They Change the Packaging AND!!!!
Went to the pet supply store and the usual "Proplan Large Breed" Kibble is what I get, a bag that is 17 Kilos as they are all on the same kibble. Well noticed they changed the packaging, not as high more wider and low then the usual bigger looking bag with a fancy zip lock on the newer bag. Anyway did not think much about it, this morning when I opened the bag the Kibble size was smaller  Thought that was strange as suppose to be the same as always then when I looked at the quantity in it on the bag IT ONLY CONTAINS 15 Kilos and YET they still charge the same amount as all the previous bags I have brought. I am so P***ed off they the kibble company are with there fancier new packaging duding everyone of 2 kilos of product!!! Even with groceries and other things it seems to be so prevelant, you see new packaging in things like cookies, laundry powder lots of things etc etc and the downsizing of the product they contain but yet still charging the same amount  Yep proplan is doing it here now, wonder how many others have noticed it here as well they are getting less but still paying the same price and loosing 2 kilos of food and smaller sized kibble to crunch on.  I am so annoyed at the way they do this with lots of things we buy not only dog food but it extends to lots of products now, new packaging woo hoo less product Boo Hoo. they must think people are stupid and will not notice |
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| Lisa: So far here the kibble size has stayed the same on the ProPlan products I use. The packaging has changed (do love the new "zip" opener) but the weight is the same here yet too. I use ProPlan Lamb & Rice Shredded Blend & ProPlan Sensitive Skin & Stomach. |
| Just a note about kibble size - One of my rotation foods comes in a smaller kibble in addition to the regular. The store was out of the regular, but had the smaller kibble. Exact same formulation. So, I grudgingly got 2 bags of the small stuff. Amazingly, all my dogs just loved it. I expected Tazz the min pin to like it (and he did), but ALL the dogs did and seemed to actually do better on it. My only thought is that the smaller kibble broke down and digested better?? And I HATE the way human and pet packaging has gotten in the habit of selling smaller portions for the same money! |
| So many things are getting downsized. Noticed canned beans the other day, one was 1.5 ounces less than the other but they cost the same. I dare not look at kibble......the price keeps going up so I won't be surprised to also find the amount less. Major droughts around the world, freezes, etc are partly to blame for costs of everything rising. |
| It seems everything is getting smaller for the same price. You name it coffee, ice cream, frozen vegatables just to name a few. And the companies are saying we haven't raised the price. You just get less for the same price, they think the consumer is that dumb to believe it. |
This has been really bugging me enormously!!!! The proplan product here is manufactured here in Australia also. I just found the "Web Site" for them here and sent off a e-mail on my disgust at what has happened in new packaging as well as the kibble is way smaller in size, passing it off with 2 kilos less in it.  We shall see if they even answer it and IF they do will post there reply. Fed up with all this sort of Marketing crap on most things we buy or consume now  Expensive enough with a pack of 4 legged feeding them now same price less in the bag!!! We shall see what happens and if they do respond, probably the old scenario with every company manufacturing products and downsizing the contents, changing packaging to DUD the consumer, more concentrated so you need to use less, that's my tip here if they give me an answer. Oooh I am definately getting crankier with officially turning 22 !!!   |
| You'll be a real she-dog when you hit "23" |
| I can almost deal with the increase costs of things. I get that as soon as fuel prices increase, those costs get passed along. But it drives me nuts when they try to be sneaky about it. And when they do it for food, make the size smaller, it screws up my recipes! Grrrrrrrr. |
SheepieBoss wrote: You'll be a real she-dog when you hit "23" Hey it's alright to say it susan "I am like the 4 legged females here "A bitch" building up with attitude Ye gads, wait till I do turn 23!!!  Watch out everyone   |
| Mine are on pro plan too and no changes yet here.... I buy puppy and shredded blend adult. |
