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The whole purpose of marketing is to make a product desirable and to give the customer something that fulfills their needs, but I think it's fair to say that these big companies don't give a sh*t about you.

The marketing techniques on display here are not designed for building trust, repeat business, and goodwill, they are shameless attempts to squeeze as much cash as possible out of unwitting consumers! From dishonest product packaging and clever ads designed to manipulate, to hidden disclaimers and barefaced lies, it's really quite shocking how low some big brands will go for an extra few bucks.

We here at Bored Panda have compiled a list of the worst false advertising offenders, so you know what to look out for in the big, bad world of cut-throat capitalism. Scroll down below to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

Just As I Suspected At Starbucks - At Every Place I've Worked, All Have Said They Recycle. None Do

Just As I Suspected At Starbucks - At Every Place I've Worked, All Have Said They Recycle. None Do

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    #2

    I Was Wondering Why I Seem To Go Through Deodorant So Fast. This Is Brand New, Never Been Used (Labels Removed)

    I Was Wondering Why I Seem To Go Through Deodorant So Fast. This Is Brand New, Never Been Used (Labels Removed)

    CHESTER_C0PPERP0T Report

    #3

    Quaker Oatmeal Advertises 35% Less Sugar, But In Reality They're Just Selling 35% Smaller Portions - But For The Same Price

    Quaker Oatmeal Advertises 35% Less Sugar, But In Reality They're Just Selling 35% Smaller Portions - But For The Same Price

    AthleticNerd_ Report

    #4

    If You Think You Can Read It From The Top Shelf, You're Wrong

    If You Think You Can Read It From The Top Shelf, You're Wrong

    down-to-mars-girl Report

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    Nadine Ducca
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seeing this fallacy makes me really mad because I live in Barcelona and we have excellent olive oil. >:-( That a company would do this and in such a surreptitious way with dark letters against a dark background makes me shake my head. And they have the balls to call themselves "Iberia."

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    #5

    These Smoothie Packets. Easy To Make, Just Add The Entire Smoothie

    These Smoothie Packets. Easy To Make, Just Add The Entire Smoothie

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    Nadine Ducca
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LMAO! So what the hell is in the packet? Just sugar? Oh, and I love how they point out that strawberries "are an excellent source of vitamin C", as if their product contained any!

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    #6

    This Is Next Level

    This Is Next Level

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    Mark Smallman
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But it does have the "size" 300ml clearly on the front so you could at least make a comparison compared to other brands.

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    #7

    Cold Beer

    Cold Beer

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    Katie and Jared Coates
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this one tho- it just seems more fun and clever and not really trying to get one over on you.

    A.R.
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It really doesn't pay to try and get people into your place by advertising this way. In the end, when people realize they aren't getting free beer, they will be pissed and who wants a pissy customer?

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think if it said Free Beer and Cold WiFi more customers would follow.

    Diane DesAutels
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just a clever eye-catcher. Upvoting here is like a downvote, so I won't.

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WiFi and beer? What more could you want? I would live at this cafe!

    Arran Walker
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, this is just good advertising. It sucks you in from far away. Up close, you figure out what’s really up. Might get them some business just because.

    Helen Coyle
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Australians drink cold beer as it tastes horrible warm at room temperature in hot countries, nothing wrong with cold beer. Non beer drinker, even red wine is better chilled out here.

    Emily Goddard
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think warm beer tastes terrible in any country, lol. A lot of people like red wine chilled too, that's not just an Australian thing.

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    #8

    Seriously? Contradictory At Its Finest

    Seriously? Contradictory At Its Finest

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    #9

    This Balloon

    This Balloon

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    Martti Laurson
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is physically impossible. That would mean, the printed area did not expand at all.

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    #12

    I Was Misled

    I Was Misled

    roniza Report

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    Al Bo
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't agree with this one on the list. For those unaware, that center mechanism is to help squeeze the tube appropriately (whether or not it maximizes emptying it in the end it's unknown). I'm not familiar with this brand but have used others, and the packaging (usually a cardboard back) would've made it clear that about that shell.

