The ‘What I Wanted Vs. What I Got’ Trend Has People Sharing Funny Stories Of Frustration (35 New Pics)
What you see is not always what you get. Especially when it comes to someone trying to sell you their products or services.
Last year, we at Bored Panda covered a TikTok challenge that invites people to reveal the times they wanted very specific things but received something else entirely and were completely disappointed.
Well, the 'What I Wanted Vs. What I Got' online trend is still going strong, so we decided to make another publication about it. From ruined hairdos to tattoo disasters, we went through everyone's most hated and beloved app, and here's the new batch we compiled for you.
TikTokers are continuing to make videos about their unexpected regrets and millions of people are tuning in to share their sorrow
@melaniewilmoth3 Shein count your days😂😂 #shein #fail #fyp #foryoupage #whatiwantedvswhatigot ♬ original sound - Kneely_Knight
This post may include affiliate links.
Someone give me something to stop my laughs, I'm pretty sure my neighbors are getting scared
Accepting the bad hand you were dealt and laughing about it online is actually not the worst way to cope with hardship. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people react differently to uncertainty and those with a higher intolerance for it may be less resilient and more prone to low mood, negative or down feelings, and anxiety.
The organization also provides these simple steps that can help you feel in control:
First of all, be kind to yourself. Some people are better at dealing with uncertainties than others, so don’t beat yourself up if your tolerance for unpredictability is lower than your friend's. Remind yourself that it might take time for the stressful situation to resolve, and try to remain patient with yourself in the meantime.
Poor kid's gonna have nightmares now. Elmo's ruined for them.
I can picture her soul leaving her body after seeing and wearing this disaster. I mean, THAT expression says it all 🙌🏻
You can also reflect on past successes. Chances are you've overcome stressful events in the past, so give yourself credit for it. Reflect on what you did during that event that was helpful and what you might like to do differently this time.
Also, work on developing new skills. When life is relatively calm, it can be a good idea to try things outside your comfort zone. From standing up to a difficult boss to picking up a hobby, taking risks helps you develop confidence that comes in handy when life veers off course.
I'm seeing kids' favorite characters getting ruined for them, and the new nightmare materials setting in
I hope for her sake that this wasn't for something important like a wedding or a quinceanera
Limit exposure to the news if you think it's affecting you. When we’re stressed about something, it can be tough to look away, but compulsively checking the news only keeps you wound up. Try to limit your check-ins and avoid the news during vulnerable times of day, such as right before going to bed.
Let go of things that are out of your control. When uncertainty strikes, many people immediately imagine worst-case scenarios. Try to get rid of the habit of ruminating on negative events.
Furthermore, ask yourself: if a friend came to me with this worry, what would I tell her? Imagining your situation from the outside can often provide perspective and fresh ideas. Trust your gut!
Engage in self-care. Don't allow stress to derail your healthy routines. Make conscious efforts to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Many folks find stress release in practices such as yoga and meditation.
Seek support from those you trust. People tend to isolate themselves when they’re stressed or worried but social support is important, so reach out to family and friends.
Do with the same tattoo artist please.
Load More Replies...
I think this could easily be reworked into something nice by adding more black
Do you mean by outlining the fire, or adding more soot? Hahaha, jk, I agree line work would make it look better.
Load More Replies...
Unfortunately, even if that tattoo would’ve turned out great, it’s still tasteless
I am not into tattoos, but I have learned this from the interwebz... make your tattoo artist draw it for you on paper before you let them draw it on your skin.
All my tattoos were done this way - the artist & I worked together on the design, then they did a transfer onto my skin. I then looked at it & had final approval. And only then did my artist start the actual tattooing. This was a failure on both sides.
Load More Replies... 
WHY TF do they let the artist continue when they can CLEARLY see it is NOT what they wanted
How much did left cost vs what you were willing to pay? Just asking.
I don't believe the campfire. Who would sit still for all that red fire and NOT see what was happening. It's on the inside of the arm!
If you're going to get something permanent on your body for heaven's sake check out the artist's work before you get inked. Not every tattooist is an artist.
Pretty sure the one this person got was a cover up. I can see an outline of a ribbon in the pink. Gonna have to cover up the cover up
That actually looks like the logs - instead of just doing the ends, the tattoo artist did full logs, & then covered them with the orange & red flames.
Load More Replies...
