ADVERTISEMENT

Shopping online has become a popular option nowadays. It’s convenient, timesaving, and usually worry-free. That might be why a third of the global population chooses it over actually touring the stores. However, it can be a double-edged sword, as you’re never quite sure of what you’re going to get.

Despite the descriptions and pictures, your purchase might look nothing like what was presented. It can also come in questionable packaging or be something you didn’t order in the first place. We have scoured the internet to find some of the best examples of shopping fails and scams. Some situations play to the buyer's advantage, others—not so much, but most are far from what was expected. Scroll down for the images and check out more examples of shopping gone wrong here and here.

#1

Be Sure To Always Check The Size When Ordering Treats

Be Sure To Always Check The Size When Ordering Treats

BuddyBonButt Report

Shopping online has been an option for quite some time already. However, during the Covid years, it became the new norm in a lot of households. In addition to being easy, it was the safe thing to do. Some people decided to stick to the new habit even after the restrictions have been lifted.

A 2021 survey revealed that one in two people admit their spending habits have been permanently altered by the pandemic. According to the Census Bureau’s data, during its first year, there was a 43% increase in e-commerce sales.

#2

I Requested 8 Bananas In My Weekly Grocery Pickup Order… They Gave Me 8 Bunches And Managed To Only Charge Me $0.68 - The Price Of One Single Banana

I Requested 8 Bananas In My Weekly Grocery Pickup Order… They Gave Me 8 Bunches And Managed To Only Charge Me $0.68 - The Price Of One Single Banana

coorgleesi Report

Add photo comments
POST
uncannyi avatar
Uncanny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In your near future, I see..banana cake, banana bread, banana smoothies. All those bananas are going to drive you….well, you know. 😉

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

My Fiancé And I Ordered A Navy Bathmat And This Came, 10/10 Would Order Again

My Fiancé And I Ordered A Navy Bathmat And This Came, 10/10 Would Order Again

NODifyou_underSTAND Report

Zippia revealed that last year, as much as 21% of global retail sales were made online. The statistics don’t seem to be surprising, considering the number of online retailers—according to 2022 data, there were 2.5 million of them in the US, 9.1 billion globally.

Shopping online is also convenient because you can choose from stores from all over the world without having to lift yourself up from the sofa. Even if you decide to buy local, there is no need to drive around different locations to collect the various items you need—nearly everything can be delivered to your doorstep. (Invesp pointed out that 80% of consumers are more willing to buy certain products if they come with free shipping.)

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

I Came Home To A Package I Didn't Order - I Opened It Up To Find This And Have No Idea Who To Thank

I Came Home To A Package I Didn't Order - I Opened It Up To Find This And Have No Idea Who To Thank

gintherthegreat Report

#5

There Was An Attempt For “Discrete Packaging” By The Adult Site I Ordered From

There Was An Attempt For “Discrete Packaging” By The Adult Site I Ordered From

imreddit_rick Report

But it’s not all about convenience. Research shows that after Covid, people continued to buy online because they found it enjoyable. Shopping is believed to make people happy (there’s even a name for it you’ve most likely heard—retail therapy), and using the web allows them to do it wherever and whenever they want to.

#6

What To Do When You Order A Small T-Shirt, And They Send You An XXXL

What To Do When You Order A Small T-Shirt, And They Send You An XXXL

Rebound Report

#7

I Have A Sick Dog So I Ordered £70 Worth Of Groceries From Morrisons Via Deliveroo. Morrisons Accepted The Order But Canceled Almost Every Item. And I Got An Onion

I Have A Sick Dog So I Ordered £70 Worth Of Groceries From Morrisons Via Deliveroo. Morrisons Accepted The Order But Canceled Almost Every Item. And I Got An Onion

I paid £5 for delivery and £5 tip. Deliveroo refused to cancel. Behold, the world’s most expensive onion.

f3361eb076bea Report

Add photo comments
POST
davidhenry_2 avatar
Dizavid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like something you would read about *in* The Onion.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

The Cake That Was Ordered And The Cake That Arrived

The Cake That Was Ordered And The Cake That Arrived

OfficialBigHead Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Nowadays, e-commerce amounts to nearly 15% of total retail sales in the US. The percentage has remained unchanged ever since the surge between 2019 and 2020. As for predictions for the future, Statista suggests that by 2026, nearly a quarter of global sales will be online.

