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40 Things In Our Daily Lives That Many People Don’t Realize Are Scams
Interview With Author
What seems to be very obviously nefarious to you might not be obvious to someone else. That’s exactly the question that internet users have been tackling on the r/AskReddit subreddit. User u/Aurallius asked people to open up about what they personally believe to be scams that “everyone else accepts otherwise,” and they were glad to deliver.
The thread quickly went viral, getting over 36.6k upvotes and a whopping 27.3k comments: everyone was fired up to share their opinions and discuss each other’s views. From shopping channels to credit repair companies and more, you’ll find all things that some people think are secretly scams below.
Some of the things mentioned in this list are likely real-life scams. Of course, you might not agree with all of these conclusions, dear Pandas, but that’s part of the point—the grey area in which these things exist. Let us know what you think about these redditors’ opinions in the comments and if you agree with them or not and why.
The author of the thread, redditor Aurallius, gave Bored Panda some insights about the inspiration behind their question and what people should do to avoid scams. Aurallius is a design student at the School of Visual Arts in New York. They're an illustrator "working to make a living from art." You'll find their comments below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
All of insurance as it is currently sold.
Example: I have full coverage car insurance. I pay $X/month to have that coverage.
Then I use it. Then they charge more.
Which means that my rate before my accident wasn't really the price of coverage; the new, higher rate is. I was paying a subscription fee to have coverage at a higher rate once I needed it.
Same for health insurance. I have to pay a deductible, meaning, I am not covered until I've paid it. "You are covered, but actually not until you've paid out of pocket a certain amount. Also, we will only cover a certain percentage of costs." Which means I'm actually not covered entirely. It's not actually insurance.
Here's how insurance is supposed to work: I pay you $X/month and you pool that money with everyone else paying that to you. When I have a problem you have the pooled resources to cover it for me. I'm still paying more over time probably than the cost of that event, but you're there to take on that cost for me for the price of my premiums. That's not what's happening anymore.
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#2
I'm probably going to be blasted for it, but the wedding industry seems to be scamming people for love.
You don't need a $35,000 party to marry someone, just get a priest and some friends for like $3k and save that money for your relationship.
Weddings used to be paid by parents or grandparents of the couple, but times have changed and more people are paying out of their own pocket for a celebration that doesn't really need to be extravagant.
Kevin Erdős–Bacon 3 years ago
"Get a priest and some friends for $3k"? That sounds like people trafficking, but sure, I'll buy a priest 😂
#3
The funeral industry. Poor families get robbed of so much money just to put on a "respectful" funeral, and because they're grieving, it's seriously kicking them while they're down. You don't need to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to have grandma embalmed, made-up with corpse makeup, put in a casket worth an arm and a leg, and lowered into a hole filled with roses, to be topped with an ornate expensive headstone. I wish natural burials were more mainstream, where the body is put in its favorite outfit, wrapped in a biodegradable sheet, and placed in a mound of dirt to be absorbed by the earth. Big funeral companies are benefiting off of people's grief and it's disgusting.
Aurallius, the author of the thread, told Bored Panda that they're often subjected to various ads. The "variety of products and services that are advertised on a regular basis" made the redditor come up with the question in the first place. However, that wasn't the only reason.
"I also wanted to make a popular post," they opened up to Bored Panda that they were aiming for some popularity online as well.
There are various ways how people react to being scammed. Some choose to waste the scammers' time. Others immediately call the authorities. While others choose to ignore the scammers entirely. Aurallius told Bored Panda that, in their opinion, it's best to "immediately report the scam" so as to help protect others in the future.
#4
So-called "body cleanses", whether it be juice, herbal pills or something else.
I want to smack anyone who says they need to go on a cleanse. What the hell do you think your liver and kidneys are doing? you wanna cleanse? drink some water and let the giblets do their work, dingus!
Dynein 3 years ago
There is an even weirder belief which says that the gut gets lined with dried up s**t over time and therefore needs to be rinsed out at intervals. I mean, strictly speaking the gut IS a sort of pipe, but a) it can't dry out inside, b) the walls are too soft and move too much to maintain a dry lining, c) the contents don't trickle, they are pushed through, rubbing against the walls so how is a stable layer of grime ever supposed to build up? d) the gut cells are constantly renewed with the old and dying gut cells being expelled into the gut interior. People have the weirdest beliefs about bodies.
#5
Unpaid internships.
If you look at the actual laws, internships are supposed to be primarily focused on education. If the intern is doing work that is providing value to the company, they are supposed to be paid.
It's just never enforced.
Kevin Erdős–Bacon 3 years ago
This is the biggest scam, and really should be cracked down on - I hope this one makes it to number 1. Reminds me of the stingy influencers who want you to work for free for exposure/experience, except it involves the biggest, most profitable companies
#6
Buying T-shirts with the company's logo on them.
You pay them a ridiculous price to advertise them.
Kevin Erdős–Bacon 3 years ago
Well that's the whole point of conspicuous consumption - you're also advertising yourself, as being able to afford it (even though it's probably a knock-off). Still ridiculous though, I'd rather advertise to the world something I genuinely enjoy, like a band or icecream 😁
I wanted to get Aurallius' opinion about what people can do to make sure that they don't fall for scams. In the redditor's opinion, education, patience, and awareness are key. "People should think critically and do extensive research on the stuff they use or consume," they pointed out that we should all be willing to put in the time to do some research to protect ourselves and our wallets.
