ADVERTISEMENT

Most of us like to think the world is a fair place. We rent-to-own appliances to repair the kitchen, pay to set up a router, and pack on ink cartridges for our printers that seem to have an insatiable appetite for these overpriced refills.

And there’s nothing wrong about it until you pause and think for a moment. Are we all just normalizing the ways companies make a profit off us without even realizing it?

When someone posted the question “What is clearly a scam but is so normalized people don’t notice?” on r/AskReddit it surely resonated with many. Amassing 85.7k upvotes and 47.1k comments, we have some of the most interesting and insightful responses that will make you go “wait a moment!”

#1

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Most mega churches... I remember an interview with Kenneth Copeland talking about how he needed a private jet to spread religion

GrandTadpole18 , Karl Fredrickson Report

#2

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Minimum wages staying the same, while the price of virtually everything else rises

Mcreemouse , Sharon McCutcheon Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s crazy. The minimum salary in Spain stayed the same for about a decade. Even working 50h a week with that salary didn’t give you a decent life. Luckily the new left government is raising it. It is still too low for the rent and cost of living but it’s an improvement.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Funerals and everything to do with them. The funeral industry has insane pricing. Some of the funeral homes and vendors are even predatory, getting grieving families to pay upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, because “that’s what the deceased would have wanted”.

chiggenNuggs , Rhodi Lopez Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally don’t understand the big lavish funerals. Your dead so why do you care how your send of goes. I don’t care if I have a memorial, ceremony etc. I want to be disposed of as cheap as possible coz I don’t want my family to be in debt or pay thousands of dollars to legally dispose of me.

Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kind of like the idea of being buried underneath a nice tree to become its food. I mean, I'd be dead anyway, it would be cool to be useful and contribute to something beautiful still. Hopefully, the view can also be a consolation for the grieving ones.

Load More Replies...
Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going for a direct cremation. In fact, I just want my body to be thrown away, maybe used as cattle feed. Once you die, you leave behind an expired vehicle.

Malakai
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adam Ruins Everything did a whole segment on this (Adam Ruins...Death). The s**t they put into your body to "preserve" you literally releases carcinogens into the earth as you decompose. Plus, WHY would you want to be preserved in an expensive, elaborate box that doesn't decay naturally where no one will ever see you again, and shaft that cost onto.your family? A body can be buried naturally without all the taxidermy bull--unless the deceased died of a really virulent disease like plague, it's actually perfectly sanitary and far more respectful.

N G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not 100% sure, but isn't a lot of that more prevalent in countries that prefer open casket? I mean, why bother embalming if no one's going to see you? Open casket in general is a bit weird. I'd rather remember grandma awake and laughing as she was on every visit, than looking like she's sleeping AS I'D NEVER SEEN HER IN LIFE.

Load More Replies...
kjorn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for my part my family could just dump me in the river. i don,t care... i'd be dead!!! i wish they keep their money for something more important

Ragnhild Nilsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The funeral isn't for the dead, it's for the living. You want to gather friends and family to cry and laugh and remember? Or do you want to show off your money yet again? Do you want a marker to go to? Do you want their ashes in a simple cardboard box to scatter in the ocean or on a mountain top?

Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am making arrangements so my friends and family know, when I shuffle off my mortal coil, they should have a memorial service at a brewpub and share their fondest memories of me over good craft beer. Remember me with laughter, not tears - though there will be a few of those.

Load More Replies...
Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Highly recommend the "Ask a mortician" youtube channel where an actual funeral director (wonderful Caitlin Doughty) explains many of these phenomenons.

Nathan Pogorzala
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

feed my corpse to wolves and coyotes and be done with it. Or a sky burial and make something grotesque out of my bones.

Sally Appleton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In South Africa the funeral industry is like the mafia. Insanely wealthy people getting gunned down by competitors.

RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES. A MILLION TIMES YES. I'm a Mortuary Student atm, and I hope some day to run my own funeral home or something (if I don't head into forensics, my other interest!) and to offer affordable funerals. I don't exactly believe in a massive lavish funeral, but everyone deserves something respectable and their families deserve time to celebrate the life of, and to mourn, their loved ones. But even an "affordable" funeral can set someone back by thousands. It really, really shouldn't.

InvincibleRodent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I'm such a supporter of the "natural death"... phenomenon? movement? I don't really know what to call it, honestly. I want my loved ones to just sew me into a sack, and toss me into a hole in the ground. I don't want to be embalmed, I don't want to be preserved. I want to do it in a way that's as cheap and eco-friendly as possible. I wish more people knew that it's not actually illegal to bury a body yourself, you just need the necessary permits.

Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The funeral home who took care of my great-aunt's funeral asked my grandpa (her brother) to pay twice. Luckily enough he noticed it and refused to, but that's the most shameless and predatory behaviour I've ever seen.

CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to be put in a biodegradable box and buried somewhere cheap. I’m dead, why would I care at that point?

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

This. Just dig a hole,r oll me in, plant a tree, be done. The diff between what a funeral director pays for that coffin, and what the customer is charged? Epic.

