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Deceitful packaging seems to be an epidemic that’s so common, people don’t even bat an eye at it. It is sort of expected, in a way, to be lied to by companies.

You got tricked by packaging? Well, that’s your own fault, you should know better. Corporations will always find ways to avoid regulation and it’s now on you, the consumer, to do your due diligence and not fall for the cheap tricks. And there are many of them out there.

#2

This $5 Lunch Wrap That Is Mostly Tortilla

Final score:

210points

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Will Cable 11 months ago

It needs a memorial service.

60points

#3

Can You Figure Out Why I'm Infuriated Before The 4th Picture?

What the literal hell Sergeant's?

PS: Be not concerned with the shampoo color, it became the host bottle for my cat's RX shampoo a long time ago.

beakrake Report

Final score:

194points

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Sum Guy 11 months ago

That's just enough to get a lawsuit going

115points

Take the overall feel of the packaging design, for example. This one is all about first impressions and marketers love using it to their advantage. They put so much effort into making it just right. That’s because this where they try to trip you over first.

For instance, some companies like to make their product look rustic with off-white colors and curious font choices so that you would assume the item is somewhat natural. They pop a person with a straw hat on it and voila, it seems like you plucked this product straight from a farmer’s market. Even though, quality-wise, it’s no different from the next product on the shelf.

#4

This Typically Sized Roll Of String Is Actually A Foam Mold Of The Shape String Normally Makes And A Little Bit Of String Wrapped Around That

Final score:

191points

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D Battle II 11 months ago

They were stringing you along.

16points

#5

This Sandwich

Final score:

188points

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María Hermida 11 months ago

I would report the company to a Consumers' Association. This is actually a robbery. The problem is, in some countries there aren't any consumers' protection laws. (Is the label in Bahasa Indonesia?)

19points

#6

Tricked By The Packaging Of My Moisturizing Cream

Final score:

187points

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White Sauce Hot Sauce 11 months ago (edited)

Probably because of the ingredients list that's larger than the container.

13points

Then, there are sleek and simple designs that give off a false impression of luxury. A neat font, a single pastel color, and minimal wording and you feel like this has to be the top-notch choice. Often, though, the only thing that makes it different from the other products is the higher price tag.

#7

I Bought This Pallet Specifically For The “Blue” Middle Shade

Final score:

170points

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Nadine Debard 11 months ago

Poor design

103points

#8

My "Pound" Of Turkey Meat Is Short By Over 100 Grams (Almost Missing An Entire Fourth Of The Pound)

The package says it’s a pound of turkey meat. I weighed it, and it was over 100 grams short of a pound. I’m furious. I spent 75$ on groceries this week, and it feels like it got even more expensive. I’m being so honest when I say let’s do a class action lawsuit against every company.

Lumpy_Card_476 Report

Final score:

170points

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Sue User 11 months ago

Find your local weights and measures office. They will fine them.

119points

#9

This Is How 18 Snickers Bars Are Packaged In A "Yard"

Final score:

169points

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Sue User 11 months ago

Yep. I saw a Twix one and was going to get it for a friend and rembered this from another post.

81points

Brand names are also pretty bad offenders here. That’s because they are used as a work-around to all the rules you have to adhere to actually make your product stand out. The worst ones in this category have to be the greenwashing ones. All the names with “natural”, “healthy”, “green”, or “planet” in them. They instantly give you an impression that the item is eco-friendly even though many of those words aren’t regulated in any way.

#10

I Understand The Size Difference But Can’t Forgive The Color

Final score:

167points

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Isabela Cincu 11 months ago

Dog biscuits..the livery colour

121points

#11

Store Using The Clearance Stickers To Cover The Expiration Date. On Baby Food

Final score:

163points

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Twanny 73 11 months ago

What monster put the health of a child at risk?

111points

#12

Bought A 12-Pack Of Dove Soap, They All Came Out Like This

Final score:

159points

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Noodlepillow07 11 months ago

Cutting corners-literally.

97points

However, this is not the only time marketers just slap on a word on their product to elevate its value. This goes for other words such as “professional”, “plus”, or “lean.” No one needs to prove any of those to actually use them.

#13

Opened A Pack Of Staples And Was Greeted With This Lovely Surprise

Final score:

141points

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Becklass 11 months ago

Yet another waste of packaging.