The redditor also shared that credit repair companies are an example of a scam that they've had some experience with.
Scams, hustles, cons—whatever you call them, they’re as old as human history itself. Fighting against scams and con artists is a never-ending battle because a person’s biggest defenses are education and awareness.
#7
I’m not a nutritionist but having comfort food be cheaper than fruits and vegetables is just plain wrong.
Lovin' Life 3 years ago (edited)
Totally agree. You are preach into the ground about eating healthy but when its time for meal prep and grocery shopping, you can feed a family for $20 with unhealthy foods or $60 for better choices. Many families have to take what is affordable for their situation. How can fresh fruit cost more than a loaf of bread that has a process to produce it for sale? Makes no sense at all.
#8
Organized religion.
The mormon church asks their members to give them 10% of their money. F***ing 10% even if you're a little old lady living on a very fixed income or an 8 year old kid mowing lawns.
If you don't pay, you're not worthy enough to go to their temples. If that's not a scam, I don't know what is.
Rita Porkoláb 3 years ago
And filthy rich pastors. The religion, where your pastor is richie rich and greedy is a scam.
Archer Harris 3 years ago
Same with Joel Osteen. He is super rich and it’s all because he scams people. He doesn’t even preach from the Bible. He only talks about being happy and “live your best life now”. You literally will have your best life in heaven, not on earth.
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Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
Its not the religion that's the problem. Its the people who misuse it to perpetrate abhorrent acts. There are horrible people in this world who twist and desecrate the best parts of humanity to excuse inhuman behavior. There are millions of christians, muslims, hindus and other faiths who have made the world a better place because of their faith whose efforts seem meaningless after a small sect of their religion purposely ignore the goodness behind it to main, kill, steal, and rape. One just has to look at racism, nationalism, and capitalism to see other despicable people using something we invented for good used to destroy. We need to stop evil wherever its found but its hard when the institutions protect them. It can be done though. As a minister MLK believed in the same god as the men who twisted "love one another" to excuse hanging non-violent protesters. His demonstration of the true meaning of faith and love was able to shatter evil institutions misusing the name of his god
Kimberly Cline 3 years ago
Preach! I have been on a soapbox about this all day today for some reason lol. It's so awful how these people misuse something that at its roots is about love. Most religion, when it comes down to it, is all about love. Love Your Higher Power, Love others, Love yourself. Then they take things out of context and focus on small parts instead of the whole to use it to further their own agendas. It's sickening and turns people against religion as a whole instead of these people that misuse it.
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Jo Choto 3 years ago
While I have plenty of issues with the Mormon church, they do not in fact ask people who are struggling financially to pay a tithe. They encourage you to do it as they believe it brings many blessings to the donor, but the elderly living on a fixed pension, or out of work people on benefits are categorically not obligated to tithe.
Demongrrrrl 3 years ago
Not true. My sister and her husband (both Episcopal priests) income taxes.
Load More Replies... Dave P 3 years ago
Not all organized religions are the same, you use one group and then attack all. You can say certain types of organized religion, but not all.
Ian Bartels 3 years ago
As a member of the church, and one that has paid tithing for years even while I was in school and my wife and I had very little money, we have always been taken care of financially. The church uses that money to help other members of the church, and to help people whole experience natural disasters. The church spends millions of dollars to send food and supplies to people all around the world. Paying tithes and offerings is a holy commandment from our Heavenly Father. He has given us everything we have, and only asks that we return 10% to Him.
Casey Mineer 3 years ago
Also, the Church of Jesus Christ does not pay their clergy. They are all voluntary and not benefiting at all financially. The leadership of the entire Church are provided for but are not rich in terms of finance's. When we can we pay a tithe. When we can't, we don't have to nor are we obligated to be a part of any of the blessings, including the temples of the Church.
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Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Orel Roberts in the 1980s: "If you don't send in X million, God will call m ehome." ----- I'd have paid to have him "called home"
Let’s Be Kind 3 years ago
If you go to a church that truly chooses to follow The Bible, you won’t see rich pastors or be forced into giving your money out of guilt or fear. Tithe, just like charity, should be private, and genuinely from the heart.
RandomBeing 3 years ago
That's generally how I've seen it work in the church and whats encouraged.
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Carman Davis 3 years ago
This is called tithing. In the Bible God said to give 10% for upkeep, pastor salary, etc... if you are a believer in God and you give your 10% first before anything else, you will have enough to see yourself through. It's called faith and faith in God: I'd rather have hope and no fear than have hopelessness and always be broke and fear. I cannot live with fear. Trusting in God and loving Him is awesome!!
Klas Klättermus 3 years ago (edited)
This is a christian rule though, not only mormon, but I don't think it is that common that christians pay the churth their full tenth. I do however believe that this used to work like our taxes of today. The church got some good spending money, but they were also responsible to help taking care of poor and sick, like our taxes do for many of us today to some extent
Thomas Ewing 3 years ago
The Mormon church exists to mock the Bible and other religions. They are very Hell-bound.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Because they are NOT a real religion, they are a CULT out to gather and subjugate single women. They are very Hell-bound.
Load More Replies... RandomBeing 3 years ago
Uh no. Other people have talked about the other ways this post is wrong so I'll focus on the temple worthiness. It is one of the things that is considered but you can certainly go to the temple even if ur unable to pay tithing.