Pezor Zass
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when my grandfather died, i was so impressed by how he funeral home took care of every detail, made sure everyone was ok and had what they needed. i felt like it was a noble thing to do and i really thought about doing it myself. then i found out how much business is involved and was just disgusted. it doesn't have to be like that

Stuart Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've stated in my Will that my funeral costs are to be kept to a minimum.

CincyReds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The funeral for my husband was around $5k, the thing that bothered me the most, was being cremated, but was still having an open casket. I had to pay $850.00 just to rent a casket for the view ing. And I agree, things are predatory, but in KY it is regulated by the govenement on what they can charge.

Cigdem Kanburoğlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Turkey, you do not need to pay, just if you want a stone on the graveyard you pay that. Municipal pays everything, even send some food to your house in the first day (it started 4 years ago) because you will be very sad so can not cook. If you die in a city and want to be buried another, they drive you there, too, free!

DogMom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anything to do with weddings babies and funerals. But the funeral industry is the worst of the three because they are preying on people at their most vulnerable.

Ian Bartels
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stick it to the man. My father-in-law specifically asked to be buried in the cheapest casket. He was buried in basically a wooden box.

Andrew Gibb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A burial at sea licence is £50 + cost of boat hire. Booze can be provided at wholesale cost. Bargain: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-service-marine-licensing/self-service-marine-licensing

Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have made it clear to my family that upon death, I want anything and everything to do with my body taken for donation or research (find out why I got hit with certain afflictions earlier than "normal" to help others et al). Hopefully the only thing left of me -- for my family -- will be the memories.

Vanta Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why it should be legal to have a funeral pyre in your garden. With permission from the government and prior warning to any neighbours.

MAnahP
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have it set up that my body will be donated to a large research university. No need for an elaborate funeral.

Marianne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“That’s what the deceased would have wanted” is basically the same argument as the wedding industry has with "After all, it will be the most beautiful day of your life!" It works with guilt, which is just wrong on so many levels.

Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing how the wishes of the deceased always happen to be EXACTLY what the descendants want. Mind-blowing ... /s

Load More Replies...
Aaron Kara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like my partner to shoot a flaming arrow onto my boat as it heads off the edge of a waterfall. That'll definitely kill me.

Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going for a direct cremation with an ultra-cheap coffin and no service of any kind. The few funerals I've attended in Britain were utterly meaningless (and expensive) affairs - the vicar at my grandmother's funeral referred to her by the wrong name throughout

Rose the Cook
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't legally do something yourself, in this case your family rather than you, those that can are able to charge as much as they like.

Kim Lorton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t need a fancy coffin to be buried in. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, means when you go in the ground from whence you came, you leave no footprint to harm the earth, and your passing is only spoken on the winds, with love for those who, loved you. An 8,000 dollar coffin is ridiculous. It allows the metal to degrade and spoil the soil. Also, when I was a hospice nurse and I often help families find a really nice but inexpensive burial option, I found cremation societies offered a nice plan for any needs. A wonderful service, with a coffin, looked wonderful also! A small reception, and then once over, the family that stayed, to see their family member off, were always treated respectfully. They got the business, and word of mouth is worth a lot. They were respectful and kind. I plan to be cremated, so my family isn’t price gouged on funeral costs! Hubby also. Cremation Society of the South, was amazing. They were amazing.

Cass Thomas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Over one THOUSAND dollars to open the grave you've already bought.

Frank Hammer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I want someone to float my body out into the sea And blow me up with explosives Because I've always wanted to go grenade fishing That way I get to feed the fish one last time And any fish that float to the surface Can be eaten at my wake It seems like a fair exchange to me

Roxanne D'souza
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In India, a burial can cost around $250-300 and this includes the coffin, wreaths, flowers, the undertaker's fees, the hearse and whatever permissions are required by church/religious place and government.

Evan Waters
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are pretty big prices between funeral homes even in the same city. We show some of these prices on funeralfide.com

Regina Asplund
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband and I decided to donate our bodies to science. No needless money spent on funerals, coffins, cremations, etc. We will be in heaven so no cares.

M Kate McCulloch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

put my corpse in a pine box with holes on the bottom - no embalming FFS - and plant a damn tree over the remains. I'm gone - the things I wanted are no more.

Lynn Morello
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my step father died, Mum pulled me to one side and said, she doesn't want a wake, no after party, no fancy do of any kind. This will be left to you Lynn, no-one else. I kept my promise, much to everyone's disgust. I still don't know or care if anyone hates me for it, I kept my promise to mum.

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to be cremated and tossed in the creek behind my house. Spend the money on a few bottles of Jack and a band and have at it in my memory!

Theoretical Empiricist
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want my funeral to end with a drag show. There's nothing more life-affirming.

Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm donating my body to science. When they're done with me, whatever's left will be cremated. I'd like my ashes spread at sea - but hey, it's not like I'm going to know any different.

Patricio2223
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

$10,000 casket just to bury it in the ground so it can decompose? Dumb. If you want a fancy casket, most places allow you to rent them for the viewing.

Laura kelly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I literally want to be eaten by coyotes. Don't think that's legal tho...

backatya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet a lot of funeral home owners will not be in heaven.

Talysen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a free market. So far. Let families decide what they want. It’s none of your business.

Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrap me in a sheet m and Chuck me in the sea. I’d be so happy. With this .

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

There's a major casket company in our state which got a law passed at one point that even people who are cremated have to buy a casket.

Lisa Chambers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An obituary for the newspaper was 1800 dollars. That is 4.5 $400 car payments. I am still shaking my head 20 years later.

Ck Rau
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even small funerals are very expensive. My dad in law was cremated and we had a very small service. Still over $5000!

Margaret Brownlow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We didn't have 'funerals' for either my Nan and Poppy. We had a party about a month later so overseas family could come. We laughed, cried and sang. Such great memories x

sylvantic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funerals are about religious observance and comforting the grieving, not social standing.

MyCatsTheRealPanda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this is not typical,at least I pray it's not but, One of the more expensive funeral homes here in my area just got into trouble because they basically "lost" someone's loved one for weeks. In the f*****g garage of the funeral home. How the hell!? If I remember correctly they even tried to cover it up by trying to pass off another body to the family. I can't imagine paying the prices they charge and then they disrespect your loved ones in such a way. I mean I can't imagine disrespecting someone's loved ones like that at all really.

Colleen Garland
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pre-buy. Get better prices that way. You can have some control that way.

Holly Allen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandpa wanted to be sitting in a chair, and we would be sitting in a circle around him, drinking Jameson and telling stories about him. So glad Grandma said NO!! 😂

T J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just put me in a red trash bag. Put me on the curb for pick up

Animalsrgreat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I already told my family.... just get a big contractor bag at Home Depot, cram me in there and wave good bye on trash Tuesday. $3 well spent. You're welcome.

Rae Reyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like a viking funeral, except I don't own a boat, so,chuck my corpse on a billionaire's mega-yacht and set it on fire.

Analyn Lahr
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sister works in the billing department of a funeral home. I should ask her about their payment plans and the like. Mind, she lives in Texas so a lot people probably like spending crap tons of money on funerals.

Sheila Stamey
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try the fact that they are now and have been for YEARS presigning contracts with unsavory nursing home and care centers to collect and "take care of" deceased parties( usually give to the state or cremated) then they split any monies left owing to the old people in their pitiful little accounts. My mother accrued 5k because I bought her everything she needed over the years. They took great care not to tell me that she had any money owing when she passed. I had arranged cremation and paid for it, but when our usual funeral home went to collect her remains, some jacked up party was there saying they had a contract to"process indigent individuals" I flew down to the place and called the police to accompany me. Tldr; unsavory funeral home was shut down, supposedly and as far as I knew until then nice nursing home was fined 250k .I had zero idea that anything bad was going on. All I had seen was good care. I checked constantly. I believe this to be an administrative issue.

StormWolf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in the UK they are currently advertising this wonderful thing called Pure Cremation: for about a grand, they collect the body, cremate it, then deliver it to your loved ones who can then decide whether to have a service/wake or not. It's brilliant and makes so much financial (and emotional) sense.

GFSTaylor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'The American Way Of Death' by Jessica Mitford, was an expose of profiteering and the excess encouraged by the funeral industry. It was first published in 1963 and updated in 1988. Enbalming and the huge coffins are a very American thing.

Cassie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I despise funerals. The sense of obligation to attend one disgusts me. I do not want a funeral when I pass and have already decided to donate my body to the state medical lab. I don't want anybody feeling like they are obligated to show up because I died. Hell, I don't want to be at my own funeral!

Sue Prewitt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know anyone who doesn't to be cremated and just thrown in the flower bed

Susan Widomski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree that funerals are a scam with the pricing...but you have to appreciate that people culturally make decisions when someone dies that are not yours or mine to make. Also, though, there are cultures that keep the loved ones remains in their family home forever, therefore no expensive burials.

Aunt Messy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother had a very simple funeral. $16000.00, plus the grave site, which was another $7000.00. That's not counting catering for 30 people.

JoJo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Organ donation needs to be an opt out now where I live. Hopefully that fills their banks. I'm going for a decorated cardboard box.

Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My aunt is I think a fanatic about funerals. She follow everything to the rule. Every date, every meal, every charity event associated to that...People are expecting for a religious date because they know she will give something. She even bought furniture...for a service...which was given away.. Lavish food events and lots and lots of free stuff that is given away...to the priests🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Cupcake168
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I instructed my daughter to get the absolutely cheapest funeral possible for me. I am a practicing Christian and my salvation will not depend on how much money she’ll spend to humane burying my leftovers.

SheHulk
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well funeral homes are a business. I don´t think they make a lot of money, unlike the f###ing churches they are associated with. Make a will people, and ask your loved ones what they want! My Mum is 81 and completely clear that we should spend as little as possible. My Father died intestate and Mum even joked during the planing of his funeral that he would have been furious about how much we spent! Personally I would like to have my body planted under a young tree.

Anni
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My last will is known to my beloved: Make it a cheap funeral and spend the money on something nicer than my dead body!

Tanya Lacey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all funeral homes, I've been in the funeral industry for some time now. We can't control the cost of caskets and the opening/closing of graves. We do however control the cost of the services we provide and it sometimes outstanding what people expect of us and then expect to pay.

