Microsoft launched their Vista operating system in 2007 as the logical continuation to Windows XP, but consumers found it to be anything but. The system was slammed by both users and critics for doing everything worse than Windows, reducing PC performance and causing a variety of connectivity issues.
It only took a few months before Dell began offering their new laptops with Window XP and not Vista. In 2012, Microsoft ended mainstream support for Vista and ended all support in 2017, marking the official close to the unsuccessful endeavor.
Satisfries
Who wouldn’t want fries that tasted just as good, but were healthier and had less fat than regular fries? No wonder Burger King thought they had a winning idea when they released Satisfries in 2013. The secret was the use of a different , less porous batter which absorbed less oil while frying. The fries were actually healthier, the problem was that BK didn’t get the message to consumers.
In addition to their marketing problem, the fries also cost more than regular fries, which made consumers unlikely to try them. In the end, Satisfries were a flop and Burger King took them off them menu in 2014, less than a year after they were released.
Cheetos Lip Balm
Lip balm has been a popular item for decades, especially in the drier winter months, with veteran companies like Chapstick offering their costumers different and enticing flavors like cherry or vanilla. It seems like not every flavor is appropriate for lip balm, however, as snack maker Frito-Lay discovered in 2005.
They launched Cheetos flavored lip balm and were somehow surprised that although customers like to snack on cheese puffs, they were not interested in slathering their lips with their taste and smell. Despite the chance to enjoy Cheetos with virtually no calories, this product received countless bad reviews and was a major fail.
Colgate Kitchen Entrees
Here is another company that veered too far from its brand. In 1982 Colgate, known for its toothpaste brand, decided to put other things in the mouth of its consumers, namely, frozen dinners which it marketed as Colgate Kitchen Entrees. They were hoping to jump on the prepared foods bandwagon but instead were left by the side of the road.
We have no idea what the quality of the product was because it seems like consumers were unable to make the leap. The Colgate logo seems to have made them wary and the entrees couldn’t compete with other well-established food brands. Not only was the launch unsuccessful, it actually drove down Colgate’s toothpaste sales as well.
Harley Davidson Fragrances
Manly motorcycle company Harley Davidson tried to connect to its feminine side in 1994, and unsurprisingly the results were an unmitigated disaster. They came out with a cologne called Legendary Harley-Davidson, which we would have to assume smelled like burned rubber and engine grease. The sales were underwhelming, but you can’t say that they gave up on the idea quickly, they released their last perfume in 2005, under the name Black Fire.
Since that time, all their fragrances have been discontinued. The company also tried to branch into other off-brand products in the 1990s, such as wine coolers and aftershave, but could not make them sell. Seems like they should stick to what they know.