A Reddit user says a Glade air freshener refill appears to offer less product at the same price.
According to their sleuthing, the refill lost 5 milliliters while keeping the same price. That bait-and-switch prompted the shopper to say they wouldn't buy it again.
Here's what to know
The complaint, posted to the r/shrinkflation subreddit, focused on a Glade refill that went from 0.61 fluid ounces (18 milliliters) to 0.44 fluid ounces (13 milliliters) with allegedly no price cut. That is a drop of 0.17 fluid ounces, or 5 milliliters, nearly 28% less product for the same cost.
The Reddit post featured the two canisters in the plug-in device. While the 18ml refill fills the entire slot, the 13ml leaves plenty of room. In a zoomed-in photo, it is evident it's around three-quarters of the size.
"They're not even being subtle. 5ml has just disappeared. Same price, but less. Never again Mr Glade, am I buying it," they wrote.
For a product meant to be bought repeatedly, a smaller refill at the same price leaves buyers spending the same amount for fewer uses. The discussion didn't stay focused on package size alone.
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One commenter cited a separate bad experience with the product, writing: "One of these leaked the fluid on my floor and it melted my vinyl. Never used them again…"
"No artificial scents are good for you," a user wrote. "Candles, sprays, detergents, etc."
More background
Because the post appeared in a forum centered on shrinkflation, the size change from 18 milliliters to 13 milliliters was framed as another example of a familiar consumer complaint. Packaging and pricing stay recognizable so as to maintain customers' expectations, but the amount inside slips downward.
Reactions in the thread also expanded beyond value concerns into dislike of the product category itself. A number of commenters said synthetic fragrance products were not worth buying, while some health-related claims mentioned in the discussion were presented without supporting evidence.
What can be done?
The original poster pointed to the most direct consumer response available: not buying the product again. When people think a brand is charging the same for less, refusing to repurchase is one immediate way to push back.
Readers in the thread also offered substitutes.
"You're better of with tea lights, natural oils or a humidifier with the same..." a user wrote.
Where can I learn more?
If this Glade change has you looking more closely at what you're paying for, similar issues around value, labeling, and consumer trust come up for other brands.
• On Amazon, a Fisher-Price potty listing showed a mysterious upcharge that angered shoppers.
• In Australia, Glad faced a government penalty after allegedly misleading consumers with green claims.
• Consumer experts highlighted misleading packaging claims that can distort quality cues during shopping.
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