50 Times People Ordered Things Online But Received Something So Awful, They Just Had To Share (New Pics)
The worldwide pandemic fueled a surge in online shopping across the world, as the year 2022 is expected to be the first trillion-dollar year for online sales. The surge first hit back in 2020 when online consumer spending hit a record $813 billion, which was a 42% increase from only a year earlier, 2019.
Before the pandemic, online shopping was just another way to shop. If you hadn't found what you were looking for in a physical store, online shopping would have been your last resource. Now, we have become used to buying groceries, home improvement products, and sporting goods, which have become especially popular, with a single click. So no wonder the e-shopping world has turned its other side on us and we also face many more shopping fails than ever before.
So today, we wrapped up some of the funniest, weirdest and most frustrating examples of what happens when online shopping goes awry, and presents us with a good old “expectation” vs “reality” experience. Let us know if you have also been betrayed by an item you bought online in the comments! More cruel online shopping fails can be found in our previous posts here, here, here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
This Is How Amazon Delivered My Body Wash. I Wonder What Are They Expect Me To Do
Didn't another guy get the deodorant, when he ordered this!! Scroll up
With more and more people switching to online shopping, there’s still not enough talk about the dangers lurking behind it. Turns out, online shopping is a perfect place for scams, whether it’s browsing unsafe e-commerce sites, shopping on lookalike pages, or unknowingly disclosing your bank details. So today, Bored Panda spoke with a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, Daniel Markuson.
“Criminals usually find their victims through online pop-ups, banners, or emails. They rely on advertising engines like Facebook and Google to push their banners on users. Although these companies have strong safeguards in place, some banners still slip in,” he explained.
I Keep Trying To Order Zatarain's Cajun Injector Creole Butter, But I Keep Getting Soaps
We Ordered Toothbrushes On Ebay From China But Received Eye Masks Instead. I’m Not Mad About This Error, And Will Use Them Wisely
“Alternatively, some scammers study their potential future victims and analyze their online behavior, which can be easily done if the victim is browsing the web unprotected,” Markuson added. That’s why it’s important to remember that secure websites have HTTPS in their address.
The cybersecurity expert listed six major scam scenarios you may encounter while online shopping. The first one is “your order has been canceled.” Markuson explained: “These scams can go as far as to say, ‘Sorry, we are out of stock, and your order has been canceled. To claim your refund, please click here.’ Once the victim clicks on the link, they are asked to enter the details of the credit card to which they want to receive the refund and end up with their bank account being wiped out.”
My Family Recently Moved To Florida So I Wanted To Protect Them From The Sun
Me too. I actually looked again and laughed more the second time.
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Covering up is widely considered more effective at preventing skin cancer than exposure with sunscreen. Additionally, most people don't reapply their sunscreen as often as is necessary to be continuously effective
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I got one in beige an absolutely love the damn thing no one bothers me in the hat!
How do you know what they do if you can't see them..?
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A hat that big would need to be fairly hard in order to constantly stay in that shape, she'd probably complain about that too.
You're supposed to fold the front up to the desired position and hold it in place with a hat pin. It's a knock off of a famous original, Dior i think. Bugs bunny wore one in a Warner bros cartoon while giving a poolside interview to Hedda Hopper. Can't remember the year. 58?
If I saw a bunch of people together wearing these, I would assume it was some sort of cult.
Couldn't they find bigger hats? you can still see the people underneath them!
I am in Fl and have a hat like that. it has a wire in the brim. it's awesome
grab some fabric starch from the laundry aisle. but make sure the hat is flat when you spray. and not too much or the hat will be comically stiff. and you’ll just be reposting the over correction lol
They need to throw their hands up in the air in place; they're doing it all wrong :D
Why would anyone need, much less BUY, such a ridiculously huge hat? I get the need for UV protection because I take medications that make me burn within minutes of sun exposure but that's what high SPF sunscreen is for. It hasn't failed me yet.
Great, if you’re trying to look like the Plague Doctor (or SCP-049 to some)! 😂
This will protect them from realising that they are in Florida 😂
Sometimes You Don’t Expect A Lot From Aliexpress But Dammit
Thanks To This Woman’s Amazon Review I Promptly Removed This Dress From My Cart
Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, don’t look around the eyes, your under…
Another threat is lookalike pages. “Amazoŋ.com, eday.com, googIe.comv — most users do not spot the discrepancies in the address bar as long as the website design looks legitimate,” he warned and added that they process the payment for the items in their shopping cart and end up being robbed.
