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Life is all about managing expectations - or managing the high expectations of others. So when the marketers promise more than they deliver, we feel betrayed. How can we fight that? By revealing their false advertising lies to the public.
Bored Panda has put together this list of expectations vs. reality in ad campaigns to show you, dear Pandas, that it's all for naught. There aren't two scoops of raisins in your cereal box unless those scoops are fairy-sized; Crocodile Mile isn't a fun, water-filled activity for your backyard unless belly-flops are included in your definition. From comedic package designs to straight-up advertising fails, we've spared no one in this list. Which bit of false advertising gets you the most riled up? Vote! Or submit your favorite examples of ads vs. reality deceit below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Easter Bunny Is A Master Of Disguise
#2
Ah, There It Is
#3
We Bought Alien Balloons
#4
Much Cranberries Much Fun
#5
It Is Just A Bag Of Cats
Kathy N Mike Chu 8 years ago
it has been archeologically proven that the bones of the dinosaurs were actually a gigantic feline species but were relative in size of our cats to us as they were to their giant alien masters.These toys are historically accurate in every way.
#6
We Got An Artificial Tree This Year
#8
My Dog
#9
Nailed It
#10
Remember The Ice Cream That Was Supposed To Look Like Cartoon Characters?
#11
Strawberries
#12
You Sit On A Throne Of Lies
Anthony Chaigneau 8 years ago
It is clearly said that you have to use it with milk. Then you have calcium ;-)
#13
Plenty Of Filling If You Like Disappointment
#14
With A Sprinkling Of Oregano
Martine Gøttler 8 years ago
They don't look like that normally.. This is my daughters favorite and it looks like the picture on the box normally.. Something vent wrong with that one
#15
Musical Instrument
#16
Bag Of Broccoli Cuts? Nope, Just Stems
Jan Palmer 8 years ago
Come on! The product should at least KIND OF look like the photo on the package!
#17
I Guess I'm Not Making Salsa
#18
I Would Have Liked At Least 3 Mushrooms
#19
Looks Exactly Like The Box!
#20
Yep, Thanks
#21
Spongebob Popsicle. Wait, What?
#22
Spoons
#23
Was I Wrong To Expect It To Be Bigger?
#24
My Life Is A Lie
Lydia Allison 8 years ago
Canada is technically in North America just as much as the U.S. is .. Just saying.
Roxana Probably 8 years ago
Since ''American company''is next to a map of USA, it refers to United States of America American company. There is no map of North America there....
Load More Replies...
Bryan Trujillo 8 years ago
The company is American and the product was produced in Canada. Not sure what the issue is here. They aren't saying all their stuff is American made.
Alisa Atlis 8 years ago
The company's American but Arizona has manufacturing plant in Canada hence the product of Canada.
Tyler Bond 8 years ago
It is an American company (New York and not Arizona ironically), but the product itself was manufactured in Canada.
Hallica W. Anderson 8 years ago
Just because it's an American company doesn't mean it can't use products from other places.
స్టీఫెన్ ఆండ్రూ 8 years ago
It is American. There is no such country as 'America'; the term refers to two continents.
#25
Pocket Chair
#26
But I Want Coke
#27
Economy class biscuit
#28
"May I Have A Scooby-Doo?" I Asked
#29
So Much For "Two Scoops" There Kellogg's
Ron Davidson 8 years ago
Notice they never say how big the scoops are that they use for measuring.
#30
Fresh Onions?
#31
Not Quite Regulation, But Close Enough, Right?
#32
Now With 80% Less Fun
#33
Not A Single Nut
#34
Chocolate Filled Hostess Twinkies
#35
This Was So Disappointing
#37
This Is What You Get When You Buy A 'Steak' At The Dollar Store
#38
Waiting For The Rest Of Tomatoes To Show Up
Final score:
48points
Susanne Thomas 8 years ago
The plant obviously does not have enough sun to grow properly....all stems.
#39
F**k you, Photoshop
#40
Grow Your Own Crystals?
#41
Good One, China
#42
Pizza Hut Hot Chocolate Brownie
#43
And Here I Thought It Was Only An Ice Cream Truck Issue
#45
Golden, Glittering Kinetic Sand, They Said
#46
Decorations For A Bachelorette Party. The "Dick" Balloons Were Disappointing
#47
Fine. I Didn't Like Rainbow Bits Anyways
#48
Well, That's Half The Size
#50
How Do You Forget The First Ingredient?