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

My GF Ordered Some Ankle Weights For Running And Somehow Got Sent This Instead... Trying To Convince Her To Just Go Out Running With The Hammer

My GF Ordered Some Ankle Weights For Running And Somehow Got Sent This Instead... Trying To Convince Her To Just Go Out Running With The Hammer

Tex_ Report

#10

BFF Got This Bear Hat For My Cat To Recreate An Adorable Instagram Post She Saw

BFF Got This Bear Hat For My Cat To Recreate An Adorable Instagram Post She Saw

JJsNoodles Report

Add photo comments
POST
ehanjina avatar
Dianellian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your cat looks pissed off and scared. Stop giving your pets anguish for a photo please.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The most popular products people go online to shop for seem to be clothing; they spend roughly 1.5 trillion dollars on it worldwide. Second on the list is electronics with a little over one trillion dollars. It is followed closely by footwear ($381.9 billion), while pet care ($280 billion) and toys ($104 billion) line up behind it respectively.

#12

After Seeing The Pic Of My Nephew In His New Christmas Gift My SO Thinks He “Might Have Ordered The Wrong Size”

After Seeing The Pic Of My Nephew In His New Christmas Gift My SO Thinks He “Might Have Ordered The Wrong Size”

the_drunken_taco Report

#13

Thought My Amazon App Was Frozen, Guess Not

Thought My Amazon App Was Frozen, Guess Not

NN96 Report

#14

I Ordered A Seinfeld Shirt From China And Not Only It Has "Friends" Printed On It But It Also Has R Letter Missing

I Ordered A Seinfeld Shirt From China And Not Only It Has "Friends" Printed On It But It Also Has R Letter Missing

Jameskii Report

But why do people feel the need to shop as much as they do in the first place? The psychologist and author Regan A. R. Gurung covered the desire to buy more in Psychology Today. First of all, it simply feels good. Buying things can trigger the release of dopamine, which is known to make us feel good. Then there’s conditioning, an unconscious process affected by the abundance of ads around us, as well as an actual need for certain things.

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

This Is What Happens When You Order Stuff Off Facebook. What I Ordered vs. What I Actually Received

This Is What Happens When You Order Stuff Off Facebook. What I Ordered vs. What I Actually Received

suzanne_young Report

#16

My Beautiful Order From ProFlowers

My Beautiful Order From ProFlowers

BluntLema Report

Add photo comments
POST
nijland-lydia avatar
Lydia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is not too bad. The Iris needs time to blossom. Or would you rather have flowers you could throw away in 2 days? The flowers photographed are on top of their game - usually after about three or four days. In the Netherlands, it is normal to get flowers that will last at least about a week. In other words - the flowers in the red vase are old(er) - the ones in the dark vase are fresh. ( Florist speaking here)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

You Also Need To Order Hips, Thick Thighs, And A Push-Up Bra Then Dye The Clothes Red

You Also Need To Order Hips, Thick Thighs, And A Push-Up Bra Then Dye The Clothes Red

tolanibaj Report

Add photo comments
POST
tweaked avatar
Tweaked
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've see some bad ones of these... but the fact that this one didn't even try to get it right offends me the most.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Dr. Regan A. R. Gurung also indicated novelty as one of the reasons we constantly buy things. “Just like children who plead for a new toy only to then, weeks (or days) later, leave it unattended as their attention is drawn to a newer toy, adult attention is likewise drawn to novelty,” he wrote. Lastly, he pointed out that owning certain items can make us feel special, which is why we feel the need to get them.