Renewing your membership for the purchases you’ve made is another common scam online buyers should be aware of. “Once you’ve finished with your purchases, scammers will send you an email claiming that your Amazon Prime subscription payment is due and the discount cannot be applied. So if you want your items to get delivered, you have to renew the subscription. Ultimately, the victim gets tricked into disclosing their bank details,” Markuson explained.
Ordered A Gromit Coffee Mug Online
My Son Turned 1 Yesterday. This Was The Topper To His Space Themed Cake. Left Is What We Ordered, Right Is What We Got
For My Son’s 1st Birthday, I Give You The Cake We Ordered And The Cake We Got
If a website requires you to download an app, you are likely getting scammed. Imagine you're about to make an online purchase. “Suddenly you're informed that the only way you can grab this ‘exclusive deal’ is to purchase through the app. In reality, you're being directed to download a fraudulent app run by hackers that has been primed to steal your payment information. Interestingly, most of these fake apps also appear in legitimate app stores, according to research by RiskIQ.
Also, watch out if an e-commerce website claims that there’s a delivery issue with your purchase. “Scammers will send bulk emails to Amazon users that claim to be from UPS, FedEx, or Amazon itself. They might read something like this: ‘We're sorry, but your package couldn't be shipped. Please click here to re-arrange delivery or update your method of payment.’” But as soon as you enter payment details, well, you can guess who'll be cashing in, Markuson warned.
Op Ordered The Left Painting From An Instagram "Artist" Who Then Blocked Them After Delivery
It's A Scam
(Found) This Mask From Wish
“Another common scam involves free gift cards, winning a loaded gift card from big retailers. The terms often require you to enter a grab bag or text a random code to 7792, for example. To a bargain shopper, it's too good to pass up. In reality, your details will be collected, your device could be infected with malware, and the scam could be sent to your entire address book.”
I Paid $65 For A Cake That Wasn't Even Worth It
I hate to even have to do this but I want to warn people.
She refused to do anything about it. They don't even look close or anything.
So My Mom Ordered A Memorial Day Wreath For My Grandpa, Who Is A Vietnam Vet
It's cute (edit. Me saying it's cute was no way intended to disrespect vets. As a British person I just saw the bottom image and thought it was a cute rubber ring and did not look closely at the object it's supposed to resemble)
My Friend Ordered This Rug Online. She Got This Instead, Whatever It Is
People really need to check sizes, especially when ordering from sites like Wish.
There are a few things everyone who’s shopping online should know before making a purchase. “An address of a safe website should start with “https://.” The letter S stands for “secure,” Markuson said. “Also, look for a padlock symbol in the address bar next to the website address. It means the connection is secure and no one can read or modify the data that travels between you and the website you’re visiting,” he added.
When You Order Your Halloween Costume From Wish. I Ordered Freddie. Think I Got His Cousin Eddie
Make Sure You Order From The Grown-Ups' Section
Why would someone buy tights thinking it's a shoe size? I don't know if it's different in other countries but we buy according to S,M,L,XL and so forth
Oh, The Joys Of Ordering Online
Two different colors, two different sizes, and both are left shoes. Lovely!
The most common signs of an unsafe online shop or a website are the following: “The website has grammar mistakes; The design looks odd and the website structure is messy; The visuals are not high-quality; The deals are too good to be true; The website URL begins with HTTP, not HTTPS.”
The first thing you should do if you suspect you have just been scammed after paying money for an item on a scam website is to contact your bank, Markuson says. “If you made a payment with a debit or credit card, you may be able to ask your bank to help get your money back through what's called a chargeback. You can also try contacting the police if the amount of money you lost to a scam is significant,” he said.