Well wonders never cease I just had a reply to my e-mail Amazing.!!!!  Just responded too, here is both there answer and MY REPLY we shall see what happens next This bitch is on the band wagon for reasonable answers to being Ripped off My response to the email For years Mega Pet Warehouse, U2/592 High St, Epping and also there 383 Maroondah H/way., Ringwood outlet as well and also through a private home delivery pet food company here in Melbourne, especially when I have a litter of pups and need a home delivery. I go through a 17 Kilo bag every 3 weeks with the dogs and buy at different outlets, yesterday, new packaging and 2 kilos less and smaller kibble size, same price at all the outlets but less product and a dramatically different change in the kibble too, size wise for "Large Breeds"!!. $114.90 for this new less product bag unless it is on special which happens occassionally on the previous 17 Kilo bag. Then around $90 plus odd dollars also being in the purchasing club every tenth bag is free. Funny you say mid last year, every bag I have purchased previously on this blend has been the same 17 Kilos, now new packaging, same price, smaller kibble and 2 kilos less, definately a downsizing coup without hopefully anyone noticing. So can you give me an estimate on what this new less product bag should be priced at in the "large Breed Formula"? I feel I will need to bring this up with the pet outlets if there is no reduction on the amount being sold and still holding that top price on oringinal 17 kilo bag that was charged rather then the downsized 15 kilo bag. Maybe your company should point out that to the distributors if that is the case, charging full dollar for what orginally was 17 Kilos and now less product, should be notified to the outlets supplying "Proplan" and corrected accordingly if that is the case with a reduced price on a reduced product. Lisa There respose to my original email --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subject: NESTLE Purina Reply - Incident No.: 0015765840 Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:43:57 +0000 From: Petcare.adviceteam@au.nestle.com To: ellisoes@hotmail.com Hi Lisa, Thank you for contacting the Ask Purina team. The packaging and down sizing occurred mid last year due to the fact the Pro Plan is now made here in Australia. Along with this the price was adjusted and the recommended retail price was decreased due to the bag size. Which store are you currently purchasing the food from and at what price? For any advice on caring for your pets, please Ask Purina on 1800-738-238 or http://www.purina.com.au. Best Regards, Justine McCarthy Pet Care Advisor The Ask PURINA PetCare Team PURINA, Your Pet, Our Passion |
| Lisa- did you pick up a different variety to the usual one? Over here the 'Athletic' type I buy Ru has larger kibble chunks while the 'Robust' one has smaller size pieces. The packaging for those two over here looks almost identical. Cassie |
| No cassie definately says the same as the other I use to get till they down sized. Large Breed We have a "Performance" one too, which I think Mim uses with active tiggy, looks the same type of bag but with Performance marked on it, but has always been 15 kilos when they brought that blend out too. Still waiting patiently to get a reponse to my reply to there email. Even Sensitive use to be 17 Kilos and now I believe 15 kilos too (yep downsized and still up there in price ). Mim might be able to verify that one also as her rastus is on that one.Just hate being ripped off, would not of minded if they DID drop the price for the loss of 2 kilos of product, hey that could of been a few days more feed for the piglets here now looks like I am going to buy more frequently or even thinking of changing brands as much as I hate that but there is a principle involved here, I use to roatate food with "Eagle Pack Holisitic" but just got harder to get supply of that here. So looking at other high grade brands now unless they give me a decent answer for the "Rip Off" |
| lisa, a list from a dogfood guru friend who does more research than anyone i've run across. don't know how many might be available down under. 4Health (Tractor Supply Company) - www.tractorsupply.com American Natural Basic or Original - www.americannaturalpremium.com Blue Seal Life Stages Pork & Barley Flavor ONLY - www.blueseal.com Breeder's Choice Foods - includes AvoDerm, Breeder's Choice Health Food, Pinnacle - www.breeders-choice.com By Nature - www.bynaturepetfoods.com Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul - www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com Diamond Naturals - www.diamondpet.com Horizon Complete (made in their own plant, Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada), www.horizonpetfood.com Kent Feeds Haven - www.havenpetfood.com Kirkland (at Costco) (made by Diamond Pet Foods) Nature's Select - www.naturalpetfooddelivery.com or www.naturesselectpetproducts.com (Note this food is sold through dealers so may not be available in your area. Best bet is to do a Google search for a dealer) Nutra Nuggets - www.nutranuggets.com (Do not feed this if your dog has wheat allergies. Also this food is produced by Diamond Pet Foods) NutriLife - www.nutrilifepetfood.com (made by Fromm, Mequon WI) Precise Pet Products - www.precisepetfood.com Science Diet Nature's Best - www.hillspet.com ([i]Note - This recommendation is ONLY for the Nature's Best formulas. Whole Earth Farms - www.merrickpetcare.com/store/whole_earth_farms_dry.php And I leave my top three picks until last. I separate these out because both are family-owned operations. In the case of Fromm, they make their own food. In Evanger's case, Fromm makes the food for them. Healthwise is made by Natura and I have heard in some places it can be had for $29 a bag. Natura is an excellent manufacturer, too - they also make Innova and EVO. Evanger's - www.evangersdogfood.com Fromm Classic or Gold - www.frommfamily.com Healthwise - www.healthwisepetfood.com |
