Online shopping is in a weird position. On the one hand, it offers fantastic convenience, saves you time, and grants access to products from around the globe. On the other hand, there’s always that small chance that you might get something entirely different than advertised or a particularly cheap knock-off. And ‘Wish,’ a popular American e-commerce platform, is often guilty of this, as well as offering some utterly bizarre—albeit incredibly amusing, fun, and quirky—ads.
One subreddit documents some of the most hilarious and egregious cases of shopping fails when browsing ‘Wish.’ We’ve collected some of the top pics to amuse you and remind you to always be careful when buying stuff off the net. Remember—if your gut is telling you it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
Bored Panda was interested to learn more about online shopping, unmet expectations, and quirky advertising, so we got in touch with consumer psychology specialist Matt Johnson, Ph.D., the host of the marketing psychology blog and author of ‘Branding that Means Business.'
This post may include affiliate links.
Always Check The Dimensions In Online Shopping
Happened to me recently. When I returned the product and they sent a guy to pick it up he actually laughed seeing the product.
Am impressed by the fact that they actually sent someone to pick it up. Over here when you buy fake c**p like this the only way to get rid of it is to send it to China at your own expense.
Load More Replies...Hooman, YOU're the scratching post until you correct this mistake.
Unfortunately, this means you now need to get a very tiny cat. And, by, “unfortunately,” I mean that sounds unbearably adorable.
Listen, if they stayed as small as at 10 weeks, we all would have at least 10 of those running around in our homes and back gardens.
Load More Replies...This cat is plotting your death unless you cease and desist this nonsense IMMEDIATELY with a full sized scratching post.
Poor kitty but the scratching post is so cute! I happen to love little things and I think this would be perfect in a doll house!
Same here. I love most things where I think it "looks the same but only smaller" like baby hippos. Haha
Load More Replies...At Least He Printed The Shirt
Do you mean “psych”? As in “psych someone out”?
Load More Replies...I have a feeling it's wasn't a mistake. It's a nice joke commemorating their class in a non-traditional way.
My Mom's Old iPad
Don't these people realise that the engraving is all done by computer and no human is reading the personalisation. If you don't want any, leave it blank!
I’m certain my mum wouldn’t realise and would try to inform “the engraver” as politely as possible that his service is not requested. No surprise I still say please and thank you to Siri and Alexa 😝
Load More Replies...As I’m scrolling down, I wonder if quality control personnel still exist in workplaces
Reminds me of the guy who texted his mom asking what tattoo he should get… and he got her exact reply tattooed on him.
Wait we can get ipads engraved? Yes, I'm probably living in another dimension
We were curious about what sellers and e-commerce platforms can do if they find out that their products don't meet their customers' expectations. "When a customer receives an entirely different product than what they ordered, it can indeed lead to significant disappointment and frustration. As a renowned consumer psychology expert, I recommend that sellers and e-commerce platforms take immediate action to rectify such mistakes to preserve customer satisfaction and loyalty," Johnson shared with Bored Panda the steps that can be taken in order to improve the situation.
The first step is simple but not easy: good communication. "Regardless of fault, the seller should promptly apologize for the error and acknowledge the inconvenience caused to the customer. They should also provide a clear explanation of what went wrong to demonstrate transparency and accountability," the expert told us via email.
Oh?
I didn't even catch the incest part... I was hung up on "dear sister, I asked God for an angel so He killed you for me and now you shall hang around my neck like a trophy."
I was hung up the fact that our cat's cremation left about a cup of ashes. A person would be like a quart.
Load More Replies...I’m very concerned about those 5135 people who gave this such a high rating
Insert joke about incestuous part of your own country here, eg, Norfolk/ Alabama
*inserts comment about snorting coffee here*
Load More Replies...Website: "What's the name of the item you're selling?" Seller: "Yes"
Seems Legit
Had to create an account just to tell you that I'm starting a petition for rebranding from Portal and Portal Pool to the more streamlined term; Portpool. Remember, the cake is a lie.
Load More Replies...Seen On Twitter
I kinda want to do something this for my next friend's birthday or Christmas. Maybe make it something like "I dunno how old they are, but they're pretty wrinkly. Just engrave Happy Birthday on it"
Load More Replies...These engravers are trolling these people with this. I used to be one and if you have half a brain cell, you know what they want on it and what they don't.
