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Philip Cotler, known as the father of modern marketing, once said, "Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose what you make; it is the art of creating genuine customer value." I wonder what he thinks about where marketing is heading these days with lies and manipulation.

Many people catch this deception. When Reddit user Glad_Cat_5129 asked, "What's the most blatant lie a company is currently getting away with in their advertising?" folks gushed with answers. We compiled the best ones for you to peruse, so just scroll through!

More info: Reddit

#1

People at desks wearing headsets, possibly working on false advertisements. Your call is important to us…

We are experiencing a higher call volume…

If it was that important, they would hire people to answer the phones.

EveningFault8 , Mikhail Nilov Report

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Geoffrey Scott
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I normally get through quicker when THAT BS comes on. "No my call is NOT important, you don't have enough folks answering customers". They DO listen while you are on 'hold'.

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    #2

    Goodwill store entrance with logo on glass door, illustrating false advertisements concept. Goodwill is not a charity. they are 100% for profit with ceo and people in corporate offices raking in millions every month.

    Level_Bridge7683 , Mike Mozart Report

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    Vermonta
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Salvation Army seems to be the only one that actually helps people. Don't get me started on what a waste the United Way are.

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    #3

    Cottonelle flushable wipes packaging, possibly misleading advertising about product features. Flushable toilet wipes.

    YOU CAN ALSO FLUSH A SMALL EXPLOSIVE BUT YOU REALLY F*****G SHOULDN’T.

    SmackedWithARuler , jam3013 Report

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    john doe
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I work in waste water and these things are a huge fing problem, honestly people if you don't know it costs municipalities thousand and thousands of dollars dealing with the clogs these things cause in the pipes and pumps, it's mostly that the pumps get jammed up with them and need to be removed and fixed it sometimes even replaced. There was a settlement last year and we got some money from a bunch of companies that put these out, but the damage is done, people will keep doing it until they can't by them. Everyone please stop!

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    Lying, manipulation, and deceptive schemes are all part of the dark side of marketing. Federal law says that an ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence—and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces these truth-in-advertising laws.

    You must be wondering how companies get away with it. That's where the loophole of puffery comes into play, which is a marketer's right to lie. It means that ads can legally lie to you as long as the lie is so obvious of an exaggeration that you know not to take it seriously.

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    #4

    Juicy burger with fresh toppings, illustrating potential false advertisement by companies in fast food marketing. Every fastfood/restaurant commercial on what they claim their food looks like!! Lies, all lies! .

    Life-Celebration-747 , Ilya Mashkov Report

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    Regina Holt
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Japan, the food must look like the advertized photo. Truth in advertizing.

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    #5

    UnitedHealthcare sign with flag, highlighting healthcare innovation in Maryland, related to false advertisements. >**UnitedHealthcare** is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives.

    Direct from their website no less.

    ThadisJones , Maryland GovPics Report

    #6

    Three people clinking coffee cups with latte art, illustrating social interaction and beverage enjoyment. Best coffee in town.' Every town seems to have 15 of those, though.

    BabyPetalll , Nathan Dumlao Report

    During the recent coronavirus pandemic, the FTC sent warning letters to companies that they determined may be violating the FTC Act. It warned them that their conduct was likely unlawful and that they could face serious legal consequences, such as a federal lawsuit, if they did not stop immediately.

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    But that's not all—if the company's competitors were to find out that they were lying in their ads, there's another challenge that they will have to face. The competitors can simply lodge a complaint with the National Advertising Division (NAD). The NAD has been around since 1971 and has adjudicated some 5,000 disputes over whether advertising was fair and accurate.

    #7

    Printer on a wooden floor with photos and paper, illustrating false advertisements. 'You need a subscription to buy this printer ink.' Like, just let me print in peace.

    SolutionFearless2482 , Joonas Sild Report

    #8

    Misleading advertisement on toilet paper pack claiming 30 rolls equal 68 regular rolls. Toilet paper math… 8 rolls =12 rolls ! 12 rolls = 36 !!

    NewHumbug , jlay721 Report

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    George Costanza
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just go by the price per sq ft or price per 100 sheets. That's the only way to actually compare TP costs.

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    #9

    Granola bar with chocolate coating and peanuts, illustrating false advertisements by companies. "All-natural" claims on products that still contain synthetic ingredients.

    Twilight_Whispers , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

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    The unethical practice of lying in ads can be very tantalizing to companies looking to get quick results through marketing. However, such lies can actually sabotage a brand's reputation. Due to the digital revolution, consumers are becoming more conscious, and they do not like being lied to.

    If they realize that they are being manipulated with such blatant lies, it could cause a wave of fury amongst them, resulting in them switching to a more trusted brand—thus, causing the previous brand to lose their loyalty. Well, it looks like these companies are causing harm to themselves by lying.

    #10

    Fantasy video game battle scene, showcasing potential false advertisements with characters on a wooden bridge. Game ads -- NEVER like actual game play.

    lampministrator , games Report

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    Sky Render
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To the point that a game was made entirely to actually create the games from those ads that otherwise don't actually exist. It's even called Yeah, You Want "Those Games", Right? So Here You Go, Now Let's See You Clear Them!