Nadine 3 years ago
How about Scientology? What "religion" tells you that you can't see your own child?
Linda McGuigan 3 years ago
To worship your G-d shouldn't cost anything other than a collection at the end of the service if you wish to donate
CincyReds 3 years ago
I used to do loan modifications, and we had to review financials to determine what she could afford, she was literally giving 14% to church, and the she had like 3 payday loans she was paying. I told her to stop giving so much to the church and pay these loans off, she refused. She got denied for the loan mod, because my manager said the same thing. She was afraid she would got to hell if she stopped giving money to the church....
Salty Wild Hair 3 years ago
Temples? I tithe 10% now because I can. I have never been refused entrance to my church when I could not.
Norart 3 years ago
So many use this as an excuse. We are all called to give out of the abundance that has been given to us. That doesn't necessarily mean give to a mega church. It means sacrifice some of what you have been given to do good in this world. You can bypass the church and go serve a meal in a shelter as well as buying that meal for the group, or even one person or one loaf of bread. The heart of a giver is an enlightened heart. The world needs more joyful giving.
Lyone Fein 3 years ago
The above statement is simply inaccurate. Worshippers donate anonymously via the collection plate in most churches. There is no monetary gate keeping. In fact, a significant percentage of these donations is given to the more needy people in the congregation..... and to others who are in need. Growing up Jewish, my family frequently received boxes of food and items needed for the holidays that were paid for out of the Rabbi's discretionary fund. He also bought us school supplies, and gave us free tuition to the religious school for ten years. As a result, I learned to read and understand biblical Hebrew as a child. This made it much easier for me to get funding for graduate school in my thirties, so I could get my PhD. Yes, there are a few high profile cases of financial abuse in religious institutions. But many people receive food, clothing, and educational assistance and other forms of help from their local houses of worship all around the world.
Ivana 3 years ago
I am sorry but no. Organized religion means that you don't have some evangelical wacko telling you to pray the cancer away. Mormons formed a church because they broke away from organized religion. Mormons are what you get when people just make up whatever they want.
Suz66 3 years ago
Scientology-you "climb the ladder" by paying for expensive classes and they tell you what to do.
Cati 3 years ago
The 10% should be given away, not given back to the chuch. That's what I know :)
Ian Bartels 3 years ago
The money is used to build and maintain churches and temples. The church also spends millions of dollars every year to help the poor and people who experience natural disasters.
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h to da izzle 2 years ago
not only the mormons do that, i know people that get the 10% directly decuted from their paychecks and the still throw in 50 Euros a week when the collection bags goes round every sunday at the church...
Thomas Turnbull 3 years ago
Buying Luxery cars for the church and making the sick pay them for scam advice
Black Karen 3 years ago
Once saw a bmw actually rolled into a church as a gift from the congregation to the pastor for his bday. pastor literally said "though shalt not judge"
bumble bee 3 years ago
At least in the Catholic church you do not have to give them money to attend Mass.
RandomBeing 3 years ago
You don't have to do that in the church of jesus chirst of latter-day saints either. 1. temples and churches are separate. EVERYBODY is allowed to come to church meetings. 2. this post is just wrong
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J. Marie 3 years ago (edited)
Wow the discrimination in the comments is unbelievable. Do any of you actually know what a scam is? Like all non-profits, religious organizations need to report where their donations go towards and this info needs to be easily accessible by donors/congregants. It's highly illegal if they don't. A scam by definition is where the person giving money is led to believe that it's being used for one thing but in reality is used for something else. Also,before judging what religious leaders, did anyone bother to check to see what the CEOs of other non-profits make? Yes I know that there are churches that don't use their money wisely, but it discrimination to paint all with the same brush.
Phil Green 3 years ago
My MiL is a mormon and I think it to be the most contrived, misogynistic, hateful made-up religion on the planet. She is almost 80 and still sends then 10% of her pension. For what, exactly. Her idiot church does nothing to support her.
Scxd Face 3 years ago
actually there are storehouses that you can get food from if you need help and sometimes even financial support. all you MiL needs to do is talk to the bishop or her ward or stake, they can help, let her know
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HooowlAtTheMoon 3 years ago
Ex-mormon here, i got payed like 3 dollars every few weeks for chores when i was like 6 and they still made me give them 10% of that (even though it was just 30 cents, I WAS SIX) i hope they feel good about themselves, so desperate for money that they're willing to take money from children :)
Norah Reilly 3 years ago
It's sinful (yes, I said sinful) that religions demand subscriptions in order to be "in with the In Crowd".
Yara Balabanova 3 years ago
Imagine if people gave 10% of their money to effective charities instead of church, the world would be a way better place
He Said She Said 3 years ago (edited)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does ask that the church's members pay 10% of their earnings to the church, and yes, being a full tithe payer is a question that you self-report on when your temple worthiness is being determined. This collected money goes toward the maintenance and construction of church buildings and temples. Our general authorities receive a living wage as they are doing work within the church 24/7, but our local leaders and workers do not. A scam is defined as a dishonest scheme or a fraud. Based on this definition, tithes collected by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are not a scam. May I also call into question those people that call themselves WOKE and are willing to attack churches in a similar way to this? You say that you are open-minded and accepting of everyone and their chosen way of life, but somehow churches and religion aren't allowed into this realm of acceptance? I'm not saying that you have to agree with that religion in any way, I'm just asking that you might give the same courtesy to someone who wants to worship god that you would to someone who wants to be with someone of the same sex.
ilikeplants 3 years ago
I think the point was that your *worthiness* to enter a place of worship shouldn't be based on how much you tithe. (And my addition would be: none of us are worthy no matter how much we tithe. That's the whole point of salvation. We tithe as a response - out of love for God and love for others, not to gain access.)
