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This Online Group Collects Food Scams That Would Leave Anyone Feeling Betrayed And Here’s 45 Of The Worst Ones
You don’t have to agree with me, but in my humble opinion, nothing hurts as much as a food scam.
Picture a single lonely raisin in a puffy cinnamon and raisin bagel, or a dash of mayo gently glued to the surface of a taco when you ask for extra sour cream on the side, or think of how many lies you had to suck in with all that deceptive packaging sold on the shelves like it was no big deal... If that’s not cruel, I don’t know what is.
Food scams are so widespread, people don’t really talk about ‘em. Have we all become immune to them? Luckily, there’s one corner of reddit known as r/FoodScam that shares all fraudulent incidents of people getting not what they ordered, not what they paid for, and strictly not what they wanted. Let’s see a selection of the nastiest food scams below.
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Air Sandwich
This Half Styrofoam Cake
Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates: A Big Fat Lie
Previously, we talked to Portugal-based graphic designer Laura Vanagaite, who explained how and why our mind gets so easily tricked by deceptive packaging. “Once we see unique photos of food and drinks, our mind creates the impression that the volume of the contents is greater than it actually is.” This anticipation is destroyed as soon as you open the package. “And once we find out that the reality is different, we feel disappointment.”
When asked why there is still so much deceptive packaging sold in the shopping aisles, Laura said that this is a clever marketing technique. “Brands know that beautiful imagery sells and that catchy photos with great products create the illusion which will help to sell it fast.”
Basically Just Paid For The Fancy Tin
Sticker Hides The Fact That The Jar Is Half Full, Makes You Think The Content Is Double In Size
At least this time the person caught the scam before it went to far :)
Ah Come On
To be honest I don't know if I would want so much poppy seed jam in my brioche :/
Various studies have shown that consumers tend not to notice package downsizing at the time of purchase because most of us do not read the content information on packaging, but instead use visual estimations of package volume and content. Moreover, many of us are impulsive buyers and if the product and its design looks good, our brain tells us it’s gonna taste good, so we make a decision without too much questioning.
This "Box" Of Beef Jerky
Wife Asked For Extra Sour Cream On The Side
As If We Didn't Already Have Enough Packaging On Chips
They don't charge for air. They charge by weight, the air in a chip bag is so you don't get a pile of crushed chips after it's shipped out to shops.
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It does say bigger bag, not more product! And I'm guessing "more to share" they mean the air in the bag??
They mean that the green bag was originally smaller, ad the label is to convey that it is bigger than it usually is. These two items are different products by SKU and shouldn't be compared, the label is not comparing them.
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I worked for a newspaper here in Sweden, we sold the most copies every week, so our slogan was "Sweden's biggest newspaper". Then our competitor, which sold like half of that, made their paper like 0,5 cm larger than ours, and called themselves " Sweden's BIGGEST newspaper". Well, I guess they were literally right...
Okay, if this picture has to be explained AGAIN because you seem to love posting it, fine - green is a share size travel bag that is usually smaller, yellow is a larger ordinary bag. They have different SKUs, would be placed in different locations, and the green one would be on offer. It not a scam ffs. The label on green is a comparison to old green, not yellow.
Well, to be fair, it does say "Bigger Bag", it doesn't say more chips. And that definitely is a bigger bag!
Wait... what flavor is the green bag? "Original salted?" I don't want to visit whatever foreign land (yes... foreign from my American perspective) that considers "salted" the "original" Doritos flavor.
To be fair, it says "bigger bag", no "extra doritos"....
Am I the only one surprised to see a 1/2 kilo bag of chips ... regardless of the packet size ?
It's common for share bags. They are usually used for parties and are expected to be eaten by a number of people.
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In their defense, it does just say "bigger bag" it does not claim to be even 1% more chips. THAT was a little marketing genius, in my opinion.
Disgustingly PATHETIC!! This almost warrants a protest against Doritos/Frito Lay!!
And they will point out that they are two different products and the label isn't comparing them. Because that is true. The green bag used to be smaller by weight and these are different products.
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I mean it says "Bigger bag". The Bag is bigger... there is just not more inside..