LOL my husband got a package in the mail FINALLY... it says Name...Never Ordering From You Again...address
Thank goodness people make mistakes. They provide a little humor in our lives. In a world with so much, oh forget it.
The next step is offering the customers hassle-free and swift resolutions. "This could involve providing a prepaid return label and arranging for the correct product to be shipped as soon as possible. Alternatively, they might offer a partial refund or store credit to compensate for the error. In the modern media era, where any disgruntled customer can go viral on social media, it's important to try and be deferential and generous in these kinds of situations," the marketing psychology blog host warned.
"Lastly, personalized gestures can go a long way in restoring the customer's confidence. And here, a personal touch can go a long way. Research indicates that handwritten apology notes or small complimentary gifts can demonstrate that the seller values the customer and is genuinely apologetic for the inconvenience caused."
Meanwhile, Bored Panda wanted to get Johnson's take on the kinds of messages that peculiar ads like those on 'Wish' send. "Platforms like Wish, known for their peculiar and unconventional advertisements, may send several messages to potential customers from a consumer psychology perspective. Ultimately, in a crowded e-commerce market, it helps the platform distinguish itself with a unique brand personality. Dominant platforms like Amazon and Wal-Mart tend to focus on logistics and the sheer utility of their products, leaving open the opportunity for newer, smaller entrants to differentiate themselves in the mind of the consumer," the author of 'Branding that Means Business' said.
Turns Out I’m Not Very Good At Online Shopping
I had a friend who bought a fridge so large that they couldn't get it over or around the kitchen island into the refrigerator nook. You got off lightly.
My sister's wouldn't fit in the nook. Measure twice.
Load More Replies...Who buys a fridge online?!? You need at least to check the inside if it fits your family's needs.
I Thought The Personalized Message Was For The Delivery Driver Not The AirPods
I don't like them, but I only had to see them for a few seconds.
Load More Replies...This doubles as instrux to whomever finds the pods and wants to return ‘em! 😀
I'm Just Shocked Someone Had The Nerve To Order A TV From Wish
Yes, but what did you really expect for $5, and did you bother to read the measurements.
That's the question. If it was like $3 + shipping this should have been expected.
Load More Replies...A flatscreen for Barbie’s dream house. Don’t hate on Wish for helping to provide that doll with a boss entertainment center.
It's too small for a Barbie dollhouse. Barbies are 1:18 scale and I believe that TV is 1:12 scale.
Load More Replies...According to the consumer psychology specialist, these types of ads send a few different messages:
- "Curiosity and Novelty: Peculiar and strange ads tend to evoke curiosity in potential customers. This approach can make viewers stop and pay attention to the ad due to its unexpected nature, creating a memorable experience.
- Playfulness and Humor: These ads often use humor and playful elements to entertain the audience. As a result, potential customers might associate the platform with fun and lightheartedness, which can create a positive emotional connection.
- Uniqueness and Exclusivity: The unconventional nature of the products showcased in these ads can create a sense of uniqueness and exclusivity. Potential customers may perceive that they can find products here that are not readily available on mainstream platforms."
The expert pointed out that 'Wish' and other unconventional platforms tend to target more niche markets, which are intentionally targeted with their fun and quirky brand personalities. "Unlike Amazon and other big platforms, they don’t have to appeal broadly and have an encompassing personality, and instead, have the freedom to focus on a more specialized target market."
I Was Sent 75 Pounds Of Lube Today Instead Of The Meal Kit I Ordered
Meanwhile at the brothel: "Meal kit!? Well ladies, dig in, it's gonna be a rough day.."
Thank you. ai was trying to reverse the situation and came up with nothing🤣🤣🤣
Load More Replies...Keep some handy and if you see s**t parking and they are each side of the line put it on the car with a note telling them it will help them get in to tight parking spots easier
Wish Freddy
Second one is more scary. Come at me with a banjo and a bottle of booze and I will be running.
Another Wish Gem. Friend Posted What She’s Got. She’s Super Pissed But I Would Be Dying Laughing
I would keep it too, because I’m too lazy to return anything
Load More Replies...For those mixed families, half Festivus/half Christmas
Load More Replies...Yes, just cut the packaging wire and POOF, instant Christmas tree.
