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God is in the details, they say. But so is the devil. Especially when you’re hungry and drained after yet another bender day in this wild, wild world. And though jerk packaging designs do not apply solely to food, but come in many shapes and product categories, they are the solid reason why so many of us have some level of trust issues.
Like, putting three salami tranches on the side of a pizza so that it gets a “window view,” shining like a diamond out of the package, is borderline bearable. We bear this injustice only because we know it can get worse. Like a wrap packaged in such a way that it looks ⅓ bigger than it truly is.
So Bored Panda has compiled this list as a safe place to talk about shamelessly evil packaging designs that have been spotted all over the world. And even if the phenomenon is more or less universal, it doesn’t mean it’s okay. On the contrary, it serves as a reminder that it can always get worse than your chocolate box with 50% of the candy discreetly concealed from the packaging because it doesn’t exist.
Psst! More infuriating packages that boil even the most Zen blood of all can be found in our previous articles here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
1001 Stickers And 768 Of Them Are Useless Squares. Thanks, Disney
#2
Tricked By The Packaging Of My Moisturizing Cream
#3
Is Anyone Else Bothered By Deceptive Packaging Like This?
Bored Panda reached out to Portugal-based graphic designer Laura Vanagaite who specializes in branding and illustration design. Laura said that deceptive packaging like the ones you see in this post is really a way to trick the human mind.
“Once we see unique photos of food and drinks, our mind creates the impression that the volume of the contents is greater than it actually is.” This anticipation is destroyed as soon as you open the package. “And once we find out that the reality is different, we feel the disappointment,” Laura explained.
When asked why there is still so much deceptive packaging sold in the shopping aisles, Laura said that this is a clever marketing technique. “Brands know that beautiful imagery sells and that catchy photos with great products create the illusion which will help to sell it fast.”
#4
Bought These Sticky Notes Cause I Thought The Gold Border Was Nice
#5
My Sister Got This For Her Birthday
#6
The Sticker Was A Lie
However, the alluring impression of the deceptive packaging is temporary. Laura says that in order to establish a bond with your loyal customers, brands should employ functional and trustworthy designs. It’s what allows them “to create a feeling of security between them and their customer.”
When it comes to the right kind of packaging design, Laura explained “that all areas of design have a purpose to solve a problem and provide trust to the user.” This means that user-friendly packaging should have features like safety and enhanced usability, be appealing and optimal, and fit the specific customer requirements.
“Every good design needs to be functional, practical, and represent the brand itself in a good way.” But that doesn’t mean it should be boring, on the contrary. In addition to all the features mentioned before, efficient packaging has to grab the consumer’s attention.
This is where the product and packaging designers come into play. “The designer has the ability to make the design stand out by using shapes, colors, orientations. These are key in making it clear to the consumer what the brand is about and what its purpose is."
#7
Ahh Yes, Reality Is Often Disappointing
#8
"Printed All Over" And Deliberately Leaves The Pattern On The Outside Of The Package
#9
Natural My Foot
80 Van 3 years ago
It turns out this is due to a quirk in Indian food safety standards that allow only non-processed foods to be called natural without using the disclaimer. The company assures its customers that the sugar is indeed natural, but it is processed from sugar cane juice to sugar. https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/companies/not-its-true-nature-parrys-explains-disclaimer-on-its-natural-brown-sugar-7004201.htm
#10
Rolling Stone Presents (39 Of The) 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time
Ty Stratton-Quirk 3 years ago
They say "Always read the fine print", but I never thought that would apply to the front cover of a book...
#11
Both Weigh 500g But The Green One Is In A 30% "Bigger Bag More To Share"
#12
So Thankful For My Singular Candy Topping
#13
Thought I’d Buy Some Colored Pens. Turns Out Every Single One Of Them Has Blue Ink
#14
Bought A Ball Pit For My Baby
wandile dludlu 3 years ago
Blatant false advertising... there is no baby in the actual package
Vic 3 years ago
Hahaha.. just imagine that call. Customer: no no, I just want the ball pit. Support: sorry ma'am, it comes with the baby, it shows there right on the box.
Load More Replies...
Hello it Smee 3 years ago (edited)
I hope your baby doesn't drown in that over flowing pit of balls.
Mishka Katira 3 years ago
Okay, this is pretty common. When I was going to a baby shower, someone bought this exact thing, and there were hardly 10 balls. Please do not buy these, unless you can shrink the pit and use it for your cat.
Lisa Tetlow 3 years ago
Looks like you got the balls that were shown on the outside of the pit.