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Son of Philosoraptor 3 years ago
Pity God the Panhandler, Shorn of cash or stock - Reduced to begging for The proceeds of his flock.
Thomas Sweda 3 years ago
My favorite line from these shysters is, “ Remember, nothing leaves God’s hand, till something leaves your hand.” I watch their TV shows”religiously, “ they’re better than “The Simpsons”, or “Monthy Python”.
Susan Williams 3 years ago
Most religions are a scam. But, no matter how you word it, those who throng to a church, or sit on the couch to watch the tv churches, will continue to do so until they die....certain that all the $$$ they have sent to these "churches" will have paid their way to "heaven".
Id row 3 years ago
Religion should be abolished altogether. It's the biggest and most successful scam in human history.
Blarrg 3 years ago
Do a quick study on historic figures who have tried to ban religion. See if you're comfortable with being in that company.
Load More Replies... Liz the Wanderer 3 years ago
All churches ask for tithes. Religion is the fastest way to buy a ticket to "heaven". The greatest scam on earth.
Shalini Pabreja 3 years ago
Again, why do people in the US put up with this nonsense? If there was a mass boycott (like the one happening in the food industry right now), the companies would have to change their ways!
Kona Pake 3 years ago
I don’t think there has been a church that has excommunicated so many other followers as the Mormon church.
Ian Bartels 3 years ago
In order to be excommunicated, you have to have been openly teaching against the church, or have committed a very serious crime (usually murder). It is something that is not taken lightly and one past president of the church once talked about the excommunication process and how it's one of his duties that he dreaded doing.
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J. Normal 3 years ago
Remember G*D only counts what is given to your church. You donated 100,000 to a homeless shelter - ok... so where is your tithe to the CHURCH?
Zedrapazia 3 years ago
Sounds like that God was an asshole. "What, you helped homeless heathens to afford a better life, but you don't want to give ME any of my money for more temples? How could you?!" That just sounds extremely arrogant, but that's nothing new for Christianity in my opinion.
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TheDragonPSA 3 years ago
Their very own book of fables proclaims that the love of money is the root of all evil.
#9
Tipping.
It's a scam restaurant owners use to keep wages low and profits in their pockets.
When you’re aware of the tactics scammers use, you’re prepared to shut down their attempts to weasel money or sensitive personal information out of you. However, that just makes the scammers find even more creative, evil ways to bamboozle you and the whole process continues to spiral.
There’s hardly a greater bunch of experts on scams than the r/Scams subreddit, a community dedicated to fighting back against hustlers and providing info and support to victims. One of the moderators previously gave an interview to Bored Panda about the difference between real-life and online scams, and what you can do to protect yourself.
"I think online shopping scams are different because you lose that layer of dealing with a real-life person. When you have a real person in front of you, a typical person will feel shame or guilt at the thought of taking advantage of a person,” one of the r/Scams mods explained to Bored Panda that interacting with a scammer face-to-face can give away some of their intentions. Things aren’t as clear-cut with the advent of the internet.
#10
College in America, it's absolutely absurd that they can hold your transcripts hostage, charge 600 dollars a year for a 'parking pass' require that the first year be spent on campus, rotate out a 500 dollars text book every single semester (that was written by your professor), and basically can find any other way to outrageously over charge students while promoting predatory lending and saying they're "not for profit".
#11
Cable TV. Either provide it for free, or remove the incessant advertisements. Not okay with the double charge.
Simon Clarke 3 years ago
Totally agree with this one. When I watched a mates sky TV For the first time I couldn't believe that they were adverts in the middle of something he was paying for. Whilst I'm on a rant - in England we used to get football on terrestrial channels which are, except for the BBC's licence fee, free. Then Sky took over and hoodwinked people into thinking that their coverage was sooooo much better. The majority of people fell for the idea and subscribed with the result that we now have to pay an arm and a leg to watch our national game. Same with boxing and cricket. All previously very cheap or free now we have to take out loans to watch it.
#12
Engagement rings (specifically diamond ones). Ridiculously expensive pieces of crystallized carbon that are intrinsically worthless.
“With the internet, you aren't dealing with a person, but a username and avatar. It is much easier to act maliciously when you don't have a real victim directly in front of you," the redditor pointed out that distance and anonymity don’t work in our favor, but are very useful for scammers.
"Online scams also use a lot of tricks to pressure buyers; low prices, pushes to buy now!, taking advantage of someone's kindness or naivete (re: advance check fraud, money mules, etc), or advertising one product and sending another (or nothing at all, by using a fake tracking number). Getting a person to make a decision via high-pressure tactics and preventing them from reflecting and making a sound decision is key.”
#13
Any seminar entitled "Secrets to Building Your Wealth" or something in a similar vein. The only secret is that you attending is building some other person's wealth.
