Laundry detergent is one of the big categories of grocery products that keeps getting reduced in size. This time it is 92-ounce jugs of Cheer that have gone down to 81 ounces. Thanks to Mitch M. for this submission. Although it lost over 10% of the ounces, the bottle is good for only three fewer loads. According to Mike M. who submitted this change, Cheer did not change its dosing instructions or the cap.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Old Spice deodorant sticks have gone down to just 3 ounces from 3.3 ounces — an almost 10% reduction.

*MOUSE PRINT:

You’ll get fewer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of these jars of Welch Grape Jam. They went from 32 ounces to 30.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Like so many other products, manufacturers love to play with contents of cereal boxes. They cleverly keep the size name the same, like “family size” but give you less in each subsequent version of the product. Lucky Charms is a classic example.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Some months ago we told you that Thomas’ bagels had been reduced in size. And we alerted you to the fact that Sara Lee bagels went from six to five in a bag. Now they’re making them smaller too, dropping to just 15 ounces in a bag. Thanks to Richard G. for this submission.

*MOUSE PRINT:

That kids’ summertime favorite, Fudgicles, are now coming in smaller packages. There used to 20 in box, now there are only 18.

*MOUSE PRINT:

If you find a product that has been downsized, please a pick of the old version and the new version side by side and send them to Edgar (at symbol) MousePrint.org . Thanks!

Snack foods like candy keep getting smaller. Here, Hershey’s Kisses share size have gone from 10 ounces down to just 8.7. I guess everyone will just have to share less.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Boxes of plastic bags seem to always be shrinking whether they are sandwich bags or storage bags. Here, Ziploc gallon-size freezer bags lost 16 bags in every box.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Just like the name brands, store brand products eventually downsize too. Here, boxes of instant oatmeal from Stop & Shop which used to have 10 packets now only have eight.

*MOUSE PRINT:

This popular cheese brand lost 10-percent of its contents. This is why customers are not laughing, but the cow will soon be chuckling all the way to the bank.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Like most paper goods, paper plate packages now have fewer plates than before. Here, Dixie cut five plates from its package of 35.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Remember when cans of coffee used to be a pound? Those days are long gone. Today, with coffee prices so high, manufacturers are making their largest bags smaller. Eight O’Clock dropped two ounces from their 40-ounce bags. Thanks to Richard G. for this submission.

*MOUSE PRINT:

For example, their Caramel Protein Matcha is promoted as sugar-free:

However, when more detail is presented, Starbucks changed the claim from “sugar-free” to “no added sugar” and disclosed that this size drink actually contains 16 grams of sugar which is four teaspoons.

*MOUSE PRINT:

The sugar here is natural sugar (lactose) from the added milk which is a major ingredient.

Under federal law, “sugar-free” is a defined term meaning the food can contain no more than half a gram of sugar.

Consumers may reasonably be expected to regard terms that represent that the food contains no sugars or sweeteners e.g., “sugar free,” or “no sugar,” as indicating a product which is low in calories or significantly reduced in calories.

The term “no added sugar” is different. It means no amount of sugar or its equivalent has been added to the product as a sweetener other than in an ingredient that naturally contains sugar.

The lawyers in this case are suing the company for violations of various state consumer protection laws prohibiting deceptive practices, and they are also seeking a court order to stop the company from calling beverages “sugar free” when that is not the case.

For its part, Starbucks told the Associated Press:

“We believe these claims have no merit. Starbucks has consistently and clearly provided information about its protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices and nutritional content across product announcements, menus, marketing materials, Starbucks.com and the Starbucks app, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.”

Incidentally, lawyers are investigating other products making “no added sugar” and “sugar free” claims.

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Having lived in Boston for over 50 years, MrConsumer has never heard of Harper & Wells, let alone ever shopped at such a high-end store. However, a reader of TINA.org recently tipped them off to what might be a huge ripoff.

First, there is no such store in Boston registered with the City Clerk’s office.

At the very bottom of their homepage in fine print is a business address of 73 Greenwood St,, Boston, MA 02121.

*MOUSE PRINT:

That is the address of a run-down triple decker in the Dorchester section of Boston — and not a fancy-schmancy clothing store.

The company says they offer hassle-free easy returns.

The truth is anything but because of two clauses in their return policy.

*MOUSE PRINT:

The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs.

All returns must be sent to our central warehouse.

While those are typical requirements at some online sellers, they are particularly meaningful in light of something buried in the company’s terms and conditions:

*MOUSE PRINT:

All our products are shipped directly to the consumer from our supplier in China. Any charges such as customs duties, import duties are the responsibility of the consumer.

Apparently it can cost $30-$50 per item to return clothing to China.

Gotcha!

Needless to say, hopefully this company will collapse because of their hidden anti-consumer policies or by action of some state attorney general.

For additional insights into this company, see the well-researched investigation done by Truth in Advertising.

According to the complaint:

Bombas “sent emails with subject lines stating that purported sales were set to expire soon, or on a specific date. But when many sales ended, they were either extended upon expiration or another comparable sale began shortly thereafter (oftentimes within a week), and the Products’ prices did not immediately revert to and stay at the supposed pre-sale Reference Prices for a reasonably substantial time period. The cycle continues repeatedly.”

As one example, the consumer’s lawyers showed a chart of emails sent during a short period of time and even though the 25% off was supposed to end, it continued, and then was repeated three days later.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Bombas is accused of violating both state and federal law that require advertised sales to be discounts from actual regular prices, not from ones that are rarely if ever charged. In addition, Washington state prohibits false or misleading subject lines in emails, such as by using false sale ending dates. The court is also being asked to enjoin Bombas from continuing to advertise in a deceptive manner.

As of this writing, the company is seeking to have the complaint dismissed and has asked for a November hearing.