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    #11

    Glass-fronted store with an Apple logo, representing company advertising. Apple and their apple AI.

    muki94 , Siva Seshappan Report

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only time I ever used one was from work. I don't buy the hype.

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    #12

    Family Dollar storefront showcasing colorful signage, reflecting branding and advertisements. I recently went to a Dollar Store and everything was $1.25.

    Bike_Mechanic_Man , Mike Mozar Report

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    While lying in ads might seem like a quick way to boost sales, it can lead to serious long-term problems—like losing customers' trust, dealing with legal troubles, or hurting your brand's reputation. It just makes you wonder whether it's worth it in the end.

    However, in the long run, misleading ads can cost way more than they’re worth. Fixing a damaged reputation takes a ton of time, effort, and money. Plus, once customers lose their trust, they’re likely to switch to competitors and warn others to steer clear of such lying companies and their brands.

    #14

    Playtex Sport tampons box on a table, illustrating false advertisement concerns. Playtex - as they sell feminine products, I assume must have some farce of caring about women’s health…I hope?

    Their products contain chemicals banned in Europe. These chemicals leech into our reproductive systems causing fertility issues. The company donated to Trump.

    They don’t care if they k**l women or prevent births to make money. .

    hermanshermitz , The Stuff I Use Channel Report

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    #15

    Person paying with a credit card at a store counter, highlighting consumer transactions and advertisements. TurboTax has for the longest time sold their Federal product for $39.99 and told you that you can pay it out of your refund, they will 'just deduct the $39.99 fee from your refund.'

    What they dont tell you is that there is a $39.99 fee in order to pay your balance of $39.99. So the total is actually ~$80.

    shitz_brickz , Kaboompics.com Report

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    Kelbers11
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just did my taxes for free through an IRS-affiliated website. Americans, go look at irs.gov! They provide a list of safe, free websites.

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    Let's look at a typical example of how lying can be really bad for companies. Kellogg Co., which is a prominent name in the breakfast cereal industry, claimed that their Frosted Mini-Wheats could improve children's attentiveness by around 20% compared to those who skipped breakfast. However, the FTC found that these claims were false and in 2009, Kellogg had to settle these charges.

    Well, when you look at the impact lying has on these companies, it does make you think about why they would do it in the first place. It seems like their desire for quick results is clouded by how unethical it really is. Do you know of any other such companies that have gotten away with these lies? Please share them with us in the comments!

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    #16

    Woman applying skincare product in mirror, wrapped in a towel, highlighting false advertisement in beauty industry. Any skincare product claiming to “visibly lift” anything. There is no physical mechanism by which anything like that could happen.

    debsmooth , Kaboompics.com Report

    #17

    Film clapperboard on a desert set, representing the theme of false advertisements in media productions. “NUMBER ONE MOVIE IN AMERICA!”

    ...sure thing Sherlock Gnomes.

    RoseCuddles_ , Jakob Owens Report

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    Regina Holt
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or "New York Times Bestseller" - it seems that most books proclaim that.

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    #18

    Best Buy store exterior highlighting false advertisements by companies. "Best Buy" was opened with the promise of their name being a guarantee. That guarantee didn't even last a week before they walked it back. Now it's one of the worst places to purchase low-end consumer electronics. Their actual name is a lie.

    yParticle , Mike Mozart Report

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    #19

    Phone displaying recycling symbol on a reusable mesh bag, highlighting false advertisements in eco-friendly products. One of the most blatant lies could be from companies claiming their products are "eco-friendly" or "sustainable" without offering clear evidence or certifications. Many brands use greenwashing tactics to appear environmentally conscious without making real, impactful changes to their practices.

    WordsThatTingle , ready made Report

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I fail to understand why there is even a #5 plastic. NO ONE I am aware of recycles it.

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    #20

    Assorted fruits on display with price tags, showcasing tempting but potentially misleading advertising tactics. We are raising the prices so we can keep delivering you great products.

    Also, that thing you like and buy our products for? Yeah we don't do that anymore.

    babypho , Rajiv Perera Report

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughter is still teasing me because the store I grew up with and still shop at, Meijer, took out their 'Purple Cow' ice cream service, as well as their cafeteria. Go in, get a cone, walk around eating it. Meijer kids took out a LOT of stuff the old man had there. He KNEW that those little draws increased sales...dumba^^es.

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    #21

    Person holding a bottle of supplements, with breakfast plate nearby, illustrating false advertisements by companies. The vitamin industry.

    Udunwithdat , Daily Nouri Report

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    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Useful pre pregnancy (Folic acid/vit B) to prevent neural tube issues (spina bifida) and if you are in prison, multi vitamins are almost certainly required. Vit D in winter months. Otherwise a waste of money if you eat a normal diet.

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    #22

    Prevagen supplement bottle, advertised to improve memory and support brain function, with claims of sharper mind and clearer thinking. Those Prevagen commercials are selling modern day snake oil.