Bad Mole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm totally fine with my body being stuffed into a suitcase and left somewhere to be stolen.

Sweetie Dahling
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anybody interested in natural/green burial or the US funeral industry in general should check out Caitlin Doughty (‘Ask a Mortician’) on YT. Super fascinating learning about different death rituals.

GirlFriday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have already purchased a biourn for me. I want to be a tree.

El Dee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a company here that is a co-operative and any profits go back to customers. They do banking, retail groceries and funerals. You can pre-pay your funeral with them which a lot of people here do..

Jods
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I come from a family of funeral directors/undertakers. The surrounding villages were only small and my grandad would know many of the families asking him to do the funeral. Many of them couldn’t afford to pay the fee in full so he ended up getting lots of things as part payment. He was given cars, one of which he gave to my mum and was our family car for years and a Polski Fiat truck, left hand drive with a removable cage. That gave me a lot of kudos amongst the lads at school cos they’d never seen one before.

Wysteria_Rose
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will respect my parents' wishes for their funerals (though they are planning ahead of time so we aren't in question on anything). If that's what they want, I'm fine with it. However, I've made it clear to my spouse that I do not want anything at all. I seriously want to be buried in the earth with nothing done but maybe have me wrapped in a sheet or something biodegradable. I'll be plant food, that's great to me. I don't want a headstone, casket, embalming, nothing. I don't see a point, but if someone wants something different, sure, I can support that.

Izzy_
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm don't want a funeral, I'd rather have people visit me while I'm still alive than dead. I've told my family I want to be cremated and a scattered in the ocean so I can always be traveling and they can just go to any ocean anywhere in the world to visit me lol

denzoren
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always planned to construct my own coffin. Basically plywood and a pillow. I'm dead, comfort isn't an issue.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Planned obsolescence, where products are deliberatly designed to have a defect or worse performance shortly after the warranty has expired.

TheBassMeister , Markus Spiske Report

#5

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized ''The customer is always right"

Biggest scam of all- the customer is usually an idiot and looking to get free stuff.

Corner_beat , Johann Walter Bantz Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lunar Bicycle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The original saying made perfect sense: “The customer is always right, in matters of taste.” If a customer wanted wear something ugly or eat something gross, you helped them out with a smile. It’s their money and their business, and you’re just there to facilitate that purchase. But once it got shortened and lost that meaning, it became a huge pain in the ass for employees and businesses, and a license to act like an entitled douche to customers.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The US tax system. “We know how much money you owe, but it’s up to you to figure it out and if it’s not right, we’re going to penalize you for not understanding the convoluted code.”

JeromeBaritone , Leon Dewiwje Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so weird. In my country, all the necessary data is fileld in. In most cases I don't have to file anything at all, my employer does that for me, automatically.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The fact that so many products require you to create an account and register it just to use it. This is starting to become so widespread. Even CAMERAS are doing that [things] now. Pisses me off so much. I don't want to be tied to some stupid cloud BS I just want to use the damn thing.

Phones themselves are terrible for this too. I should not need an apple or google account to have a phone I should be able to use it as a standalone device with just the cell service and that's it. All this sort of BS is only so they can spy on you.

RedSquirrelFtw , Marc Mueller Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree 100%, also I hate that you have to give permission to use your data to access most apps, websites etc. You should be able to use them without them selling your info to other parties.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized College textbook prices.

It's crazy how ridiculous expensive they are putting even more of a financial burden on students

-eDgAR- , Daria Nepriakhina Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We the option to lease textbooks for a very small price. The only condition was to return them without any visible damage.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Unpaid internships. F*ck anyone who gives unpaid internships! People get exploited like sh*t in that and for what? Most times they don't even count. For what purpose?

I get so irritated when someone posts "unpaid but you'll be given a certificate". Shut the f*ck up and do the work by yourself you lazy ass.

MojoJojo1945 , Austin Distel Report

Add photo comments
POST
EQXL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Worst in these is that people usually get to do normal paid work without any guidance at all.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Diamond rings for marriage.

Red-7134 , Simon John-McHaffie Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If two people are truly in love, it wouldn't matter if there is a ring at all.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Mobile game ads that show gameplay of a Call of Duty or Skyrim style game but in reality are just a spin-off of Candy Crush

WWI_History_Buff , Pexels Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have downloaded so many apps from what is advertised in another game and then find out it is nothing like the ad at all. So now I don’t even bother. It’s essentially click bait.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Printer ink.

Zanders1981 , Robbin Wong Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg yes, it is super expensive. Our old printer was cheap but we didn’t research before hand to find out that the ink for black was $38 and colour was $45.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized "If you tell me the truth, I won't get mad." -Mom

DoYuNoDaWae6321 , Nickolas Nikolic Report

#15

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Bottled water, like Dasani. Especially in places like an amusement park that mark ups the price a shocking amount. Also the average markup of bottled water is 4000%, which is outrageous, bc water is literally free most places

gnot_your_friend , Andy Thrasher Report

#16

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Having to pay $100+ for glasses

Lonewolf23319 , Apostolos Vamvouras Report

#17

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The diamond industry, specifically as it relates to jewelry. Everything that the average person "knows" about it stems from propaganda and advertisements created by DeBeers. They aren't rare, they aren't worth what you pay for them, they don't appreciate in value and are a terrible investment. They aren't special.

