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Postum Call

  • Jan. 16th, 2008 at 8:27 AM

As you may have heard from my last post, Kraft has DISCONTINUED POSTUM, my warm beverage of choice.



Since I'm not the kind of person to just whine and do nothing I took action. I found Super Grover and we called the complaint number (1-800-431-7678).

“Your call is very important to us,” said the automated voice of Kraft.

“See, Cawwie? We are important,” explained Grover.

“Then why aren’t we talking to a real person?” I asked.

“Do not be so biased, Cawwie. I, Grover, your adorable, fuzzy, blue monster friend is not a real person and you talk to me and that doesn’t make you less important.”

I was going to respond but then Rebecca from Kraft came on. Rebecca seems like a nice person, but she is the harbinger of death.

Die Postum! Die!

I told Rebecca my issues with the demise of Postum.

Rebecca said, “I’m glad you called. I’m sorry that you are disappointed that we took Postum off the shelf.”

She then promised to, “Pass your comments along. Consumers comments are always important to us.”

But…

But…

But why did they take away my grainy warm beverage cereal?

“It was a very difficult decision,” she said.

Then she asked for my name and my phone number AND my address so that the Kraft company who had KILLED my FAVORITE drink could send me promotional material and offers !?!

  So, I brought out THE DUKE.

“How about you offer to give the little lady her Postum back,” he said.

Rebecca explained that she couldn’t do that. But she’d pass along the Duke's comments and mine and Grover's.

“Could I have your email address?” she asked.

Grover and I politely said, “No.”

Mr. Wayne? Well… he was a different story.  

And congratulations to the Quick Picks! YAY! I am so happy for you and your books! And may I suggest to any angry authors out there who are not Quick Picks: Take out your anger on Kraft! Demand Postum's Return! It'll make you feel better. Really...

Comments

( 58 comments — Leave a comment )
[info]wldhrsjen3 wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 01:43 pm (UTC)
Sorry about the Postum fiasco. That's aggravating. My favorite skin cream (the *only* stuff I've found that doesn't irritate my ridiculously sensitive face) was discontinued and I have yet to find a replacement. Sighs. I hate it when companies do something stupid. Bottom line? What bottom line? *crooked smile*
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:27 am (UTC)
Oh. I have a ridiculously sensitive face, too. Tell me if you find something else good, okay?
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sensitive face - (Anonymous) - May. 21st, 2008 10:32 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: sensitive face - [info]carriejones - May. 22nd, 2008 12:19 am (UTC) Expand
[info]artistq wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 01:49 pm (UTC)
This is America, there is always more--isn't there?
Can't they send you ALL the cases they have left... there are always some left. They couldn't have sold it to 0.
Did you tell them you are a P W ? I here Rebecca is a W! OH MY where did that come from?

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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:28 am (UTC)
Re: This is America, there is always more--isn't there?
Yeah. There should be cases of that stuff somewhere, right?
I'm going to call her back and go all W on her. Yeah.
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[info]sarah_create wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 01:51 pm (UTC)
I can call the complaint line free from Iceland, straight from your post. All I have to do is click on the number and it will dial for me.
Oh man. My microphone is turned off. This is a big problem.

Grover! Help! Where is that button before they hang up. (Just kidding. I pushed the button myself.)

How do I explain that I want postum--which is very good--when I can't buy it here?

I need to figure out my line.
I'll give myself 5 minutes to figure out a hook to convince Kraft that postum is critical to good books being written!

I LOVE Skype.
Carrie--get skype and you will have another distraction--you can call me and all your other writer friends for free from your computer from any hotspot, anywhere, when you should be writing!

(I do use it to chat and call one writer friend. We work out writing issues a couple time a month with it. Really. It IS a tool...sometimes.)

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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:29 am (UTC)
That is SO cool.
I'm going to have to look into Skype.
It's your fault that I'll never finish another book, though. ;)
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(no subject) - [info]sarah_create - Jan. 17th, 2008 10:37 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 18th, 2008 12:13 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]sarah_create - Jan. 18th, 2008 04:12 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 18th, 2008 06:50 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]sarah_create - Jan. 18th, 2008 09:04 pm (UTC) Expand
[info]kellyrfineman wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 01:54 pm (UTC)
Rassin' frassin' lists.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:29 am (UTC)
You crack me up.
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[info]annamlewis wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 02:04 pm (UTC)
In search of Postum science, I wikipedia-ed Postum. They're already blatantly boasting it's demise. I assumed it had been off the market a long time and then I read, "it was discontinued in winter of 2007". Give a girl some time to grieve... must they be so quick to give it the grand kiss of death.. on wiki!