#52
This Is Theft If You Ask Me
Kate Johnson 8 years ago
Wouldn't the weight have been suspect? Or maybe they were in a vending machine. That's just disappointing!
#53
Thanks
#54
Ben & Jerry's "Jam Core"
#55
...and It Tasted Bad.
Final score:
30points
Sara J Moo 8 years ago
This is all wrong- it says champignon but there's ham on the packaging.
#56
It's Just Apple Goop
Bryan Trujillo 8 years ago
It's almost like someone ate the apples then took a picture. Feel like I'm on Reddit.
#57
Never Trust The Package Of An Inflatable Pool. Never
#58
False Advertising
#59
Santa, Is That You?
Final score:
25points
#60
Crust On My Uncrustable. Great
#61
Ice Cream Expecation Vs. Reality
#62
Well, What Do You Expect For $5
#63
Beef Kabob
#64
Chips Ahoy Filled With Oreo Creme. More Like Chips Ahoy Filled With Chips Ahoy
#65
Beetroot In Vinegar
Final score:
20points
Trisha Lynch 8 years ago
In Australia is how we buy our beetroot its Brined which means it can be in vinegar
#67
I've Spent Three Days In Dublin Looking For This Bridge
Final score:
19points
Makenzie Sheriff 8 years ago
That is the Millennium Bridge in London leading to St.Paul's Cathedral
#68
My Star Trek Captain Kirk Doll Finally Came In
#69
Chock Full O' Lies!
Fiona Messenger 8 years ago
Not really false advertising. "Chock full o'Nuts is a brand of coffee originating from a chain of New York City coffee shops. Its unusual name derives from the eighteen shelled nut shops founder William Black had established under that banner in the city beginning in 1926. When the Depression struck he converted them to lunch counters serving a cup of coffee and a sandwich for 5 cents." from Wiki.
#70
Go - Fruit
#71
So This Was A Can Of Soup I Got From My Local Supermarket
Jan Palmer 8 years ago
I've purchased soups at different "health food" stores and have been disappointed every time. The product never came close to the label.
#72
Nada Moo "lotta Mint Chip" Really Means One Chip
Final score:
17points
#73
False Advertising At It's Finest
#75
Close Enough
Roberto Patti 8 years ago
How lazy u have to be, to not being able to male yourself a sandwich
#76
These Mint Puffs Taste Like Watermelon
Final score:
14points
#80
Tiramisu
Final score:
7points
#81
Another Appetizing Meal That Looks Nothing Like It Should!
Final score:
4points
#82
#87 Wrong Sushi
Final score:
3points
#85
Whhaattt..is This.
Final score:
1point
#88
Yes, It's Supposed To Be The Same Dish As In The Photo!
Final score:
0points
#89
Polish Pickles....from Deli Or Delhi?
Final score:
0points
Origami Chik3n 8 years ago
Polish pickles, produced in India, prepared for Canada. Seems legit.
#90
Wtf Chips Ahoy ????
Final score:
0points
#92
Where's The Beef?
Final score:
0points
#95
Spot The Difference
Final score:
-4points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Christian Hill 8 years ago
Seems more like a list of people buying really cheap stuff and having unrealistic expectations
Sky 8 years ago
Some of the stuff isn't cheap but some of it is actually dollar tree garbage.
Load More Replies...
Nigel Brown 8 years ago
So what's new we are all cheated throughout life...sometimes we never know
Cordélia Leite 8 years ago
Really? All those awful products in contrast with the photos? They expected the slightest resemblance with what the ad says!
Load More Replies... Christian Hill 8 years ago
Seems more like a list of people buying really cheap stuff and having unrealistic expectations
Sky 8 years ago
Some of the stuff isn't cheap but some of it is actually dollar tree garbage.
Load More Replies... Nigel Brown 8 years ago
So what's new we are all cheated throughout life...sometimes we never know
Cordélia Leite 8 years ago
Really? All those awful products in contrast with the photos? They expected the slightest resemblance with what the ad says!
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