I just hope the cover up is original and not "inspired" on someone else's tattoo
Why do you people do this to yourselves ? Especially, since it can’t easily be undone !
This simply looks like it is not finished yet. It will probably look good with some more lines and shades added in.
The line work gets done first when you get tattoos though. This person should've expected it to look weird without any outlines around the fire.
Load More Replies...
Yup, like I said on another tattoo entry : that's what 20$ will get you.
Bro it's a bloody bonfire not somebody's self-portrait lol "copycat"
Load More Replies...
As mentioned before, focus on the things that are within your control. Even if it's something as simple as meal planning or laying out your clothes the night before a stressful day. Establish routines to give your days and weeks some comforting structure.
However, if you continue to have trouble managing stress and coping with uncertainty, ask for professional help. Psychologists are experts in teaching people how to develop healthy ways of tackling stress.
At the end of the day, thinking differently about your ability to manage uncertainty is a skill that can improve with practice. But if venting on TikToks works, who's to say you're doing something wrong?
They definitely used a needle that was too thick for this type of fine line tattoo.
Kylie Jenner had this on in one of her IG photos. Yes, it stretches like crazy, but unless your paying for the actual designer then expect to get the crazy, cheep, knockoff that doesn't stretch or fit.
"I'm sorry miss, we sent you BigFoot's order by mistake. Our bad."
This such an easy nail art to do, please don’t tell me it was done by a “ professional”
Though the materials are clearly different, I feel like it would fit perfectly on someone with the same body shape as the first pic.
Note: this post originally had 53 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
Most of these are actually "What I wanted vs. What I was ready to pay for it".
Especially the nail ones! if you want super fancy designs that are difficult, you've gotta pay the going rate for some with experience and skill
Load More Replies...
If you buy cheap Chinese stuff online - especially figure-hugging stuff shown on a model with unusual proportions - don't expect them to fit YOUR unusual proportions...
Don't expect them to fit you. Sometimes. When I order American an XL is ok but from china it's an 8x first of all how humiliating is that.
Load More Replies...
Look, it has been a long time since I have been in a tattoo shop and it was for others not myself, but they got a whole drawing from the artist, questions answered, an outline the artist would use, etc. It's going to be with you for life, get to know your artist As for the clothing ones, do more diligence when finding sites especially from social media ads. It doesn't matter that they sell Americanized/Western clothing with Kardashian looking models, google their name and look up reviews including from BBB, etc. Is the contact information more than a page, does it include a real address with a company you can find? Etc. You'll start to find a trail that perhaps makes you think twice.
the old adage applies here, if it looks too good be true, it probably is !
Load More Replies...
If you're buying a product from a company like Wish, they have no transparency on who is making the products being sold, and no policies in place to ensure the quality of the products or the conditions they are produced in (i.e. child/slave labour, safety of product/materials etc.) Often what happens is that a seller on the site will use photos by legitimate crafters without their permission, then put together a cheap estimation of how the product is actually made. Bernadette Banner on youtube did a breakdown comparing one of her dresses to a knock-off which was sold using her own photographs.
It would be nice to see the price they paid for some of those clothes. Because if that beautiful beaded garment with an intricate pattern and real feathers costs 23 dollars... 😬 I can guarantee it's either a scam or plain labour exploitation. I mean, the cost of the fabric itself would be much more of the price you're paying for the final garment! People, when it's too good to be true, it's probably not true...
Seeing as most people want their tattoos to be unique and meaningful to them, I find it surprising that so many others go "Oh look at that person's tattoo, I want the exact same thing". Besides that, people want the oddest things... o.O
I always say if you want a tattoo have a shirt made with the design on it ! Where it everyday for a month and see if you still want that tattoo !
Load More Replies...
Some are scams, but many are people going for the cheap version, or for the bargain. So it should be: what I wanted Vs what I paid for.
At least half of these are people being cheap and wanting to pay 50 for something worth hundreds...
I really dislike all the clothing pics. I'm just so sick of fast fashion, there's everything wrong with it. It's awful from both environmental and human rights point of view. I've seen some rise in buying second hand etc. for these reasons, but I wish we could get faster back to buying less but much more expensive and excellent quality clothes that we would take a good care of. Learning basic sewing skills etc. that would enable most people to fix anything that breaks etc. & taking pride and joy from maintaining something that serves you well instead of constantly wanting something new.