AND then, whoa, a huge area about YOU!!!! and all the Tips About Postum!!!
(Okay, sorry if this is old news... I just thought it was really cool!)

Whoa, and it got me thinking... what product can I add to one of my books so I can be cool, too! Hmmm...
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[info]annamlewis wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 02:20 pm (UTC)
Okay, I'm stupid. I just read your last post.

(It's still really cool!)
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(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 17th, 2008 02:30 am (UTC) Expand
[info]alixwrites wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 02:06 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry to hear
I feel exactly the same about Progresso Black Bean soup. I felt that they just needed to give it a marketing campaign, so people in other parts of the country, who don't really know from black beans like we do here in Miami, could discover its wonderfulness and, specifically, that it is way tastier than lentil.

I've never heard of Postum, which just shows that they didn't try hard enough there either.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:31 am (UTC)
Re: I'm so sorry to hear
I love black bean soup.
I think Progresso and Kraft absolutely need new marketers.
AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!
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[info]jmprince wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 02:21 pm (UTC)
Bring back Postum!!!!
I wonder if they can ship you a few crates, y'know, since it's been discontinued....
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:32 am (UTC)
I can only dream...
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[info]bostonerin wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 02:23 pm (UTC)
Perhaps
you could suggest the Duke as the new Face of Postum? Imagine all the people who would feel compelled to drink it if he was staring out from the jar, cowboy hat tilted, eyes narrowed...

Or at least send an angry picture of him to Rebecca.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:32 am (UTC)
Re: Perhaps
Oh, that's a good idea. You are brilliant!
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[info]neutronjockey wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 03:14 pm (UTC)
:(
When you're finally President you can bring Postum back under a Constitutional Amendment.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:33 am (UTC)
It'll be part of my platform.
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[info]rhonawestbrook wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 03:15 pm (UTC)
Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Maybe you can order a life-time supply now....like Eleen in Sienfeld did when they discontinued her 'sponge' of chioce:-)

::: pauses to giggle :::

Or....um.....k that's all I got. Grover's right. Poor Cawwi!
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[info]mdhenry wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 04:25 pm (UTC)
Oh you!

That's exactly what I was going to say.

Except for the pausing to giggle and grover comment. I'd put out the call now. If anyone sees Postum in the stores buy it up and send it to Carrie!
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(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 17th, 2008 02:36 am (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 17th, 2008 02:35 am (UTC) Expand
[info]jemacleod wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 04:10 pm (UTC)
I bet they'll sell off the remains for cheap, so buy up your Postum now.

I used to work as a Sales Rep for Kraft btw. And I hate to say this, but I never ever sold one case of Postum to one customer.

Sorry Grover.

Janet
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:36 am (UTC)
Oh, that is so sad, Janet. Poor Postum.
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[info]mostly_irish wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 05:27 pm (UTC)
Rebecca clearly has NO sales skills. I work in retail. I know for a fact that even if we decide to "discontinue" a certain item, there are still stragglers of said item lying around (and we inevitably see them on "sale" numerous times a year).

Have John call back and demand they sell you all the remaining cases. They cannot keep Postum from its most faithful devotees for long!
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:37 am (UTC)
I will try to get brave enough and call back, begging...
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[info]sometimegoddess wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 05:34 pm (UTC)
Love the grim reaper. The pic that is, not the real one. Anyway, I never tried Postum (don't hurt me) but maybe I should run to the store before it's all gone and give it a try.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:38 am (UTC)
I would never hurt you over beverage choices. I swear.
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[info]wyldemoon wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 05:46 pm (UTC)
Jess is evaluating some other options, one has potential, the other is too weak and requires a lot for flavor.

We definitely need to find a few wayward cases to keep you and Jess stocked up for a bit.

Ever try chicory coffee like they have in New Orleans?
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:39 am (UTC)
Yay for Jess!
I've never tried chicory coffee. I'll have to go check that out, too. It seems like all the alternatives are super expensive though.
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[info]krazy_devyn wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 05:52 pm (UTC)
I say grab up an ARC of TAPE, send me one and then send one to Kraft--making sure to cross out Postum every time it is in the book. And then write "YOU KILLED POSTUM..."