The second part about more to share is probably left to the consumer mood.
You got a love these companies rationalizations when they say oh well we do it so that the chips won’t break during transit.
The rationalisation is - the label on the green bag is not meant to be a comparison with the yellow bag. The bags are two different products and the green bag is meant to be a smaller size. It's a comparison to the previous green bag and is most likely a temporary offer.
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Just Why?
I Was Told My 2020reo Ice Cream Belonged Here
I worked for Breyers this is not a mistake this is a habit for them. Typical of big business!
It Says Delicate Roses On The Packaging, I Don't Think So
This Popcorn Packaging
I Ordered A Side Of Bacon ($6 On The Menu)
Cinnamon And Singular Raisin Bagel
It say Cinnamon Raisin bagel. What do they expect? It was accurate.
The Burrito Looked Huge When Covered
Tim Horton’s “Breakfast Wrap”
To Be Fair, I Monched A Few Chips In The Corner Before The Pic
When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have
Hello? Canolli Police? I'd Like To Report A Crime
My Girlfriend Got Me Conversation Hearts For Valentine’s Day. They Have No Words!
Ten Dollar Avocado Nigiri At Sushi Restaurant
Tempting On The Packaging
Scam Level 100
Paleta Postizo
I Paid £5 For This Tomato Salad In London
This Is How Much Root Beer They Gave Me
Always ask for a soft drink with no ice. It is refrigerated so it will come cold.
I Am Tired Of All The Lies
A Nice Blueberry Muffin... Oh Wait
Less Than Jumbo Shrimp
These Chocolates, Which Have Always Been Five In A Pack, Are Now Four With A Paper Piece Inside The Box To Make It Look Like There's Five
Steam-Fresh Broccoli
My "Blueberry Granola" Came With One F***ing Blueberry. Now Ur Thinking, Well It Says "Blueberry" Which Is Singular, The Ingredients Say "Blueberries" Which Implies That There Is More Than One Blueberry In The Bag. I've Been Robbed
Agreed. I would send the package back to the company and tell them they either need to change their label to reflect that they are only giving people one blueberry where they need to add one more blueberry to the bag to be legally correct!!! I don’t get how these companies stay in business shirking the public like this.
12 Oz Can Of Tomato Paste Opened Fresh With A Hollow Middle
maybe a factory worker used it for something else before putting it back on the line :D
Nice Burger With Extra Tomato
The Amount Of Barbecue Sauce On My Rodeo Cheeseburger From Burger King
Watch Out For That Tidal Wave Of Chocolate
I Want The Rest Of My Jolly Ranchers. (Package Was Inside The Mug)
I Didn't Know That You Have To Buy The Chocolate Separately
Check the expiration date on the package. This one looks like it could be stale—-like the chocolate dried up and shrank. In fact, it looks kind of like it’s turning white, which means it’s so old the butter fat has separated out.
Thanks For The 2 Sprinkles, Dunkin
Love donuts, but that icing looks like microwaved pepto bismol! More sprinkles wouldn't have made it more appealing
My Uncle Ordered A Cake
They’re Not Even Connected
10 Dollar Slice Of Cheesecake!!! The Container Could Have Fit An Entire Second Slice Easily
This Fish Which Only Shows The Outside While The Inside Is Filled With Onion
This is a great polish fraud perpetrated on the nation of Slovakia! :D
Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.
These are all examples of deceptive packaging that has become far to common. Although most appear European I have experienced this just about everywhere.
I was just going to ask if this is usual in America cause most of them looked American to me... sure i saw some European but didn't recognised most of the brands that we have in Europe
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There's a lot of comments criticizing servers for restaurant portions. In many cases, they are instructed by the bosses to give a set amount using a measured serving implement, to maximize profit. It's not their fault. Blame the corporate moguls, not the poor kids at the bottom of the heap.
