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“What I Ordered VS. What I Got”: 50 Times Careless Online Shopping Backfired In The Most Hilarious Ways (New Pics)
Imagine this: you order a product on the internet and wait days—or even weeks—for it to arrive. When the parcel finally shows up, the thing inside barely resembles what you ordered. Then again, maybe you don't have to imagine this. Maybe you know the pain of dealing with a refund system that seems designed to test your will to live.
To illustrate just how funny and frustrating online shopping can be, we've collected a set of pictures showing people's most disappointing experiences with it. From tiny pools to terrible knock-offs, these examples prove you must always read the reviews before checking out.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Found This Via Video On Instagram - No Words. Just Too Funny - Up There With The Reindeer
RELATED:
#2
“Extra Large” Dog Pool
#3
Latex Thigh Highs Ordered But Got What Seems Like The Case For Sleeping Bags
#4
This Has To Be For The Babies
#5
Found A Cheap Kitchen Scale. I Feel Like Something Is Missing
#6
Ordered A $1000 Graphics Card From Amazon, Received 4 Cans Of Beef Ravioli
It showed up in the sealed Amazon box, and inside that, the graphics card box still had intact security stickers and shrinkwrap. Taking it up with support, but also screaming internally for fear that they'll think I'm the one scamming and won't refund or replace.
#7
What I Ordered vs. What I Got
My wife ordered a very nice Irish Sweater from a site called ArtsWardrobe.com.
So it looked like a really awesome knit (actually a fairly complicated pattern) in the image.
She ordered it and got a printed sweatshirt with poorly-sewn hems on a low quality polyester fabric.
Description says “knitted” not printed.
TLDR: don’t order from ArtsWardrobe.com
LillieMean 1 month ago
There are countless of these scam clothing sites. Look up information and reviews about the company before buying. fafo, I'm sorry, but that's how it goes.
#8
What I Ordered vs. What I Got
At least I have a cool welcome mat now.
Rose the Cook 1 month ago
In this case you needed to read the dimensions of what you were ordering. If the price was too good to be true this is what happens.
#9
Throwback To The Time I Thought I Was Buying A Surprisingly Cheap Weightlifting Bench, Only To Receive This In The Post
#10
Fiancee And I Ordered Some Small Ice Cream Bowls To Hold Fruit At The Tables At Our Wedding - They Arrived Dirty, With Food In Them
#11
I Bought Silicone Bowl Lids On Ebay At A Higher Price To Avoid Amazon
So did some guy just place an Amazon order with my name and address and pocket a few bucks?
#12
Ordered A 32 Gallon Trash Can From Walmart Got A Toy Instead, Fraudulent Seller Later Changed The Listing To A Pencil Box Trash Can Toy
#13
The Shoes My GF Ordered Online Are For The Same Foot
#14
What You Order vs. What You Receive
#15
Check Out My Cool New Lap Desk From Temu
#16
Another Classic "What I Ordered vs. What I Got"
#17
Trying To Find One Similarity
#18
My Walmart Delivery Order Sent My Nicotine Gum Inside The Locked Container
Susan Teter 1 month ago
The only thing that could have made this better is if they included a cigarette and a lighter...
#19
The Dangers Of Online Shopping
#20
My Girlfriend Has A Pair Of Gloves And All Of The Fingers Are The Same Length
#21
Not What I Expected
Ordered this from Walmart's website. What I ordered versus what I got. Yes, I tried “fluffing it” and tried to make it look comparable to what it’s supposed to look like. The bow isn’t even the same. There’s so much glue all over it. It’s a lost cause.
#22
Farmgirl Flowers “Now And Gem” Bouquet. Ordered Flowers To Make My Bridal Bouquet, Was Very Excited. Absolutely Shameful
Gavin Johnson 1 month ago
For a bridal bouquet? C’mon now. Online ordering instead of visiting a florist? Yep, you’ll get less flowers for the same money but they’ll look proper. Skimp on the favours or get cheaper shoes but if you need a bouquet then that’s where you should invest, they are a focal point.