Tenacious Squirrel 3 years ago
They’re usually pyramid schemes. However I’m not sure how often they’re accepted by everyone - I think most people realise (?).
#14
Popcorn prices at the cinema
Andy Acceber 3 years ago
I buy popcorn at our discount cinemas. There's one that does second run films for $2 and another that does movies after the theater runs but before the DVD release for $5. That's less than half the cost of a standard movie ticket. I know the concessions are how they make their money, and I'm okay supporting them that way.
#15
Inkjet printer cartridges.
My printer cost a bit less than the replacement cartidges and it came with ink when I bought it.
It would be more cost effective if I bought a new printer every time the ink runs out.
Dynein 3 years ago
That's why it makes sense to check the price for cartridges *before* you decide for a printer, so you can buy the one that is the most cost-efficient *including* the future cost of replacement cartridges. The printer ink will still be overpriced, mind you, but a lot of companies try to entice you with a super cheap printer but then make up for the difference and more with every purchase of printer ink. THAT at least is something you can avoid.
One of the best ways to know whether something’s too good to be true is to rely on your gut, your instincts, that little voice in your head that’s saying there’s really something sus going on here. “If a deal is too good to be true, it is. If you see a pair of brand new Apple AirPods advertised for $50, you are not getting an authentic product. There are many counterfeit items out there on the market, and you need to verify authenticity before hitting buy.”
Buying knockoff and counterfeit products is a horrible idea, not just because of the ethics alone but also because they pose potential risks to your health. In short, be careful what you buy. “These knockoff products do not always go through the same safety standards of the real item; they may not be UL certified, they may use chemicals or ingredients that are not FDA approved and are unsafe for use on or in the human body, or could cause major harm to human life or property,” the r/Scams moderator warned.
#16
When a company asks at the register, “Will you round up to the dollar for xyz charity?”
You think you’re being honorable but these companies are just taking your money and representing that THEY are the ones giving it for a tax break. It’s a total scam. If those companies want a tax break they can donate. Screw off. I donate on my own and in my own way.
#17
Bridal showers. I'm already getting you a wedding gift, but i need to get you something else too, essentially in celebration of the same event? And people who expect gifts at Their engagement parties are really milking it.
PeachPossum 3 years ago (edited)
Bridal showers came about in the 19th century to replace the dowry. The original intent was to provide the bride with items for her wedding night and money that would ensure the wedding would take place. That of course was in a day and age when most women did not work. This is yet another tradition that needs to dropped. I suggest unmarried people (men and women both) bring back the "hope chest" or "glory box" that they begin to fill with household items while still in their teens. The items move with them to their first home away from mom and dad.
#18
Transaction/processing fees when you order a digital product online. Such as a concert ticket: you pay 16 bucks extra while you pay online, and then have to print the ticket yourself.
All fees are BS and are designed to either hide the price of the original product or are an excuse for a middleman to cash in.
Beeps 3 years ago
Yes, from a customer’s point of view, this also used to really annoy me, until I started selling goods and services (including digital products) online. In order to do so, I need a business bank account (for which I have to pay a monthly fee, plus additional fees, if I have to pay in a lot of cheques), but most of all, I need another third party that processes the customers’ card payments. This also incurs a monthly fee and in addition to that, a card processing fee that varies in amount depending on which type card they use (debit or credit) each time someone buys something. Plus, each time you pay for something with your card online (ie where you’re not physically present) the processing fee is automatically higher than if you pay in a shop, as the card processing service provider claims that the risk of fraud is higher (and thus the risk that they might have to refund you.)
One thing that you should definitely consider for the sake of your financial safety is getting a credit card and using that instead of a debit card. “Credit card protections for most cards are much more forgiving than debit cards. You can generally get your money back faster if you were scammed or misled by a business, versus initiating an investigation through your bank. It is always smarter to pay by credit card (and pay off your balance monthly!)."
#20
Apartments charging pet fees but not children fees.
Kaspar Kristiansen 3 years ago
Some people are allergic to (some) pet hair, thus more cleaning will be needed, I don't know of any people being allergic to baby hair. Don't think the fee has anything to do with potential mess and noise, because if so I agree that children likely is deserving a higher "fee" :)
#21
Psychics.
How do these people live with themselves when they are taking advantage of people in their time of mourning/loss?
It's cheaper to go a therapist
Kevin Erdős–Bacon 3 years ago
I wouldn't say people accept this as normal. Most people know this is a scam.
#22
Hotels charging for WiFi. Also flights.
You’re telling me I can get free WiFi from libraries, coffee shops, the dentist, and the bus. But I can’t get WiFi included with this $189/night room? If I spend more than $2 i want free WiFi
#23
Those "For every share/like this post gets we'll donate £1 to a charity for the Amazon rainforest" posts on Instagram. No way in hell are any of these people donating millions of pounds just because they got a bunch of likes on a post. It's just a very shameful way of getting likes in my opinion and makes people feel very self righteous when they share or like them.
#24
Any kind of over the counter pill, vitamin, cream or personal cleansing product that is usually unisex but claims that this particular one is for men or women only. It's the same razor model but in a different color, Gillette. I'm onto your s**t.
NsG 3 years ago
Double check though - some vitamins marketed at women do have a higher proportion of folic acid because that does have more benefit for women (particularly pre-pregnancy). If the two sets of contents are genuinely identical - don't spend more for just the pretty lady on the front.