Steelle88 , Girl with red hat Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Health Insurance in the US. Costs a small fortune, never covers sh*t, and you still end up bankrupt if you're not rich and get sick or hurt.

go_kartmozart Report

Add photo comments
POST
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and most still hate of the though of socialised health care , crazy AF

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Apple's headphone jack removal.

Supposedly was to make the phone thinner, but everyone puts a case on anyways. Samsung galaxy S10 was 7.8 mm thick with a headphone jack. Apple removed the jack with iPhone 7, which was 7.1 mm thick. That's great, but every iphone since has been thicker.

And very convenient to remove that, wait till the annoyance died down, then release airpods.

The whole thing was clearly a scam to artificially make bluetooth a borderline necessity right before releasing Apple bluetooth earbuds.

And everyone ate it up.

SOwED , Daniel Romero Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the removal of the chargers “for the environment”. If it was for the environment then you would reduce the cost of the charge from the phones and also give the option to buy them for a small price. Now they charge the same without it and then charge you like 40 euros for the charger.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Gerrymandering. In most representative democracies, voters choose their elected officials. In the US, elected officials choose their voters.

Harry-le-Roy Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The electoral college is a huge scam as well - allows people who get FEWER votes to win. How does that make any sense?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Cat food. Look at the cat food at a random store, and see how the design brags about all the healthy vegetables they've crammed into your obligate carnivore's diet. Then check out the ingredients and see how corn, rice, etc. are often the first ingredients. Pet foods market toward humans by trying to appeal to human sensibilities, not genuine desire to provide your cat with the best diet.

Hadrian_x_Antinous , Fernando Jorge Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you buy kibble look at the ingredients. Like this post said the first ingredients are the ones that have a bigger %. You want the first ingredients to be meat and it to not contain a lot of wheat, beets, corn, flour or ash. Most fancy commercial brands are really poor in composition.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Members of Senate, Congress, and Presidential candidates, collecting money from corporations, big donors, and hiding it in campaign accounts, Pac's and Super Pac's, and then doling it out as they like. They no longer act as a government of the people and for the people.

perspectives , Paul Weaver Report

#23

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Giving credit card details for a "free trial" and auto renewal fine print.

Heck, stop it after my trial ends. If I really liked it, I'll pay for it.

ag3ntweird , Mark OFlynn Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mimi777
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes you can use those Visa gift cards/credit cards that you can load money onto.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#24

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Manufacturers refusing documentation to private repair enterprises and requiring you to get your products fixed by the dealer. Basically, the reason for the "Right-to-repair" movement

distrucktocon , Alexander Andrews Report

Add photo comments
POST
Malakai
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES. And making products "seamless" so that you CAN'T open them up to repair them (I'm looking at you, Apple), at least not without a ton of effort and higher than average risk.of damaging the product doing it yourself. This refusing documentation and all is just yet another scheme for them to wring money out of consumers and away from small businesses

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The school picture industry. $80 for an awkward picture of my baby? Nah, thanks

impossiblejams , Luke Lung Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

$80 is insane. I would never pay that. Thankfully the average cost I pay is $35 for a basic pack which includes a class photo and about 10 individual photos of various sizes.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Application fees for colleges, apartments, etc.

ohdominole Report

#27

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized HOSPITALS OMG

Lol ask them for an itemized bill (like everything they gave you and how much it costs) and they'll cut the bill down by like 50%.

Snootlebootlet , Marcelo Leal Report

#28

Weddings. My wife and I got married in a post office and could not have asked for a better ceremony. It cost us the price of notary services and that’s it.

MrPSPLock Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rose the Cook
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The exhorbitant sums spent on weddings, specially second marriages or where couples have lived together for years and often already have children, has become rediculous.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#29

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Working 40 hours a week

liniNuckel , Surface Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or the entire concept of having to work, in order to justify being alive... many years ago I came across a quote by some economist (can't remember the name, sadly) who argued that most job positions are totally superfluous, but are maintained because of the whole "everyone has to have a job" thing.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Wish.com

xiphos805 , Ilyuza Mingazova Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t believe people still use this website. Although Amazon is slowly going the same way with its marketplace and scammers flooding it with fake 5 star reviews.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Fashion, but also just clothing in general. No pockets on female clothes? More purses get sold. Thinner layers for women? Have to buy more layers. It gets marketed as being fashionable, but the clothing industry could roll out a marketing campaign for baggy rugged clothing tomorrow and get it trending if they wanted to.

Also, the clothing industry is a cesspool of child labor, human trafficking, and it has some of the highest carbon emissions and water waste of any industry on the planet, way worse than flying. One cotton t-shirt takes thousands of gallons of water to produce. Almost any synthetic fabric is a type of plastic, and you release microplastics upon washing.