57points

#14

So I Only Get This Much Actual Cream?

Final score:

136points

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AtMostTheFabulist Premium 11 months ago

And paid $25 for it?

36points

#15

Straight Up Lie

Final score:

133points

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Headless Horseman 11 months ago

Ya lost me at "99% blackout 100% blackout"

53points

Then, there are claims that come under brand names. These are statements such as “made with real fruit” or “contains whole grain”. Sure, it probably does, that isn’t the lie. The thing is that to make that claim one only needs to put the tiniest amount of it in your product.

#16

These Sly, Sly Bastards

Final score:

131points

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Libstak 11 months ago

Why are so many people behaving like this? What happened to pride in a worthy product? They must know they will lose market share and get a bad reputation...just why?

68points

#17

Not Only Did My Box Of "90" Treats Have Only 75 Candies, But Also Only 1 Sour Patch Kids

Final score:

128points

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Alex Davis 11 months ago

I wonder if it had been opened in store and people taken out the missing bags. I always check things like this and properly sealed

45points

#18

Are They For Real With This? After A Long Day Of Work, I Wanted More Than 4 Pieces Of Cheese

Final score:

125points

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Shark Lady 11 months ago

I've stopped buying frozen or boxed pizzas like this, I want more than dough with tomato sauce.

42points

Similarly, brands can manipulate you into thinking their product is better by adding a bunch of badges on it. This can be gluten or cholesterol free as well as claims that the food or drink is low in calories, fat, or sugar. This does not mean they are nutritionally more valuable than your other options. In fact, the low-carb claim is not even regulated, so virtually any product can have it. So, you better check the back of the label to really know what you’re getting.

#19

Brand New Protein Powder, Not Even Filled With Half Whey

Final score:

124points

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Rob(erta) Roy (They/Them) 11 months ago

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the pun in the title?

215points

#20

A Box 25% Filled With A Bottle That Is Also 25% Filled

Final score:

124points

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Manda Hart 11 months ago

I queried this at my health food store (re:vitamins). I was told the label must be big enough to include all information (some of it required by law). Which is quite a misdirection because reveal labels that can be peeled back to show more text, are very commonly available.

6points

#21

I Guess There Are Technically 2 Flavors In The Package

Final score:

119points

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Becklass 11 months ago

Technically…

34points

While you’re checking the back of the label, don’t just pay attention to the macro nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) as they only say a fraction about how good for you the product actually is. Check the calorie content as well as serving size. The companies love to mess with the later one, as it allows them to claim the product is healthier than it actually is.

#22

Company Adds Fake Sugar On The Package To Make It Seem As If There Was More Sugar

Final score:

118points

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WindySwede 11 months ago

I would gave thought coconut flakes? (If correct word from G translate)

53points

#23

Who Was The Packaging Designer? I Just Wanna Talk To Them

Final score:

117points

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Jonni Schneider 11 months ago

I think this is more in response to the mixed colors, not matching. All else looks legit.

51points

#24

Box Full Of Turkish Delight

Final score:

111points

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TotallyNOTAFox 11 months ago (edited)

That doesn't really look delightful at all

69points

All in all, be aware that they’re out there to get you. And if, unfortunately, you do fall into their traps—don’t worry. Just snap a picture and share it online and we can commiserate together.

#25

Bought Today. The Sealed Package Says 100. Counted 24

Final score:

109points

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Shark Lady 11 months ago

There must be a law against this, surely? False advertising maybe?

86points

#26

Happy Easter, Everyone

Final score:

109points

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Javelina Poppers 11 months ago

What big ears you have Santa. You might want to put some moisturizer on them as they look a little cracked and dry.

56points

#27

Wife Bought This No-Touch Thermometer Without Realizing It's A "Disposable" Device With "Non-Replaceable" Batteries

The packaging even instructs you to discard it when it stops working. I pried it open and it's powered by two AAAA batteries, which are easily replaceable.

pooamalgam Report

Final score:

106points

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Jill Bussey 11 months ago

I have never heard of A x 4 batteries. Are they country specific?

41points

#28

The Size Of The Packaging vs. What You Actually Get. I Swear It's Getting Worse

Final score:

103points

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Sue User 11 months ago

Queu the " they have to add air to prevent breakage" crowd.

