50 Times Information In The Fine Print Was So Absurd People Just Had To Share It

Although many of the examples in this list are humorous, they're also good examples of unethical marketing. Fine print is one of the tactics marketers and companies use to mislead consumers. Ironically, we almost expect brands to deceive us. We're used to looking for information in fine print or tricky wording in ads. But is that really the new standard now?

We reached out to an expert who could shed some light on misleading marketing. Teresa Murray is a consumer watchdog director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), and she kindly agreed to explain the importance of transparency in marketing and labeling. We talked about more than just obviously absurd ads but about hidden fees, surprise medical bills, and more serious issues.

How many times have you been duped by an ad or a misleading label, Pandas? If you have, it was probably done by a company that's not very big on transparency. "Transparency is critically important for companies that sell products or services, whether they sell to consumers or other businesses," Teresa Murray tells Bored Panda.

"Companies have a moral obligation to disclose all types of things relevant about a product or service." When you're buying a thing or a food item, the manufacturer should include information about what that product contains. If it's food or a thing that could cause an allergic reaction, companies should include exactly what is in the product.

In cases where the item is a toy, we as consumers should know whether it contains something that could compromise the privacy of a child, like a microphone or camera. And it all should show on the label. Specific details about the quality of the item are also important. "If we're talking bedsheets, what's the thread count?" Murray asks. "If we're talking automobile tires, what's the mileage expectation? If it's an external hard drive, what's the capacity?"

Some other questions Murray recommends to keep in mind are: "How much does it cost? Are there extra, mandatory fees? What's the warranty or guarantee? Are there any terms and conditions?"

Considering these questions will make you a well-informed consumer. And a company that answers them on a label or an ad is most likely ethical. "Transparency is important because we're giving our hard-earned money to companies. We need to know exactly what we're paying for," Murray explains.

Different industries have their standards and regulations when it comes to ethical marketing. "For example, a vitamin manufacturer is not allowed by law to claim that if you take one of the company's vitamins every day, then you'll live for 1,000 years, even if there's fine print that walks that back," Murray tells Bored Panda. "A toy manufacturer must disclose whether a product contains small parts that could choke a child under three."

The Internet is not immune to misleading labeling as well. In an effort to make the cost and price of high-speed internet clear and easy to understand, the FCC has passed a law that goes into effect this year. "Broadband (internet) providers are being required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide 'nutrition labels' as part of their marketing and disclose details about pricing, whether a monthly price is an introductory price, the speed, etc.," Murray explains.

The consumer rights expert gives more examples of regulators and lawmakers making sure companies aren't misleading consumers. "Funeral homes aren't allowed to charge for embalming without permission and can't require you to purchase a casket for cremation, even if there's fine print that discloses it's optional."

"Rules on this topic were updated a couple of years ago by the FTC because too many consumers – at a time when people are grief-stricken and vulnerable – weren't being given complete information about a funeral they're planning."

"Manufacturers of infant sleep products aren't allowed to advertise certain types of products intended for sleep if they don't meet safety standards," she goes on. "Before the Safe Sleep for Babies Act passed in 2022, some companies would [advertise] inclined sleepers with a baby on the box with its eyes closed and supposedly dreaming, but the company would try to say they weren't really marketing the product for sleep."

It might sound unfair that we must be on the lookout for deceptive marketing constantly. But Teresa Murray says that industry standards and laws are not enough to ensure ethical practices. "Consumers should educate themselves about any product or service of significance that they're considering buying. We're not talking about a pack of gum but a new TV, signing an automobile lease, hiring a landscaper, etc."

She then tells us the most vital thing we should be aware of. "Consumers should NEVER sign anything they haven't read – not even with a digital signature. Fine print is an unfortunate reality in today's world. Consumers bear responsibility for protecting themselves because not all companies engage in honest advertising and not all companies even follow state and federal laws."

"We [have seen] an avalanche of new consumer protection laws in the last couple of years," Murray says. "[They deal] with a range of issues: surprise medical bills, junk fees, airline passenger protections, broadband service, cell phone bills, product safety standards, the list goes on. We're seeing these because too many companies don't behave ethically and honestly all of the time, so lawmakers and regulators step in to better protect consumers' health, safety, and wallets."