On top of all that, we have repressive cultural norms and laws regarding the necessity of wearing clothing that come from Puritans and Victorians who thought table legs had to be covered and ankles were sexy. The idea that you should be embarrassed to be naked in front of other people is a cultural phenomenon, not instinct, and you can look at pretty much any tropical tribe to verify this fact that humans are actually generally normal around other naked humans.

tringle1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wear men’s trousers because it is impossible to find non skinny jeans for women and least with real pockets. I don’t mind but they are always too long for me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#32

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Social media. From their happy beginnings they are now mostly a funnel used to ram as many advertisements into your mind as inhumanly possible. “Sponsored Posts” every third or fourth item - I see you, IG/FB/Red/etc. And that’s not even mentioning the extensive filtering network that “curates” the information you get to see when you are looking for something. “Curated information” is just a nice expression for you being conditioned to form certain opinions / buy more stuff. Social media groom minds

Solitary-Dolphin , Kate Torline Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kristal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I noticed this with Pinterest. One day ads started popping up but looked like pins. Now, just looking at the browse feature, it shows me pins I already have pinned! Not just a few, quite a bit. Same with Facebook. I HATE how the feed only shows you a few peoples' posts.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Reducing a price by 1 cent to trick our brains into thinking a product costs less than it actually is.

dogarfdog12 , Benedikt Geyer Report

Add photo comments
POST
Adam C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some stores rise the price 100% 1 week before "sale". Then they can have 50% off.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Starbucks. I pay $9.99 for 51 oz of Folgers Ground Coffee, roughly 380 8 oz cups. That comes out to about $0.02 per cup of coffee. At Starbucks, a Tall Dark Roast costs $1.85. I could have 92.5 cups of Folgers at home before I pay for 1 Starbucks. My tub of Folgers is worth $703.00 if I were to sell it at the same price as Starbucks. AND I’m using reusable cups every day.

Bryan15012 , Amr Taha Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#35

Homeowner's insurance:

"Sorry, we're not selling new policies in Your Area right now because Thing just happened" where Thing = earthquake, wildfire, flood, and other things you might ... want to insure against?

"We don't cover That Sort of Problem." where That Sort of Problem = anything that actually happens to your house, due to weasel-wording loopholes

"You submitted a claim? We're going to triple your rates FOREVER after this."

balsamicextremist Report

#36

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Those registries that people pay money to “name a star”

VictorBlimpmuscle , Warren Wong Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing is no registry owns the stars so just because you name it, doesn’t mean it is actually named that or that you are the only person to name that specific star. You may call it Fred whilst someone has called that same star Wilma. You are literally paying for a piece of paper, nothing more.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Payday loans.

Onetrickhobby Report

Add photo comments
POST
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

never ever use them had a mate borrow £100 then lose his job , he was over £5000 owed last i knew , he's trying to fight it at the moment

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Lotteries

llcucf80 , Emiliano Vittoriosi Report

Add photo comments
POST
No.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

never enter into the lottery. Even if you win the money, you'll probably lose all of you relationships.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Doing your own taxes, and paying to use a privately-owned software (or a service) when the government could totally do it for you, send you the details, and ask if it’s correct.

strawberrywords , Danial Igdery Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would rather use an accountant, especially when our tax is a bit more complicated with all the deductions.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Annual college tuition increases. Why aren’t they held to a competitive pricing model as opposed to having to take out a mortgage to go to school? Everyone wants to talk about government paying for college education, but there is no conversation on why is it that expensive anyway? Especially when some unis have endowments in the billions that just the interest on those funds could literally pay the tuition for everyone that goes through the door.

lcapaz , Charles DeLoye Report

Add photo comments
POST
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Colleges got ridulously expensive because the US government got involved. 1971 was when student loans became mainstream and about the time costs started spiking

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Social media looks like free, harmless fun, but is more like selling your soul (and data), makes you addicted and sad. Most people notice, probably, but don't care enough.

_Pillars_ Report

#42

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Paying for cable tv. The whole idea of paying was to create a revenue stream separate from that of marketing. There are a few out there (HBO, I think) but generally we pay to access the content and still have to spend 20% of the time sitting through commericals.

Then streaming comes in and were free of advertisements again, for a bit. Now YouTube has tons of ads and other streaming services are talking about adding ads as well

suelzlej , Daan Stevens Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would never get Foxtel coz it is approx $60 a month when I can get Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime video, Stan etc plus all the catch up tv and YouTube for at least $20 less a month. They are an absolute rip off.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

Most modern manufactured goods. Designed to not last, so you keep buying more.

toxiczen Report

Add photo comments
POST
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep , my wife thinks we get a bargain if a washing machine lasts 4 years , i get mad having to buy yet another washing machine for £400

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized EVERY SINGLE PERSON on the Internet that sells some sort of „millionaire education“ .