Load More Replies...When one spouse celebrates Christmas, and the other celebrates Festivus.
Exactly what I was going to say. Except this Festivus pole has been decorated.
Load More Replies...The witty subreddit that collects the worst shopping fails from ‘Wish’ has been up and running since late 2017. In the half a decade since its founding, the online community has grown to over 122k members in size.
According to the moderator team running the comedy-focused project, people should only post photos and ads from ‘Wish’ or other knock-off sites. However, those other sites have to be “flared appropriately.” The redditors also note that nothing from Amazon is allowed on the sub because there are two other separate online communities dedicated exclusively to them.
The mods explain that there’s a difference between gag gifts and shopping fails that really make people’s jaws drop. “This does not mean gag gifts can't be placed here; it just means that they need to be something that isn't seen every day.” In short, the community expects a show, not something generic.
Because the community values originality, Reddit users are encouraged to avoid reposts. And, like any other solid online group, the subreddit wants all of its members to “be excellent to each other.”
Bad Review + Seller Response
But if the delivery time was "below" expectations, wasn't it delivered faster than you thought? Shouldnt that be a plus?
Seller response caching....who knows how many the @$$ scams. Hate people like that
That seller needs to be set on fire and catapulted into a wall of broken glass.
When You Don't Have A Female Model For Your Product
Hopefully they're not selling the item as "slightly used, with free pink pillow included"
you can keep your poor, pink pillow, thank you. It has seen too much.
Load More Replies...Either way the pillow would still be necessary...but they are omitting the most important part of the garment. If I wanted this I'd definitely need to know how open we were talking about.
Never Buy Anything Even If It Looks Legit Wtf
Yep, you can even see the threads that the hose connects to on the bottom.
Load More Replies...I simply can’t stop laughing at this one. Hopefully you got the charger/holder (water tank?) as well.
This is not an actual wish product. It was on another page in Bored Panda, talking about things that look like other things.
"even if it looks legit" as if they didn't see "wish" on the screen
The ‘Wish’ e-commerce platform was founded all the way back in 2010 by Piotr Szulczewski and Danny Zhang. Operated from San Francisco, California, the platform personalized the shopping experience for each customer and allows people to sell their products directly to consumers.
That means that even though ‘Wish’ handles the payments with service providers, it doesn’t actually stock the products themselves, nor does it manage the returns. And that’s a pretty big issue. The platform has often been criticized for listing incredibly low-quality and counterfeit goods.
In fact, the bizarre and sometimes unsatisfactory items that people (accidentally) buy on ‘Wish,’ as well as the platform’s sometimes peculiar ads, have reached meme status. They get poked fun at very often on social media. And even though the platform has taken steps to try and raise the quality of the goods that sellers offer, items that don’t match their descriptions still get through.
Wish Offering An Alternative To Assisted Suicide
Kangoo jumps and skates. Separate. If it works, seems like a good deal. I've got the Kangoo shoes and it's a really good exercise
What's the exercise? Picking yourself up off the floor?
Load More Replies...I was gonna say. Kind of looks like it has ankle braces but mine went ahead and broke anyways...
Load More Replies...I enlarged and checked, but they don't say ACME anywhere 😔
Load More Replies...Our Company Now Has 900 Of These Pens
As the person who orders promo merch for my company - they always send a proof 😅 it’s definitely user error
Load More Replies...Looks like your company has a new motto for the next few months.
And this is why you always ask for a proof before letting them print. Printing companies dont have time for customers s**t. (speaking from experience, I work in that field)
My Wife Just Got This Huge Banner For Work. Perfect
nah this is malicious compliance. I worked on this kind of printshop, even if it's extremely automated, at least two people had to see this heads on. The edges are finished which requires an employee to unfold it, cut it and seal it with hit for an extended time. There is no way this is a mistake.
Load More Replies...And everyone's feet are stuck in a position that was meant to be excited but now is froze in "wtf?"
Who makes these things?? A while back I saw a cake with something like this printed on it instead of a picture. 🤔
I saw a photo of a cake with a pic of a USB stick.
Load More Replies...You didn't embed the image or you didn't send it or the guy at the store just didn't give 2 ducks
Tell me you don't have quality control without telling me you don't
Bored Panda previously spoke to one of the moderators of the popular r/Scams subreddit about avoiding being swindled online. According to the internet user, online marketplaces aren’t exempt from folks trying to pull the wool over others’ eyes. In fact, the internet may be making some scammers even bolder than before.
