I bought diapers at walmart. (pampers) they smell like plastic.

[Maine-ah]

I bought the same brand & type at my grocery store, and they smell right (like baby powder). So...whatchya all think? Other than giving me shit for going to walmart, what do you think is going on with the diapers?

*I may not be able to respond immediately....have to go feed baby lunch, but I'll be back shortly to see what y'all think....

- Maine-ah.

oh yeah, on edit I would like to add that usually pampers has a code on the inside of the bag that you use on their website for points to redeem stuff, this did not have that code in it either.

[jojo54]

1. Aw come on, you know you're gonna catch flak for going there!!!

As far as the diapers go, it sounds like they're bogus to me. Take them back to the store, tell them you don't want the baby smelling like plastic and get a refund.

[lynnertic]

11. take pictures of the item and the things you noticed first, before you return them for $$

and have someone else smell them maybe.

I would send the photos to Pampers and a reporter.

[emilyg]

13. No flak from me

I shop Wal-Mart for certain things so I can afford to live.

[Craftsman]

2. I have heard rumors that some companies sell second to the Great Walmart of China

I hae heard it from 3 or 4 people but nothign concrete.

[glowing]

3. I'd agree... I've bought from Walmart and diaper rash city... same

brand at target or grocery, perfectly fine. I'd say Walmart is getting the crappy off brand. Or they are all changing and the grocery store will smell like plastic next.

[youthere]

4. Just put them on the baby...they won't smell like plastic for long!

;-)

[Junkdrawer]

5. Well, that'll learn ya....

:evilgrin:

With all the stories of Chinese made counterfeit products, it wouldn't surprise me in the least that Wally Mart would go for the gusto - with the protection of large parts of the media and our government.

Take 'em back.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. There have always been rumors that...

huge reatilers like Wal-Mart and Home Depot force supplier prices down so low that suppliers have "special" runs just for them-- the cheapest cheap shit they can make and not totally embarass themselves.

First came across this on a discussion about why DeWalt tools bought at the Borg seemed to wear out faster and not work as well as those bought from other outlets-- like real tool stores. DeWalt would never, of course, admit this and demean their own brand, nor would the Borg, but some people took the tools apart and claimed to find cheaper bearings strange model numbers.

Now, again, it's tough to believe that Pampers would screw with its own brand just to make Wal-Mart's cost targets, and P&G (it is P&G that owns Pampers, isn't it?) rarely bows to retailer pressure, but it's still possible...

[Systematic Chaos]

12. I can confirm this.

The company I work for charges Wal-Mart a fee to put their brand name on products that look like the ones you'd buy at another store, but they're made from components chosen by Wal-Mart and then assembled at the same factories as our normal products. It's fucking stupid that they do that just to be able to make an extra buck or two on every unit sold, but it's completely true.

[marions ghost]

40. With paint

cheaper lines of paint are sold at Home Depot while the better paints are sold at the official paint stores. And even there you can get some pretty low quality paint that everyone thinks is OK because it has the Brand Name (these are common brands). It's pretty easy to change quality in paints without people really knowing the diff. I have a friend who's a house painter and he showed me some stuff about it. But you'd have to have an expert whose brain you can pick.

I also heard a thing on NPR about what is supposed to be extra virgin olive oils from Italy being cut with canola oil. But they still aren't cheap, and nowhere is it disclosed that there is another oil blended in. Truth in food labelling is just basic. Basic.

And we all know about the "deluxe" pet foods that cost more but are just the same old stuff with no better quality controls than anything else. Because who gets their pet food analyzed?

------------------------
So we all have to become experts on paint, food, toys, olive oils, tools, and plastics--???? :silly:

I really resent this substitution of lower quality especially when there's no reduction, and even ELEVATION, in price.

And now we have to be suspicious of diapers?

It's to the point of absurdity now.

[SoCalDem]

42. Companies got caught doing this for the "outlet stores" too..

Originally outlet stores were kind of a best kept secret, and only the locals even knew about them, but now there are whole complexes of them.. They like to brag about the "designer" merchandise, but some companies are now just manufacturing special merchandise FOR the outlets..and the schmucks who think they are getting the "real deal" are just getting a knock-off quality from the designer itself.. they are not getting that fantastic bargain they thoght..

I quit going to outlets a long time ago..as soon as they started looking boutique-y.. and clsutered into multi-store complexes..

[gollygee]

46. That's absolutley true

my brother worked for one of their suppliers and he said they made things just for them and someplace else too - maybe home depot? because they forced the price so low and they couldn't afford to not take the business but they also couldn't afford to give them the same quality stuff at what they wanted.

[Rosemary2205]

50. P&G does, in fact, run special for Walmart with a different supplier.

Every single P&G product you buy at Walmart is made especially for Walmart by a dedicated Walmart supplier. I don't know if this is true of other brands sold at Walmart but it is true for P&G. A member of my birth family is a big shot at P&G in charge of procurring manufacturers and shipping for it's Walmart sold goods.