Ordered A Tool From Amazon. They Sent Me A Bag With Nothing In It. Wish I Could Make This Up
TIL To Check Gifts I Order Online Before Giving Them Away - I Ordered A Game Of Thrones Scarf
My Sister Ordered A Face Mask From Amazon (Left) And The Photo On The Right Is What She Received
What Was Ordered Versus What I Just Received In The Mail Today
So I Ordered Feminine Products Off Amazon And Received Inflatable Basketballs Instead
Amazon Shipped Me An Empty Stick Of Deodorant
Ordered 100 "Empty" Nintendo DS Cases And Got 100 Copies Of Jonas
Well, thorw away the CD with Jonas brothers (what else than this) and you have empty cases. Problem solved :)
So I Ordered Some Popcorn From Amazon. Always Check The Size First
I Ordered 3 Hard Drives From Amazon And They Sent Me 3 Cases Instead
I Can’t Believe It
I Ordered 1 Lbs Of Green Beans Online And Got 1 Very Lonely Green Bean
Amazon Sent Me 4 Copies Of The Aristocats. I Ordered 0
My New Bath Mat Finally Arrived
Factory workers were taking full advantage to boost productivity numbers the day quality control called in sick
I Cannot Stop Laughing At This Amazon Review
£76 Bouquet
They said they had accidentally sent the "small" version of the bouquet (which doesn't exist on their website). They offered a re-delivery of the "correct large size" or q voucher for the cost plus £10 extra. I asked for a full refund. Why would I want the bigger version of a terrible bouquet and why would I trust them for future purchases. They didn't argue.
Always check to see how many blooms are promised per bouquet. I've never had any website flower arrangement be as impressive as the photo.
Ordered A “Rose Apothecary” Sweater From Etsy For My Fiancé. This Came Instead. We’re Both Double Vaxxed And Healthcare Workers
Ordered A Pot/Pan Set Off Amazon After Recently Moving. Beware Super Low Prices On Kitchenware
It’s -35 Today Here In Canada. I Needed Warm Winter Boots. What I Ordered vs. What I Got
Whiskey Advent Calendar
My Wife Just Got This Huge Banner For Work. Perfect
She’s ordered from the same place before and sent them the same file type as before.
Heavy-Duty Combat Boots
Customer Bought Wheels And Tires Online, After Advising Multiple Times That The Tires Are Too Small For His SUV He Insisted For Us To Put Them On
TireSize: 225/45/17
The Cat Tree My Mum Ordered vs. What She Received
Two Baskets I Ordered From Amazon
When You Order A Spooky Shark Costume Online
Was Super Excited For This Replica Glove (You Can Take It Out & Wear It). What I Got. Even In A Broken Frame
I'm wondering what the price on a lot of these items were. In my experience if it sounds too good to be true it is.
When You Order Clothes On Amazon
My Buddy Ordered Some New Dice And Forgot To Check The Size
Axolotl Arrived In The Mail
The New Bathroom Rug I Ordered Online vs. The Actual Rug I Received In The Mail. I'd Say Something Is Wrong Here
Don't trust these items that have the same item photoshopped in many different colour varieties
I Ordered Three Collars From An Online Seller For My Cat, But When The Package Finally Arrived It Contained Two Bottles Of Ivermectin
First Time I Ordered Shoes Online
Note: this post originally had 168 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I think a lot of people got exactly what they paid for: A cheap rip-off. If it seems to be too cheap for what it is, it may be too good to be true. And even if it arrives and it's exactly what you expected and didn't cost much, then most likely someone somewhere was exploited for it. If you're not willing to pay a reasonable price, don't buy anything at all.
100% I was going to type the same thing. People are amazed their $10-$40 item isn't the exact heavily detailed, amazingly painted, handcrafted item they bought? No way.
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Yeah guys you order counterfeit products from shady sites and expect.. i dont know, tell me what you actually expect ?
I know, like you really need that replica of Freddy Kruger's bladed glove? Wtf.
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I'm gonna be honest, I haven't had these issues with Amazon. I read the reviews and check customer pictures.
I ordered a stress ball on Amazon thinking it was a different size and as soon as I read the reviews and saw the pictures of it real size it was too small if anyone was wondering I canceled it. Moral of the story always read reviews from previous customers before ordering anything online.
Well you know what, Chinese firm like Aliexpress use workers in unsafe conditions who are technically slaves, including young kids, so no sympathy for anyone who buys from them. Amazon's record is no better, it does little to combat reported scammers (majority also from China). Read the reviews - buy from trusted sites only and if it seems too cheap then it probably is.
I don’t understand why people keep asking amateurs and sweatshop slaves to copy the works of artists for pennies on the dollar and expect anything good. You deserve disappointment.
Online shopping is all about the fine print... that and looking through customer reviews with photos. Unfortunately, it's not very helpful when you're the first one to post one.
And the only one, because the sneaky company can disappear and reappear with an entirely different name at the drop of a hat?
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Not every purchase from Wish or Ali Express is bad, I've ordered t shirts and got exactly what I ordered. Others are right here though, first read everything they write on the page because often they describe exactly what you're getting but they expect most people to skim over what is written and assume the picture matches the product.
