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The whole purpose of marketing is to make a product desirable and to give the customer something that fulfills their needs, but I think it's fair to say that these big companies don't give a sh*t about you.

The marketing techniques on display here are not designed for building trust, repeat business, and goodwill, they are shameless attempts to squeeze as much cash as possible out of unwitting consumers! From dishonest product packaging and clever ads designed to manipulate, to hidden disclaimers and barefaced lies, it's really quite shocking how low some big brands will go for an extra few bucks.

We here at Bored Panda have compiled a list of the worst false advertising offenders, so you know what to look out for in the big, bad world of cut-throat capitalism. Scroll down below to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

Just As I Suspected At Starbucks - At Every Place I've Worked, All Have Said They Recycle. None Do

Just As I Suspected At Starbucks - At Every Place I've Worked, All Have Said They Recycle. None Do

NealSnow Report

sh
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kind of like voting for president in America.

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Otis Spunkmeyer
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully this is an area that has single stream recycling. Everything goes to the same facility, then it gets sorted. Collection costs are lower, but processing costs are higher.

Lindsay
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember coming to the US and being surprised by the lack of recycling.

RaroaRaroa
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is disgusting. Just take a reusable cup and wash it. The fad for coffee drinking is so huge now the number of cups dumped must be astronomical.

mntncrone
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that's "single stream recycling." What happens to it after it leaves the bin is the real question.

Ashley Dopp
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not understanding the issue here. The can is labeling all the things that can be recycled by putting it in that can. Obviously someone is not listening and putting lids in there. But, when it gets to the recycling facility and get dumped on a conveyer belt, there are worker that will pull those pieces out that can't be recycled and they'll wind up in the actual trash. Also not sure why it says no lids. I would think those are recyclable, unless maybe it's coated in some kind of plastic resin.

Samu Marian
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about no. Not in every country there's a line with slaves that do that. And also Trump should let some holes in that wall otherwise you won't have any slaves in a generation

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BusLady
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We actually have a bin at my Church, that one side is labeled "Trash" and the other side is labeled "Recycle". Then you lift the lid, and it's just one single bin.

Christina S.
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this makes me angry. I hate starbucks anyway

Kjorn
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's just deception! false advertising... like starbucks is

Arran Walker
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankfully where I work, we are pretty serious about the recycling. But I work for the state of Texas. It’s sad to see this at coffeehouses and restaurants and now assume it’s fake....

Katy Virginia
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could just be the fault of that specific store not putting three bags in.

Jörg Zingler
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least the prices in Germany for different kind of garbage differ. Mixed garbage is most expensive.

A.R.
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've been told if we don't recycle they will still charge us (here in Seattle), then I've heard we don't even have a recycling center!

Cornelius Kennedy
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything should be recycled! I mean everything

Emily Goddard
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you but unfortunately not everything is recyclable. And it should be.

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Dustin Allen
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still recyclable, we have these at the park I work at. Instead it just gets sorted at the plant. Would be different if non recyclables were an option on the lid

Eulalie Grace
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Knew this just by observation. Sad.

Callum Galloway Green
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some recycling plants take mixed recycling that’s later sorted. Varies by municipality

Tris Eaton
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This hurts me so much you have no idea

Michael John Aragon
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an episode from Adam Ruins Everything where he talks about this type of recycling method. it's sad how gullible people have us become to our submission of 'good' habits

BetsyB
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This actually helped a bit where I used to work. For some reason a giant recycle bin w/no markers makes people think it's okay to put garbage in there.

BetsyB
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(However, that doesn't seem to be the case here.)

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Kellyanne Doherty
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know Starbucks recycles necaise I work there. This happens when a bag breaks and we have to wash the garbage cans. Also, most people throw trash in all three holes anyway.

Samantha Hurrell
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the bins in town, the recycling goes into the general bin.