63points

#29

This "Avocado Oil" That My Sister Mistakenly Bought Is Actually >90% Canola Oil

Final score:

101points

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Robert Millar 11 months ago

Up to...

44points

#30

This Plastic Bottle Wrapped In Torn Cardboard To "Celebrate Mother Earth"

Final score:

98points

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Kayla Albert 11 months ago

The sign says hybrid bottles?

34points

#31

Packaging Is Interesting But What Is Inside Is Not

Final score:

97points

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Jane No Dough 11 months ago

I try to remember to kind of grope the outside of some product packaging, especially "resealable" cookie packs. The only thing worse than these rip-off packages are opening them to find a stranger has already helped themselves.

18points

#32

This Has Got To Be Fraud In Some Way

Final score:

97points

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SCamp 11 months ago

Geezus, why??? I mean I know why, but why??!!

39points

#33

When The "Value" 2 Pack Costs More Than Buying The Items Individually

Final score:

96points

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WindySwede 11 months ago

The value is for the CEO..

23points

#34

Fabric Softener Says Extra For Free. The Same Size As The Old Bottle Actually Does 25% Less Washes

Final score:

94points

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WindySwede 11 months ago

Diluted with water or just changed dose?

26points

#35

Everything Is In A Name. This Is A Sugar Packet And The Company Announces That It's Pure And Hygienic

The sugar must be pure. But then I saw the little star on the "e" of the word pure. Turned over. The "pure" and "hygiene" are a part of its name and not the character of the product.

SATYA11891 Report

Final score:

91points

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Polterbean 11 months ago

What even is hygienic sugar meant to be?

88points

#36

Daily Reminder That HP Is A Scam. Ink Cartridges Come With 75% Empty Space

Final score:

90points

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 11 months ago

And cost as much as your first born child.

59points

#37

This Packaging Uses An Optical Illusion To Make The Vegetables Look More Green

Final score:

89points

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ADJ 11 months ago

Same way lemons are packed in yellow nets, and oranges/mandarines/tangerines in orange nets.

61points

#38

This Damn Wrap Cost £3.50

Final score:

87points

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Alex Davis 11 months ago

I never understand this one? It says on the back it's cut in two, there isn't much space between the two halves and Pret sandwiches in the UK (where I presume this is from and that this extends to all stores around the world) are packed with ingredients, often too many- so definitely aren't skimping. Compare it to the other sandwiches on here and it doesn't belong at all

38points

#39

This "Missing" Piece Of Chocolate

Final score:

86points

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Flippemie Pruts 11 months ago

Azuul

17points

#40

Kids' Book Saying "Has 430 Stickers" On The Cover. 400 Of Them Are Tiny Monochrome Shapes

Final score:

86points

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ynyrhydref56 11 months ago

Not unusual. Some sticker books have activities like this. You put the shapes in the position in the picture. Develops dexterity.

28points

#41

Thought I Still Had 25% Remaining. No, Solid Glass

Final score:

86points

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Wintermute 11 months ago

Glass, a diminishing and finite product, overused to save some corporate interest a nickel in the product that they actually exist to provide. Seems like good ol end stage capitalism to me!

10points

#42

Clearly Meant To Make You Think The Bottles Are Way Taller Than They Are Until You Pull Them Out

Final score:

85points

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WindySwede 11 months ago

Feel the weight distribution (if on physical shop) and read the volumes!

18points

#43

Maybelline Sells Their Eyeshadow In These Glass Round Tubs, In Sealed Black Cardboard Packaging With A Small Window In The Front Part Through Which You Can See The Color

When you open it, that’s literally all you get - a smear of eyeshadow stuck to the lid.

LatterTowel9403 Report

Final score:

83points

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Barbara Kayton 11 months ago

We could all simply stop buying makeup. We are beautiful without it, why make them rich for practically no product?

73points

#44

Ah, The Old "Let's Make A New Packaging At The Same Price But Reduce The Actual Amount The Customer Gets" Move

Final score:

82points

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AMarie 11 months ago

Bonus plastic packaging! /s

4points

#45

$60 For Eye Drops That My Dog Needs Or He Will Go Blind. And This Is How Much Air I Had To Squeeze Out Before I Got Any Product

Final score:

82points

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Red_panda 11 months ago

In fairness, liquid things are packaged like that because they expand/contract when transported on airplanes. That's why they are sold by volume. This may have been a jit excessive though.

50points