Not ordered online, my friend used to live in a flat above a shop so we knew the guys in the shop pretty well. Went in once to buy ibuprofen, got upstairs to my friends flat and the packet was open with half gone. Went back down to the shop, he had accidentally sold me his mums ibuprofen!
Anyone notice that Amazon is getting as bad as Wish on horrible products and service?
When you live in small towns, it is not always possible to buy what you want, locally.
The moral of the story here is: stop buying crap you don’t need from Amazon.
Oh the things I could tell you about online ordering. I have been screwed over so many times that I don't even do it anymore. Someone is laughing and getting rich off of us stupid Americans
Why does one order Popcorn or beans via amazon? I mean such things aren't that super-rare! Go have a walk to your next market/grocery store to buy it! Unbelievable how lazy people became.... Oh yes, I know, theyall live in the desert or deep in russian woods, far away from civilization but perfectly fine for delivery service...
The good thing about a lot of these disappointments is that if you call them and make enough of a fuss they're going to let you pick something else for them to send you. They won't send you back money but they'll send you another piece of merchandise so you get a chance to roll the dice once again. Just make sure you get the measurements of the dice like the other dude didn't
What I see here is a lot of crap that will end up in landfill. People, we need to stop buying things. As a race. As humanity, maybe we stop buying Pokémon plushies for our dogs?
I ordered a dress from the JCPenney website and they sent me a men's suit jacket.
I DO suspect that some of these marketting sites actually employ 'handicapped' people in their warehouses.
We thought we had it tough! Ordered some Canine Agility Equipment on line, and actually got some real agility equipment, Just NOT what I ordered, :-(
I have ordered a couple of dresses online and they are wonderful! Fit well and were beautiful! Ordered a purse and shoes for a special occasion, and they fit well and the purse was amazing! Both sets of purchases were made in China and if i could remember the seller, i would post the name because their work and attention to detail was amazing and exquisite.
Who in the heck, makes these things? It like amateur night at the craft center competition!
I ordered a child's climbing gym and got a tiny tank top instead. Sometimes the seller just cheats.
I once ordered some pregnancy tests online. Just regular ones. I received professional gynaecology ones. Very difficult to handle.
I think the Amazon workers are trying to undermine the shitty business. Good for them!
I will never order clothes online ever! I ordered 3 sets of clothes on 3 separate transactions with Amazon and they totally botched my order. How can they mistake it 3 times in a row!? And they were from overseas. Yeah never again! Also, I ordered 2 tank tops from a different website and they set me none of them ever! Never saw it. Called my bank and got my money back!
I pretty much only order clothing online, but from clothing specialist websites
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10/10 would keep all of these as gag gifts. Some I would use. Like nice butt. That's perfect for a bathroom and reassuring.
That people would take the three minutes it takes to learn how to shop online, that is my WISH.
A fool and their money is soon parted....to lazy to shop local.....millennial laziness and his is the reward...
I'vee ordered things from Amazon that never arrived, and then have been told I waited too long before complaining. As if it's my fault there was a lockdown. Will never order from them again.
NEWSFLASH - there isn’t much that’s not manufactured or made in China. Check the products in your own home. Taiwan, Pakistan, Mexico, most everything is made where there is cheap labor
Load More Replies... I disagree with you regarding Etsy - I have had nothing but joy and quality from my Etsy purchases. But I am scrupulous - I want to know i am buying from a craft person/artist working from their backyard shed to produce a unique, quality item. Not a store selling multiple genres, replicas and knockoffs.
Load More Replies... I think a lot of people got exactly what they paid for: A cheap rip-off. If it seems to be too cheap for what it is, it may be too good to be true. And even if it arrives and it's exactly what you expected and didn't cost much, then most likely someone somewhere was exploited for it. If you're not willing to pay a reasonable price, don't buy anything at all.
100% I was going to type the same thing. People are amazed their $10-$40 item isn't the exact heavily detailed, amazingly painted, handcrafted item they bought? No way.
Load More Replies... Yeah guys you order counterfeit products from shady sites and expect.. i dont know, tell me what you actually expect ?
I know, like you really need that replica of Freddy Kruger's bladed glove? Wtf.
Load More Replies... I'm gonna be honest, I haven't had these issues with Amazon. I read the reviews and check customer pictures.
I ordered a stress ball on Amazon thinking it was a different size and as soon as I read the reviews and saw the pictures of it real size it was too small if anyone was wondering I canceled it. Moral of the story always read reviews from previous customers before ordering anything online.
