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Finding out that you were being lied to is probably one of the worst feelings out there. It’s sad and disappointing and, if the lie was significant, it often has lasting repercussions. It makes people trust their surroundings less, grow more suspicious, and even become insecure about their future.
And while being lied to by someone you know and hold dear is 100% awful, being lied to by a company that you don’t care about can somehow make you feel even angrier. Company lies feel like worthless violations of trust that could have been easily avoided. But no, they just had to manipulate your perception and vulnerability for their personal gain. Jerks.
The following list is full of examples of people getting their days ruined by greedy corporations. So, scroll down with caution or you too will start having trust issues.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Tea Towel. The Patterned Part Was The Only Portion Visible On The Packaging
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.
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#2
This $5 Lunch Wrap That Is Mostly Tortilla
#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.
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
#5
This Sandwich
María Hermida 1 year 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?)
#6
Tricked By The Packaging Of My Moisturizing Cream
White Sauce Hot Sauce 1 year ago (edited)
Probably because of the ingredients list that's larger than the container.
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
#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.
#9
This Is How 18 Snickers Bars Are Packaged In A "Yard"
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
#11
Store Using The Clearance Stickers To Cover The Expiration Date. On Baby Food
#12
Bought A 12-Pack Of Dove Soap, They All Came Out Like This
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
#14
So I Only Get This Much Actual Cream?
#15
Straight Up Lie
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
#17
Not Only Did My Box Of "90" Treats Have Only 75 Candies, But Also Only 1 Sour Patch Kids
Alex Davis 1 year 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
#18
Are They For Real With This? After A Long Day Of Work, I Wanted More Than 4 Pieces Of Cheese
Shark Lady 1 year ago
I've stopped buying frozen or boxed pizzas like this, I want more than dough with tomato sauce.
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
Rob(erta) Roy (They/Them) 1 year ago
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the pun in the title?
#20
A Box 25% Filled With A Bottle That Is Also 25% Filled
Manda Hart 1 year 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.
#21
I Guess There Are Technically 2 Flavors In The Package
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
#23
Who Was The Packaging Designer? I Just Wanna Talk To Them
Jonni Schneider 1 year ago
I think this is more in response to the mixed colors, not matching. All else looks legit.
#24
Box Full Of Turkish Delight
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
#26
Happy Easter, Everyone
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
What big ears you have Santa. You might want to put some moisturizer on them as they look a little cracked and dry.
#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.
#28
The Size Of The Packaging vs. What You Actually Get. I Swear It's Getting Worse
#29
This "Avocado Oil" That My Sister Mistakenly Bought Is Actually >90% Canola Oil
#30
This Plastic Bottle Wrapped In Torn Cardboard To "Celebrate Mother Earth"
#31
Packaging Is Interesting But What Is Inside Is Not
Jane No Dough 1 year 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.
#32
This Has Got To Be Fraud In Some Way
#33
When The "Value" 2 Pack Costs More Than Buying The Items Individually
#34
Fabric Softener Says Extra For Free. The Same Size As The Old Bottle Actually Does 25% Less Washes
#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.
#36
Daily Reminder That HP Is A Scam. Ink Cartridges Come With 75% Empty Space
#37
This Packaging Uses An Optical Illusion To Make The Vegetables Look More Green
#38
This Damn Wrap Cost £3.50
Alex Davis 1 year 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
#39
This "Missing" Piece Of Chocolate
#40
Kids' Book Saying "Has 430 Stickers" On The Cover. 400 Of Them Are Tiny Monochrome Shapes
ynyrhydref56 1 year ago
Not unusual. Some sticker books have activities like this. You put the shapes in the position in the picture. Develops dexterity.
#41
Thought I Still Had 25% Remaining. No, Solid Glass
Wintermute 1 year 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!
#42
Clearly Meant To Make You Think The Bottles Are Way Taller Than They Are Until You Pull Them Out
WindySwede 1 year ago
Feel the weight distribution (if on physical shop) and read the volumes!
#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.
Barbara Kayton 1 year ago
We could all simply stop buying makeup. We are beautiful without it, why make them rich for practically no product?
#44
Ah, The Old "Let's Make A New Packaging At The Same Price But Reduce The Actual Amount The Customer Gets" Move
#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
#46
Chocolate Air
#47
Bought A "2 Pack" Of Minecraft Masks For My Son
#48
Useless Hair Removal Cream Bottle
#49
Chocolate Cookies
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What do you think ?
Origami Chik3n 1 year ago
The only thing that i encountered, is reducing product amount, while leaving the same package size. Probably because i live in "evil" EU that has laws to protect customer rights. That is not to say that corporations in EU are any less greedy than everywhere else. But i have never got such infuriating sandwich or cream bottle, like in this thread. One thing that i always do, is check packaging weight/volume. "Evil" EU chimes in again, so we have not only the price of the package, but also price per g/ml/unit on the tag.
Sonja 1 year ago
That's exactly what is the bare minimum that's needed. Also, adding the weight doesn't help much. Every product has different volume. 100 gr chips are plenty, a whole bag full, but 100 gr cheese are much less in volume. Same goes for creams vs mousse when it comes to cosmetic or bars vs Powder etc. Misleading packaging is still a fraud, banking on the fact that most people can guess volumes pretty well to know how much they'll need for one application, but have no idea what the potion actually weights because, lets be hones, in most cases you have no way of knowing, especially with beauty products.
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Wintermute 1 year ago
We should have a post like this, but for the Bored Panda article titles that misrepresent what they're actually about.
Will Cable 1 year ago
I really hope that those who do this get short changed in life with things they want, They would soon kick off if they went to by a top spec car only to find when they got it it had less power and have the stuff they wanted was missing.
Origami Chik3n 1 year ago
The only thing that i encountered, is reducing product amount, while leaving the same package size. Probably because i live in "evil" EU that has laws to protect customer rights. That is not to say that corporations in EU are any less greedy than everywhere else. But i have never got such infuriating sandwich or cream bottle, like in this thread. One thing that i always do, is check packaging weight/volume. "Evil" EU chimes in again, so we have not only the price of the package, but also price per g/ml/unit on the tag.
Sonja 1 year ago
That's exactly what is the bare minimum that's needed. Also, adding the weight doesn't help much. Every product has different volume. 100 gr chips are plenty, a whole bag full, but 100 gr cheese are much less in volume. Same goes for creams vs mousse when it comes to cosmetic or bars vs Powder etc. Misleading packaging is still a fraud, banking on the fact that most people can guess volumes pretty well to know how much they'll need for one application, but have no idea what the potion actually weights because, lets be hones, in most cases you have no way of knowing, especially with beauty products.
Load More Replies... Wintermute 1 year ago
We should have a post like this, but for the Bored Panda article titles that misrepresent what they're actually about.
Will Cable 1 year ago
I really hope that those who do this get short changed in life with things they want, They would soon kick off if they went to by a top spec car only to find when they got it it had less power and have the stuff they wanted was missing.
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