#25
Organic produce.
I grew up on an orchard, so I know that it’s actually pretty easy to follow organic standards. Contrary to popular belief, organic does not mean no sprays, it just means that the sprays you used were on a very long list of approved sprays. (In the US anyway. I can’t speak for other countries)
And then actually being able to use the term organic requires a very expensive certification process.
So all that organic means is that big companies can charge higher prices for their produce.
Manndy Fisher 3 years ago
It always amazed me how organic carrots and non organic cost the same. Either you are scamming me or organic are not organic and the other way around. BTW, I have a local farmer's market where I live and these "organic" products from supermarkets look nothing like a real ones.
#26
Priority boarding for airlines. Personally if I paid extra I would want to be the last person on the plane. I sit down, we go. I wouldnt pay extra to make my plane time longer by 30 mins just to have 100 people bump into me as they board.
#28
Wish.com
Yeah you find something you like for a dollar, BUT it has 7 dollar shipping fee AND it's from China and will take a month to get to you.
#29
Autism speaks. The organisation is actually terrible, and views autism as a curable illness and as a burden that must be fixed.
James016 3 years ago
I have seen nothing good about this organisation. I have spoken to a number of autistic adults online after my son was diagnosed. They all hate it. They also have a major problem with this Spectrum10k thing where scientists want DNA from autistic people but have not been clear on why and who will have access. That has been likened to eugenics.
#30
College. Most of he population does not need a degree to work the job they work, but we're told all thier lives that they will never become anything without it. Most of us get fooled into going and spending tens of thousands on a BS piece of paper that in reality contributes nothing to ones ability to do the job they end up doing.
Dynein 3 years ago
I wish people didn't push so much for higher education for everyone remotely intelligent, and I wish trade jobs weren't marketed as something for the people "too stupid" for higher education. What's people's problem with having intelligent craftsmen? Do you really prefer stupid craftsmen doing work at your house? And on the other side of the coin, a lot of the jobs for which university education is expected don't in fact need to be done by the most intelligent people. Can't we finally accept that intelligent jobs aren't an opposite of manual jobs, but rather are the jobs where independent problem solving is required? It's not the difference between blue collar and white collar and it shouldn't be.
#31
Payment plans for phones and just paying $1000 for a phone in general.
#32
Any company that makes you go to their dealers for repairs, like Apple, just so you have to pay triple the amount. If you had gotten an android and watched a youtube video, you could have fixed the problem yourself in 20 minutes for about 10 bucks.
#33
The shopping channel, they just get some common product, slap a few mouthy salesmen on it with an infomercial and sell it for 10x the price.
They're just screwing over pre internet senior citizens.
Sue Hazlewood 3 years ago
I'm a 'pre internet senior citizen' and do not watch these appalling channels at all
#34
Workout/meal plan apps that you have to pay for. All of their workouts and meal recipes are google'able and extremely generic. There’s no face time between you and the app people so there’s no individuality in it. I don’t get how people fall for it at all
Tamsin Far 3 years ago
Some people (including me) will more likely stick to something if they have paid for it. Sounds stupid, is stupid, but if it works...
#35
The cost of mobile Data plans.
I'm from Sweden and here I currently pay $15 for 8 GB. I lived in Canada for the winter and they wanted $50 for like 3GB.
Robert T 3 years ago
I can't easily split out what I pay for data from mine, as it also includes the phone, but I am on unlimited data and unlimited calls. I can even take it roaming for a very small daily fee. The freedom of being able to watch streaming services on the move, or connect my laptop to the internet from practically anywhere without worry about data charges and limits is liberating - previously I had a limit and hardly dared use it for fear of overrunning it.
#36
High School rings. I don’t know why people buy them. What do you use them for?
For those who don’t know what a class ring is, it’s a ring that you can buy when you’re going to graduate. Details vary from ring to ring, but it generally has the school’s logo on it, can be customized a bit, and costs anywhere from $100-$1000 depending on the materials, what school you go to, etc.
Dasha Slepenkina 3 years ago
Went to high school in the US and remember them trying to get us to buy one... super expensive and SO ugly! The best part is, everyone was trying to convince me I'd regret not getting one... now I never see anyone wearing theirs. If it's something that makes you happy, go for it, but my school pushed these so hard and plenty of people wasted their money on something they never wear.
#37
Fruit juice and most breakfast cereals. They're full of sugar and so obviously terrible for your health and teeth, but they also lead to an energy slump that makes late mornings at work unnecessarily irksome.
#38
Subscriptions like xbox live gold, playstation plus, etcetera...
It feels odd to have to own a console + monitor/tv, buy a game, have an already paid internet subscription and then above that, before you can even play the game (not all of them, it's clearly stated which games you need a subscription for and which not) you need a paid subscription to your console's online service?
They aren't too expensive but it just feels a little odd.. (I do not own any consoles myself nor am I trying to speak bad about console players. It just feels odd to me personally)
#39
Pancake mix. You literally only need flour and baking powder plus a bit of salt. That's it. That's all it is. The liquid ingredients (milk, eggs) are still the same. Don't spend your money on boxed pancake mix.
GirlFriday 3 years ago
A box of pancake mix is $1. How are you saving money by buying all of the ingredients separately, especially if you don't bake and don't keep baking ingredients on hand?
