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The Super Bowl is coming soon, and the world's leading brands are already preparing their commercials for this event, urging us to buy them and only their products. The space around us is just overflowing with a wide variety of advertising, and it becomes very difficult, almost impossible, to distinguish an absolute scam from really useful things and services.

Recently, this issue was raised in the AskReddit community and, in fact, advertisers and marketers should carefully read the resulting thread. However, we ordinary consumers should too. Here Bored Panda has put together this selection for you, which will definitely come in handy.

#1

28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" I've said this before, and I'm gonna say it again.

DETOX PRODUCTS DON'T F*****G WORK! YOU DON'T NEED A DETOX! YOU HAVE A LIVER, A KIDNEY OR TWO (idk, maybe someone reading this has extra kidneys) AND OTHER ORGANS THAT NATURALLY DETOXIFY YOU!

Turtlethebean , Tom Coady Report

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    #3

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" COLLEGE TEXT BOOKS. You need edition 10 for this class. They change one chapter in the book make it a new edition over price it and f**k the college kids. Always drove me nuts when I was I college.

    BettyNRivera , Rob Wall Report

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    Mike Fitzpatrick
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or change the order of chapters. Boggles the mind that something like this is legal.

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    Any person is surrounded by such a huge amount of various scams that it becomes scary to stay out of trouble here. However, people tend to put themselves at risk. At least because marketing and promotion are usually done by professionals, but it's all targeted to amateurs. In other words, there are no specialized courses at any university on how, for example, to distinguish between trustworthy advertising and the kind that you should stay away from.

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    #4

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Branded painkillers like Advil or Tylenol. Just buy generic and save money. It’s the same thing.

    40days40nights , Mike Mozart Report

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    whineygingercat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Made in the same factories. The only difference is the name brand is stamped with the brand. The up charge you pay for is the company's marketing campaign.

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    #5

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Anything from Goop.

    Imaginary_Chair_6958 , goop Report

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    zak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have vagina eggs, candles, steamers, etc; just need a crotch pot (vaginal crock-pot) and they can make a romantic 3 course meal while on the go!

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    #6

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Anything that claims to target the loss of fat from a specific area of your body.

    DarthDregan , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

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    Bi Frog
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, anything that says that you can lose weight without changing your diet habits or exercise habits. Weight loss is hard and it takes dedication!

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    In search of gaining confidence, people often turn to experts - and here lies the main snag. The problem is that assessing someone's level of expertise in the modern world is also not that easy. Any person in a stylish suit, confidently broadcasting in a beautifully furnished studio, can turn out to be either a proven expert with decades of experience under the belt, or just a talented crook.

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    Various certificates and diplomas, which are traditionally considered signs of expertise, unfortunately, have depreciated considerably in the 21st century. These attributes may be genuine, or they may simply mislead gullible people to create the effect of trusting what the "expert" says to make a purchase or invest money.

    #7

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Peloton bikes. Over a thousand dollars to buy a stationary exercise bicycle and you still need to pay a monthly subscription to get the most out of the bike.

    theassassintherapist , SpartyZag Report

    #8

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" All of those weight loss teas influencers promoted a few years ago. They’re just laxatives.

    the-cosmic-kraken , Teejay Report

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    Paulo Freitas
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dude..... What do you expect? If there was a miracle drug that could actually burn fat, it would be known by the entire world...

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    #9

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Insurance. The one product you pay for and are never supposed to actually use. And if you do use it, you are penalized.

    v2micca , Pictures of Money Report

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    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depends. Auto, life and home insurance are "wasteful".... until you need 'em. And then you're so frigging glad you're not out of pocket $75K for repairs after that storm blew a tree through your house and car, instead of the $20K you spent hte last 20 years paying premiums.

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    "I think that a lot of people who are not normally gullible can get caught up in these scams because it has to do with the distortion of - the undermining of - normally good decision-making principles," says Robert Cialdini, formerly Regents' Professor of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University, in an interview with Kendal.org. "The root cause of people falling victim to a financial fraud is their uncertainty about the details of the financial environment. When people feel uncertain about financial decisions, they look outside themselves, and this sets them up for the fraud."

