Comments on: Tide is the new currency on the criminal underground, can be exchanged for meth http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 12:24:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Frank Diekman http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1370824 Frank Diekman Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1370824 Soap stealers! Tide takers! Soap stealers! Tide takers!

]]> By: Cynical http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1370167 Cynical Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1370167  Seriously, this many comments and noone has posted: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/satire?s=t ? I are disappoint bb.  Seriously, this many comments and noone has posted:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/satire?s=t ?

I are disappoint bb.

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1370078 IronEdithKidd Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1370078 Any possible connetion between theft of laundry detergent and barter for meth appears to be fabricated by purveyors of the War on Some Drugs (AKA - NewsCorp), but the local newspaper's website has this to offer:  http://www.startribune.com/local/south/139249103.html Any possible connetion between theft of laundry detergent and barter for meth appears to be fabricated by purveyors of the War on Some Drugs (AKA – NewsCorp), but the local newspaper’s website has this to offer:  http://www.startribune.com/local/south/139249103.html

]]> By: shadowfirebird http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1370041 shadowfirebird Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1370041 Yeah.  And they can't use, like, dollars for currency?  Why? Yeah.  And they can’t use, like, dollars for currency?  Why?

]]> By: Pedantic Douchebag http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369989 Pedantic Douchebag Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369989 "I use rocks and an old plastic spatula for deodorant! Works GREAT!" “I use rocks and an old plastic spatula for deodorant! Works GREAT!”

]]> By: simplify http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369844 simplify Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369844 Is it April Fools Day already?? Is it April Fools Day already??

]]> By: Wayne Dyer http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369813 Wayne Dyer Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369813 No Tide, no ride.  It's in our contract.  (obscure enough?) No Tide, no ride.  It’s in our contract.  (obscure enough?)

]]> By: Aaron http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369800 Aaron Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369800 inb4 "Why don't they use bitcoin?" inb4 “Why don’t they use bitcoin?”

]]> By: Joshua Bardwell http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369799 Joshua Bardwell Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369799 I think the biggest problem with this story is the volume of detergent the dealers would have to go through. I have it on good authority that meth sells for about $80-$100 a gram in my area. If we take the article at its word, bottles of Tide go for $5-10 on the black market. So a gram of meth is between 8 and 20 bottles of Tide. Now, ask yourself, how many grams is the dealer selling in a week or a month? Multiply that by 8 or 20, and on top of that, add in the hassle that the dealer has to go around to stores trying to find somebody to buy back his black market detergent. No fucking way. My guess, if this story has any truth to it at all, is ONE dealer somewhere had a hook-up who would buy Tide from him, and he or she was accepting purloined detergent as payment. There's no way that the perfect storm of circumstances necessary to make this a profitable and feasible enterprise occurs regularly. I think the biggest problem with this story is the volume of detergent the dealers would have to go through. I have it on good authority that meth sells for about $80-$100 a gram in my area. If we take the article at its word, bottles of Tide go for $5-10 on the black market. So a gram of meth is between 8 and 20 bottles of Tide. Now, ask yourself, how many grams is the dealer selling in a week or a month? Multiply that by 8 or 20, and on top of that, add in the hassle that the dealer has to go around to stores trying to find somebody to buy back his black market detergent. No fucking way.

My guess, if this story has any truth to it at all, is ONE dealer somewhere had a hook-up who would buy Tide from him, and he or she was accepting purloined detergent as payment. There’s no way that the perfect storm of circumstances necessary to make this a profitable and feasible enterprise occurs regularly.

]]> By: social_maladroit http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369763 social_maladroit Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369763 Since a member of the local constabulary is mentioned, I'd expect the local media to be all over this story like a wine stain on a silk blouse. But a quick search of the TV news stations' sites and the local fishwrap isn't turning anything up. Nor is Google turning much up except sites echoing the same story. So take this one with a big grain of <strike>salt</strike> laundry detergent. Since a member of the local constabulary is mentioned, I’d expect the local media to be all over this story like a wine stain on a silk blouse. But a quick search of the TV news stations’ sites and the local fishwrap isn’t turning anything up. Nor is Google turning much up except sites echoing the same story.

