To think shrinkflation is getting out of control?

Forwardthinkingturtle · 2024-11-06T21:12:34+00:00

I’m sick of buying toothpaste in a huge box only to find that it’s a small tube 75ml. Even the ones that promise “25% extra free” are only 100ml which is what the standard size was a couple of years ago, so you’re not actually technically getting anything free! Toilet rolls have shrunk and the quality is crap… excuse the pun. I had a Magnum ice cream for the first time in a while and I honestly thought it was a mini sized one. They used to have 4 in a pack and now they only have 3. Don’t even get me started on a Toblerone! AIBU to despise the dishonesty of brands way more than the actual price inflation? Prices have risen but just be honest about what you’re selling (or not selling!) to us.

Anonym00se · 08/11/2024 17:52

Another sneaky trick they pull is to have something in a big container but have a sticker covering half the container so it looks like the product is container sized when really it’s only half the size. Often happens with meat in plastic trays, and jars of herbs.

IDontHateRainbows · 08/11/2024 11:26

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 08/11/2024 08:09

Wasn't that the origin of the 'baker's dozen' - where they would supply 13 rolls/loaves rather than risk the ordered 12 coming in under-weight and them being punished for it?

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I think this is slightly different, but possibly related. Mixing flour with all sorts of nasties to get the weight / volume up whilst saving costs.
There probably is a just-legal modern version of this where inferior quality( but safe) substitutes are used eg palm oil in choc.

Sethera · 08/11/2024 10:14

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 08/11/2024 08:09

Wasn't that the origin of the 'baker's dozen' - where they would supply 13 rolls/loaves rather than risk the ordered 12 coming in under-weight and them being punished for it?

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I think it was!

We need a modern equivalent 'The Supermarket Dozen' meaning 11 items because the quantity will certainly have been shrinkflated nowadays.

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 08/11/2024 08:09

IDontHateRainbows · 08/11/2024 06:00

There was legislation in 'ye oldenbdays' ie 19th century, to prevent manufacturers padding out bread with all sorts of inedible fillers. We are not quite as bad as that yet but it's probably only a matter of time!

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Wasn't that the origin of the 'baker's dozen' - where they would supply 13 rolls/loaves rather than risk the ordered 12 coming in under-weight and them being punished for it?

IDontHateRainbows · 08/11/2024 06:00

Forwardthinkingturtle · 07/11/2024 04:52

I agree that we need some proper legislation in place to help educate people.

It’s only a matter of time before they start doing it to milk and eggs.

There was legislation in 'ye oldenbdays' ie 19th century, to prevent manufacturers padding out bread with all sorts of inedible fillers. We are not quite as bad as that yet but it's probably only a matter of time!

Aroastdinnerisnotahumanright · 08/11/2024 02:26

gannett · 07/11/2024 17:48

Not quite shrinkflation, just sneaky lower quality, but Kleenex tissues have got so thin this year they're barely fit for purpose. I really do not want to blow through the tissue when blowing my nose.

Skimpflation!

ZippyDoodle · 07/11/2024 23:20

the80sweregreat · 07/11/2024 18:07

I was shocked at the price of toblerone on the Christmas bit with the other over priced chocs which are now smaller.
Oxo cubes have gone up huge amounts ( and smaller )
Marmite you need a second mortgage. Haven't bothered at all this year

Price of Marmite is insane. Aldi do a good dupe.

YearningForAWinteryWinter · 07/11/2024 22:07

ThrallsWife · 07/11/2024 17:55

Has anyone mentioned hair dye yet? I am sure there is far less in the bottles and tubes now than there used to be; I used to be able to colour my full head of hair with one pack when it hung down to my arse, now, at mid-back I am lucky if I only need one pack.

I thought this the last time I dyed my hair! I wasn't sure if I was mistaken or not.

YearningForAWinteryWinter · 07/11/2024 22:06

Last time I had a toblerone it was really gappy. Massive gaps between each triangle. I was really annoyed.

Insidenumber09 · 07/11/2024 21:32

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 07/11/2024 16:05

I've only ever heard the phrase as 'bits and bobs', but 'bibs' could be a regional variation - it actually flows and sounds better than the one familiar to me, imho!

Or it could have been a typo or 'auto-incorrect'!

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Yeah I thought it was “bits” thought I must have been getting it wrong all these years (I wouldn’t have been surprised 😵‍💫).

hellowembley · 07/11/2024 18:15

Options hot chocolate is so annoying. They have fill the rub and it’s £5!

