Australians are buying empty bottles of Aesop handwash and refilling them with cheaper soap to trick guests into thinking they are using the luxury brand.
Frugal shoppers buy empty bottles of pricier soaps on Facebook Marketplace and then refill them with cheaper skin care products.
Sydney meme queen Claudia Bursillalso known as Miss Double Bay, Posted a Facebook Marketplace listing from an enterprising seller advertising empty bottles of Aesop shampoo, facial cleanser, hand wash, room sprays, and other products for $5-$10 each.
The real Aesop room sprays cost up to $77, shampoos cost between $25 and $65, hand wash costs $51 and you can pay up to $59 for facial cleanser.
One ad on Facebook Marketplace reads: “Empty Aesop bottles – already cleaned – $10/each for those with lids – $8 for those without lids – $25 for all.”
Frugal shoppers buy empty bottles on Facebook Marketplace from Australian luxury cosmetics brand Aesop, then refill them with cheaper products
One suggested a use for the empty bottles: ‘It’s for the AirBnb, dahhling’
Answers to Mrs Dubbelbaai Reports from Sydney were mixed. Some were amused, while others applauded the clever marketing ploy.
“This is the eastern suburbs of Sydney.” a woman posted.
Another joked: ‘I can’t wait to fill these with Dettol hand wash from the Reject Shop.
“Not sure what’s more depressing: selling them or buying them?”
Others suggested creative uses for the recycled bottles.
“It’s for the AirBnb, dahhling,” someone joked.
‘Fill with Aldi Tricare and a sprig of rosemary… guests won’t know the difference.’
Another seller is marketing empty bottles of Grown Alchemist, Leif and Koala Eco brands for as little as $15.
“This is the eastern suburbs of Sydney.” one user posted
It’s not just Australians who are benefiting from the empty bottle trend.
a Reddit post showed a UK retailer who has empty ‘Aesop Resurrection home styling bottles’ available for £7.
One Reddit user commented: ‘This makes me so sad…what has the world come to!’
Another suggested shopping at Marks & Spencer: ‘While we’re there, M&S has a great hand soap and the bottle is cute too! Don’t pay for overpriced nonsense.’
One answer offered excellent economic advice about keeping up appearances without spending a dime.
“You can walk past someone’s trash can and pick one out for free!!”