Well you know what, Chinese firm like Aliexpress use workers in unsafe conditions who are technically slaves, including young kids, so no sympathy for anyone who buys from them. Amazon's record is no better, it does little to combat reported scammers (majority also from China). Read the reviews - buy from trusted sites only and if it seems too cheap then it probably is.
I don’t understand why people keep asking amateurs and sweatshop slaves to copy the works of artists for pennies on the dollar and expect anything good. You deserve disappointment.
Online shopping is all about the fine print... that and looking through customer reviews with photos. Unfortunately, it's not very helpful when you're the first one to post one.
And the only one, because the sneaky company can disappear and reappear with an entirely different name at the drop of a hat?
Load More Replies... Not every purchase from Wish or Ali Express is bad, I've ordered t shirts and got exactly what I ordered. Others are right here though, first read everything they write on the page because often they describe exactly what you're getting but they expect most people to skim over what is written and assume the picture matches the product.
Not ordered online, my friend used to live in a flat above a shop so we knew the guys in the shop pretty well. Went in once to buy ibuprofen, got upstairs to my friends flat and the packet was open with half gone. Went back down to the shop, he had accidentally sold me his mums ibuprofen!
Anyone notice that Amazon is getting as bad as Wish on horrible products and service?
When you live in small towns, it is not always possible to buy what you want, locally.
The moral of the story here is: stop buying crap you don’t need from Amazon.
Oh the things I could tell you about online ordering. I have been screwed over so many times that I don't even do it anymore. Someone is laughing and getting rich off of us stupid Americans
Why does one order Popcorn or beans via amazon? I mean such things aren't that super-rare! Go have a walk to your next market/grocery store to buy it! Unbelievable how lazy people became.... Oh yes, I know, theyall live in the desert or deep in russian woods, far away from civilization but perfectly fine for delivery service...
The good thing about a lot of these disappointments is that if you call them and make enough of a fuss they're going to let you pick something else for them to send you. They won't send you back money but they'll send you another piece of merchandise so you get a chance to roll the dice once again. Just make sure you get the measurements of the dice like the other dude didn't
What I see here is a lot of crap that will end up in landfill. People, we need to stop buying things. As a race. As humanity, maybe we stop buying Pokémon plushies for our dogs?
I ordered a dress from the JCPenney website and they sent me a men's suit jacket.
I DO suspect that some of these marketting sites actually employ 'handicapped' people in their warehouses.
We thought we had it tough! Ordered some Canine Agility Equipment on line, and actually got some real agility equipment, Just NOT what I ordered, :-(
I have ordered a couple of dresses online and they are wonderful! Fit well and were beautiful! Ordered a purse and shoes for a special occasion, and they fit well and the purse was amazing! Both sets of purchases were made in China and if i could remember the seller, i would post the name because their work and attention to detail was amazing and exquisite.
Who in the heck, makes these things? It like amateur night at the craft center competition!
I ordered a child's climbing gym and got a tiny tank top instead. Sometimes the seller just cheats.
I once ordered some pregnancy tests online. Just regular ones. I received professional gynaecology ones. Very difficult to handle.
I think the Amazon workers are trying to undermine the shitty business. Good for them!
I will never order clothes online ever! I ordered 3 sets of clothes on 3 separate transactions with Amazon and they totally botched my order. How can they mistake it 3 times in a row!? And they were from overseas. Yeah never again! Also, I ordered 2 tank tops from a different website and they set me none of them ever! Never saw it. Called my bank and got my money back!
I pretty much only order clothing online, but from clothing specialist websites
Load More Replies... 10/10 would keep all of these as gag gifts. Some I would use. Like nice butt. That's perfect for a bathroom and reassuring.
That people would take the three minutes it takes to learn how to shop online, that is my WISH.
A fool and their money is soon parted....to lazy to shop local.....millennial laziness and his is the reward...
I'vee ordered things from Amazon that never arrived, and then have been told I waited too long before complaining. As if it's my fault there was a lockdown. Will never order from them again.
NEWSFLASH - there isn’t much that’s not manufactured or made in China. Check the products in your own home. Taiwan, Pakistan, Mexico, most everything is made where there is cheap labor
Load More Replies... I disagree with you regarding Etsy - I have had nothing but joy and quality from my Etsy purchases. But I am scrupulous - I want to know i am buying from a craft person/artist working from their backyard shed to produce a unique, quality item. Not a store selling multiple genres, replicas and knockoffs.
Load More Replies...