Note to self; Do not buy from Wish. If it seems to good to be true, it usually is. Research any place that will be doing something permanent on me! 🤣
Wish is good for small gifts and toys, clothing not so much
Load More Replies...
I do not feel bad for people with the clothes. People go on to site like shein and buy these cheap clothes that are made by people working in horrible conditions, creates a huge environmental issue (60% of plastic production and waste), and then because they were so cheap it isn't worth it to return them so they end up in land fields. So you just purchased something made under abusive labor conditions, people working 75 hour weeks for a few dollars a day, for something that they will never even wear and will just add to the mountains of waste we already have. It isn't cheap if you can't even wear it. Stop buying that crap, we all already know it is crap. Not only is it unwearable, it was also made by people being abused and it is destroying the environment. It isn't funny, it is a huge f*****g issue.
I had no idea about these dreadful labour conditions. I'm ashamed for not researching SHEIN before purchasing from their online catalogue. Thank you for the tear-filled eye opener. Please continue lobbying against such companies.
Load More Replies...
Some of these are simply people looking at a photoshopped picture of a model in a dress, and then not looking like a photoshopped model in a dress
Not really. Most of the fabrics are cheap papers like viscose. Really garbage. I bought two great shirts that hurt to touch. One beautiful two piece dress completely sheer with terrible sewing errors. But wait, there was more. Nothing wearable.
Load More Replies...
Here's the thing on the tattoo ones: normally when you get a tattoo, you get an outline of the design printed onto your skin before the actual needle goes in. If it looks like crap at that point, it's not going to look any better as a tattoo!
at lot of these stuffs I'm wondering why would anyone even want them in the first place
Tattoos spread, ya'll. Don't get a super fine line tattoo and expect it to stay that way forever. It doesn't work like that. Any good artist will tell you that.
A lot of these fit better with the Pinterest fail theme. I tried to do this cake or these nails etc and failed
I bet a lot of these could have been avoided by not buying of wish or going to a proper stylist. I get that most people cannot afford fancy stuff, I can't either, but if you can't then settle for something you can afford instead of trying to get something high end out of a cheap provider.
You want couture at Alibaba price, You want tattoo on the cheap, intricate cake at store bought price, you get for what you paid, no need to be disapointed
Seems like some of these posters did not look at what the designers offered. Nor did they ask questions. Walking in to a hairdresser, cake shop, nail salon, or tattoo studio with a picture and expecting some one to replicate it is not bright. Look at what they do, ask questions, listen to them if they say "I'll do the best I can but...." if that comes out of their mouths, listen closely. They may be telling you your hair won't look the same, or the tattoo is not the style they normally do. This is a polite way of saying I'll take your money if your willing to take a chance. Cakes, if they don't display it, why would you think they can make it?
Dont buy clothes online without a good return policy. Dont get budget tattoos. Dont demand fancy cakes from the supermarket.
A couple suggestions: make sure the tattoo artist knows what the F they're doing. Don't over bleach your hair! Geez! Leave it alone. And if you see a $$$$ dress for $$, you are going to get $ dress and that's it. Go to the store and get one you know is good rather than wasting time and money on crap clothing.
Okay Pandas, we need to take a little break from judging what people like. Haircuts, nails, clothing styles - just because they don't appeal to you personally doesn't make them bad and it's not grounds for snarky comments about people's taste.
This listicle title should be changed to: TikTokers buy cheap stuff off Wish and Ali Bab and are shocked when crap arrives!
Some rules for Wish, because I guarantee most of these (other than the tattoos) are from there. =1= NEVER order storage (computer storage). It's always fake. If it says 2tb it actually means 14gb. =2= Chinese XXL is EU L and USA M. Kinda. It's best to look at the measurements in CM rather than assume XXL means the same to you as to a Chinese. I ordered a shirt at size XXXL because I knew about this. Guess what, it was an L. Slightly too big, so I tailored it down. =3= Ties and waistcoats from wish are actually good. =4= Shoes are bad, never order shoes from them. Usually plastic, never actual leather. =5= Costume jewelry from them is fine, usually good. =6= Posters from them are usually fine but sometimes low resolution. =7= if it sucks, send a photo and immediately demand a refund, they almost always oblige.
With sites like Wish and AliBaba, it's also a good idea to reverse image search the product images. If you find the original image source has no connection to the listing you originally found it through, it's highly unlikely the product you'll receive will reflect the product in the photos.