#25
Ordered LEGO At Amazon, Got Pasta Instead
#26
Ordered A Bike For My Daughter, Assembled It Today And No Seat
Contacted Walmart, and they said they just can't send a seat. We gotta mail it back. Then they'll send the replacement.
#27
Just Received A Network Cable Testing Kit From Amazon, Came With A Surprise
#28
Online Shopping Fail
Friend ordered an etched urn online to put her father’s ashes in - this arrived!
#29
Kayaking Shirt Was Was Printed With Text Right Side Up Completely Ruining The Joke
Littlemiss 1 month ago
Quick solution, cut out picture and sew upside down on another tee-shirt.
#30
Today's Episode On What I Ordered vs. What I Got
tom (bat/man) 1 month ago
serves you right for buying such a hideous monstrosity in the first place
#31
Finally Decided To Order A Skims Bra And This Was What I Got When I Opened The Package
I’m so upset too because this size and color are now sold out. Customer support waived return fees but that doesn’t help me get the bra I wanted (without someone else’s eyelashes attached!) 😩.
Gloomy Mornings 1 month ago (edited)
Funny and a little gross, but just take it off and wash it, lol.
#32
The Walmart Worker Who Shopped My Order Didn't Remove The Micro SD Card From The Security Case
Nothing a quick blow with a hammer on the side of the case couldn't fix, but still...
#33
Ordered A Jacket From Adidas… And Got A Tricky Problem To Solve Instead
It was on sale and the last in my size. It’s comfortable and fits great, perfect for walking the half-pictured dog… Guess I will meet lots of new people in the mall today once I go around asking if anyone is able to remove it for me.
#34
I Ordered Brake Pads And Discs From Amazon And Got A Pizza Oven
#35
Always Check Before Buying A Tape Measure
#36
Switch 2 Purchased From Walmart Arrived Empty
Upstaged75 1 month ago
You can see someone opened and resealed the package. The delivery person is probably enjoying some games now.
#37
Shirt I Ordered vs. What I Got
#38
Ordered Flowers For My Assistant At Work As A Thank You Gift
No, HR, I didn’t mean to imply she’s a stoner. Of course, I don’t think jokes like this are appropriate at work.
#39
The Seal Plush Pillow I Ordered vs. The One That Arrived
#40
Man Ordered A PS5 But Got A PS3 In A PS4 Box Instead
#41
New Technologies, Unbreakable Drills Straightened It Out And Continue Using It
#42
Bought A Book On Ebay. Received A Counterfeit Copy From China Instead
I bought a book on eBay, but the seller sent the parcel from China instead of Italy, as it said on the profile. The first page is a copyright notice, saying that this is a Press eBook.
#43
Ordered A Lizard Tank, Received A Chair Instead
#44
This Online Order Was Supposed To Say Vancouver Canada
#45
I Ordered A Scarf Online, I Received Half Of It. The Note Speaks For Itself
#46
My Buddy Buys Cheap Shoes Online From China. This Model Is Known As “Run My Guy”
#47
Guess I Don’t Actually Own A Queen Size Mattress
#48
Pre-Ordered An Exclusive Limited Edition Vinyl. Only Getting Offered A Refund
#49
So My Friend Ordered The Dog Lamp On The Left
#50
Do Not Buy From Eleven Forest. Not Just Failed, But Clearly A Scam
Ripley 1 month ago
It's almost hilariously obvious that this website is a scam. Dresses very much like these for about $50 AUD. Heavily beaded and embroidered shirts for $35. AWOOGAH! AWOOGAH! Alarm bells abungo, and that's even before you realise that the photos are really obviously AI. About 30 seconds of googling will bring up a whole bunch of reviews that say much the same. I'm honestly surprised that people keep falling for it.
#51
Aliexpress, Alihome Tools Scam. Even If You Contact Aliexpress Customer Services First, They Say That They Are Ok, And That You Can Go Ahead And Buy Them
Avoid - generators and batteries, they have been promoting them as being offers at a big discount, introductory offers, discounted store offers, etc, and then send out photographs of them? Even if you contact AliExpress Customer Services first - they say that they are ok, and that you can go ahead and buy them??