| Lisa, you need to team up with my husband. He usually picks up the dog food for us during his lunch hour. When he got home Friday, he announced that it is time to get a new dog food. He is furious with Purina. |
Mom of 3 wrote: Lisa, you need to team up with my husband. He usually picks up the dog food for us during his lunch hour. When he got home Friday, he announced that it is time to get a new dog food. He is furious with Purina. My hubby picked up the newest bag here too and that's when I noticed the new packaging after opening it yesterday the size of the kibble then made me look also at the contents amount. You can see from this photo, the day before piece of kibble from the last pack and the new pack a huge variance in the size of the munchy pieces also.  That's what also made me look at the weight of the contents also and as well as loosing size of the kibble pieces also 2 friggin kilos less. What's your hubbys gripe with Purina, be interested to know that too.? We can form a club of cranky consumers Guest only brand I know that you posted available here is Innova so will be looking into that one if I cant get a good steady supply of "Eagle Pack Holistic" I am definitely changing to something else now after being previously a happy and contented user for the pooches of Proplan for years. |
| Funny that I've just found this post. I stopped off at Petstock and bought ProPlan on the way home today. They finally got lamb and rice in so I've bought that for Rastus to try. I've just gone and checked it, NOT happy, I vaguely noticed it was easier to carry in. Didn't notice that it's only 15 kg. Same price of course. Also the dratted cat has chewed a hole in the lovely new zip lock back and helped himself. He never managed that with the old waxed paper bags.I did look at the sensitive skin and stomach and the price was the same, the bag was the new one so no doubt its 15 kg as well. |
| Greg just told me they did that here a while ago- I didn't even notice! The pieces of kibble on the Large Breed Athletic are the same size as they used to be though. |
| I use Pro Plan sensitive skin and stomach and I haven't noticed a change yet. I went to this food because it was less expensive and breeder recommended. I was buying Natural Balance at $53.00 for a 28lb bag, and the Pro Plan is $40.00 for a 33lb bag. |
| Lisa, I had the exact same thing happen to me late last year - except for the change in packaging. For over a year I had been buying my kids' kibble at a locally owned smaller store and was willing to pay a bit of a premium to support a local merchant's store. Plus it was far closer than the big box stores so there were some fuel savings to offset the premium a bit. I had been buying the same combination of kibble bags and knew exactly what I got and how much it was to the penny before it was even rung up at the cash. Then, whilst bringing the kibble from the car into the house the one bag (Nutro Lamb and Rice) just felt "light". Hummm, did I tear it somehow and loose some of the product? I looked behind me and there was no kibble trail. Hummm, had it been torn in the shop and I just did not notice that the bag was taped over - in which case it was going back right away? A quick look over the bag and no, no tape job anywhere but that was when I noticed the labelling and saw it now said 15 kg not 17 kg. It was immediately obvious that to hide the price increase Nutro had just downsized the kibble bag without any other immediately obvious changes. Knowing what I always get and the long standing "standard" sizes of kibble bags here there has never really been a need to actually "read" the bag and check the sizes. What really po'ed me about this was that the store clerks, all of whom know me so well that when I walk in they actually go and get my kibble for me, said nothing about the size change. I was so irrate about this, and still am, that I have not gone back to that store. It is one thing to support a locally owned small store at a slight premium, but at the time I was paying over 15% more than at the big box "PetSmart", but not to be told about the weight reduction was, in my not so humble opinion, deliberate deceit. So, since I am often near one of our several sort-of-local PetSmarts anyway (other stores of interest and necessity in the same areas) I have been going there to get my kids' kibble. To further "rub salt in the wound" during one of my subsequent purchasing trips to PetSmart a Nutro representative was present and saw me looking for the right bag and asked if she could help. About that time I spotted the proper food and said "no, not really I've just found what my kids need". She then proceeded with some babbling - can't remember just what it was - to which I responed that I wished they still had the "10% extra free" bags