    TraditionalTackle1 , Prevagen Report

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    #23

    Two women sitting outdoors, holding phones with Bumble and Tinder apps, illustrating false advertisements theme. Dating apps like Hinge claim they’re ‘Designed to be deleted,’ but not because you’ve found someone…. Just out of sheer frustration with their algorithms and paywalls! It should be illegal to manipulate people’s emotions like this!

    groupmemberr , Julio Lopez Report

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    Craig S. (EvilSausage)
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I've read articles written by people who work at dating sites, and every one of them admitted that their company posts extremely attractive profiles to keep the paying customers interested. Also, isn't it interesting how the likes flood in after you cancel your paid subscription?

    #24

    Industrial site with large machinery and conveyor belts, illustrating concept of false advertisements by companies. That's gotta be clean coal, right? What else comes close?

    limbodog , Kelly Report

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    Warren Peece
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is more than one kind of coal. Some of them burn less dirty than others.

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    #25

    Classic car showroom with various vintage models, showcasing sleek designs and vibrant colors. Every single car dealership in American advertising any kind of deal. They're all made up b******t, either they don't have the inventory to support the deal or they are for trim levels or combinations the dealerships just don't order. Those "deals" are entirely to trick you into just coming to the dealership.

    IMO though dealerships should be phased out, why can't I just order a car direct? Why do I, by law, need to go through some random dude who buys hundreds of them and ends up marking up the cost with useless dealer add-ons?

    Osirus1156 , Felix Report

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    Deborah
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some good points here, but I want to be able to test drive a car so I know it's the right fit for me.

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    #26

    Shopper browses clothing racks with a discount sign, evoking false advertisement themes. Kohl's putting things "on sale." Everything on sale is the same price as it is in other stores, and everything that isn't is wildly overpriced. Found a paid of Enzo shorts in Kohl's for like $100 last summer. The ones on sale were closer to $40.

    BraveLittleTowster , Vladimir Srajber Report

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    BookFanatic
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a hard time with this one until my bestie--who worked at Kohls at the time--walked me through it. In my defense, I was still naive enough to believe corporations.

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Menards does the same thing with their "special" 11% rebate. They always have an 11% rebate....

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very true! It used to be they did the 11% a few times a year. Now it's 100% of the time. What's annoying to me is that more than once, my rebate never made it to my house. Likely misdelivered to someone who just keeps it. (I have the USPS feature that tells me in an email what's being delivered to my mailbox that day.) Grrrr.

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    Josh
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, except when JC Penneys tried to not do the "everything on sale" method and just make everything lower priced, people complained and stopped shopping there, because they wanted to feel like they "got a deal." Unfortunately, Penney's failure to succeed means everyone else will keep the "everything on sale" method.

    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm laughing at the Safeway coupons. What the price is reduced to on the coupon is what the regular price used to be. Sorry, gents, I comparison shop at WinCo's and if they have it cheaper there, that's where I'll buy it. Screw your coupons.

    Mike T
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I believe Kohls was sued regarding their sale practices.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I only buy from the clearance rack at Kohls. Shirts for 6.75 each, yes please.

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    #27

    Energy drink can in snow, possibly symbolizing false advertisements by companies. Red Bull gives you wings!

    useless_128mb , Jesper Brouwers Report

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    Oerff On Tour
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love-handles are sometimes referred to as wings. With the amount of sugar, you'll grow your own wings easily

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    #28

    Price tag showing misleading offer in garden store, illustrating false advertisements. Loblaws in Canada and most of their stores advertising "lowest prices" on things they are clearly wildly overpriced.

    rohobian , Siora Photography Report

    #29

    Rose gold iPhone placed on a gold laptop keyboard, symbolizing modern false advertising trends. Most ads by Apple.

    tap_water_enjoyer , Tomasz Kulesa Report

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    #30

    Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Lemonade bottle, emphasizing use of "real ginger" in the false advertisements context. A brand of ginger ale here says it's "made FROM real ginger". Ginger is the ingredient present in the smallest amount. I've made real ginger ale from real ginger and I use several times as much ginger as sugar.

    I wouldn't mind if it said "made WITH real ginger".

    314159265358979326 , Willis Lam Report

    #31

    People in vintage attire posing in a whimsical setting; concept possibly related to false advertisements. There has to be some sort of lie in those O-O-O-Ozempic commercials.

    buizel123 , Commercial Archivist Report

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    Mike T
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There have been an increasing number of articles regarding the negative side effects of Ozempic.

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    #32

    You can rent a U-haul for $19.95 per day.

    Sea_Fix5048 Report

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    René Sauer
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do they even check if the renters know how to drive the bigger trucks? Judging by what I see every day on dashcam videos I think not.

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    #34

    Tic Tacs are made almost entirely of sugar.

    Oddish_Femboy Report

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    MushroomHead22
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yes they are. this was about companies lying... i dont think they lied about having sugar.

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    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    Which type of false advertisement do you find most concerning?

    Misleading nutritional claims

    Inaccurate product performance

    Deceptive pricing strategies

    Fake customer testimonials