Persil tablets a complete rip off! (⅓ missing)

[cweston1977]

I really am fed up with this, it really is unfair! I think that I'm getting a deal but actually I'm being ripped off, not good for my or Isabella, jus the two of us!

I've got lots of washing to do and think I'm getting the SAME deal that I did before, it looks the same, the box is the same size, but guess what, I'm losing ONE THIRD of what I expect from before.

That's right, Persil (Unilever) decided to keep not only the box the same size and even the capsule, which is why they have the wrinkly appearance and feel to them, because they're only two thirds full, that's why!

Look, I weighed them, not only was Unilever giving me more before than the stated amount (40g per capsule) but now giving me almost half in real terms at 27g!

The back of the old box states that each capsule should be 36.8g, but you got a nice plump 40g (I still had one left over). The new box states that they're now 26.3g (which is 10g less washing power!!) and the scales measure it at 27g.

I took note of the printed code from each box:

• old: 5023 21P3 00:24
• new: 5135 21P3 23:38

The old box was 1.288kg, while the new is only 920g, with nothing to signify this change, not even a change in price. I'd much prefer the same capsule amount, but fewer of them, are my clothes even being washed properly?!

This is really sly because they didn't even bother to change the bag size for the capsules, they just put less in and then sold them like that. Horrible to touch, they feel like they've been left out in the sun too long.

I feel cheated.

[tabulahrasa]

But it's one per wash, so you get the same amount of washes per box...

[cweston1977]

Why not then simply leave 5g in. Don't you think there's a reason there was 40g in the first place.

[bluesbaby]

With all due respect, I think you need to get a hobby. There are far, far more interesting things to do with your time than this...

[KingTut]

Is it the same concentration?

[Spartak]

Are they getting your clothes clean? Maybe sniff a pair of knickers to see. If they are then I can't see the problem.

[LittleBearPad]

Blues . She has a very good point OP

[WanderWomble]

I've been using less washing powder and found my clothes still get just as clean.

[AcrossthePond55]

Many products are now 'condensed' and require less per usage. If your clothes come out as clean and smell 'right' then I don't see the problem.

As pp says, you're still getting the same washes per box.

If you're not happy, change brands and let Unilever know.

[TheCowThatLaughs]

As Womble says, you can actually use a lot less washing powder than it says on the box, and things are still clean and smell fresh

[cweston1977]

Maybe I just have higher standards than everybody here, I guess I let myself down with that attitude to life.

Some people don't just accept things.

[PatriciaHolm]

Same number of washes per box.

Just fewer nasty chemicals in the wash for the same result!

Win win, surely?

[EatDessertFirst]

I wish I had time to get so upset and precise about stuff like this. As PP say, manufacturers are concentrating their products more now. They may be using the same bags for now until their stock of bags runs out then they use more appropriate size ones for the new dosage size. As long as the washing is clean and you aren't paying more for the same number of washes, I really don't see what the issue is.

Have you contacted the manufacturer to ask for an explanation?

[WanderWomble]

Well you can either get less per pouch, less washes overall or they can put the prices up. Most people don't want to pay more so that leaves reducing the product size.

I have more important things to worry about than shrinking washing tablets!

[chemenger]

They have possibly reduced the water content - so that the amount of active ingredient remains the same but the weight is decreased (quite possibly saving on shipping costs). Ask them, there will be a customer enquiry contact on the box.

I never use pre-portioned washing liquids and powders like tablets and liquitabs because they are an obvious rip-off - you can't adjust the amount you use to suit the washing load. When I worked for one of the big two laundry product manufacturers it was pretty overtly stated that pre-portioning the product was a way of increasing sales. I would never use the liquitabs because the liquid is so toxic and corrosive. Loose washing powder gives the best results - liquids don't generally contain bleach so are less effective. Experiment to find out how little powder you actually need, generally much less than the stated dose.

[DoJo]

It's not about standards, it's about assessing the merits of any potential complaint. If you genuinely think that your washing is not getting as clean or that the amount of gel provided is insufficient for your needs, then by all means pursue it with the company, or vote with your purchasing power. But if you are just getting annoyed over a perceived difference in weight that makes no difference to the end results because the product still achieves the purpose that you are paying for, then why start a fight just to make a point?

Personally, I am amazed that anyone lets a washing gel manufacturer tell them how much washing gel they need - the vested interest in convincing you that you need more than you do seems obvious. I prefer to use my own judgement about how much of any given cleaning product I need.

[youngestisapyscho]

Powder is better for your machine anyway, and you only need to use half of what they tell you on the box, so get twice as many washes...

[Delilahfandango]

You really don't need to use anything like the amount of washing powder the manufacturer advises. I live in a really hard water area and still manage to get clean washing using about half the amount suggested.
OP - contact their care line if you're that outraged!

[SoupDragon]

Maybe I just have higher standards than everybody here, I guess I let myself down with that attitude to life.

Hahahahahaha! [wheeze] Hahahahaha...

One tablet per wash.
You are not being ripped off, there was too much detergent originally.

Are the results the same?

[SoupDragon]

Write to BBC's Watchdog. They love this "shrinking product" kind of thing.

[TheFlis12345]

As part of Unilever's green commitments they are concentrating as many of their products as possible as it reduces wastage, environmental impact of transporting them etc. You still get the exact same results but water and so forth that you didn't need are taken out as the technology develops to allow them to do so. I imagine that, unless they tell you otherwise, this is the case here.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

I'm surprised at the responses here. There havebeen several threads in the last couple of years how chicolate bars shrank but the price stayed the same. Oh, the outrage.

The OP has a point. If it's less product why not charge the customets less. Does it say on the box it's a new more efficient bollock formula?

[greenbottleglass]

Lol at the rude comments to the op about her having time to notice this... While they themselves have enough time to fanny around on MN.

Op - I'd ask them if the formulation has changed. Bit off there's no mention of this.

[Pedestriana]

If your clothes are clean to your satisfaction, I'm not sure there is really a problem.
If you don't think you're getting value for money, change brands?

[MrsBojingles]

The tabs are so expensive anyway, if you feel like you're being ripped off get the bottles, much more economical