considering how much I buy. Her response was that costs were going up so they could no longer do that but at least they were holding the consumer price steady on the regular sized bags. Ummm.... not the right thing to tell me. I think I was rather gruff when I took exception to that claim and pointed out that although the sticker price had not changed the bag size had gone down. "But it was still the same price" she retorted. "No it wasn't, no matter how you want to deny it the fact is the price per kg had gone up by some 11% (2 out of 17)." I also indicated that I fully understood expences including transportation and raw material costs going up as well as the need to make a profit. I had no problems with any of those but, "If you are going to raise the price fine, I expect that to happen from time to time but At Least Be Honest About It!! Don't Try To Hide It and Avoid The Facts". She then walked away! What is perhaps most annoying about the package resizing is that the old 17kg bags with a 16kg bag of the "supplemental" kibble lasted just over 3 weeks. That was really convenient because I would buy kibble every two weeks for three cycles and then have enough to skip one purchase. Now the kibble only lasts for about 18-19 days so it becomes more of a hassle to "manage" purchase dates. Plus the ratio of primary Nutro kibble to supplemental kibble is no less than 1:1 which is a bit of a problem because as the Bobtails get older that is something of a concern because it reduces the amount of Glucosamine and Chondroitin that they get which does help with joint health. So..... long winded way to agree with you and empathize with your frustration. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| Carl it does not get any better and I am stopping the proplan here, the product is NOW made in Australia and looked at the new bag Ingredients list, suppose to be Chicken and Rice blend, now listed as Ingredient 3 on the list "WHEAT". There output after 3 days on it made me wonder what is going on I started the new bag on wednesday without any thought and my dogs poos went more of it and terribly sloppy. I just last night wrote back to Purina and said to them I am not only disgusted at the sneaky downsizing but also you have changed the formula of the kibble as well and my dogs are paying the penalty and SO AM I with more poos through the day and very sloppy, pointed out to them it is suppose to be and was a chicken and rice mix now you are bulking it up with wheat. Does not affect the American proplan as that is still the same, but they are making it here now, no notice of a change or size of quantity and drastically different make up of the kibble, to what I have previously been extremely happy with as a product consumed by my dogs. I am off this afternoon to source another kibble now as I cant cope with the poos on them all, definately not agreeing with them. I shall see what happens with this latest email and I am hoping for a refund, not usually picky but at $114 odd dollars a bag it is going in the bin now as just not good for the dogs to consume. I am so annoyed and now really angry with the ingredient changes in something I have been very happy with in the past. |
| Well yesterday a new kibble, used half the crappy proplan made here to the new kibble sourced by recommendation of a friend. After poos wonderfull, this morning uped the new kibble by 3/4 to the crappy proplan just a 1/4, and can I say MAGNIFICENT in the poop department, tonight all new kibble and the aussie made proplan is now going in the bin even though a lot left but what it has done to my dogs is just not worth feeding it to them at all. NOW the new kibble, a friend who stopped using proplan due to the downsizing, also could not understand why her dogs also were having loose stools either, any how we worked out the ingredients list of the kibble has changed drastically since proplan being made here instead of the states. She put me onto this new kibble, comes in a plain bag, no fancy packaging but the make up of it is "Eagle Pack Holisitic Rice and Lamb" without all the who ha of a brand name package. 20Kilos and only $75 bucks. Within one feed HUGE difference to my previously loose poopy babies. NOW back to SOLID and LESS OF IT WOO HOO  Hate it when they not only do a unsuspecting downsizing but also change the ingredients of the kibble without notice, hence our dogs suffer and so do there parents who cant understand why a food they have been raised on all of a sudden gross large more of it sloppy poops. I am so dissappointed and wish it still came from the states as that has not changed in the make up of the kibble at all on the proplan blend and have always been a happy person with proplan, not now and not here now, crap stuff filled with wheat instead of main ingredients being what ever protein meats and rice. |