#18

So I Ordered A Spider-Man Mask A While Back, And This Is What Came In

So I Ordered A Spider-Man Mask A While Back, And This Is What Came In

UrameshiYuusuke Report

#19

Even My Dog Was Disappointed In This Facebook Ad Purchase

Even My Dog Was Disappointed In This Facebook Ad Purchase

printablewisdom1 Report

#20

Ordered A Cute Pink Pig Kawaii Cushion Plush. But The One I Received Is All Hairy And Weird

Ordered A Cute Pink Pig Kawaii Cushion Plush. But The One I Received Is All Hairy And Weird

Grommulox Report

#21

Just Ordered A Pepperoni Pizza

Just Ordered A Pepperoni Pizza

Civil-Celebration-28 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#22

Ordered These Grinches For My Sister's Baby Shower... Blown Away By What I Was Sent

Ordered These Grinches For My Sister's Baby Shower... Blown Away By What I Was Sent

allstartinter2021 Report

#23

Ordered A $3 Watch From Amazon. Nailed It

Ordered A $3 Watch From Amazon. Nailed It

removeyou Report

#24

Ordered The Cake On The Left, Got The One On The Right

Ordered The Cake On The Left, Got The One On The Right

FotherMucker77 Report

#25

The Bear Mask My Friend Ordered vs. The Nightmare Fuel He Received

The Bear Mask My Friend Ordered vs. The Nightmare Fuel He Received

poppigsteah Report

#26

GameStop Sent Me 4 Controllers Instead Of Just The 1 I Ordered

GameStop Sent Me 4 Controllers Instead Of Just The 1 I Ordered

SpideyPoolForever Report

Add photo comments
POST
ketgilbert avatar
KETGZ
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This does not seem like a fail Edited to add: for the buyer

View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

I Purchased A Wallace Mug To Go With My Gromit Mug. Unbeknown To Me, I Had Ordered A Comically Small Mini-Mug

I Purchased A Wallace Mug To Go With My Gromit Mug. Unbeknown To Me, I Had Ordered A Comically Small Mini-Mug

ryane_jon Report

#28

I Ordered Clint Eastwood. I Received His Derpy Cousin, Twice Removed

I Ordered Clint Eastwood. I Received His Derpy Cousin, Twice Removed

I-am-mclovin2 Report

#29

Picked Up My Walmart Order And They Left The Formula I Bought In Its Security Box

Picked Up My Walmart Order And They Left The Formula I Bought In Its Security Box

Ok-Influence1109 Report

#30

Amazon Literally Sent Me An Empty Bag And The Delivery Picture Shows It Was Open. (Say Hi To My Invisible Graphics Card)

Amazon Literally Sent Me An Empty Bag And The Delivery Picture Shows It Was Open. (Say Hi To My Invisible Graphics Card)

ynnubyzzuf Report

#31

Ordered From Instacart For The First Time And This Is How The Chicken Came

Ordered From Instacart For The First Time And This Is How The Chicken Came

Technical_Pause_8769 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

I Ordered Nice Knives For The First Time In My Adult Life From eBay. The Seller Sent Me A Box From The Set I Ordered But The Knives Were A Different Line With Much Lower Quality

I Ordered Nice Knives For The First Time In My Adult Life From eBay. The Seller Sent Me A Box From The Set I Ordered But The Knives Were A Different Line With Much Lower Quality

Then accused me of swapping the knives out and refusing to accept a return.

DragonSpiritAnimal Report

Add photo comments
POST
rio007163 avatar
Sad Quokka
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bastard! Wusthof are very expensive... OP could possibly get a refund through eBay.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

The Ice Cream Cake We Ordered vs. What We Received

The Ice Cream Cake We Ordered vs. What We Received

MotherOfSomething Report

#35

My Buddy Ordered A Baby Yoda Doll From China. On The Left Is What He Thought He Ordered. On The Right Is What Came In The Mail

My Buddy Ordered A Baby Yoda Doll From China. On The Left Is What He Thought He Ordered. On The Right Is What Came In The Mail

