If You Don't See it, Ask. Eventually it Might Appear!

One of the challenges of being a green consumer is that often the product I am seeking is not easily found on the shelf. Actually, there is often the chance that the product I am seeking does not exist…yet.

A habit that I have tried to develop, and encourage others to follow, is that if the product or product characteristic you are seeking is not on the shelf - ASK. While you run the risk of being told that “it is not available”. An early warning sign of this is an odd scrunched up quizzical look on the clerks face. At least you let it be known that at least one consumer is looking.

There used to be a measurement in politics that each letter a politician receives represents a thousand people that felt that way, but did not bother to write. I expect a similar metric exists between consumers and manufacturers.

I know from my previous life in sales that I was frequently asked by managers and product development people “ what are the customers asking for”. This was a cheap and easy way for the company to ‘stay in touch’ with the market place. I learned from experience that the sales team could be desperate for a particular product modification, but that held little influence until the customer started speaking up as well.

So, the next time you are out shopping and can’t find the earth friendly item you seek, speak up and ask. You have nothing to lose, and eventually the ‘connected’ folks in product development might hear us!