    #10

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Any vehicle you have to pay extra to unlock a feature, specifically new cars

    vridgley , Matt Weissinger Report

    #11

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Academic databases like Elsevier and JSTOR. No matter what you or your school pays for access, exactly $0.00 goes to the researchers. Fun fact: if you contact the researcher directly, they will usually email you a copy for free.

    Grouchy_Writer_Dude , elsevier Report

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    Junebugjump!
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    PLOS has the same academic studies and is free. Scientific peer reviewed research.

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    #12

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Beats by Dre.

    ZotDragon , J. H. Report

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    zak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're the ones who put weights inside to make them heavier, to give the illusion that they're higher quality, right?

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    As a result, the world is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of confidence. This was facilitated by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased turbulence of the world community in recent years. Thus, according to the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer, the general level of public confidence has decreased from 53 percent in 2020 to 48 percent in 2021. We are almost sure that by the end of 2022, this indicator has decreased even more.

    "Without a trusted leadership source to look to, people don't know where or who to get reliable information. The global infodemic has driven trust in all news sources to record lows with social media (35 percent) and owned media (41 percent) the least trusted; traditional media (53 percent) saw the largest drop in trust at eight points globally," the study notes.

    #13

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" The dietary pyramid/ federal dietary guidelines

    Killermondoduderawks , mad mags Report

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    Lyone Fein
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um, that's not the food pyramid that I'm familiar with. The one I have up on my fridge has the veggies on the bottom.

    Firstname Lastname
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True, but it gave me an excuse to eat excess carbs without feeling badly about myself.

    Green Tree
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have gotten away from this and now use the Plate Method which is nutritiously sound and a better visually. Half plants, quarter protein, quarter carbs

    Anita Pickle
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But it followed that presidents diet at the time, so of course it was the correct way to eat. If the government tells you what to eat, you should probably ignore it.

    RandomPanda
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can we make the dairy portion bigger, I can't survive off of only 2-3 servings of cheese per day

    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it's a simple thing of thermodynamics. Energy in = energy out. If you expend less than you take in, you get fat. Doesn't matter what source.

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That isn't even close to tbe full story. What about the mounting scientific evidence that people who don't get enough sleep are significantly more likely to be obese or become obese than those who sleep adequately, even given the exact same exercise and dietary energy levels? Your knowledge is woefully outdated.

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    The Veil of Fire
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It maybe bs but it was also a great help in getting people to eat a healthier diets and to think about what they eat. It also taught us kids that eating pizzas was covering all layers of the pyramid in one food source.

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice to see they added in the less nutritious stuff and be real about how people eat. I remember the food rainbow we were shown in school in the 90s.

    Clay S.
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The dietary guidelines change faster than a superhero in a phone booth

    Marcus Lynch
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My food pyramid is built on a solid foundation of hot dogs and topped with a shiny capstone made of Pringles.

    Cyndi Hafele
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think we're just all lab subjects being manipulated through different experiments.

    Niall Mac Iomera
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just switch around fruits / vegetables and cereals, and it's basically right though.

    Michelle Lauer
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I eliminated 90% of the Bread, Ceral, Rice & Pasta Group from my diet; and have never been healthier!

    Mary Mosher
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The bottom level is crazy ... no diabetic in their right mind would follow 6 - 11 servings - this is ALL carbs. (Edit to correct 8 to 6.)

    Injun Joe
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Funny, my doctor said I had to cut back from bread. I told her...ha good luck on me following that advice. I love bread. Homemade? Even better!

    A Jones
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This thing is sooo misaligned (almost up-side-down). Veg and fruits should be primary, proteins/dairy+dairy alts secondary, grains 3rd, added fats/oils/sweets last.

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've only seen 2 dietary pyramids that resemble my diet, and they were both joke memes.

    Lori w
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This should be higher up. If they made the bottom vegetables, America would be in a much healthier place.

    Anony Mouse
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This hasn't been in use for almost 20 years. Thank the Swedes for coming up with it.

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    Roberta Bray-Enhus
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Veg and fruit needs to be first. Then pasta and whole grains. Dry beans and nuts. Soy milks yogurts and cheese. Lastly Fats oils and sweets Meats and fish are removed. You don’t need meat in your diet. You’ll be healthier cutting them out.

