Posted 18 Sat

Stop Getting Ripped Off by Stretchwrap Con Artists

Stop Getting Ripped Off by Stretchwrap Con Artists

We’re going to stop being blue or subtle about this issue. For too long now, the stretchwrap industry has been plagued by dodgy individuals who straight-up lie about the product they supply. The ACCC seems gutless, spineless, or ball-less to do anything about it, not sure which, but one thing’s for certain: they’re lacking vital human body parts to function properly.

So, it comes down to  us &  the consumer to do something about it. If you’re sitting there munching on some free lollies or biscuits you got from your last stretchwrap delivery, this one’s probably for you.

We'll cover these ones later.

Now, while there are all forms of dodgy people out there, some use descriptions like “500mm x 500m” to make you think the um is all the same. Yeah nah, if you were actually getting 500m at a decent micron (µm), they would put it all over their description and marketing because that would be the best value ever—but you’re not, so they don’t.

We’re also not talking about the ones that say “500mm x 1900m x 17” to trick people into thinking they’re getting 17µm. You’re not—you’re getting 10-15µm. More on that later.

No, what we’re talking about today is the a-holes who straight-up lie about the product they supply—or they simply don’t know a thing about stretchwrap and buy from dodgy distributors. Take this example, taken from someone’s catalogue.

The Worst Offenders: Straight-Up Lies

This supplier states the gauge in µm and nice, sizable meters.

So, what’s the problem? Well, this is their supplier’s description for their wholesale catalogue. You can probably presume you’re getting the lesser weight one.

Oh, no meters listed, you say? Well, they must be supplying the same meters as everybody else, right? WRONG.

Let’s just say the descriptions above are true and correct, and the weights and gauges listed are accurate and he couldn't possibly be 5% less than his descriptions above... 

 When it comes to stretchwrap, it’s easy to work out the meters if we know these three things:

  • Width
  • Micron (µm)
  • Weight

We use the known volume above and convert the weight into meters, the physics cant lie. 

Oh yeah, we don’t actually know his gauge since he writes it as “17” instead of “17µm,” but we’ll use it as the gauge so you can see just how implausible it is to have the advertised meters.

Now, nett weight would be preferable because then we’d know the exact amount of stretchwrap. But for some reason, this dudeman lists it in gross weight to confuse even their own distributors.

Machine stretchwrap cores typically weigh 900g to 1.2kg, and some suppliers will use a larger core just to make their stretchwrap rolls seem bigger—yes, they actually pay more for a heavier core just to rip you off in stretchwrap.

Yeah, I might sound like a nut wearing a tinfoil hat at this point, but hey, I’m not going to get conned on buying stretchwrap.

 So, now I put all the above info into the graph. I’m going to use 1.2kg as the core weight.

Comparison of advertised meters and supplier meters

We compare the advertised meters than the calculated supplier meters based off their gross weight rolls

I don’t know about you, but I’d be pretty pissed off about being short changed 12-18% on my stretchwrap rolls. Sure, that roll price might be attractive, but you’re not getting what’s advertised, and you’re buying from people who are blatantly lying to you and ripping you off.

Now if you're not sure on the above calculations, they're based on scientific and mathematic formulas &:

How to Avoid Getting Scammed

This is the only way resellers or distributors can undercut direct importers like MPS Packaging Australia on price—by using deceptive tactics. Here’s how you can protect yourself:

  1. Always verify specifications – Check the micron rating, weight, and length. Don’t assume anything.
  2. Request net weight, not gross weight – This ensures you’re measuring the actual stretchwrap, not just the core and packaging.
  3. Watch for misleading descriptions – If the numbers don’t add up, something’s off.
  4. Buy from reputable suppliersMPS Packaging Australia is committed to transparency and quality.

Don’t let these shady suppliers fool you. Stay informed, ask the right questions, and always verify what you’re getting before making a purchase. With some diligence, you can ensure you’re getting the best value—and not being scammed by stretchwrap fraudsters. If you're looking for pallet wrap without the bullshit, see our range of pallet wrap