Every single one of them. They are all liars, most of them are not even rich to begin with! They fake it enough that some idiots buy it. You are customers to them. Nothing more.

pinocchiosWoodBalls , rupixen.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
pusheen buttercup
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of self-help unfortunately is based on the falsehood that you can "accomplish it with this one trick." The One Trick will not get your weight healthy, get you that relationship with that person, put money in your pocket or make you happier. Real life requires nuance and complexity. And things that are hard and take time and effort. I wish there were One Trick but we need to deal with the situation we have, not the situation we wish it was.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Toothpaste commercial were actors filled their toothbrush with toothpaste too much which is unnecessary

GrandpaBells , Anastasiia Ostapovych Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should only use about a pea size amount. In saying that though, I am just as bad as the actors and put on almost as much as what is pictured lol.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Internet Data Cap

vynlak Report

Add photo comments
POST
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

always get unlimited , if you go over your cap you pay a fortune

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The fact that you have to pay to bury loved ones

twodorrahsucc , Hannah Wernecke Report

Add photo comments
POST
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think the mere fact that you have to pay for burials is a scam, but the often high prices are equivalent to a scam.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Rent-to-own furniture and appliances.

TheSanityInspector , Inside Weather Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand why it’s a thing coz some people can’t afford to pay for those big items upfront so rent to buy is one of their only options.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

Lootboxes in videogames.

HXTXI Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes, to the point where some countries actually declared them illegal. A wise decision.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#51

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The Verizon $1 scam.

Verizon tacked on a $1 fee onto 8% of their customer's bills each month so over the course of the year, they did it to every customer, about 150,000,000.

Their rationale was: 50% wouldn't notice and just pay the charge or would notice and wouldn't spend anytime fighting a $1 charge. 50% would notice the charge and call to have it removed. Of those, 35% would get frustrated while on the call and give up.

This added approximately $120,000,000 to the bottom line each year (3 total) until caught. Once caught, they paid a $25,000,000 fine.

LISHPjuice , Mike Mozart Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#52

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Ticketmaster

Psyopsss , Amanda Smith Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece mis-heard it as Ticketbastard. LOL I guess it's not far from the truth.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

the Sneaker/Shoe industry.

you don't need masses of fancy artistic-looking running shoes collected in boxes that you go and spend $1000-10,000 on at a swap meet...You may as well be collecting very expensive funko pops. You're not going to wear them...and if you wear them you're only going to worry about them while you wear them, and the markup is insanity. I know people who do this, and they are leveraging money they don't really have on something that's going to sit on their shelf and do nothing...It's bad enough that shit like Sketchers (the literal K-Mart brand of shoe) cost over $125 a pop for a really crappily assembled shoe...but to spend in the thousands for what is essentially "Stamp-collecting" is nonsensical bordering on obsessive compulsive.

And don't get me started on women's shoes by design houses. I saw someone dish out $1800 for Loubouton's or something...what are you wearing those foot-destroying shoes for and why would some leather and glue and plastic cost 18 HUNDRED bucks? what a racket.

[deleted] Report

Add photo comments
POST
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate having to spend $100-$120 on my shoes but I do it every year coz I know they are comfy and they have the support, plus they last me a year, sometimes more and they are hard wearing. I used to buy cheap shoes but they lasted sweet f**k all and I was replacing them more often. I have worn the same brand of shoes for the past 5 years and will continue to buy them until they are no longer available.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

All MLMs They prey on insecure women, specifically army wives to give in. It’s almost like a cult. Guaranteeing new friends, lots of free trips and make 20,000 dollars a month. They are not your friends, the trips are only “free” if you become a top earner And the only way to make 20,000 dollars a month is to get at minimum 100 people in your team that work every single day Most sales from those companies are from the salesperson who is buying it to sell it. And they tell you that you have to buy more to sell more.

It’s really gross

snowrachell Report

#55

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Idk if anyone remembers Power Balance bracelets from the early 2000s. A lot of celebrities and athletes advertised for them and they claimed to improve your balance and overall health. Well being a rubber bracelet made in a factory, it was all nonsense but they still sold millions of units before shutting down. A new company owns them now and you can still buy them though

PraiseGodBarebones , U50Sweden Report

Add photo comments
POST
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people fall for this? It's even sillier than magnetic bracelets which can't work because the iron in blood isn't magnetic

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#56

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized The games at fairs/carnivals.

ChaChaRealSmoothe , Jake Weirick Report

#57

Most kids shows are just long advertisements for toys.

UnrepentantCarnivore Report

#58

Timeshare anything

Solitary-Dolphin Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I managed to talk my mother out of getting a timeshare. I always thought my mom was so smart, but she almost fell for it. Scary.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#59

bottled water

(except in certain areas)

From-the-Trailerpark Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kelli Lindsay
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those who are defending bottled water in places without drinkable water, is the water provided in bottles free? Or at least comparable in price to a regular water bill? And why, over a decade later, does Flint STILL not have clean drinking water? It almost makes me wonder if if the city is profiting off its own demise. While the bottles of water maybe a necessity, the reasons why it’s is still considered a necessity is what makes it a scam.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#60

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized I just paid for the privilege of setting up my router.

dognus88 , Jonathan Report

#61

Any of the food they sell at Disneyland/Disney World. While they are delicious as all get out, you will pay for the nose and not get too much for your money.

Nick9943 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kristal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love me some Disney food, particularly at the food festivals and foods in the shape of Mickey. However, I definitely agree with this. Portions have been getting smaller and prices higher.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#62

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Back to base security system monitoring

Huge scam.

