What the heck is going on lately? Am I having unusually bad luck with corporations or am I just getting a kick out of complaining to see what will happen?
This post is brought to you by Blistex Silk & Shine and their misleading packing which resulted in a very unhappy camper, aka me.
On January 25th, after breaking open the package of my new lip balm and slathering it on, I was taken aback by the overwhelmingly sickly sweet scent and flavor of berries. Quite surprising, given the fact that the packaging hadn’t indicated there were any flavorings at in in this particular balm. So I went to their website to complain.
I normally purchase Nivea lip balm, but saw that your Silk & Shine was on sale this weekend and decided to try that instead. I am very disappointed in the fact that nowhere on your packaging is there a mention of the product smelling/tasting like berries. If I wanted a berry flavored lip balm, I would have actively chosen one. I, apparently incorrectly, assumed that since your product didn’t specify a “flavor” that it was just a regular lip balm. Since the berry flavor is too overwhelming, I now feel like I wasted my money on a product due to the misleading packaging. If you are willing to refund my money (I can send a scan of the receipt, if necessary), that would be ideal. But I think at the very least you should change your packaging to let a consumer know exactly what they are purchasing. Thank you.
The following day, I received a response.
Dear Nicole;
Thank you for taking the time to contact us about your recent experience with the Blistex Silk & Shine Lip Balm. Your comments are receiving our close attention. Blistex Inc. takes great pride in the products and services that we provide. Feedback from consumers, such as you, helps us continually improve our products and services. We do list the word “flavor†in the inactive ingredients. We need to ask you to please provide the lot code number that is located on the bottom of the tube.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience this occurrence may have caused you, and if you will please provide your address, and what you paid for the product, we will be happy to send you a refund for the product. We certainly hope that you will continue to use and have confidence in our products.
If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.
My reply followed the same day.
I appreciate your prompt attention to my concern. While true, there is an item in the ingredient list labeled “flavors”, I think you will agree it’s quite vague and still does not indicate the very overwhelming berry flavor the balm contains. I do hope your company considers adding this to future packaging.
The lot # on the bottom of the tube is S020918. I paid $1.74 total ($1.62 plus 8% tax).
Again, I appreciate your prompt reply. If you could tell me which of your products do not have a flavor, I will definitely consider Blistex in the future thanks to your excellent customer service.
I never received a reply, but today in the mail I received a check for $1.88 and two 25 cents off coupons. I really do hope they change their packing, though, because for now I will stick to Nivea since I can’t trust I will be getting a flavor-less balm with Blistex.