9 Quotes by Tod Marks

With these candies, it's all about the fillings. The centers just exploded with flavor, and unusual flavors like tropical fruit and key lime pie.

We really struck a nerve. People told us in incredible detail what they went through to open these packages.

We get a lot of complaints from readers about packaging that drives them crazy. We, too, have pet peeves about certain package designs. So we asked our readers for specifics, and we went out and bought the worst examples of horrific packaging we could find.

Warehouse clubs started the whole revolution in packaging. There are no fancy displays or staff. It's barebones. What the clubs want to be able to do is put (the products) on a fork lift, crack open the box, slice the top off and hang up these perfectly symmetrical clamshells. It protects the package, shows off the products, travels well and protects against thieves.

Back then (most everything we bought) was produced domestically. Now many of these products are made abroad. Some spend up to six months going over choppy seas, and they have to be protected.

They were gritty. They were chalky, artificial flavor, stale, low chocolate intensity.

They can't brush this stuff under the rug.

Chances are, almost always, you will save. You have to go out of your way not to get a bonus discount.

You can use that as shopping leverage. Almost nothing today is etched in stone.