My smart home security system alerts me faster than ADT ever did (biggest offenders) When you don’t answer the call, they will send out someone and will charge you a fee

And every-time your system messes up, it will send false error codes to the monitoring station, which they will charge you a huge fee to fix

And oh if you want to disconnect it, they guy i spoke to from ADT was going to charge me $250 call out + $50 for every 15 minutes he was at my house, and the job would of taken at least an hour he they said, they may need to go into the roof

no i just called a security installation Electrictian and he said $50 call out and $30 for every 30 minutes he was there but that was depending on the type of job

He was at my house for 5 minutes

Power off Remove power wires from control box* Protect the wires so its safe Replace cover on control box Done

He only charged $50. Compared to ADTs service which would of cost about $450

BuriedUnderTheDirt , Bernard Hermant Report

Add photo comments
POST
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In one of the places I worked, the owner got bills for follow ups on alarms in one of the buildings that didn't even have any kind of alarm installed.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#63

Industrial age schooling and the 40hr work week

YogaStretch Report

Add photo comments
POST
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's nothing wrong with a 40 hour work week provided that you earn enough to have a decent life without having to worry how you are going to feed your family and pay the rent and utilities at the same time.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#64

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized Scientific journal memberships.

KungFu-omega-warrior , Petras Gagilas Report

#65

The price for cable and internet

Spoofo9t9 Report

Add photo comments
POST
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep , in the UK we pay for " line rental" then pay for internet , line rental is £20 then what ever your internet is on top , we pay £45 for 200mb

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#66

Brands high prices (especially clothing )

einat162 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found that medium priced clothes are actually better quality. The cheap stuff wears out soon, so that's for fashion colors only if you are into that sort thing.. but spending a little more can actually give better quality so you in the end save money

View more commentsArrow down menu
#67

Gasoline prices ending in 9/10s of a cent.

PunkCPA Report

Add photo comments
POST
John C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I remember it, that's the tax (I think?). So having the tax actually displayed makes it more transparent than basically everything else, when you aren't presented with the tax until you're at the register.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#68

Idk if it's normalized but McAfee security service. In my own experience with the service, it's done literally nothing for me except pop up every time I open my computer or nearly every 4 hours or so. I remember my ex gf's grandma who fell victim for the service. I tried to talk them down from it and not to pay the service but I was much too late for any semantics. So I just took it to memory that every computer already comes with security software and any outside security software, if not installed properly, checked with 100% concentrated power of will, you're going to have a bad time. At least, I'm convinced that the McAfee service is just a virus that makes you pay similar to some of those other viruses that get your photo via your personal webcam, lock your computer and show you a copy pasted photo of a "legal document" urging you to pay a ransom, what was it, ransomware.

So my belief is that Even though most people may use McAfee as a computer firewall security service, it's more than likely a scam. Downvote me to hell, but at least convince me otherwise first.

Tyflowshun Report

Add photo comments
POST
I I
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i buy it never had any viruses , it;s only £10 for 10 devices for a year , id rather buy that than lose my laptop to a virus like my mate did , yes it was from porn but viruses can come from anywhere

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#69

mobile games. they draw you in with youtube sponsorships, then once you buy the game, you realize that in order to succeed, you have to pay a fine. i would say that paywalls are both like getting kicked in the nads and getting mugged. the only game i could imagine where you don't have to spend money in order to have a good time is minecraft pocket edition. in short, everyone should either play console/pc for games or spend more time with your family.

enderblade143 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Rick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends if you have low willpower or not. People ask me how much money I’ve put in to a confectionary based crushing game to reach (current) level 7483. The answer is £0 (actual money, I’ve given my time = money watching the ads)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#70

Hot milfs in your area

Murky-Heart-1844 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or "You are the 1000000th visitor to this website, you won an iPhone." Ummm, no thanks, I wouldn't use an Apple product even if I really won it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#71

Slot gambling. The casino controls how much they are paying out. If they wanted to, they can set it to “100% hold” and the slots will pay nothing. They set it to 7%-10% so on average, you lose 7 to 10 cents for every dollar gambled until it eventually reduces to nothing

KingTrump2021 3 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Danieletc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ALL gambling is for for suckers, unless you're the house. If you're the house, you just lie and massage the losers and suckers. Slot machines are just the most profitable in the losers' game.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#72

credit scores

mncm10 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Questionable. Don't think this is a scam, it's a vital tool for lenders to know the financial obligation that a person can adhere to.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#73

Phone contracts

real-kda420 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Johnny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just buy prepaid service -- I pay $40/month for AT&T prepaid with unlimited calls and 16GB data (and I never get close to that cap). I can cancel at any time

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#74

Those Keymaster games that usually have something like a Switch and a pair of Beats and stuff.

I work part time at an arcade and you physically cannot win a prize until the machine has taken it's retail equivalent in cash.

totalimmoral Report

Add photo comments
POST
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because the owners of the arcade need to make a profit to get the arcade going and have enough money to pay you. How revolting... ( Oops I forgot the "/S" again....)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#75

50 Things That Are Actually Scams Yet We Don't Notice Them Because They're So Normalized often, the point isn't the not-noticing, but the having a lack of better alternatives

KidneyBeams , Phuong Tran Report