Load More Replies...
I have to go to a store to buy clothes or shoes unless I’m buying a brand I’m familiar with!
I also hate shopping 😂I’m 43 and most of my clothes come from my mom or my best friend ! They get tired of seeing me in duck boots, jeans cut mid knee and a black shirt ! 😂
Load More Replies...
Ah, the perils of buying online. I got suckered into buying this awesome glow in the dark silver dragon ring once. What I actually got was a cheap piece of crap whose "silver" instantly rubbed off, with bits of glowy plastic glued on. Then they had the gall to keep harassing me for a review, so I obliged with a review saying their product was a ripoff and don't buy it.
Seems like most if not all of these happened to women. And we expect them to run a country?
Most of these are actually "What I wanted vs. What I was ready to pay for it".
Especially the nail ones! if you want super fancy designs that are difficult, you've gotta pay the going rate for some with experience and skill
Load More Replies... If you buy cheap Chinese stuff online - especially figure-hugging stuff shown on a model with unusual proportions - don't expect them to fit YOUR unusual proportions...
Don't expect them to fit you. Sometimes. When I order American an XL is ok but from china it's an 8x first of all how humiliating is that.
Load More Replies... Look, it has been a long time since I have been in a tattoo shop and it was for others not myself, but they got a whole drawing from the artist, questions answered, an outline the artist would use, etc. It's going to be with you for life, get to know your artist As for the clothing ones, do more diligence when finding sites especially from social media ads. It doesn't matter that they sell Americanized/Western clothing with Kardashian looking models, google their name and look up reviews including from BBB, etc. Is the contact information more than a page, does it include a real address with a company you can find? Etc. You'll start to find a trail that perhaps makes you think twice.
the old adage applies here, if it looks too good be true, it probably is !
Load More Replies... If you're buying a product from a company like Wish, they have no transparency on who is making the products being sold, and no policies in place to ensure the quality of the products or the conditions they are produced in (i.e. child/slave labour, safety of product/materials etc.) Often what happens is that a seller on the site will use photos by legitimate crafters without their permission, then put together a cheap estimation of how the product is actually made. Bernadette Banner on youtube did a breakdown comparing one of her dresses to a knock-off which was sold using her own photographs.
It would be nice to see the price they paid for some of those clothes. Because if that beautiful beaded garment with an intricate pattern and real feathers costs 23 dollars... 😬 I can guarantee it's either a scam or plain labour exploitation. I mean, the cost of the fabric itself would be much more of the price you're paying for the final garment! People, when it's too good to be true, it's probably not true...
Seeing as most people want their tattoos to be unique and meaningful to them, I find it surprising that so many others go "Oh look at that person's tattoo, I want the exact same thing". Besides that, people want the oddest things... o.O
I always say if you want a tattoo have a shirt made with the design on it ! Where it everyday for a month and see if you still want that tattoo !
Load More Replies... Some are scams, but many are people going for the cheap version, or for the bargain. So it should be: what I wanted Vs what I paid for.
At least half of these are people being cheap and wanting to pay 50 for something worth hundreds...
I really dislike all the clothing pics. I'm just so sick of fast fashion, there's everything wrong with it. It's awful from both environmental and human rights point of view. I've seen some rise in buying second hand etc. for these reasons, but I wish we could get faster back to buying less but much more expensive and excellent quality clothes that we would take a good care of. Learning basic sewing skills etc. that would enable most people to fix anything that breaks etc. & taking pride and joy from maintaining something that serves you well instead of constantly wanting something new.
Note to self; Do not buy from Wish. If it seems to good to be true, it usually is. Research any place that will be doing something permanent on me! 🤣
Wish is good for small gifts and toys, clothing not so much
Load More Replies... I do not feel bad for people with the clothes. People go on to site like shein and buy these cheap clothes that are made by people working in horrible conditions, creates a huge environmental issue (60% of plastic production and waste), and then because they were so cheap it isn't worth it to return them so they end up in land fields. So you just purchased something made under abusive labor conditions, people working 75 hour weeks for a few dollars a day, for something that they will never even wear and will just add to the mountains of waste we already have. It isn't cheap if you can't even wear it. Stop buying that crap, we all already know it is crap. Not only is it unwearable, it was also made by people being abused and it is destroying the environment. It isn't funny, it is a huge f*****g issue.