#40
Credit repair companies.
I used to sell this stuff.
You pay $100 a month to send letters to credit companies to fight the debt. If they don't respond in X days, it goes off your credit. You can also dispute it if a name is barely spelt wrong or an address.
You can do this 100% on your own and there are templates online you can print out.
What do you think ?
Kerstin Fransen 3 years ago
I feel like most of these things are american things, hadn't heard of half of them.
Bill Evs 3 years ago
Planned obsolescence. Crap for the consumer, terrible for the environment and no real reason it should happen.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
And heavily disputed by Apple and the likes, because "Innovation would stop if devices could be used for more than 3 years." It's the same argument that Apple used to oppose "Right to repair" legislation or in their effort to block the "One charging connection for mobile devices." law. If "Innovation" means "Making more profit" they are not lying.
Load More Replies...
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
Let's add "the subscription model." Adobe is a prime example. You no longer purchase Photoshop; you purchase a subscription to Photoshop. This means that, if you can no longer afford it, you no longer have the software to use. At all. Adobe shuts off your access to it. (Use Gimp instead. It's free and does nearly everything Photoshop does. The things it doesn't do are only crucial to a graphic designer.)
bumble bee 3 years ago
Yes!! Add to that Microsoft Office 365. I refuse to pay for that.
Load More Replies... kowi_gal 3 years ago
I don't fully agree with #28- I agree that university degree doesn't automatically mean someone is intelligent and someone in trade without a degree isn't, but tertiary education is so important in developing critical thinking abilities and just gaining more perspective in so many different topics that you wouldn't get in high school. Just the amount of anti-vaxxers and other conspiracy theorists that fail to even recognise credible sources of information alone proves that the general level of critical thinking skill of the human race is dangerously on the decline..
Robin Roper 3 years ago
US Jails are a con. People who do wrong should pay for their crimes but to receive inadequate food, live in dirty rodent infested housing is wrong. Families have to pay a large fee to deposit money in their loved one's commissary accounts which are then used to buy adequate undergarments so they don't freeze, overpriced ramen noodles so they don't starve, soap that is actually soap, toothpaste that doesn't taste like ajax, and pay for phone calls over crappy phone lines. There is nothing rehabilitating about jail. Prisons aren't quite as bad but are still not doing what they are supposed to do. And, prisoners have to pay for their medical care - not a lot but when all you have in our account is $20, having $15 taken for an infirmary call means you don't eat that week.
Shane S 3 years ago
Price markups are wrong- especially on food items. I can understand the jail needing to break even but don’t make a profit on bare necessities.
Load More Replies... Jody Brown 3 years ago
Homeopathic and alternative 'medicine'. There is no alternative medicine: there is only medicine that works. Anything else is a scam and should be illegal.
NsG 3 years ago
I happen to agree that homeopathy is a scam, but to say all alternative medicines or treatments are a scam is false. Alternative means not prescribed by a GP and regulated by the pharmaceutical industry. Ginger biscuits are an "alternative" treatment for travel sickness.(ginger has been proven in trials to help with nausea, but that doesn't qualify it as a medicine). St John's Wort is considered alternative because it is herbal (never quite understood why the distinction is there, but whatever) but it must be mentioned to a GP because it can interfere with "conventional" medicine. It shouldn't be illegal, because it had proven results. What I think you mean is powdered rhino horn and tiger blood. Those already are in many places illegal because of the poaching of endangered animals involved. A blanket ban on anything "alternative" to stop stuff that is already illegal is pointless.
Load More Replies...
Peter Kelly 3 years ago
'Business accreditation organisations'. Supposedly to maintain standards and protect consumers against cowboy traders, but all that is needed is a fat fee to get a certificate and a few stickers/logos to fool the gullible.
J. Normal 3 years ago
Medical bills - go to our local hospital - yearly brand new furniture in all waiting rooms and offices, New flat screen TV's. We then get notified that our doctor has a financial stake in the clinic/ hospital aka he/she gets a share of the PROFIT the hospital makes. At the same time I am being sent to collections because they do not like that I can only afford to pay them 20/month. STOP making a profit on my health!
Shane S 3 years ago
There are some places that should be run barely above breaking even. I consider hospitals and churches to fit into that category. You want to buy a new CT Scan Machine? Great! Do it! But do all the rooms really need furniture and tv upgrades?
Load More Replies... Yeah, you heard 3 years ago
Phone provider: "For just £25 per month, you get unlimited data and 100 free minutes". Me: "I don't need unlimited data; I'll just have the 100 minutes for free please." Them: "No, you only get the free minutes if you pay the £25 a month". Me: "Huh, how are they free then?" Amazing how many customers are taken in by this BS and still talk about having "free" minutes which they have paid For!!
Small_Mushroom 3 years ago (edited)
Ugh, America is awful. Can Europe take me please? (Not that I'm saying this is just America, but it is mostly America)
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
I'd like to add any business, charity, product, or service with the name of the Biggest Loser (the Tangerine Toddler) on it.
Lee Macro 3 years ago
These might be UK specific but..........when supermarkets ask you to donate to X charity I believe they can use the amount as a kickback to pay less tax. Also the same sort of thing if you're at an airport buying stuff and the shop asks to see your ticket. Unless you're buying something out of duty free which requires you to be on an international flight or something like that, you're under no obligation to show your ticket. Again, its a way of companies paying less tax
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Nope Lee, it happens at many American stores too, not just the supermarkets.