Phil Boswell 3 years ago
Is it just me, or is the actual "ball pit" somewhat *larger* than the package illustration would suggest? That makes this even more strange…
Jill Pulcifer 3 years ago
I bought a ball pit for my ferrets and had the exact same experience.
Ashley Wright 3 years ago
Clearly, there were several additional balls added for photo op. So sneaky these companies!
June Galloway 3 years ago
Now you don't fool with a persons kits. most parents don't have money to throw away.
Gyro Pilot 3 years ago
Check the child's mouth: he's likely trying to eat the missing balls when mum and dad's backs are turned
#15
This "Box" Of Beef Jerky
#16
How Can They Even Call This "Non-Dairy?"
Rissie 3 years ago (edited)
That's just the law trying to protect people with dietary issues. It contains traces of milk products (Sodium Caseinate) and even if that doesn't cause any problems, it is still necessary to mention it as milk as a potential allergen. But the creamer is not a dried milk product as many creamers are. The main ingredients are corn syrup and palm oil. If you want to throw a fit, start with those two.
#17
Sales Genius
#18
This Cashew Packaging. I Was Wondering Why My Hand Instantly Hit The Bottom When I Opened It
#19
Bought A Coloring Book And Pencils To Keep Myself Busy While I’m Off Work. Thought These Were Full-Size Pencils
Hello it Smee 3 years ago (edited)
It has a built-in sharpener for what? To make them even tinier.
#20
New Packaging (Right), Same Quantity
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Disgusting. Anything that uses more plastic to pack something than is absolutely necessary is just awful. Arggh, this is making me so mad! Who are these people?!
#21
800 Pieces. Yeah Right. The Box Is Half Blocked And 550 Pieces Are Tiny Dot Pieces. My Son Was Not Happy
#22
I Was Wondering Why This Watermelon Juice Tasted So Weird
#23
Bought Some Eye Makeup, Just Realized One Of The Eyeshadows Isn’t Safe For Eyes. Found Out Via White Print On A White Background
“Not intended for use in the immediate eye area”
#24
New Means What's Inside Is Not New
#25
My Mother Ordered 1000 Plastic Blocks For Her Nephews. Ended Up Receiving 523
#26
Brand New Protein Powder, Not Even Filled Half Whey
Sleazy Weaver 3 years ago
Ha! Love the pun. At least you *gained* something from this experience.
#27
I Guess The Meatballs All Just Wanted A Window Seat
#28
8% Alcohol Or
#29
Tesco Is Selling "Flushable" Wet Wipes Which Are "Harmful To Aquatic Life"
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)
ALL “flushable” wipes are harmful and should NOT be flushed because they still don’t break down well and clog up pipes and it is awful for the environment. These should be illegal to be called flushable.
#30
New Cereal Box Is 11% Taller With 1.6% Less Cereal
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
More wasteful packaging. How do the people who come up with these ideas sleep at night. A lot of cereal boxes are half empty. Not only would it save on cardboard, the plastic for the bag inside and the ink, if it were more realistic for the contents, it would also be cheaper to freight because they'd fit more boxes in a truck.
#31
No, It's Not Bigger. It's Of Same Size
#32
This Box Of Mostly Sticks With Some Matches In It
#33
Disappointment
#34
9 Sticker Rolls. One Mildly Infuriated 7-Year-Old
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
These are the worst. Unfortunately there is always a new generation of parents who are clueless enough to fall for them so they keep making them.
#35
"Made In U.S.A"
wandile dludlu 3 years ago
The case is made in the USA... we can't actually trust them to make the important stuff.
#36
Some Acrylic Paints I Bought
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Not only is this deceptive, but it's producing extra packaging for nothing. You know that package and all the paint tubes are going to still be on this planet long after all of us are dead and gone.
#37
Went To Poundland And Had The Choice Between These And After Eights, Got These Cause They We're Bigger, I Paid For Air
#38
Pain
Aria Whitaker 3 years ago
So...what the heck ARE these? I dont recognize that (fruit? veggie?) purple thing....
#39
Actual Size Is Not The Actual Size
#40
Coloring Kit That Is 90% Empty And Counts Each Piece Of Paper As One Piece In 100 Pieces
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Always pays to read the contents list. This kind of item usually has one.
#41
Coloring Book For My Son
#42
Sneaky Packaging Cheating Us
#43
Package Of The Cheese vs. The Cheese Itself
#44
This Sour Batch Candy Bag Felt Oddly Light
#45
One Of The Blocks Isn't One Of The Blocks
Couldnt_Find_A_Good_Name 3 years ago
But can we appreciate the amount of effort put into making that piece of cardboard into looking like a block?