"I think online shopping scams are different because you lose that layer of dealing with a real-life person. When you have a real person in front of you, a typical person will feel shame or guilt at the thought of taking advantage of a person,” they explained to us during a previous interview.
Macho-Man Randy Savage Dropping A Savage Elbow On An Unsuspecting Jesus
I heard that comment in his voice. Randy's, not Jesus's. Although.......
Load More Replies...This is absolutely amazing 🤣 the only thing that could make it better is if Jesus was eating a SlimJim
Yeah I thought the same. I want that shirt it is lovely 😂👌
Load More Replies...Christianity is like a single grain of sand in the Sahara desert that is Macho Madness. ...
I Like The Packaging Name In The Background
God help, Macho Man Randy Savage is beating me. Tag in!
Load More Replies...Shark proof if you believe the advertisement. Just wondering how many people need to carry a shark around though.
Well, I figure it's like the goldfish you win at the fair.
Load More Replies...What does dot-off mean? It sounds like some sort of epic battle between dots
In my experience it’s usually an epic battle between roll of bags & the user trying to find the bleeping perforations rather than the dots imprinted from perforations being pressed into the roll. And trying to get it to actually tear.
Load More Replies...Back in my days, they just gave us goldfish at the carnival. Now they give sharks!?
My Friend Ordered A Baby Yoda (Grogu) This Is What They Got
“With the internet, you aren't dealing with a person, but a username and avatar. It is much easier to act maliciously when you don't have a real victim directly in front of you," the expert in scams told Bored Panda.
"Online scams also use a lot of tricks to pressure buyers; low prices, pushes to buy now!, taking advantage of someone's kindness or naivete (re: advance check fraud, money mules, etc), or advertising one product and sending another (or nothing at all, by using a fake tracking number). Getting a person to make a decision via high-pressure tactics and preventing them from reflecting and making a sound decision is key," they said.
I Ordered A Desk Lamp From Amazon. I Should Have Read The Specs More Carefully
I bought one this size, deliberately. To light up my keyboard at night while I type on computer without having to wake up the family by switching the room lght on. Not one of my best ideas.
I Wish I Was Making This Up
driver probably realised package wasn't in there and took off his work shirt and put it in the package
OR... There's a DHL driver going about in a Star Trek tee
Load More Replies............Where no one has gone before.....because we sent ourselves via DHL and now we are lost
We all know that everyone working at a postoffice is an alien. (DHL is german postal service)
You are kind of correct - DHL was founded by 3 American men (Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn hence the company name) but Deutsche post brought DHL out in 2002 so we are now German owned but Deutsche post stll operate separately to DHL.
Load More Replies...Always Take Notice Of A Product's Size When Shopping Online
Highly effective when used on misbehaving husbands. (JK, ffs!)
"If a deal is too good to be true, it is. If you see a pair of brand-new Apple AirPods advertised for $50, you are not getting an authentic product. There are many counterfeit items out there on the market, and you need to verify authenticity before hitting buy," they warned people to resist the temptation to buy things the moment they see them advertised on the internet.
These Shorts My Friend Ordered From An Instagram Ad... Just A Little Bit Different From The Advertisement!
The Bear Mask My Friend Ordered vs. The Nightmare Fuel He Received
Teddy Ruxpin has seen better days. All that money he made in the last century is gone. Now he has to beg for money.
Leave cherry flavouring out of this. Banana flavouring on the other hand
Load More Replies...I'm going to get myself in trouble. Another moment of trying not to crack up out loud
Wish Wilding For This One
It's for recharging the baby when it gets low on power and the wails aren't loud enough anymore.
Load More Replies...Well they did just make abortion illegal in a lot of the states...
Load More Replies...Pretty sure this is one of those gag boxes you stick the real gift into. I hope.
Yes it is you can buy these boxes on Amazon here is other examples. https://www.amazon.com/prank-gift-boxes/s?k=prank+gift+boxes
Load More Replies..."Not only to avoid contributing to the counterfeit market, but because these knockoff products do not always go through the same safety standards of the real item; they may not be UL certified, they may use chemicals or ingredients that are not FDA approved and are unsafe for use on or in the human body, or could cause major harm to human life or property."