Best life skill you can ever learn is how to cook. I maybe buy packaged food or go out to eat a handful of times a year because honestly my cooking is amazing and I can make it better and cheaper at home. Also saves me from the stress of feeling ripped off a lot. Can't stand fast food, feels like I just wadded up my money, ripped it to shreds, and spit on it. Being disappointed with food or feeling ripped off was the biggest motivator in me learning how to cook really well. Went to Panera Bread and got the onion soup, it was croutons with shredded cheese that had not been melted. I was so enraged I immediately went to the store, got the ingredients I needed, and learned how to make french onion soup myself. Best life advice I can give anyone is learn how to cook because all the prepackaged food is an absolute waste of money. Also, it doesn't save time. Takes me longer to go to McDs than it does to cook a burger at home.
Co. doesn't care. Best thing is "do not buy" from them again & tell everyone you know not to buy from them!
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Another reason to avoid processed/prepackaged food. Like I needed one, LOL. Nope. Thanks, I'll take the hassle of making it all from scratch.
Dear BP: What sense does it make to shorten a series of 47 images to 45 "based on user votes"? This is just too silly.
Always check the weight or fluid ounces of any product. My biggest beef is those frozen entrees and dinners with that ridiculous "Serving Suggestion" picture on the box. There is no way on earth any person could use what is inside to make what is on the package.
Most of these would have been illegal in the UK. If you do not protest, more fool you
Kind of a similar thing happened to my mom, but was completely accidental. I don't have a pic bc it was years ago, but she once ordered a Big Mac and got a burger bun with tortilla strips on it
Can BP please stop cutting lists down? It's only two f*cking posts, just show the whole thing in one go.
This is just sad sad sad and I would be spending a lot of time on yelp or Facebook on these companies pages giving them horrible reviews I would be sending out letters with photographs letting them know that this is absolutely unacceptable behavior. And I would follow up with a post script by letting them know I do not want a coupon for your product it’s crap to start with I don’t need a coupon for more crap
These are all examples of deceptive packaging that has become far to common. Although most appear European I have experienced this just about everywhere.
I was just going to ask if this is usual in America cause most of them looked American to me... sure i saw some European but didn't recognised most of the brands that we have in Europe
Load More Replies... There's a lot of comments criticizing servers for restaurant portions. In many cases, they are instructed by the bosses to give a set amount using a measured serving implement, to maximize profit. It's not their fault. Blame the corporate moguls, not the poor kids at the bottom of the heap.
Best life skill you can ever learn is how to cook. I maybe buy packaged food or go out to eat a handful of times a year because honestly my cooking is amazing and I can make it better and cheaper at home. Also saves me from the stress of feeling ripped off a lot. Can't stand fast food, feels like I just wadded up my money, ripped it to shreds, and spit on it. Being disappointed with food or feeling ripped off was the biggest motivator in me learning how to cook really well. Went to Panera Bread and got the onion soup, it was croutons with shredded cheese that had not been melted. I was so enraged I immediately went to the store, got the ingredients I needed, and learned how to make french onion soup myself. Best life advice I can give anyone is learn how to cook because all the prepackaged food is an absolute waste of money. Also, it doesn't save time. Takes me longer to go to McDs than it does to cook a burger at home.
Co. doesn't care. Best thing is "do not buy" from them again & tell everyone you know not to buy from them!
Load More Replies... Another reason to avoid processed/prepackaged food. Like I needed one, LOL. Nope. Thanks, I'll take the hassle of making it all from scratch.
Dear BP: What sense does it make to shorten a series of 47 images to 45 "based on user votes"? This is just too silly.
Always check the weight or fluid ounces of any product. My biggest beef is those frozen entrees and dinners with that ridiculous "Serving Suggestion" picture on the box. There is no way on earth any person could use what is inside to make what is on the package.
Most of these would have been illegal in the UK. If you do not protest, more fool you
Kind of a similar thing happened to my mom, but was completely accidental. I don't have a pic bc it was years ago, but she once ordered a Big Mac and got a burger bun with tortilla strips on it
Can BP please stop cutting lists down? It's only two f*cking posts, just show the whole thing in one go.
This is just sad sad sad and I would be spending a lot of time on yelp or Facebook on these companies pages giving them horrible reviews I would be sending out letters with photographs letting them know that this is absolutely unacceptable behavior. And I would follow up with a post script by letting them know I do not want a coupon for your product it’s crap to start with I don’t need a coupon for more crap