So take this one with a big grain of salt laundry detergent.

]]> By: UniAce http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369715 UniAce Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369715 Here we go, now we'll start hearing about how you can supposedly even SHOWER without detergent. Here we go, now we’ll start hearing about how you can supposedly even SHOWER without detergent.

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369699 Ipo Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369699  It's a Murdoch-site.  Need I say more?  It’s a Murdoch-site. 
Need I say more?

]]> By: Mari Lwyd http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369687 Mari Lwyd Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369687 About reselling: a plausible tactic I've heard is for privately-owned gas stations to search unsold newspapers for coupons and then purchase products at a discount to resell in the gas station. About reselling: a plausible tactic I’ve heard is for privately-owned gas stations to search unsold newspapers for coupons and then purchase products at a discount to resell in the gas station.

]]> By: jandrese http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369681 jandrese Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369681 Did you try without detergent at all?  I'm not convinced it is particularly necessary unless you have a big greasy stain or something. Did you try without detergent at all?  I’m not convinced it is particularly necessary unless you have a big greasy stain or something.

]]> By: Mark Dow http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369635 Mark Dow Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369635 If Tide is a crime, only outlaws will wash. If Tide is a crime, only outlaws will wash.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369618 Donald Petersen Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369618 <blockquote>Anybody else getting the ad for "Tide Pods" on this page?</blockquote> Nope, I get the Merry Maids Housecleaning Service.  "Sparkle & Shine.  Relax.  It's Done."

Anybody else getting the ad for “Tide Pods” on this page?

Nope, I get the Merry Maids Housecleaning Service.  ”Sparkle & Shine.  Relax.  It’s Done.”

]]> By: Thomas Campbell http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369614 Thomas Campbell Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369614 Yeah.. they are... I believe it was recently discovered second most miserable place to live by Forbes.com? And I'm not someone just picking on KY.. I grew up there (30 years) and got out. Yeah.. they are… I believe it was recently discovered second most miserable place to live by Forbes.com?

And I’m not someone just picking on KY.. I grew up there (30 years) and got out.

]]> By: jimh http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369599 jimh Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369599 Razor refills have been locked up for a long time. High price, small package, in high demand. Used as currency, they're pretty ideal. I've seen them in small corner stores with remnants of labels that resemble Walgreen's security stickers- pretty obviously resold at lower cost through the black market. As a commodity, Tide is just a poor target. Agree on BS. Razor refills have been locked up for a long time. High price, small package, in high demand. Used as currency, they’re pretty ideal. I’ve seen them in small corner stores with remnants of labels that resemble Walgreen’s security stickers- pretty obviously resold at lower cost through the black market.

As a commodity, Tide is just a poor target. Agree on BS.

]]> By: jimh http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369590 jimh Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369590 Number one! Number one!

]]> By: Mike Po http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369587 Mike Po Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369587 Anybody else getting the ad for "Tide Pods" on this page? While it's extremely unlikely that any part of this story is true, let's assume that it is: and if so, that makes people even dumber than previously imagined. As a "maker," and/or cheapskate, let me tell you that I've done extensive testing between brand name detergents and the absolute cheapest $1.79 a gallon stuff from Jewel. Guess what? They're both equally effective detergents. If there was ever a product that screamed out "buy the generic," it's laundry detergent. I mean, I don't know who would be a bigger dope in this scenario: people who exchange Tide on the black market, or consumers who pay full price for that crap. Anybody else getting the ad for “Tide Pods” on this page?

While it’s extremely unlikely that any part of this story is true, let’s assume that it is: and if so, that makes people even dumber than previously imagined. As a “maker,” and/or cheapskate, let me tell you that I’ve done extensive testing between brand name detergents and the absolute cheapest $1.79 a gallon stuff from Jewel. Guess what? They’re both equally effective detergents. If there was ever a product that screamed out “buy the generic,” it’s laundry detergent.

I mean, I don’t know who would be a bigger dope in this scenario: people who exchange Tide on the black market, or consumers who pay full price for that crap.