Load More Replies... Kerstin Fransen 3 years ago
I feel like most of these things are american things, hadn't heard of half of them.
Bill Evs 3 years ago
Planned obsolescence. Crap for the consumer, terrible for the environment and no real reason it should happen.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
And heavily disputed by Apple and the likes, because "Innovation would stop if devices could be used for more than 3 years." It's the same argument that Apple used to oppose "Right to repair" legislation or in their effort to block the "One charging connection for mobile devices." law. If "Innovation" means "Making more profit" they are not lying.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
Let's add "the subscription model." Adobe is a prime example. You no longer purchase Photoshop; you purchase a subscription to Photoshop. This means that, if you can no longer afford it, you no longer have the software to use. At all. Adobe shuts off your access to it. (Use Gimp instead. It's free and does nearly everything Photoshop does. The things it doesn't do are only crucial to a graphic designer.)
bumble bee 3 years ago
Yes!! Add to that Microsoft Office 365. I refuse to pay for that.
Load More Replies... kowi_gal 3 years ago
I don't fully agree with #28- I agree that university degree doesn't automatically mean someone is intelligent and someone in trade without a degree isn't, but tertiary education is so important in developing critical thinking abilities and just gaining more perspective in so many different topics that you wouldn't get in high school. Just the amount of anti-vaxxers and other conspiracy theorists that fail to even recognise credible sources of information alone proves that the general level of critical thinking skill of the human race is dangerously on the decline..
Robin Roper 3 years ago
US Jails are a con. People who do wrong should pay for their crimes but to receive inadequate food, live in dirty rodent infested housing is wrong. Families have to pay a large fee to deposit money in their loved one's commissary accounts which are then used to buy adequate undergarments so they don't freeze, overpriced ramen noodles so they don't starve, soap that is actually soap, toothpaste that doesn't taste like ajax, and pay for phone calls over crappy phone lines. There is nothing rehabilitating about jail. Prisons aren't quite as bad but are still not doing what they are supposed to do. And, prisoners have to pay for their medical care - not a lot but when all you have in our account is $20, having $15 taken for an infirmary call means you don't eat that week.
Shane S 3 years ago
Price markups are wrong- especially on food items. I can understand the jail needing to break even but don’t make a profit on bare necessities.
Load More Replies... Jody Brown 3 years ago
Homeopathic and alternative 'medicine'. There is no alternative medicine: there is only medicine that works. Anything else is a scam and should be illegal.
NsG 3 years ago
I happen to agree that homeopathy is a scam, but to say all alternative medicines or treatments are a scam is false. Alternative means not prescribed by a GP and regulated by the pharmaceutical industry. Ginger biscuits are an "alternative" treatment for travel sickness.(ginger has been proven in trials to help with nausea, but that doesn't qualify it as a medicine). St John's Wort is considered alternative because it is herbal (never quite understood why the distinction is there, but whatever) but it must be mentioned to a GP because it can interfere with "conventional" medicine. It shouldn't be illegal, because it had proven results. What I think you mean is powdered rhino horn and tiger blood. Those already are in many places illegal because of the poaching of endangered animals involved. A blanket ban on anything "alternative" to stop stuff that is already illegal is pointless.
Load More Replies... Peter Kelly 3 years ago
'Business accreditation organisations'. Supposedly to maintain standards and protect consumers against cowboy traders, but all that is needed is a fat fee to get a certificate and a few stickers/logos to fool the gullible.
J. Normal 3 years ago
Medical bills - go to our local hospital - yearly brand new furniture in all waiting rooms and offices, New flat screen TV's. We then get notified that our doctor has a financial stake in the clinic/ hospital aka he/she gets a share of the PROFIT the hospital makes. At the same time I am being sent to collections because they do not like that I can only afford to pay them 20/month. STOP making a profit on my health!
Shane S 3 years ago
There are some places that should be run barely above breaking even. I consider hospitals and churches to fit into that category. You want to buy a new CT Scan Machine? Great! Do it! But do all the rooms really need furniture and tv upgrades?
Load More Replies... Yeah, you heard 3 years ago
Phone provider: "For just £25 per month, you get unlimited data and 100 free minutes". Me: "I don't need unlimited data; I'll just have the 100 minutes for free please." Them: "No, you only get the free minutes if you pay the £25 a month". Me: "Huh, how are they free then?" Amazing how many customers are taken in by this BS and still talk about having "free" minutes which they have paid For!!
Small_Mushroom 3 years ago (edited)
Ugh, America is awful. Can Europe take me please? (Not that I'm saying this is just America, but it is mostly America)
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
I'd like to add any business, charity, product, or service with the name of the Biggest Loser (the Tangerine Toddler) on it.
Lee Macro 3 years ago
These might be UK specific but..........when supermarkets ask you to donate to X charity I believe they can use the amount as a kickback to pay less tax. Also the same sort of thing if you're at an airport buying stuff and the shop asks to see your ticket. Unless you're buying something out of duty free which requires you to be on an international flight or something like that, you're under no obligation to show your ticket. Again, its a way of companies paying less tax
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Nope Lee, it happens at many American stores too, not just the supermarkets.
Load More Replies... 
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