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    #14

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Those stupid copper and magnet bracelets.

    j_grouchy , MAGNATURAL Report

    #15

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Sea Monkeys - I never got a single one with a crown and trident!

    ScottRiqui , schylling Report

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    Bi Frog
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What even are sea monkeys? Some of my friends had them, but I never did. They seemed cool, though.

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    The high-profile revelations of recent years, such as Theranos or Nikola, have also not contributed to the growth of people's trust in startups or big business. Moreover, netizens still tend to consider many things an absolute scam - just read this recent compilation post of ours, for example. In any case, we are sure that this list will be useful to you, and if any of the products or services that you do not trust are not here, please feel free to add them in the comments.

    #16

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Single-use access codes for college textbooks is pretty much racketeering.

    colonelsmoothie , Michelle Reed Report

    #17

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" homeopathy

    Panndaa31 , lil artsy Report

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    SL SL
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The picture does not fit. It should just be sugar as any useful ingredients that could for example come from herbs cannot be found anymore in homeopathic products

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    #18

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" McAffee and Norton antivirus software

    FriendlyFloyd7 , digitaltrends Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm getting rid of McAfee. They tried to renew my subscription recently when it's not expired for another month. I keep getting popups for more security options. I just want an antivirus that works in the background and not have to think about it.

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    #19

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Ear wax candles. Burn one not in an ear, and it still fills up with wax.

    JustSoHappy , borodai Report

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    Hedonism Bot
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was a Mythbusters episode where they try making a candle out of earwax. They discovered that earwax can't melt like candle wax because of all the dead skin cells. It wasn't mentioned on the show, but that would definitively prove that ear candles are a scam.

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    #20

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" That s****y Prime drink from Logan Paul, especially in the UK. Kids are using it as a status symbol because apparently its hard to get there?

    Its an overpriced energy drink, absolutely ridiculous.

    Cleverbird , prime Report

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    Art the clown
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Be careful when drinking this. Rumor has it you'll go crazy and start mocking a corpse.

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    #21

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Are NFTs still famous?

    tacobelmont , pinguino k Report

    #22

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" The Shake Weight had its heyday

    ShrinknShrivel , Mike Usher Report

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    Well-Dressed Wolf
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My elderly mother bought one when they were popular. I’d have to sit, withholding gales of laughter, as she’d be at her desk at the family business, repeatedly making rather obscene motions with this very phallic object. She was utterly oblivious and thought it was actually going to help her lose weight and build muscle XD

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    #23

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Charcoal toothpaste. It scrapes your teeth

    amogus_sus42 , Marco Verch Professional Photographer Report

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    Mike Fitzpatrick
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a news flash, most ALL toothpaste brands do this. To be honest it's how they work.

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    #24

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" There was a product in the 80’s it was a blanket that gaurenteed you could lose weight by just sitting in it

    wetlettuce42 , Pixabay Report

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    zak
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does it hold your arms down so you can't use them for snacking? 🤔

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    #25

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Waist trainers.

    NoAction5495 , Hannah Emily M Report

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    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AKA Corsets. The same things our grandmothers rebelled against, rejected, and just simply stopped wearing 100 years ago.

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    #26

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" Head On™️. Apply directly to forehead

    craphand , KyleAC Report

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    Liz Clarke
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just because it's not pharmaceutical doesn't mean it can't help. I've not used this, but I frequently use tiger balm which I find really affective.

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    #27

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" There was a Pet Rock when I was a kid.

    yourPWD , amazon Report

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    Sue From Michigan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These were sold tongue in cheek though. People who bought them got the joke. No one who bought them did so because they were marketed as something else.

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    #28

    28 People Answer "What's A Famous Product That Is A Complete Scam?" I don't know about famous but it was out there.

    Back in the early/mid 00's there was a fuel saver module pimped over TV and the internet. You plugged it in your car to get more HP and better fuel mileage. It was just fancy marketing. All it did was trick your intake air temperature sensor into thinking the air was colder.

    giantvoice , Julian Lim Report

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