#52
Got This For My Aggressive Play Fighter
#53
So I Ordered Leggings, Amazon Sent Me A Clothing Rack Instead? Like Come On? How Could You Possibly Mix These Two Up?
#54
My Parcel Came Bent And Unreadable
It also came late. I ordered this weeks ago. The metal is bent, and most of the writing is unreadable. I was really excited for this, too.
#55
Homer Simpson Chia Pet
#56
Me And Some Friends From Med School Ordered Like 60 Of These. It Was Supposed To Look Like You Have A Stethoscope On Your Shoulders
Antoinette the Red 1 month ago
I think you're supposed to wear a lab coat over the shirt in order to see the illusion.
#57
I Ordered Some Childhood Games From Gamestop
Why even send this? Literally just plastic garbage I was charged money for.
#58
What I Ordered And What I Got. Apparently, After A Long Time In The Delivery, She Lost Weight From Hunger And Now It's Flat
#59
My Husband Ordered A Fishing Pole That Came Without The Handle. He Was Really Looking Forward To It
It's was not in its original box, but open/loose in a UPS box, the handle is missing. A fishing pole needs the handle to be able to reel in a fish or it's useless. Looks like someone taped 2 UPS boxes together- this was not sent in an Amazon box. (Ordered from Amazon)
Went online immediately and tried to exchange, but then they said it's no longer available and are not sure when/if it will be.
Unpickled Pickle 1 month ago
Similarly, I once got a golf club with changeable heads off of ebay and it arrived with no heads and just the shaft.
#60
I Ordered Cool Heart Rock Valentines, Got Plastic Beads Instead
#61
What I Ordered vs. What I Got
#62
Flowers By Eva. Yes, I Paid 100 Bucks To Buy My GF Some Bulbs. I Suggest Not Ordering From Them
#63
Ordered A New Phone Online And The Box Arrived Empty
Ordered a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro on Backmarket and the box arrived completely empty...
Have raised a complaint with Backmarket about the box being empty, but have never had anything like this happen before. My last time ordering something this expensive online, but I thought it would be okay due to the seller being supposedly reputable.
Jedi Panda 1 month ago
Read that as "Black market" at first and thought, well you shouldn't be surprised if it's the Black market...😅
#64
I’m Never Ordering Flowers Online Again
BrownEyedGrrl 1 month ago
I've been ripped off ordering flowers online too. I ordered some last week for my best friend, and called a florist local to her. The arrangement is still beautiful & it made my friend happy.
#65
Ordered From Zippo.com - Meant To Be A Gift
Super disappointed with the actual item. What was shown was so beautiful and vibrant, what was received is so splotchy & pale that you can only see some colours at certain angles. I'm in Canada, and this item was only available on the US website, so I had to get help from a friend to get this. Not even sure if I want to gift this anymore.
#66
Christmas Present Tommy Bahamas Blanket Had Big Hole In It When Opened
I bought this online as a present and wrapped it when it arrived. Gave it to a person as a gift today and when they opened it, immediately went to a big hole in it! I was mortified and apologized and promised I would exchange it and get a new one for them. When I get home, turns out the blanket was final sale, no returns or exchanges. Cool. I wouldn’t be surprised with like a Temu or Big Lots blanket, but I am surprised with a kind of expensive blanket from a brand like Tommy Bahama. So imho don’t buy Tommy Bahama, there stuff is a joke and the customer service is a joke.
#67
"New" Mouse, Old Packaging
So, I decided to treat myself to a new gaming mouse. Ordered this Corsair M65 RGB Ultra Wireless from Amazon, expecting a brand-new experience. What I got instead? A box that's seen better days, with clear signs of being opened and likely used. Amazon, come on! I paid for a new product, not someone else's leftovers. And don't even get me started on the potential hygiene issues... If you want to sell open-box items, fine. But at least be upfront about it and offer a discount. This bait-and-switch tactic is just disrespectful to customers. Anyone else had similar experiences with Amazon?
WubiDubi 1 month ago
Check product pages very carefully for "as new" and similar ambiguous condition statements. Also, I've ordered quite a few things from Amazon and things were missing because it was a previous return and whoever checks it had no idea what sould be in the box before returning to stock.