#46
Xtreme Jerks I'd Say
#47
These Were Locked In A Glass Case Facing Forward So You Couldn’t Just Read The Back Before Purchase
#48
This Pizza Tastes Like False Advertising
Catlady6000 3 years ago
I'm picturing a sweat shop full of kids frantically rolling 1000s of pizza crusts
#49
Even Worse - It's Stale
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Why would anyone buy popcorn in a bag, in a box, in a box with a window anyway?
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Hans 3 years ago
We have had this series before, but I think this time it got the most entries that are not merely misleading. By EU law most of these packaging would be considered fraud and entitle to a full refund, with the company and/or vendor receiving a formal cease and desist, probably enforced by a penalty. Even without these laws, I am wondering which kind of jerks produce these things. It is unethical on a social and on a ecological level alike.
John L 3 years ago
Hey Hans, I'm a shopper person and I have never actually seen any of these products in print, or in the 'Real'. Now,...I live in the South, but not other parts much at all, so I cannot vouch for the rest of the country. Either way, this is about as fraudulent as I have ever seen.
Load More Replies...
Kari Panda 3 years ago
Seriously, I‘ve never encountered such obvious scams here
Load More Replies...
DC 3 years ago (edited)
... this is what you get when you opt for "getting the government off our backs" and "getting rid of regulations that succomb business". Deserved and served - most of this is banned in the communist EU, while the free USA are the most betray-tray-ridden country. Not for no reason. It still is bad to even try this, but, in a way, ruling it out isn't that hard. You/they allow them to do this, because they and their bootlickers scream "communism" whenever something that only contains common sense is tried, and too much fall for that crap.
Uncommon Boston 3 years ago (edited)
So true!!!! Common sense policy is labeled socialist. Government subsidy programs, that do work, are labeled entitlements. Only the worst examples are made public, never the best. The programs grouped together under "entitlements" is misleading. Yes, we have the ability to choose, but how much must we know to make an informed decision? Where are the facts? Less taxes and more services isn't mathematically possible. There isn't as much money wasted by the government as we are lead to believe. $50K screwdriver? A company was asked to determine what screwdriver will work best in space. Pens don't work in space, only pencils. The Russians figured it out first. Many safety changes in military equipment were ignored in the name of cutting government waste. Is that what we are voting for? Does a Capitalist society encourage mild dishonesty? Some major lies? To make the most money, is cheating okay? Are some people better than others?
Load More Replies...
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
The force of social media is strong. How about people stop posting all the conspiracy theories and instead start posting this kind of corporate scamming? But I guess that Facebook would immediately come down like a ton of bricks on groups dedicated to expose this kind of scams.
Uncommon Boston 3 years ago
Price comparison is impossible unless reading the small print. The calories of one serving of pizza is meaningless. Serving sizes aren't equal. Is this simply capitalism? or something worse?
Bill Evs 3 years ago
I know these are meant to be humorous but personally I find them horrifying on multiple levels. Firstly they're blatantly and unashamedly ripping off the consumer but more worrying is the complete disregard for the environment, all to squeeze a few extra pennies out of the consumer. And not only that but some of these are downright dangerous (eye makeup unsuitable for eyes, non diary stuff with milk in it etc). If laws don't already exist to stop this then they need to be implemented asap and companies need to be publicly dragged across the coals for it.
Rainbow Panda 3 years ago
This is just ridiculous for people to even think and comprehend on scamming. I think supermarkets and shops should check what they sell before putting them on the shelves. 😖
Hannah Edwards 3 years ago
I guess non of the vendors/manufacturers of these products want repeat customers. If they were honest they’d probably save a fortune on packaging too.
David Retsler 3 years ago
And here I was thinking only the USA had the "f**k those assholes. We got our profits" business model.
Craig Silberman 3 years ago
am I the only one who looks at the weight before buying a food item for the first time?
Sprinkled Donut 3 years ago
Some of these don't seem intentional and are just packaging mistakes.
Dani_has_arrived <3 3 years ago
Annoying but loving the background of 33! Catan is my all time favourite board game
Jette Wang Wahnon 3 years ago
Seeing Disney and Cadbury on this list was a serious blow to my trust in Bona Fide companies...
Heather Atwood 3 years ago
This is precisely why consumers need to read the entire label/packaging including weights and amounts. We must support less packaging with our dollars.