I had no idea about these dreadful labour conditions. I'm ashamed for not researching SHEIN before purchasing from their online catalogue. Thank you for the tear-filled eye opener. Please continue lobbying against such companies.
Load More Replies... Some of these are simply people looking at a photoshopped picture of a model in a dress, and then not looking like a photoshopped model in a dress
Not really. Most of the fabrics are cheap papers like viscose. Really garbage. I bought two great shirts that hurt to touch. One beautiful two piece dress completely sheer with terrible sewing errors. But wait, there was more. Nothing wearable.
Load More Replies... Here's the thing on the tattoo ones: normally when you get a tattoo, you get an outline of the design printed onto your skin before the actual needle goes in. If it looks like crap at that point, it's not going to look any better as a tattoo!
at lot of these stuffs I'm wondering why would anyone even want them in the first place
Tattoos spread, ya'll. Don't get a super fine line tattoo and expect it to stay that way forever. It doesn't work like that. Any good artist will tell you that.
A lot of these fit better with the Pinterest fail theme. I tried to do this cake or these nails etc and failed
I bet a lot of these could have been avoided by not buying of wish or going to a proper stylist. I get that most people cannot afford fancy stuff, I can't either, but if you can't then settle for something you can afford instead of trying to get something high end out of a cheap provider.
You want couture at Alibaba price, You want tattoo on the cheap, intricate cake at store bought price, you get for what you paid, no need to be disapointed
Seems like some of these posters did not look at what the designers offered. Nor did they ask questions. Walking in to a hairdresser, cake shop, nail salon, or tattoo studio with a picture and expecting some one to replicate it is not bright. Look at what they do, ask questions, listen to them if they say "I'll do the best I can but...." if that comes out of their mouths, listen closely. They may be telling you your hair won't look the same, or the tattoo is not the style they normally do. This is a polite way of saying I'll take your money if your willing to take a chance. Cakes, if they don't display it, why would you think they can make it?
Dont buy clothes online without a good return policy. Dont get budget tattoos. Dont demand fancy cakes from the supermarket.
A couple suggestions: make sure the tattoo artist knows what the F they're doing. Don't over bleach your hair! Geez! Leave it alone. And if you see a $$$$ dress for $$, you are going to get $ dress and that's it. Go to the store and get one you know is good rather than wasting time and money on crap clothing.
Okay Pandas, we need to take a little break from judging what people like. Haircuts, nails, clothing styles - just because they don't appeal to you personally doesn't make them bad and it's not grounds for snarky comments about people's taste.
This listicle title should be changed to: TikTokers buy cheap stuff off Wish and Ali Bab and are shocked when crap arrives!
Some rules for Wish, because I guarantee most of these (other than the tattoos) are from there. =1= NEVER order storage (computer storage). It's always fake. If it says 2tb it actually means 14gb. =2= Chinese XXL is EU L and USA M. Kinda. It's best to look at the measurements in CM rather than assume XXL means the same to you as to a Chinese. I ordered a shirt at size XXXL because I knew about this. Guess what, it was an L. Slightly too big, so I tailored it down. =3= Ties and waistcoats from wish are actually good. =4= Shoes are bad, never order shoes from them. Usually plastic, never actual leather. =5= Costume jewelry from them is fine, usually good. =6= Posters from them are usually fine but sometimes low resolution. =7= if it sucks, send a photo and immediately demand a refund, they almost always oblige.
With sites like Wish and AliBaba, it's also a good idea to reverse image search the product images. If you find the original image source has no connection to the listing you originally found it through, it's highly unlikely the product you'll receive will reflect the product in the photos.
Load More Replies... I have to go to a store to buy clothes or shoes unless I’m buying a brand I’m familiar with!
I also hate shopping 😂I’m 43 and most of my clothes come from my mom or my best friend ! They get tired of seeing me in duck boots, jeans cut mid knee and a black shirt ! 😂
Load More Replies... Ah, the perils of buying online. I got suckered into buying this awesome glow in the dark silver dragon ring once. What I actually got was a cheap piece of crap whose "silver" instantly rubbed off, with bits of glowy plastic glued on. Then they had the gall to keep harassing me for a review, so I obliged with a review saying their product was a ripoff and don't buy it.
Seems like most if not all of these happened to women. And we expect them to run a country?