MrBokudu Report

Add photo comments
POST
nijland-lydia avatar
Lydia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You said the magic word: China. Did you really expect it to turn out like the original picture?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Labyrinth-Style Doll Bought For $55. Can’t Stop Laughing

Labyrinth-Style Doll Bought For $55. Can’t Stop Laughing

emperxr Report

Add photo comments
POST
liamnewton-harding avatar
liam newton-harding
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the seller stole images from the artist Anya Boz, and tried to pass them off, as their own, like the Grinch baby.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

How Shoes I Ordered On Poshmark Arrived

How Shoes I Ordered On Poshmark Arrived

samuelfishh Report

#38

The Dog Bed My Mum Ordered For 99€

The Dog Bed My Mum Ordered For 99€

Riinmi Report

#39

Amazon Took The Picture With My Box In Mid-Air

Amazon Took The Picture With My Box In Mid-Air

jumbojordie Report

#40

I Told My Dad Not To Buy Anything From Wish, But He Made Me Order It For Him... It Didn't Go Well

I Told My Dad Not To Buy Anything From Wish, But He Made Me Order It For Him... It Didn't Go Well

EzzieValentine Report

Add photo comments
POST
sergiobicerra avatar
Sergio Bicerra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Perú, and can swear I heard a loud 'TOLD YOU SO! HA!' from a distance, followed by a hard slap.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Ordered A Swimsuit From Amazon. This Is What I Got

Ordered A Swimsuit From Amazon. This Is What I Got

c_h_a_r_ Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#42

I Ordered A Lighter, Dasher Replaced It With Packing Tape

I Ordered A Lighter, Dasher Replaced It With Packing Tape

SunflowerRainfall Report

#43

What Was Ordered vs. What Was Received Through Our Beloved Daraz

What Was Ordered vs. What Was Received Through Our Beloved Daraz

Shanzaf Report

Add photo comments
POST
wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this is why you always check the listed dimensions rather than looking at the picture.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

I Ordered A Sandwich On Uber Eats And Got This, Sucks For The Person That Ordered This

I Ordered A Sandwich On Uber Eats And Got This, Sucks For The Person That Ordered This

wholesaleion Report

Add photo comments
POST
wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Person who ordered it probably just got their order resent to them after making a report/complaint. Score for our OP.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

I Ordered 4 Sliders And Received 270 Bread Rolls. Such A Waste

I Ordered 4 Sliders And Received 270 Bread Rolls. Such A Waste

FatCatBoxNap Report

#47

This Is How My Walmart Delivery Order Came. I Called Customer Service To Ask What I Should Do And They Said Just Break It

This Is How My Walmart Delivery Order Came. I Called Customer Service To Ask What I Should Do And They Said Just Break It

forlaughingtime Report

Add photo comments
POST
willuhrhammer327 avatar
unfilteredCigarette73
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm gonna start ordering stuff from Walmart online, seems like a good way to deal with some built up frustration

View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

That's What Achilles Wore When He Was Going To War

That's What Achilles Wore When He Was Going To War

Anele Report

Add photo comments
POST
maria12956 avatar
Mari Balot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know...I kind of find the ones you got prettier than the ones you chose. Maybe try them out? At least your feet won't break off after an hour xD

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

What A Friend Of Mine Ordered On A Costume Site And What She Got

What A Friend Of Mine Ordered On A Costume Site And What She Got

dogbreathphoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
amandjlgruber avatar
Rebelliousslug
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really took me a minute to figure out the one received is actually a hat and not a bustier

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

So For My Birthday My Brother Ordered Me Jacket That Was Supposed To Be A Size Medium. When I Got The Jacket It Was Way To Big

So For My Birthday My Brother Ordered Me Jacket That Was Supposed To Be A Size Medium. When I Got The Jacket It Was Way To Big

When I looked at the tag it said "medium" but upon closer inspection, this is what I found.

RedditCensorss Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarahsh avatar
Sarah SH
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always have to check sizes on tags in the store because so many clothes get hung on hangers labeled with the wrong size.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.