A few things to remember before you do this, DO NOT, Write in my copy, and DO NOT send the book to Kraft from your home.. they wont know its you for sure!
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[info]krazy_devyn wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 05:53 pm (UTC)
p.s. if you have not already-do read my latest blog and comment? If it goes in the newspaper I will send you a copy--TOTALLY FREE. haha.
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(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 17th, 2008 02:39 am (UTC) Expand
[info]kellyrfineman wrote:
Jan. 16th, 2008 06:02 pm (UTC)
I am sorry you are suffering from part-Postum depression.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 02:40 am (UTC)
Hee. Hee.
And I am so sorry I missed your call. Why do I ALWAYS miss your calls?
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[info]slayground wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 04:56 am (UTC)
Comfort.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 18th, 2008 12:14 pm (UTC)
Thank you.
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(no subject) - [info]slayground - Jan. 18th, 2008 01:40 pm (UTC) Expand
[info]zeisgeist wrote:
Jan. 17th, 2008 06:46 am (UTC)
People may have told you this but there are several online retailers that specialize in discontinued products. My suggestion is to stock up on as much as you can afford and meter out the goods wisely.
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[info]carriejones wrote:
Jan. 18th, 2008 12:16 pm (UTC)
I keep looking and it's either that I have absolutely zero skills or it's just all gone... bought up... off the shelves.

Sigh.

I do have a bargain going with someone who has found some. They're going to send me a jar of Postum. I'm going to send them some Moxie, which is a distinctive Maine soda. And when I say distinctive I mean, um, yeah...
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(no subject) - [info]zeisgeist - Jan. 18th, 2008 04:32 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]carriejones - Jan. 18th, 2008 06:53 pm (UTC) Expand
(no subject) - [info]zeisgeist - Jan. 18th, 2008 08:48 pm (UTC) Expand
[info]newport2newport wrote:
Jan. 19th, 2008 03:34 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry to read this Postum post-mortem. I like that you suggested a way that we could help. Sadly, it didn't seem to me that Kraft's all that interested in resurrecting it. :(

I sent you an email about a week ago, right after the, um, puckish polititician's social invitation. No need to respond if you don't want to; I just wanted to be sure you got it.
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[info]newport2newport wrote:
Jan. 19th, 2008 03:39 pm (UTC)
PS: It's still available in Canada:
http://www.canadaonly.ca/canadaonly.ca/market/namerica/beverages/other.html

Their shipping's expensive to the US, but Britlitfantwin and 2skippingstones might be able to ship it for you somewhat cheaper.
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[info]sruble wrote:
Jan. 30th, 2008 03:14 am (UTC)
Sorry about the Postum Carrie! I'm crossing my fingers that Kraft will rethink this decision and bring your warm beverage of choice back.

I'm also hoping that Grover has talked you out of revision hell and that you are now cruising along with your revision.
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(Anonymous) wrote:
Jan. 31st, 2008 04:10 am (UTC)
Postum Substitutes
Hey Carrie,

Try Pero or Cafix as a substitute for Postum. They are both all natural caffeine free grain beverages. I won't lie, I work for the company that imports these products but there aren't a lot of choices out there for this category. You can find Pero and Cafix in natural and organic retailers such as Whole Foods. Also, you can check out the product on-line at www.internaturalfoods.com.

Thanks,

Damon
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(Anonymous) wrote:
Feb. 21st, 2008 07:20 am (UTC)
Postum available in Canada
As you reside in the state of Maine, USA a quick drive across the Canadian border will find you many jars of Postum available for purchase at a low price. Perhaps you could start a Postum distribution center coming out of Canada and keep content your fellow Postum drinkers.

Although my family is thoroughly Catholic, it has had many postum drinkers in it. My mother in particular only recently discovered it discontined and we are about to purchase some from Canada. I have tried Pero and was dissatisfied with it, though it is not bad it is too different.

Perhaps this is evidence of the power of oligarchic corporations using technology for lowest common denominator economics.

The computers delete everything that does not sell.

Soon we will only have diapers, cheerios, steak and microwaveable tv dinners left to purchase in super markets sold to us by robots. If that is we dare to accept this, which I do not.

Let us hope the dehumanization of western industrialized society does not continue, we will all suffer with the world we our making.

I have been very satisfied shopping in small family run ethnic markets and co-operative health food stores where everyone knows exactly the products price, location and usage for customers and has a personal motivation to keep their business thriving responsibly.

Cheers and happy postum sipping,

Christopher McAvoy
Maryland
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[info]juliakarr wrote:
Feb. 25th, 2008 06:04 pm (UTC)
Just read about this on Britlitfantwin's blog interview of you, Carrie. My deepest sympathies on the demise of Postum (I used to be an addict myself.) In a pinch, you could try Cafix or Kaffree Roma (both available in health food stores - I think...)

And, ummm... Grover has always been my favorite - always... probably since before you were born (lol)!
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(Anonymous) wrote:
Oct. 18th, 2008 02:51 pm (UTC)
Availability of Postum in Canada
Sorry folks, but Postum is no longer available in any of the large retail stores in Ontario at least. I love the product but just can't seem to find a supplier anywhere.
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( 58 comments — Leave a comment )