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    #13

    Make Up Your Mind Tide

    Make Up Your Mind Tide

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    #14

    Family Friend Hired Spongebob For A Birthday Party. On The Left - What Was Promised, On The Right - What Appeared (A Man Covered In Sponges)

    Family Friend Hired Spongebob For A Birthday Party. On The Left - What Was Promised, On The Right - What Appeared (A Man Covered In Sponges)

    toss_my_potatoes Report

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    Nadine Ducca
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though it's definitely NOT what has hired or expected, I think the guy did a pretty good DIY job with the costume.

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    #15

    "You're Gonna Pay For That Free Coffee, Aren't You?"

    "You're Gonna Pay For That Free Coffee, Aren't You?"

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    #17

    Includes A "Private Balcony." Is Just A View Of The Wall Of The Next Building

    Includes A "Private Balcony." Is Just A View Of The Wall Of The Next Building

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    #18

    The "Cancel Uninstalation" Button Is In Green

    The "Cancel Uninstalation" Button Is In Green

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    #19

    Bought Some “Floam” Like Substance For My Daughter For $5. Just Wow. She Cried

    Bought Some “Floam” Like Substance For My Daughter For $5. Just Wow. She Cried

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    #20

    It's Illegal Not To Have A Link No? Let's Write It In White

    It's Illegal Not To Have A Link No? Let's Write It In White

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    #22

    The Color Of "Up To" Makes It Almost Impossible To See From A Distance, Especially With Glare. Thanks, Old Navy

    The Color Of "Up To" Makes It Almost Impossible To See From A Distance, Especially With Glare. Thanks, Old Navy

    CivilizedPsycho Report

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    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    By now, if we see these signs we should automatically know there's an "up to" there somewhere. My kid has been able to spot the "up to"s since she was about 7. I'm probably raising her a bit too skeptical, but better than being too gullible.

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    #23

    Inside The Package Of A Drone My Parents Got Me For Christmas

    Inside The Package Of A Drone My Parents Got Me For Christmas

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    #24

    Disguising Ads As System Warnings In The Operating System Is Truly A**hole Design

    Disguising Ads As System Warnings In The Operating System Is Truly A**hole Design

    jimoconnell Report

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    birdhouse
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I clicked on one that said it was a Microsoft update at work and walked away as it said it would take 30 min to install. To my surprise when I got back it was a screen that said "Chicks with d***s" and said if I don't give money for them to uninstall it wouldn't stop. I was a little upset as the "Chicks" d**k was bigger than mine.

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    #25

    Thanks, I Feel So Special And Cozy Now

    Thanks, I Feel So Special And Cozy Now

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    Anouk
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awwww. That's so lovely. I'd far prefer to come and unsubscribe personally - with a baseball bat - anyway.

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    #26

    Oh, Thanks! Wait... What?

    Oh, Thanks! Wait... What?

    SoySauce_McGiggles Report

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    Randy Inbred
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this meant to be a joke tip for a waiter/waitress? If so it's incredibly bad taste. Those guys work their asses off for little money, no benefits and little job security. They rely on tips for their livelihood. Wonder how the creator of this gem would feel if someone replaced the cash in his wallet with a few of these?

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    #27

    Only A Little Misleading

    Only A Little Misleading

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    #28

    You Have To Click "No" To Continue The Uninstall

    You Have To Click "No" To Continue The Uninstall

    whatthehellisplace Report

    #29

    The Mug That Won't Fall Over

    The Mug That Won't Fall Over

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    #30

    This Cup “Full” Of Candy

    This Cup “Full” Of Candy

    tapdawg Report

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    Sree S
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This has happened to me once. Trashy Easter treat baskets... I like the basket tho. Its a very nice basket!!

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