[Dominic Carnell]

I'd like some advice please. I've purchased some products from the Prochem Natural range via an independent retailer. I'm concerned that the products may have been watered down because:

1. The 5 litre bottles didn't have seals under the lids, like you get on other Prochem tubs i.e. Pre Spray Gold.
2. The viscosity of the liquids is very low, almost watery, which is alarming for a product that's sold as a concentrate.
3. The liquids are very opaque.

I've phoned Prochem, they were relatively clueless regarding the seals, and didn't seem to express any concern that their reputation could be being put at risk. They suggest to 'try the products' - great, but I've never used them before so I wouldn't know if they were working properly or not. However, they did state that the liquids are normally clear, due to the lack of dyes.

So my remaining concerns are the viscosity and the lack of seals. Does anyone know if this how these products are normally?

Help would be much appreciated Pics below:

[john martin]

 Dont know if you've been ripped off  , but the Natural range seems to be in white plastic cans if you run an image search ... although they could have changed to the opaque ones you have .

I think ' watered down ' could probably define a lot of the natural products , microsplitters come to mind .
Looking at the info sheet  ...  the prochem stuff contains  , sodium salt , propanol , and surfactant ....  with a squirt of essential oils , lemongrass  etc  , which is probably the only ' natural part of it '
I'd say there is great scope for higher profit margins with these eco products ...

half the ingredients of a regular cleaning product ... more water ...and a higher price .

[Dominic Carnell]

Thanks John - I noticed that as well but the Prochem guy I spoke to reckons they use clear ones now for the natural range.

Ha yeah that's true I think, a lot of eco products aren't really that eco.

[John Kelly]

They don't have seals on the caps. Don't think any supplier would go to the trouble or be so stupid to open up a product to water it down. You'd then have to have another bottle and label to make up another. A lot of products not just these have a thin consistancy but still dilute readily. Try them, thats the only way you'll find out if they work and if you like them. Prochem are a huge company and they don't just put any old rubbish to market without extensive research.

[Dominic Carnell]

Thanks John for the confirmation. Not knocking Prochem, I bought these products based on their reputation, I was just seeking reassurance that I was trying the real thing.

It seems unlikely but you'd be surprised, I've known it to happen before with car cleaning chemicals sold on the Internet. The Prochem labeling provided some reassurance, but ultimately they could have been counterfeit or refilled bottles, or the bulk of the product could have been used for the sellers own purposes - people are certainly quite ingenious when it comes to operating scams.

I'll look forward to trying them out, cheers.

Edit: I think all the containers should be sealed by foil, or lids with perforated collars. It's not good that they leave the containers open, literally, to tampering.

[John Kelly]

In that case stick to reputable dealers

[Dominic Carnell]

In that case stick to reputable dealers

  Do you stock those particular products? If you do, and I get on with them, then I'll order from your 'site next time. Providing you offer a good price of course

[Jamie Pearson]

Do they not have tamper proof caps?

Not in office so cant check.

[John Kelly]

No, not all Prochem products do, I checked

[Nigel_W]

Dominic,

I don't want to be confrontational but it seems a bit harsh to title a thread "Prochem - Ripped off when you have no evidence that this is the case. The prochem natural range is indeed opaque, sold in clear containers and is very watery in consistency. That is how it comes wherever you buy it.

Nigel

[Dominic Carnell]

Do they not have tamper proof caps?

Not in office so cant check.

No, the caps just unscrew, no seal around the edge or anything to indicate that I've opened them/they had already been opened, so if you could check your containers then that would be great.

In theory, because of this I could empty most of the contents into another container, top up with water and send back for a refund... seems a bit weird to me.

[Dominic Carnell]

I don't want to be confrontational but it seems a bit harsh to title a thread "Prochem - Ripped off when you have no evidence that this is the case. The prochem natural range is indeed opaque, sold in clear containers and is very watery in consistency. That is how it comes wherever you buy it.

No problem, the title was chosen to be emotive as I wanted people to take a look But the title is 'Prochem - Ripped off?' with a question mark to indicate a question, rather than a statement.

Just to clarify, I did not order the products from Prochem and they came from a third party retailer.

Thank you for your feedback re the physical characteristics of the chems.

[Carpet2Clean]

Hi Dominic

Just had a look at my ones (not open yet) and they are the same as your picture one`s no seals on bottom of cap.

Bought my one`s from a very good local supplier (Prochem agent).

Just got to get round to use them.Might try them next week


Richard & Tara

[Buckland]

I just bought 5 x 5L of different Prochem products (none from the naturals range) and all had snap seals on the products - i.e. you had to break the seals to unscrew the top. They are all probably high turnover stock so I presume the naturals will also be like this when they run out of their current stocks - I dont get the impression they sell alot of them - my wholesaler does not even stock them