Maria Persson 3 years ago
I don't understand why companies do this. No one would buy the items again..
IlovemydogShilo 3 years ago
Just another lesson about the importance of reading the small print.
Coleen 3 years ago
Some appear to be U.S. companies, but I bet they're made somewhere else by someone who bought a license from these companies. Still, they need to pay attention to what's being done in their names and yank some of said licenses. Also, most of this packaging would probably be found to be fraudulent in the U.S. as well. I noticed only one where the "empty" space was used to package something the consumer may want - the sauce for the wrap. The rest of it serves no legitimate purpose and serves only to mislead consumers. They are counting on people relying on the packaging and not checking the small print. And it obviously works.
Ruth Farcas 3 years ago
this THIS ***THIS*** is why we have REGULATION!!!! To P R O T E C T you.
Stan Chung 3 years ago
My takeaway is to always check the weight and feel the pack. Those with windows showing only a section are the most highly suspicious ones.
Cheryl Dunwoody 3 years ago
Such blatant dishonesty - totally taking advantage of normal consumers! Wicked! - makes my blood boil!!
Eliyahu Rooff 3 years ago
I'm not sure whether to feel relieved or even more annoyed at discovering that it's not just American manufacturers pulling this crap on people.
Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 3 years ago
The worst part of all this is the extreme amount of unnecessary plastics and cardboard used. As an illustration of how much we waste: A Norwegian dairy company introduced small plastic windows in their milk cartons a few years back. A good idea to begin with, as a means to reduce food waste. Not too long ago, however, they realized how much plastic these little windows amounted to, and did away with them. Now, Norway is a small country, and this brand is not even the market leader. Still, this simple move saves 18 tons (!!!) of plastic each year! Now try to imagine how much plastic is thrown away with packaging like those above, sold in major markets like the US and the EU...
Fred Bigox 3 years ago
These companies need to be held accountable worldwide for their deliberate deceit, environmental crimes (2+ times more plastic than needed. Its disgusting.
Bruce Kunde 3 years ago
Why are they happy with just the first and Only sale and not be honest and get repeat customers?
Memere 3 years ago
Part of the problem in the U.S. is that the companies who make these products are required by law to list all ingredients & nutritional values on everything, so they make the packaging bigger, and a lot of the lists are still too small to read. And even the ingredient lists are deceptive - "spices" as a single ingredient is one that makes me mad. But too much of it is so wasteful (like cereal boxes), and too much plastic.
Alex Torkington 3 years ago
Just shows we all need to speak up more about all the waste and scams, call them out on social media and so on. Pretty sure governments should be doing that though lol
Hans 3 years ago
We have had this series before, but I think this time it got the most entries that are not merely misleading. By EU law most of these packaging would be considered fraud and entitle to a full refund, with the company and/or vendor receiving a formal cease and desist, probably enforced by a penalty. Even without these laws, I am wondering which kind of jerks produce these things. It is unethical on a social and on a ecological level alike.
John L 3 years ago
Hey Hans, I'm a shopper person and I have never actually seen any of these products in print, or in the 'Real'. Now,...I live in the South, but not other parts much at all, so I cannot vouch for the rest of the country. Either way, this is about as fraudulent as I have ever seen.
Load More Replies... Kari Panda 3 years ago
Seriously, I‘ve never encountered such obvious scams here
Load More Replies... DC 3 years ago (edited)
... this is what you get when you opt for "getting the government off our backs" and "getting rid of regulations that succomb business". Deserved and served - most of this is banned in the communist EU, while the free USA are the most betray-tray-ridden country. Not for no reason. It still is bad to even try this, but, in a way, ruling it out isn't that hard. You/they allow them to do this, because they and their bootlickers scream "communism" whenever something that only contains common sense is tried, and too much fall for that crap.
Uncommon Boston 3 years ago (edited)
So true!!!! Common sense policy is labeled socialist. Government subsidy programs, that do work, are labeled entitlements. Only the worst examples are made public, never the best. The programs grouped together under "entitlements" is misleading. Yes, we have the ability to choose, but how much must we know to make an informed decision? Where are the facts? Less taxes and more services isn't mathematically possible. There isn't as much money wasted by the government as we are lead to believe. $50K screwdriver? A company was asked to determine what screwdriver will work best in space. Pens don't work in space, only pencils. The Russians figured it out first. Many safety changes in military equipment were ignored in the name of cutting government waste. Is that what we are voting for? Does a Capitalist society encourage mild dishonesty? Some major lies? To make the most money, is cheating okay? Are some people better than others?