The product will say "product of Canada" or "USA" but more likely it's imported from China or Bangledesh and at best packaged in North America (usually not even that). Often the packaging is printed in North America and shipped to the factory in China or Bangledesh. Federal law allows them to do this.


It's my understanding Loreal and Clairol do the same thing.

[Babsbrain]

7. I recently bought diapers...

but not at Walmart. When I opened the package, I was assailed by a very toxic smell that I had never encountered before. And I have bought a lot of diapers. There is definitely a change in something to create that smell.

[NotGivingUp]

8. wow...counterfeit products...that sucks. i would return the diapers. n/t

[sueh]

9. Return the diapers. Once all brands are made like that you'll have to use cloth.

[Contrary1]

10. If these diapers are "Pampers", I would not return them...

as there would go the proof, so to speak. Contact the company in writing. Let them know that either counterfeit diapers are being sold at Wally World using their name, or that they have chosen to cheapen their image by selling inferior products.

Then inform them that they have lost a long-time customer (even if they haven't). Be interesting to see what kind of response you get, if any.

Are they made in China, by any chance?

On Edit: Evidently you are not the only one to notice.

"a snug fit, and it ends there
by daphnetyler ,Apr 04 '07

Pros: fit my daughter really well, nice stretchy tabs
Cons: smell, they leak, they are expensive

This diaper was recently on sale at wal-mart. I thought I would give it a try. These diapers leak overnight with my daughter. I find that some generic brands actually leak less than these diapers. They also have a nasty smell once they are peed in. I cant wait to use the rest of them up, because of this horrible smell. You can smell it even when there is a tiny bit of pee in them. They fit well, and the tabs are very stretchy. That is the ONLY good thing about these diapers. For the price... they are not worth it."

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Diapers-Pampers_Custom_Fit_Cruisers_16-28_Pound_38_Diapers/display_~reviews

Edit#2: "In a related development, China's Ministry of Health announced Wednesday a recall of two brands of diapers made by manufacturers in north China's Hebei province and south China's Fujian province. It did not say if the diapers had been exported but said the brands were popular in rural areas.

A spot check of rural shopping centers revealed that batches of infant diapers sold under the brand names Haobeir and Jinglianbangshuang contained excessive amounts of fungus, a statement posted to the central government's official website said. It did not say how much over the limit the diapers were or whether they had caused any children to become ill."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-07-04-china_N.htm

[Maine-ah]

17. interesting.

but these smell before they're even on the kid. I opened the package and got a real chemical/plastic smell. I had no choice but to use a few since I live out of town. I got back into town today and purchased another package but at the grocery store.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

14. I'd Say I Don't Buy Diapers For Their Smell, But For Whether Or Not They Work.

If they work, then I fail to see the problem.

[Maine-ah]

18. Well, I don't buy them for the smell...duh.

however, would you put something on your kid that smelled like a chemical? Or your own ass, for that matter, if you don't have any kids.

[MadAnne]

44. Disposable diapers are chemicals.

And what is that weird gel substance in them?

[islandspirit]

15. disposable diapers

Has anyone ever considered using 'cloth' diapers & actually washing them?
Three children & approximately $200 in diapers, plastic pants & soap is what i budgeted it cost in total. Never mind sleeping guilt free from the environmental disaster that disposables create.
Just a thought...........

[Maine-ah]

19. when she's older I plan on using cloth diapers.

I have to think cost. Right now, it's cheaper this way. Trust me, I feel for the enviornment, but if I want to eat, heat my house, pay my electric bill...this is my choice.

[LeftyMom]

37. Lemme know if you need assistance finding some that don't cost a ton

I diapered LK on the cheap because I was flat broke, so I could walk you through building a reasonable diaper stash for cheap.

[pansypoo53219]

21. no shit.

i bet a diaper service would be cheaper than disposable.
ok. i have no bred, no kids, but if it had happened, i think i would go diaper service and not disposable, cause technically, they ain't.

and i think it makes potty training harder. i potty trained myself, under 2. my mom was soooo lucky.

[hedgehog]

23. I loved my diaper service.

I had it so long, we actually wore out the plastic cans the dirty didies go in. Of course, I was a lot more easy going than a lot of people are. I don't think I ever used plastic pants, just a double diaper. I changed the kids as soon as they peed- I had no other choice.

[OzarkDem]

45. I used cloth with my second one, worked fine

Did it the old fashioned way like my mom did. Used a diaper pail w/ borax soak, then threw them in the laundry with hot water, dreft and more borax.

Never had a problem w/ diaper rash like I did on the first one w/ Pampers and saved a ton of money and aggravation. And you never run out!