Cesarina · 07/11/2024 18:09

flapjackfairy · 07/11/2024 10:32

yes a nun with an adult daughter! obviously didn't take the vow of celibacy v seriously 😁

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You're right, and as a result, the nun got into some bad habits.
Or...........it was maybe an Immaculate Conception?..........

the80sweregreat · 07/11/2024 18:07

I was shocked at the price of toblerone on the Christmas bit with the other over priced chocs which are now smaller.
Oxo cubes have gone up huge amounts ( and smaller )
Marmite you need a second mortgage. Haven't bothered at all this year

Barney16 · 07/11/2024 18:02

I bought a toblerone by accident, no idea how, in my online shop. It was massive. I was reasonably happy until I read the bill, £6, £6 for a ruddy toblerone. I keep looking at it with hate. And don't get me started on crisps.

ThrallsWife · 07/11/2024 17:55

Has anyone mentioned hair dye yet? I am sure there is far less in the bottles and tubes now than there used to be; I used to be able to colour my full head of hair with one pack when it hung down to my arse, now, at mid-back I am lucky if I only need one pack.

the80sweregreat · 07/11/2024 17:54

Tissues, toilet rolls, kitchen roll have all gone very thin. Even the more deluxe branded ones.
Most crisps for sale are just air these days

gannett · 07/11/2024 17:48

Not quite shrinkflation, just sneaky lower quality, but Kleenex tissues have got so thin this year they're barely fit for purpose. I really do not want to blow through the tissue when blowing my nose.

the80sweregreat · 07/11/2024 17:44

'Bits and bobs ' is used in the 80s household when out shopping! ' I'll nip in here for some bits and bobs'
Bit like ' picky bits ' for tea , it's just one of those sayings that doesn't really mean much and probably best not to dwell on its meaning too much tbh! Probably has its origins somewhere ( during the industrial revolution)

Precipice · 07/11/2024 17:40

the80sweregreat · 07/11/2024 12:38

Trying to get the tops off bottles of shampoo and so on is a bit of ' hobby ' of mine now
I've been known to cut through the middle of some tubes , which isn't easy and I don't recommend if you don't possess some decent scissors or have a weak hand grip.
My dad used to roll up the end of the toothpaste tubes, that seems to work to get a bit more out of them. Toothpaste has to be one of the biggest wastes of a product ever, yet they haven't come out with many alternatives really ( maybe the pump ones , but they are pricy )

Toothpaste tablets, I guess, but they've not really taken off that much.

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 07/11/2024 17:29

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 07/11/2024 16:05

I've only ever heard the phrase as 'bits and bobs', but 'bibs' could be a regional variation - it actually flows and sounds better than the one familiar to me, imho!

Or it could have been a typo or 'auto-incorrect'!

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Completely off topic but decades ago when I worked in a nursery I said, ‘let’s get these bits and bobs put away.’ A little girl looked at me and said ‘what’s bobs?’
She’s probably a mum herself now but I still say, what’s bobs, if I ever hear the phrase.

the80sweregreat · 07/11/2024 16:36

My late dad used a tiny metal bull dog clip he bought out of Wilkinson's or somewhere years ago and used that at the end of his toothpaste tubes !
It worked well. The curled up toothpaste in the bathroom with the clip on it was his thing !

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 07/11/2024 16:05

Insidenumber09 · 07/11/2024 15:27

Genuine question - is it bibs and bobs?

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I've only ever heard the phrase as 'bits and bobs', but 'bibs' could be a regional variation - it actually flows and sounds better than the one familiar to me, imho!

Or it could have been a typo or 'auto-incorrect'!

BeMintBee · 07/11/2024 15:54

CasperGutman · 07/11/2024 13:57

Where the hell did you find fish fingers for £8 a box? That must have been a MASSIVE box! Even buying branded Bird's Eye ones from Ocado you get a big box of 32 for £4.25 (admittedly they're £7.75 if you go for the cod ones).

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The breaded cod ones in Tesco were £8. I’m fancying a fish finger sandwich for dinner tonight now 🤣

ThoseDarnCrows · 07/11/2024 15:32

KimberleyClark · 07/11/2024 10:19

Depending on how hard the plastic is, you could cut the bottle open with scissors to get the last dregs out? I’ve done this before with stuff that comes in tubes.

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No need for scissors!

Put a small amount of water into the sink or small bowl.
Gently squeeze the bottle at the open end then upend it, keeping squeezy pressure on the bottle.
Lower the open end just into the water, and slowly release the pressure on the 'squeeze'. This will enable the bottle to suck water into itself. Do until you have however much water you require.
Gently shake together with contents.

Insidenumber09 · 07/11/2024 15:27

Deathraystare · 07/11/2024 10:24

I was in Sainsburys a few days ago and heard a nun talking to her adult daughter about the roses/heroes etc tubs and saying how much smaller they are. She was saying how she used them (as most people do) to put bibs and bobs in but noticed the smaller size.

Genuine question - is it bibs and bobs?