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
The force of social media is strong. How about people stop posting all the conspiracy theories and instead start posting this kind of corporate scamming? But I guess that Facebook would immediately come down like a ton of bricks on groups dedicated to expose this kind of scams.
Uncommon Boston 3 years ago
Price comparison is impossible unless reading the small print. The calories of one serving of pizza is meaningless. Serving sizes aren't equal. Is this simply capitalism? or something worse?
Bill Evs 3 years ago
I know these are meant to be humorous but personally I find them horrifying on multiple levels. Firstly they're blatantly and unashamedly ripping off the consumer but more worrying is the complete disregard for the environment, all to squeeze a few extra pennies out of the consumer. And not only that but some of these are downright dangerous (eye makeup unsuitable for eyes, non diary stuff with milk in it etc). If laws don't already exist to stop this then they need to be implemented asap and companies need to be publicly dragged across the coals for it.
Rainbow Panda 3 years ago
This is just ridiculous for people to even think and comprehend on scamming. I think supermarkets and shops should check what they sell before putting them on the shelves. 😖
Hannah Edwards 3 years ago
I guess non of the vendors/manufacturers of these products want repeat customers. If they were honest they’d probably save a fortune on packaging too.
David Retsler 3 years ago
And here I was thinking only the USA had the "f**k those assholes. We got our profits" business model.
Craig Silberman 3 years ago
am I the only one who looks at the weight before buying a food item for the first time?
Sprinkled Donut 3 years ago
Some of these don't seem intentional and are just packaging mistakes.
Dani_has_arrived <3 3 years ago
Annoying but loving the background of 33! Catan is my all time favourite board game
Jette Wang Wahnon 3 years ago
Seeing Disney and Cadbury on this list was a serious blow to my trust in Bona Fide companies...
Heather Atwood 3 years ago
This is precisely why consumers need to read the entire label/packaging including weights and amounts. We must support less packaging with our dollars.
Maria Persson 3 years ago
I don't understand why companies do this. No one would buy the items again..
IlovemydogShilo 3 years ago
Just another lesson about the importance of reading the small print.
Coleen 3 years ago
Some appear to be U.S. companies, but I bet they're made somewhere else by someone who bought a license from these companies. Still, they need to pay attention to what's being done in their names and yank some of said licenses. Also, most of this packaging would probably be found to be fraudulent in the U.S. as well. I noticed only one where the "empty" space was used to package something the consumer may want - the sauce for the wrap. The rest of it serves no legitimate purpose and serves only to mislead consumers. They are counting on people relying on the packaging and not checking the small print. And it obviously works.
Ruth Farcas 3 years ago
this THIS ***THIS*** is why we have REGULATION!!!! To P R O T E C T you.
Stan Chung 3 years ago
My takeaway is to always check the weight and feel the pack. Those with windows showing only a section are the most highly suspicious ones.
Cheryl Dunwoody 3 years ago
Such blatant dishonesty - totally taking advantage of normal consumers! Wicked! - makes my blood boil!!
Eliyahu Rooff 3 years ago
I'm not sure whether to feel relieved or even more annoyed at discovering that it's not just American manufacturers pulling this crap on people.
Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 3 years ago
The worst part of all this is the extreme amount of unnecessary plastics and cardboard used. As an illustration of how much we waste: A Norwegian dairy company introduced small plastic windows in their milk cartons a few years back. A good idea to begin with, as a means to reduce food waste. Not too long ago, however, they realized how much plastic these little windows amounted to, and did away with them. Now, Norway is a small country, and this brand is not even the market leader. Still, this simple move saves 18 tons (!!!) of plastic each year! Now try to imagine how much plastic is thrown away with packaging like those above, sold in major markets like the US and the EU...
Fred Bigox 3 years ago
These companies need to be held accountable worldwide for their deliberate deceit, environmental crimes (2+ times more plastic than needed. Its disgusting.
Bruce Kunde 3 years ago
Why are they happy with just the first and Only sale and not be honest and get repeat customers?
Memere 3 years ago
Part of the problem in the U.S. is that the companies who make these products are required by law to list all ingredients & nutritional values on everything, so they make the packaging bigger, and a lot of the lists are still too small to read. And even the ingredient lists are deceptive - "spices" as a single ingredient is one that makes me mad. But too much of it is so wasteful (like cereal boxes), and too much plastic.
Alex Torkington 3 years ago
Just shows we all need to speak up more about all the waste and scams, call them out on social media and so on. Pretty sure governments should be doing that though lol
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