| Well have had a win against the giant comapany "Nestle Purina" Latest email and also after 12 hours on the Aussie made crap the worry I had with brie presenting not only HUGE stools but after that blood as well. Her kids did not fare much better but without the blood, she strained so much to pass the log of a poo. Woo Hoo persistance does help There reply with the refund and my latest reply back to them also. Posted what has been going on with the product here in Oz on a closed OES Aussie web site and amazed at there responses too, soooooo an emailing campaign is happening as well to Purina Australia on what has happened, not only the same price and down sizing but there is definately a drastic change in the make up of the kibble too here, bulked up with cheap Wheat, same price and hardly what the original formula should of been, CHICKEN AND RICE, LARGE BREED BLEND. Emails as follows.  Post on the Aussie list here............... OK spoke too soon just had a win, refund of the newest crappy Australian made formula, regardless of the bag being opened and used. Just advised my friend too anyone else with grieviences to the new proplan aussie made product with the downsizing and change in the make up of the kibble, use the incident report number listed below on the email from Purina Have your say, especially to the downsizing of the product and the same price still being charged, the more responses they get the better they will understand we are not all stupid!!! If your dogs have changed at all in the potty department with there poops please let them know as well, I now know of others with there dogs stools drastically changing and them not realising there has been any change to the original formula, so if this has happened also, please let the company know!!. My email back to them this afternoon So I can take it back for a refund even if the bag is opened? I just want to point out too that my older OES bitch even presented with blood in her stools, no not worms or anything detrimental, just the major change to originally what was made in america. The bulking of the Aussie made product of wheat instead of rice as is listed on the bag a "Chicken and Rice Blend" and usually with the previous formula "No Wheat" in the mix, made her stools huge and more of it through the day, same with the other 2 as well, she had a lot of trouble passing a stool 12 hours after opening & feeding her from the new bag, the amount all were pooping through the day was drastic over the next 3 days, previously on the American mix once at the most twice a day and good firm small ones and you could see there was something not quite right with the Australian made blend, that's what made me also look at and question the ingredients list on this new bag made in Australia, as well as noticing the downsizing of the product as well as smaller kibble pieces at still the same cost as the previous 17 Kilo american made blend!! the drastic change to the make up of the forumla for the kibble has resulted in my dogs suffering with abnormal poos. You need also to take off the Australian Purina web site the 17Kilo bag of "Large Breed" blend as that is not possible to get that here now at the same price as the downsized Aussie made product and update the ingredients there with maybe a note saying "Change of Forumla" & made in australia now, so consumers are aware there has been a change.!!! to the blend of the kibble also and where it comes from and not the original mix I have been happy with since the early 1990's. Started a new brand of premium dog kibble on the weekend, and it agrees with my dogs like the previous American made proplan before you interferred with the mix, and in 12 hours after using another premium brand containing "No Wheat" all is back to normal now. I have been since the early 90's a very happy user of proplan, feeding my dogs on it, raising litters on it until now and will never use it again unless you improve what you are selling here. Lisa -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: NESTLE Purina Reply - Incident No.: 0015765840 Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 02:17:34 +0000 From: Petcare.adviceteam@au.nestle.com To: ellisoes@hotmail.com Hi Lisa, I am sorry to of your overall disappointment in the price and product change from USA to Australian Made. The product is 100% guaranteed so you are entitled to take it back to store for a full refund. If your friends want to contact us as well with their grievances they are more than happy to do so, as if we do not have feedback from consumers (good or bad) then we are unable improve our products and services. For any advice on caring for your pets, please Ask Purina on 1800-738-238 or http://www.purina.com.au. Best Regards, Justine McCarthy Pet Care Advisor The Ask PURINA PetCare Team PURINA, Your Pet, Our Passion Passionately committed to making pets' lives better. |
| I'm glad they responded back - and nicely too. Even more, I'm glad Brie and the gang are getting over their gastric revolt from the new Aussie formulation. Hope they all are feeling better. Is it not normal to be able to return an opened bag for a full refund there? Our stores always do that, if you are not satisfied or your dog doesn't like it, you can return it for 100% refund. Good luck with your new food.  |
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