Stefie Boop
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No they don't, and they can't because there is a thin layer of plastic in the cups :(

Hans Englich
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

beim kaufen wirst du verarscht und beim entsorgen auch. besset mal draussen bleiben!!!

Spirit Wolf 147
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t understand all these things can be recycled how is this wrong?

Liliana V
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why would.. you.. even ...do that?

Irene Carlyle
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oops!! another reason to stay away from SB!

Irene Carlyle
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oops!! anothre reason to stay away from SB

Pattie Kelly
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Starbucks is Star Struck with illusions and lies.

Christopher Mayer
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all the same to them... LITERALLY!!!

Diane DesAutels
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, I'll correct myself: if they're just trying to specify what kinds of items can go into a single-stream recycling container (and thus which CANT), that's okay.

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Torami Utsumi
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve seen the same at the mcdonalds in Japan

stellermatt
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

don't they get sorted out further down the line?

heyerlein
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly not. They don't have enough recycling factories to recycle all our waste. Only about 20% does really get recycled in e.g. Hamburg. The Rest goes to a trash burning factory and gets burned for energy.

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Benj Houston
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is done everywhere because consumers literally never know how to sort. I’ve even had a person stand by the trash to help and they still threw everything in the wrong places.

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    Christine K
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think a lot of products are like this nowadays.

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    #3

    Quaker Oatmeal Advertises 35% Less Sugar, But In Reality They're Just Selling 35% Smaller Portions - But For The Same Price

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    Nadine Ducca
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seeing this fallacy makes me really mad because I live in Barcelona and we have excellent olive oil. >:-( That a company would do this and in such a surreptitious way with dark letters against a dark background makes me shake my head. And they have the balls to call themselves "Iberia."

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    #5

    These Smoothie Packets. Easy To Make, Just Add The Entire Smoothie

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    Nadine Ducca
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LMAO! So what the hell is in the packet? Just sugar? Oh, and I love how they point out that strawberries "are an excellent source of vitamin C", as if their product contained any!

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    #6

    This Is Next Level

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    Mark Smallman
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But it does have the "size" 300ml clearly on the front so you could at least make a comparison compared to other brands.

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    #7

    Cold Beer

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    #8

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    #9

    This Balloon

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    Martti Laurson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is physically impossible. That would mean, the printed area did not expand at all.

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    #10

    Fake Hair To Make You Swipe Up

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    #12

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    Al Bo
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't agree with this one on the list. For those unaware, that center mechanism is to help squeeze the tube appropriately (whether or not it maximizes emptying it in the end it's unknown). I'm not familiar with this brand but have used others, and the packaging (usually a cardboard back) would've made it clear that about that shell.

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    frederic eeckman
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And one is dermatologist tested, the other one is dermatologist recommended :D

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    #14

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    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though it's definitely NOT what has hired or expected, I think the guy did a pretty good DIY job with the costume.

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    #15

    "You're Gonna Pay For That Free Coffee, Aren't You?"

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    Includes A "Private Balcony." Is Just A View Of The Wall Of The Next Building

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    The "Cancel Uninstalation" Button Is In Green

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    Pamela24
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, yes, this is used everywhere. Always annoys me.

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    #19

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    Sree S
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would cry ;-; Packaging... WASTED!!

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    #20

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    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    By now, if we see these signs we should automatically know there's an "up to" there somewhere. My kid has been able to spot the "up to"s since she was about 7. I'm probably raising her a bit too skeptical, but better than being too gullible.

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    #23

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    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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    #24

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    birdhouse
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I clicked on one that said it was a Microsoft update at work and walked away as it said it would take 30 min to install. To my surprise when I got back it was a screen that said "Chicks with d***s" and said if I don't give money for them to uninstall it wouldn't stop. I was a little upset as the "Chicks" d**k was bigger than mine.

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    #25

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    Anouk
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awwww. That's so lovely. I'd far prefer to come and unsubscribe personally - with a baseball bat - anyway.

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    #26

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    Randy Inbred
    Community Member
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    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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