right thing and maybe even more tell them you have been personally using their crayons for over 40 years that'll do it !

 

[C.Ann]

I'm 46 and I love to color. We've always gotten Crayola crayons cuz they were the best. It sounds like quality has gone downhilll, or there was a bad batch. I would definitely call them.

Have you tried the Dover coloring books that some Barnes & Nobles carry? They have a lot of different ones. I've also gotten them at Michael's and AC Moore.

I prefer the regular "old" type coloring books, but my adult DD loves the Dover coloring books.. She doesn't use crayons in those books though - she uses gel pens.. I usually buy her a few - along with new gel pens (which don't last very long when you use them for coloring) - for her birthday and Christmas every year..

 

[scjo68]

I wonder if there is some ingredient they took out for safety or something, that has always been in the crayons.

That's what I usually think of when an "old faithful" product is suddenly different.

My inlaws live in a house that is probably 80 years old and hasn't been painted inside in almost that many years...but the paint still holds up beautifully- we wonder if it's because it's full of lead- in laws say thay don't make great paint like that anymore.

 

[AlleyKat]

I'm happy knowing I'm not coloring alone.

 

[C.Ann]

You know it's funny you mention this, but DH and I have been known to bust out the coloring book on a rainy afternoon when we want to feel young again and I was VERY unhappy with the new box of crayons.

I am 42 and I still enjoy coloring.

I'm 46 and I love to color.

p.s.- I love coloring too. You're not alone!

You are not as unique as you think I LOVE to color...and I love those oversized coloring books and I will get right down on the floor and color. Great way to relax !

See that? I knew I wasn't alone.. When it comes to coloring, either you "get it" or you "don't"..

I wonder if there is some ingredient they took out for safety or something, that has always been in the crayons..

That thought actually crossed my mind - because I noticed there's no strong "crayon" scent with the newer crayons.. Now I'm really curious, so I'll call on Monday and see what they have to say..

 

[TaraLee4]

awww! I just bought 3 boxes of crayola's 24 packs because they are $0.25 at WalMart! I LOVE new Crayons! and back-to school is the time to buy!!

I hope they are good crayons. This reminds me that I wanted to go the crayola website!


Happy Coloring C.Ann!!

 

[Maridw]

Ok. Now I have to find the crayons I saw just the other day when we were cleaning out the garage. Plus I have to find the giant coloring book DH & I got a couple years ago.

I love to color. Make the call.

 

[BoogasMom]

See that? I knew I wasn't alone.. When it comes to coloring, either you "get it" or you "don't"..



That thought actually crossed my mind - because I noticed there's no strong "crayon" scent with the newer crayons.. Now I'm really curious, so I'll call on Monday and see what they have to say..

You aren't alone at all! I love to color too. And, now that you mention it, I noticed that crayon smell was missing the last time I bought Crayola crayons for my sons for school. My mother actually mentioned the same thing not too long ago. She is a closet-colorer too and recently bought herself a new box of Crayolas. She went to smell them and was disappointed that they don't quite smell the same.

Be sure to let us know what they say when you call!!!

 

[C.Ann]

Ok. Now I have to find the crayons I saw just the other day when we were cleaning out the garage. Plus I have to find the giant coloring book DH & I got a couple years ago.

I love to color. Make the call.

LOL.. I'll be coloring for awhile again tomorrow.. My crew won't be here this weekend (they have a wedding to attend) and it's too hot to do much of anything else.. However, I'll be using "less" of the new Crayola crayons and more of the other brands I have on hand..

 

[SandrA9810]

The last box of Crayola I bought was was the special edition 50 states.

Maybe you can find some one with grown kids that might have a few boxes of old crayons laying around. Put it out on craigslist, or ask for it on freecycle. I'm sure people will have no problem giving you some old ones just laying around and taking up space.

And that classic smell always made me sick to my stomach if I was coloring in the car. I could use markers, but couldn't do it with crayons. I have 3 giant color books of Disney movies. Never did color in all of them.