[gollygee]

48. I used cloth diapers and loved them

I thought they were actually less work because the poop actually stayed in the diaper and didn't leak all over the place. And yes to everything else you said. I plan to use them for the next one as well.

[Perky]

16. We are actually going with cloth this time and

we figured out that while there is an upfront investment. It actually winds up being cheaper and it's certainly more eco-friendly.


I have also been pleasntly suprised how easy clean-ups have been with these new diaper system. Of course.... the little one is not on SOlid food yet so that is going to be the real test.... haha,

[Maine-ah]

20. BB Maine-ah

was not a pooper. When we switched her to solid food (she's still taking the breast too) she poops like 3-5 times a day.

[madmom]

22. yeah I can confirm that those of us who are so "desperate" we have to

work at walmart, that when shipments come in we stand in the backroom and change the names on all our products so people think they are name brands, :sarcasm: did any one stop and think that maybe just maybe p&g is doing this and not the all mighty evil walmart? Some companies do have more than one standard for different companies and it's not the companies doing it it's the manufacturer! I bought a one cup coffee maker at walmart and the same pot was sold at kohl's for $25 more, should I have bought it at kohl's, maybe it was a different pot and walmart just put it in the name brand box.I know people hate walmart because of some of their practices but to see deception and fraud behind every door it ridiculous. Maybe the diapers you bought were a "bad run" that stuff does happen too, just take them back and get your money back, what's the big deal?

Just to clarify I do work at walmart and they treat me a whole lot better than when I worked at meijer (who happens to be a union shop) same job, more money, better hours, less demanding....go figure!:rant:

[Maine-ah]

24. well, for one thing I never claimed such.

but after looking at reasoned posts, I may be thinking it now. FYI, I used to work for Walmart. I think that when I worked for them they were a better company than they are now. Management at certain stores that I worked at were suspect, but I think at the higher levels they were better.

Now, it is possible that because walmart does put such demands on companies for lower cost, that in order for them to do so, they may have to change something in their manufacturing to meet those costs.


As for the diapers I bought? Well, I'm going to contact P&G before I bring them back to Walmart. They are made in the USA according to the package.

[madmom]

28. I really wasn't referring to your post directly it was all the replies about

EVIL walmart, and I really don't think P&G would dirty their "good name" because one company (walmart or other) demanded it. These double standards have been going on for years, they have different standards for different prices it's a very common practice.
My rant was about people who think/say if walmart did it it must be bad,or if you got something from walmart and it's not quite right it was done on purpose, it's sounds no better than the freakin' freepers yelling about evil liberals and democrats.:shrug:

[RB TexLa]

25. Isn't the smell of them going to change dramatically after they are on the baby for a bit?

[Maine-ah]

26. well, I would imagine...

but if there is something wrong with them would you put them on your kid?

[RB TexLa]

27. I don't raise children

[Maine-ah]

35. well then why are you even suggesting

what you are suggesting, since you obviously have no experience with this matter?

[RB TexLa]

39. The smell is going to change after it's on the baby, right?

Baby feces and urine smell bad like human feces and urine doesn't it? I've never smelled it but I'm right aren't I?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

29. I thought they all smelled sort of like plastic

I can't even describe the smell.....not really like baby powder either.

It's been a long time since I smelled a new diaper.

[leftchick]

30. join Costco and buy diapers there

Kirkland signature are as good or better than Pampers.....

http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11201123&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|48022&N=4018444&Mo=13&No=12&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=56098&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

[Maine-ah]

34. no costco - midcoast maine....

[LaPera]

31. One gets what one pays for....And China loves one for it.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

32. uh, aren't they made out of plastic?

My cat's breath smells like cat food too. :silly:

[Maine-ah]

36. mostly

but they usually don't smell like chemicals.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[napi21]

38. Sometimes BIG companies like WM have special production runs

done JUST FOR THEM. If they can save a cent or 2 by eliminating the printed code inside the box, or maybe the spray of baby powder, that's what they order. You could always take a pic of the place on the box where the code should be, and include the outside of the box and the UPC code to prove the product is real and send it to themfg. of Pampers and ask THEM why there's a difference and why they smelled like plastic. I can't guarantee they will tell you (supplier client confidentiality), but it would be interesting to hear what they DO tell you.

[stirlingsliver]

41. Have You Considered What You Are Doing To The Landfills?

Why do you use Pampers?

Have you considered what you are doing to the landfills?

Have you considered using non-disposable diapers?

[Quantess]

43. They are probably from China and are coated in lead.

Maybe even filled with asbestos.

I know someone who let her toddlers run around naked in the fenced yard in the summertime, to save on diapers.

[AngryOldDem]

47. Pampers always had a plastic smell to me.

That's basically what they're made of. Do they come in different scents now?

[ecstatic]

49. EMAIL LOU DOBBS ASAP!!1

No, seriously, I wish you luck. I haven't a clue about diapers.