]]> By: social_maladroit http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369586 social_maladroit Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369586 Tweakers just want to do their clothes in Tide because, during the winter, they can't do them out-tide. Tweakers just want to do their clothes in Tide because, during the winter, they can’t do them out-tide.

]]> By: Assault_is_eternal http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369577 Assault_is_eternal Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369577 Bleach keeps you young so I'm told 'cause no one who drinks it lives to get old I love the "Tide Pods" ad at the bottom of the page.  That's some real good  targeted advertising there.  I wonder what the street value is on them… Bleach keeps you young
so I’m told
’cause no one who drinks it
lives to get old

I love the “Tide Pods” ad at the bottom of the page.  That’s some real good  targeted advertising there.  I wonder what the street value is on them…

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369578 EH Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369578 What probably happened was that they busted a guy who had a lot of laundry detergent, and invented a trend for it. What probably happened was that they busted a guy who had a lot of laundry detergent, and invented a trend for it.

]]> By: nemonomen http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369575 nemonomen Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369575 "the street finds its own uses for things" “the street finds its own uses for things”

]]> By: Stonewalker http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369571 Stonewalker Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369571  So people from Kentucky are stupid just because they live in Kentucky...?  So people from Kentucky are stupid just because they live in Kentucky…?

]]> By: Jer_00 http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369568 Jer_00 Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369568 Yeah, this just popped up on Snopes today.  And they quote the story from The Daily above and follow-up with a story from FoxNews that  suggests that the original story is bogus: http://www.snopes.com/media/notnews/tide.asp And yeah, the second story is FoxNews, but the first story is TheDaily, which is also a NewsCorp company.  So we've got one NewsCorp company telling another NewsCorp company they're full of crap.  Wheels within wheels people - wheels within wheels. Yeah, this just popped up on Snopes today.  And they quote the story from The Daily above and follow-up with a story from FoxNews that  suggests that the original story is bogus:

http://www.snopes.com/media/notnews/tide.asp

And yeah, the second story is FoxNews, but the first story is TheDaily, which is also a NewsCorp company.  So we’ve got one NewsCorp company telling another NewsCorp company they’re full of crap.  Wheels within wheels people – wheels within wheels.

]]> By: robdobbs http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369564 robdobbs Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369564 Sorry, why are they stealing tide?  Sorry, why are they stealing tide? 

]]> By: mikenon http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369555 mikenon Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369555 This made me think of swallowing small balloons filled with Tide, which sounds pretty awful. This made me think of swallowing small balloons filled with Tide, which sounds pretty awful.

]]> By: mikenon http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369551 mikenon Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369551 A user steals a bottle of tide and their dealer accepts it as payment for a, or a couple, fix(es) worth of drug. The dealer has two basic choices for liquidating the detergent, which determines the value. Sell it on the "black market" (undervalued) or trade it for cash at a store (equal, or nearly, value of MSRP). There are various ways to accomplish the latter. The easiest is probably returning it with a receipt. Funnily enough, there's probably a market for receipts in areas where Tide is used as currency. Next, selling it to a small local store that isn't going to question 90c on the dollar Tide. Finally, amassing enough Tide to sell a palette of same-type detergent to a big box store. It wouldn't be surprising to hear of large-volume dealers acting as, or with, licensed distributors. A user steals a bottle of tide and their dealer accepts it as payment for a, or a couple, fix(es) worth of drug. The dealer has two basic choices for liquidating the detergent, which determines the value. Sell it on the “black market” (undervalued) or trade it for cash at a store (equal, or nearly, value of MSRP).

There are various ways to accomplish the latter. The easiest is probably returning it with a receipt. Funnily enough, there’s probably a market for receipts in areas where Tide is used as currency. Next, selling it to a small local store that isn’t going to question 90c on the dollar Tide. Finally, amassing enough Tide to sell a palette of same-type detergent to a big box store. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear of large-volume dealers acting as, or with, licensed distributors.

]]> By: Maria Pranzo http://boingboing.net/2012/03/13/tide-is-the-new-currency-on-th.html#comment-1369549 Maria Pranzo Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=149023#comment-1369549 Are we sure this wasn't written by Stephen Glass? Are we sure this wasn’t written by Stephen Glass?

]]>