Yes
I want to wear them on a plane to do what Melissa McCarthy did in Bridesmaids...just to see what happens
“You feel that steam heat? That’s from my undercarriage”
Load More Replies...I mean, they ARE going to be terrible because it's Wish...but nothing wrong with a pair of ballet boots if you're into it. I won't lie, I like the look myself. Briefly, as those are going to kill a woman's feet in five minutes flat
I don't know about wish, but Kassiopeya (sub brand of Pleaser) definitely has.
Load More Replies...Sexy Magikarp! Just What I've Always Wanted
I know some pokeheads that I would wear this around, just for the look on their face.
As something of a "pokehead' I'd happily wear this myself! I wonder if they sell sticker versions....
Load More Replies...This is an Etsy shop, I guarantee it. And if you'd buy it, it would most likely be exactly what you see
Ordered Some Hair Clips And Got Morty Instead
Hey! Someone else this happened to! I ordered a cheap pack of stickers and got a cactus plush instead a couple years back. No complaints!
I’ve had similar issues. I ordered a 5 tier metal shelf. I received a basketball. The basketball box was even labelled as “extra heavy”. 🤣 More recently, I ordered a “sea & build” (ocean themed) geometry play set for my nephew. I received a two pack of men’s XL black tee shirts. Why can’t I get a cactus plush instead?
Load More Replies...Which of these shopping fails made you do a double-take, dear Pandas? Which ads did you think were the weirdest of the weird? What's your experience with online shopping been like? Have you ever gotten something different than advertised? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the article.
Hoyl Bible
I wrote a translation of big chunks of the Bible into Atheist recently. I wish I'd thought of this!
Did My Mans Dirty
Being on meth, crack, coke and some whisky, in the middle of an existantial crisis.
Load More Replies...looks like a glow up pic - what his skincare routine
The original mask from the original movie was a William Shatner/Captain Kirk/Star Trek mask they got at the store and painted white
I Waited 6 Months For This. Wtf
I Don’t Even Own A Chicken
They were originally keychain helmet for a small "Squishy Penis" character sold on wish squishy-se...e90916.jpg
Not sure why this is here. Who doesn't need a chicken helmet? I'll take ten ,please.
I am more disturbed that this person has 14 items in their cart.
This Dog Is Horrifying
I just wet myself laughing at the dog with the thumbs up. Thank God I have waterproof couch covers!
the dog reminds me of scooby doo from the creepy live action movies
Which dog are we talking about tho-? Both seem equally horrifying to me 😅
When A Man Wants To Order A Football Shirt With No Name On The Back
Oh well-done, automation at its best, man ..at their double duh .. misinformed idiot
I’ve Seen Strange Sunglasses But This... I Don’t Get
I kind of want it to take it out and put it on when a conversation annoys me.
I actually BOUGHT this! Lol because I thought it was one of the most hysterical and futile things I’d ever seen! And let me tell you, it looks exactly like this. I thought it could be something to wear to a nightclub or somewhere you get dressed up like a rock star or something. I mean maybe someone could pull it off. Lol Not me. It actually hurts.
It made me think of the movie The Jerk where the clip he invents for people to push their glasses up causes them all to go cross-eyed so he gets sued and loses everything.
Load More Replies...ok ngl i would buy this and out it on my head or something. (i would totally wear that like sunhlasses too)
Right?! I mean in an editorial or on the right person...kinda cool! I know I should hate it more but I don't!
Load More Replies...You too can now cause confusion in any logical thinker who sees you walk by!
Load More Replies...The diamonds reflect the sun, thus keeping the light out of your eyes. Ha!
Tried Online Shopping. They Don't Seem To Fit Me
Also, buying from known scammer Wish.com is NOT the same as “online shopping” and if you “tried” it using just that site, you did yourself a disfavor. Try a reputable site and not a site that is known far and wide for deceiving their customers.
Nightmare Fuel
Finally. A Pillow Shaped Like A Giant Pigs Trotter!
Ordered A Pickle Rick Pipe Off Wish.com
What Name Would You Like On The Back?
10 years later: and Kane Please scores the winning goal for the world cup! England takes the cup home!