#68
Ordered: Stone Bath Mat, Got: Giant Mouse Pad
Ordered the stone bath mat shown in the first photo, priced around $70–$80. It took about six weeks to arrive, and when it finally did, it was a “mat” made of mouse pad material with a printed stone design on top.
Riccola Tesla 1 month ago
just so everyone knows thats not how diatomaceous earth works. its a very very very very soft type of sedimentary rock made of the fossilized remains of ancient hard shelled algae and micro organisms. you couldnt make a bath mat that was "100% diatomaceous earth" as the only way to get 100% Diatomaceous earth is by buying the raw powder. even when its used in filters its bonded with some sort of coagulant or trapped in some sort of fine screen. this would be like trying to buy a rug made from "100% baby powder"
#69
The Same Thing
#70
It’s Giving Hospital Scrubs
#71
Have You Had An Expectation vs. Reality Scenario Before?
#72
Ordered A Book Online, Received Balloons Instead… “Your Story Deserves A Colorful Background”
I found it kinda funny with the text on the package of the balloons. That would be nice and all, if it came with my book…
#73
Not To Mention Late Valentines Delivery
#74
Jesus Wept. Bought This From An Instagram Seller. Lesson Learned
#75
Ordered Some Pencil Lead Refills
180 pieces divided into 6 plastic cases. All 180 pieces fit into a single case.
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What do you think ?
Geoffrey Scott 1 month ago
ALL these reinforce the fact that you must physically shop for things if you wish for success.
Rachel Reynolds 1 month ago
I would never order from Shein or Temu. Any on line ordering I do must also have a brick and mortar store. As far as Amazon goes, I refuse to buy anything without a minimum of 50 actual human reviews including pictures of the product.
Diane H 1 month ago
I have bought a ton of wonderful stuff from Temu. People need to read the material, size and reviews first. Temu is great with returns. Many times you can keep it and get the refund within 2 minutes.
Load More Replies...
Tom Hardeveld 1 month ago
I once ordered nothing and got two throwpillows. on my name and adress. I called them and they told me to send it back to them on my own cost, no refunds. I said no, figure out who it should go to and I'll contact them or give them my number, but they refused. So now I got two throwpillows I guess
spacer 1 month ago (edited)
sometimes companies will send out products to random people and then use it to write 5 star reviews on themselves. its a common scam and most people accept it because free stuff.
Load More Replies...
Janelle Collard 1 month ago
Never order from Temu or similar websites. Always check the 1 and 2 star reviews - those give a better picture of whether or not the item will be useful as opposed to landfill. Granted, some of the 1 + 2 star reviewers are whiny little b!tches but most tell what their problems were + some have pix of the actual item.
Cindy Brick 1 month ago
Look at the reviews...Husband always starts with the worst ones first. As for flowers -- use the internet to find a local florist close to your recipient, and order from there. It works a lot better. (some Sam's Clubs will also deliver.)
Lupita Nyong'heaux 1 month ago
i gotta be honest, i've had nothing but good results from temu. i ordered a 5-pack of different-color T-shirts and a 3-pack of shorts because I started an exercise class. the quality of the shirts is amazingly good, and the pack was only $12. and the shorts also are great quality. i know it's a c**p shoot every time with temu, but i've been lucky. lol ... i think the key with clothes is not to order those elaborate dresses that are obviously AI. i've ordered regular clothes from them 3 times and have never had a problem. be careful with shoes, tho. the sizing is iffy at best and the quality can be s**t. i've ordered 2 pairs of shoes from them, one pair was great, the other was awful. lol
LillieMean 1 month ago
I've become so suspicious that I automatically think even legitimate online stores are scams. I thought an unimaginatively named online store that sells running/hiking lights was a scam, like, do you really think I'd fall for such an easy scam and click on something that sounds so stupid, but it actually exists when my friend said he bought a good headlamp there at a good discount. Well, now I know, and I feel enlightened.
Diane Tucker 1 month ago
Scammers also make copycat websites of reputable stores. I learned the hard way to NEVER click on any ad on Facebook, even for a place I've successfully ordered from before.
