Review Follow-Up: Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner

Last week I blogged my trials and tribulations replacing my beloved Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner. The device gave me fits, but I was beyond pleased with the level of customer service I received from SC Johnson.

It took six days for my replacement coupons to get here (rather than the 10 - 14 they said). The full-cost device coupon was for $17, which concerned me as I paid over $21 for mine, but they sent two free refill coupons when I was only promised one. I also received a coupon book for SC Johnson higher-end cleaning and fragrance products. I was able to get a new device at Walmart for less than the $17.

Opening the box, the first thing I notice is it's not the same as the one that was dead upon opening. The unit is subtly more streamlined, but what jumped out was that the hanger assembly was very different. This leads me to conclude that not only is our local Fred Meyer overcharging, but they have really old stock on their shelves. In my opinion Fred Meyer corporate has some issues that are problematic at the local level, but that's a blog for another day.

Out of the box, put in the batteries that were in the bottom of the box (despite the warnings that batteries were not included), push the button... "Beep, beep, beep." It lives!

So I have a nice new Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner, two bottles of cleaning fluid (one from the original dead box), two coupons for free refills, and a shower that no longer requires scrubbing despite two boys who could make a bathtub ring out of thin air.

Final Review: I don't have enough thumbs! The product works as well as its hype; if you can afford buying the refills regularly, get one! And I cannot say enough good things about SC Johnson's level of customer service. If you ever have a problem with any of their products, do not hesitate to contact them. They are very serious about making sure you are happy with them.

Product Review: Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner

I'm having a really good Customer Service week. We've just had a lot of having to contact this or that company for various reasons, and it feels like the people we've gotten have been highly communicative and responsive. This ties into the blog title because yesterday I got a call from the SC Johnson Company.

I bought the original model Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner a couple of years ago and I just loved it. Push a button, walk away, and no more tub scrubbing. The thing really works as advertised. Unfortunately my original one died, although it took a couple years before it wore out.

I didn't replace it right away because money was extra tight, and honestly it's not the best idea if you're really broke; it's much cheaper to get a bottle of all-purpose cleaner and a spray bottle to dilute it into. By the time I could afford it again they'd upgraded the device, adding a second sprayer for more coverage.

My experience with the new model has been very disappointing. The first one used a ridiculous amount of the cleaning fluid, ate batteries at an astounding rate, and died after about six weeks. I figured I got a bad one and went to replace it because I really wanted that convenience again.

This one didn't work right out of the box. I'd thrown the box away so I went looking for somewhere to complain. Here's where SC Johnson Company starts getting points: it wasn't at all hard to find contact info. It took three clicks and I found it on the Scrubbing Bubbles website. I got an email back saying that their customer service people usually respond within 24 hours.

10:30 the next morning the phone rings: the Caller ID says SC Johnson. So does the person on the phone! No email correspondence, no song-and-dance, a real person (who spoke good English) called me personally and wanted to make me happy. She offered to refund the purchase price or replace the unit. I loved the original, so I opted to replace. She's mailing me a full price coupon for a new Shower Cleaner and an extra coupon for a refill. She also suggested a couple of things to try if this one doesn't want to work right away (apparently if they've been unused for some time it can take up to a half-dozen button-pushing to get the unit going again).

Final Review: Well, it can't really be a final review because I haven't a unit that works yet. But SC Johnson gets full points plus extra credit for customer service! I really hope this unit works, because I sincerely love this product. If you can afford to buy the refills every 20 days or so, I really recommend you give it a try (they publish coupons for them frequently, just keep your eye out for them). And if your unit doesn't work? Don't be afraid to speak up!

Response to Comments: In response to some comments on my Facebook page: My cat, who eschews his water bowl for fresh shower drippings, has never suffered any ill effects from the cleaning fluid. Furthermore, my son has incredibly sensitive skin and eczema. He can't use regular soap or bubble bath, but this fluid on the tub doesn't bother his skin at all. He had an outbreak once and it was the first thing we cut out. It turned out to be new laundry detergent.