Is it just a coincident that a player named Harry Kane have the number 9? Harry Kane 9 😄
There was also a US NASCAR driver named Kasey Kahne, pronounced the same way, who drove the #9 car, for a while, lol.
Load More Replies...Never Look At The Dimensions While Online Shopping
Shouldn't it say ALWAYS look at the dimensions? Unless you like bad surprises
Perfect for when my cat, Rat Rat, must guard me in the bathroom during my morning motions
Looks like a stand for an unstable life-sized plastic action figure. Green army men, anyone?
The Dangers Of Online Shopping
If Elle Woods had decided to collect the infinity stones
Load More Replies...What other shoes could you wear for a Sexy Thanos cosplay?
Load More Replies...Do "half of all living things" vanish if you click the heels together? Asking for a friend.
Oh Yes, I Sure Want To Buy A Whole Water Slide
Fill it with water? (From another post recent, a Karen demanded water with the purchase with a pool)
Load More Replies...This happened to me with a toddler bed and turned out to only come with a canopy. So this probably only comes with a tube.
i’ve fallen down a manhole. lucky enough there was rubbish stuck underneath it and i didn’t fall to far. 5 years later and still refuse to walk on them. (not a good experience for an 8 y/o visiting france.)
Load More Replies...I Think My Facebook Ads Have Started To Be Influenced By This Sub
Another round of unsee juice please! These are truly disgusting, even if they're fake.
Maybe Some People Wish To Braid Their Eyelashes?
and conversely - if you ended up in a dust storm / sand storm - you might not be able to keep your eyes closed.
Load More Replies...Wish's Reason For Pushing Meth Pipes So Hard: Increase Market Demand For Cheap Dentures
Twenty-eight pieces?! Are customers expected to jam each one into their gums?! WTH?
Does Wtf Etsy Count?
Babe, I’m going to wash off the Ranch Dressing Bottle! Why TF is the dish water Turing red? Oooooooooouuuuuuuucccccchhhhhh! F**k that hurts! S**t, and I liked that hand too.
This Candle Cup Ordered Online
It goes from "I bought this" to "my kid made this in brownies"
Load More Replies...So many of these posts are from people who bought from Wish, a site I'm surprised still exists. Yes, you can find good quality products without shelling out the big bucks, but when you see a fashionable looking summer dress and the price tag is less than than the cost to ship it to you, you're in for a disappointment. Scams aren't all people ripping others off for overpriced c**p. Often it's more about taking advantage of many many people for a small sum, and delivering garbage in return. Internet shopping has only made these scams explode exponentially
Why do people still buy stuff from these sketchy companies? Shouldn't everyone know better by now? Do a google search before you buy anything online if it's not from a major retailer. And make sure there's a return policy.
Has anyone ever been happy with a Wish purchase? I'm sure they have, I've just never seen it
I once got a pair of really great slippers for 3€ and some paper clips shaped like treble clefs for 1.50 - mind you, it was lockdown and I did order a lot of dross too. 🤷
Load More Replies...This was two list in one- wish shopping fails/egrets, the other just the wish ads which were weird in the first place
Why do people keep ordering stuff from Wish? Everyone should know its no good by now.
Us gotta bad arow, has a gooder arrow from little Johnny
Load More Replies...So many of these posts are from people who bought from Wish, a site I'm surprised still exists. Yes, you can find good quality products without shelling out the big bucks, but when you see a fashionable looking summer dress and the price tag is less than than the cost to ship it to you, you're in for a disappointment. Scams aren't all people ripping others off for overpriced c**p. Often it's more about taking advantage of many many people for a small sum, and delivering garbage in return. Internet shopping has only made these scams explode exponentially
Why do people still buy stuff from these sketchy companies? Shouldn't everyone know better by now? Do a google search before you buy anything online if it's not from a major retailer. And make sure there's a return policy.
Has anyone ever been happy with a Wish purchase? I'm sure they have, I've just never seen it
I once got a pair of really great slippers for 3€ and some paper clips shaped like treble clefs for 1.50 - mind you, it was lockdown and I did order a lot of dross too. 🤷
Load More Replies...This was two list in one- wish shopping fails/egrets, the other just the wish ads which were weird in the first place
Why do people keep ordering stuff from Wish? Everyone should know its no good by now.
Us gotta bad arow, has a gooder arrow from little Johnny
Load More Replies...