Load More Replies... Diane Tucker 1 month ago
Honestly at this point people ought to know better than to order from these super-cheap places online. Bad for so many reasons!
DB 1 month ago
I laugh at people who buy online instead of going to a real store. I sell auto parts. At least once a week I have someone come in who bought parts from Rock Auto or Amazon and wound up with junk. If you shop online you deserve what you get.
RS 1 month ago
Blame scammers, not the admittedly guillible victims. Some people didn't get taught those things.
Load More Replies...
Lady Eowyn 1 month ago
Or disabled. Not lazy. There are many reasons for ordering online.
Load More Replies...
Geoffrey Scott 1 month ago
ALL these reinforce the fact that you must physically shop for things if you wish for success.
Rachel Reynolds 1 month ago
I would never order from Shein or Temu. Any on line ordering I do must also have a brick and mortar store. As far as Amazon goes, I refuse to buy anything without a minimum of 50 actual human reviews including pictures of the product.
Diane H 1 month ago
I have bought a ton of wonderful stuff from Temu. People need to read the material, size and reviews first. Temu is great with returns. Many times you can keep it and get the refund within 2 minutes.
Load More Replies... Tom Hardeveld 1 month ago
I once ordered nothing and got two throwpillows. on my name and adress. I called them and they told me to send it back to them on my own cost, no refunds. I said no, figure out who it should go to and I'll contact them or give them my number, but they refused. So now I got two throwpillows I guess
spacer 1 month ago (edited)
sometimes companies will send out products to random people and then use it to write 5 star reviews on themselves. its a common scam and most people accept it because free stuff.
Load More Replies... Janelle Collard 1 month ago
Never order from Temu or similar websites. Always check the 1 and 2 star reviews - those give a better picture of whether or not the item will be useful as opposed to landfill. Granted, some of the 1 + 2 star reviewers are whiny little b!tches but most tell what their problems were + some have pix of the actual item.
Cindy Brick 1 month ago
Look at the reviews...Husband always starts with the worst ones first. As for flowers -- use the internet to find a local florist close to your recipient, and order from there. It works a lot better. (some Sam's Clubs will also deliver.)
Lupita Nyong'heaux 1 month ago
i gotta be honest, i've had nothing but good results from temu. i ordered a 5-pack of different-color T-shirts and a 3-pack of shorts because I started an exercise class. the quality of the shirts is amazingly good, and the pack was only $12. and the shorts also are great quality. i know it's a c**p shoot every time with temu, but i've been lucky. lol ... i think the key with clothes is not to order those elaborate dresses that are obviously AI. i've ordered regular clothes from them 3 times and have never had a problem. be careful with shoes, tho. the sizing is iffy at best and the quality can be s**t. i've ordered 2 pairs of shoes from them, one pair was great, the other was awful. lol
LillieMean 1 month ago
I've become so suspicious that I automatically think even legitimate online stores are scams. I thought an unimaginatively named online store that sells running/hiking lights was a scam, like, do you really think I'd fall for such an easy scam and click on something that sounds so stupid, but it actually exists when my friend said he bought a good headlamp there at a good discount. Well, now I know, and I feel enlightened.
Diane Tucker 1 month ago
Scammers also make copycat websites of reputable stores. I learned the hard way to NEVER click on any ad on Facebook, even for a place I've successfully ordered from before.
Load More Replies... Diane Tucker 1 month ago
Honestly at this point people ought to know better than to order from these super-cheap places online. Bad for so many reasons!
DB 1 month ago
I laugh at people who buy online instead of going to a real store. I sell auto parts. At least once a week I have someone come in who bought parts from Rock Auto or Amazon and wound up with junk. If you shop online you deserve what you get.
RS 1 month ago
Blame scammers, not the admittedly guillible victims. Some people didn't get taught those things.
Load More Replies... Lady Eowyn 1 month ago
Or disabled. Not lazy. There are many reasons for ordering online.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Of The Funniest Signs Ever Spotted In The Wild (New Pics) 50 People Who Seemingly Don’t Know How Facebook Marketplace Actually Works “Funny Reviews”: 60 Times People Decided To Be Comedians While Leaving Reviews
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