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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

#2

I Was Wondering Why I Seem To Go Through Deodorant So Fast. This Is Brand New, Never Been Used (Labels Removed)

I Was Wondering Why I Seem To Go Through Deodorant So Fast. This Is Brand New, Never Been Used (Labels Removed)

CHESTER_C0PPERP0T Report

#3

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

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

AthleticNerd_ Report

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A S Koziol
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd be surprised how often this happens with medications and supplements. Read those labels! (Or how something that is marketed for women is just painted pink and is more expensive or the same price but less product-hello razor companies...)

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Mihai Adrian
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

regular - 12 g sugar / 43 g product = 27.90 g sugar / 100 g lower - 6 g sugar / 31 g product = 19.35 g sugar / 100 g difference/100 g = 8.55 g ~ 30% less that original

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Trapper Collova
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s 28% less per serving yet 50% less sugar, so yep, it’s true. This shouldn’t be on the list...

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Tom Hardeveld
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well, technically that means 35 % less sugar then, they are not wrong but at the same time, soooo very wrong

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Nardo218 x
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The blog Consumerist used to keep a "grocery shrink ray" watch. Corporations started really agressively doing this around 2006, when the recession started. They also raised prices 3x faster than inflation. They didn't stop or make products bigger since, they have kept doing it more agressively since they figured out they can f**k with their stuff and we still have to buy food and deodorant.

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Nardo218 x
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, it's gotten to the point were packaged foods aren't enough to eat, but they cost more than they used to. If you're poor and you don't have time to make food for lunches you're just paying twice as much money to starve.

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JamesRTK
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which number is sugar? They still can sell smaller or bigger portions but with less sugar percentage.

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Heather Bateman
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's false advertising. They should be the same weight with more sugar removed. You are likely paying the same or more just less food.

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Anna CKar
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. It does have less sugar. Look just above at values and compare

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Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could just be the transition of them fun sizing everything. That practice should be outlawed. It's deceptive as hell.

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Chris Wittinghoff
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes me wonder why anyone would buy instant oatmeal when proper takes 3-4 minutes to make!?

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

I just add a plain oatmeal package to a sweetened one. Tadaaaah! 50% less sugar.

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Peggy Schultz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And to have your bowl that full you need about four packets/servings.

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

Oreo does the same thing with their "diet" cookies. Just smaller cookies.

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

Oreo does the same thing with their "diet" cookies. They are just smaller cookies.

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Sheila Verrier
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW!!!!! Glad I'm not into this c**p!! Also, I've never liked them anyways, because they put way too much sodium in it....who the hell wants sodium in cereal...Not this girl!!!

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Ben S.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This explains this joke: A marketing guy goes into a pizza shop and orders a 14" pizza. The pizza lady asks if he wants it cut into 8 slices or 10 slices. The marketing guys says, eight, I'm not that hungry.

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Kevin Krasnansky
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reduced portion is of a smaller percent than the reduced sugar. This isn't great, but not as bad as suggested.

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

The author underlined the amount of product, not the content of sugar.

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I always read the grams per 100grams, not the grams per serving.

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Anna CKar
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol it does have less sugar. Packet on the left has 12g of sugars PER PORTION, and the one on the right has 8g of sugar PER PORTION. so?

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

This is what you do to get your percentage right. Reduce the whole amount.

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mntncrone
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, sugar is quite heavy. And they do overload their cereals with it to begin with.

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SanchaTheSeeker
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK now I feel the urge to check every product that claims less sugar, fat etc

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#4

If You Think You Can Read It From The Top Shelf, You're Wrong

If You Think You Can Read It From The Top Shelf, You're Wrong

down-to-mars-girl Report

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Nadine Ducca
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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

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

FredChocoBear Report

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Nadine Ducca
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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

This Is Next Level

Pyatnica Report

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Mark Smallman
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#8

Seriously? Contradictory At Its Finest

Seriously? Contradictory At Its Finest

jkrow17 Report

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#9

This Balloon

This Balloon

cybergrub Report

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Martti Laurson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#12

I Was Misled

I Was Misled

roniza Report

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Al Bo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#13

Make Up Your Mind Tide

Make Up Your Mind Tide

valifay Report

#14

Family Friend Hired Spongebob For A Birthday Party. On The Left - What Was Promised, On The Right - What Appeared (A Man Covered In Sponges)

Family Friend Hired Spongebob For A Birthday Party. On The Left - What Was Promised, On The Right - What Appeared (A Man Covered In Sponges)

toss_my_potatoes Report

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Nadine Ducca
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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?"

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

GallowPlaceholder Report

#17

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

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

Jagokoz Report

#18

The "Cancel Uninstalation" Button Is In Green

The "Cancel Uninstalation" Button Is In Green

tiltedlens Report

#19

Bought Some “Floam” Like Substance For My Daughter For $5. Just Wow. She Cried

Bought Some “Floam” Like Substance For My Daughter For $5. Just Wow. She Cried

chagoscifres Report

#20

It's Illegal Not To Have A Link No? Let's Write It In White

It's Illegal Not To Have A Link No? Let's Write It In White

antokop Report

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#21

The Amazing Spider-man

The Amazing Spider-man

RichDufresne Report

#22

The Color Of "Up To" Makes It Almost Impossible To See From A Distance, Especially With Glare. Thanks, Old Navy

The Color Of "Up To" Makes It Almost Impossible To See From A Distance, Especially With Glare. Thanks, Old Navy

CivilizedPsycho Report

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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

Inside The Package Of A Drone My Parents Got Me For Christmas

Inside The Package Of A Drone My Parents Got Me For Christmas

burningriverallstar Report

#24

Disguising Ads As System Warnings In The Operating System Is Truly A**hole Design

Disguising Ads As System Warnings In The Operating System Is Truly A**hole Design

jimoconnell Report

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birdhouse
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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

Thanks, I Feel So Special And Cozy Now

Thanks, I Feel So Special And Cozy Now

leokennis Report

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Anouk
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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

Oh, Thanks! Wait... What?

Oh, Thanks! Wait... What?

SoySauce_McGiggles Report

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

Is this meant to be a joke tip for a waiter/waitress? If so it's incredibly bad taste. Those guys work their asses off for little money, no benefits and little job security. They rely on tips for their livelihood. Wonder how the creator of this gem would feel if someone replaced the cash in his wallet with a few of these?

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#27

Only A Little Misleading

Only A Little Misleading

kingalex711 Report

#28

You Have To Click "No" To Continue The Uninstall

You Have To Click "No" To Continue The Uninstall

whatthehellisplace Report

#29

The Mug That Won't Fall Over

The Mug That Won't Fall Over

GallowBoob Report

#30

This Cup “Full” Of Candy

This Cup “Full” Of Candy

tapdawg Report

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

This has happened to me once. Trashy Easter treat baskets... I like the basket tho. Its a very nice basket!!

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