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There are plenty of seemingly innocent products and services out there that are just elaborate ways of getting you to part with your money. They might not try to bamboozle you as obviously as some spammers and con artists, but underneath all the glitz and glamor, they’re still scams.

Redditors have been sharing their opinions about what things they consider to secretly be giant scams after redditor MelteyReddit asked them to share their thoughts on this. In a viral thread, these redditors touched on everything from baby products and printer ink cartridges to a variety of questionable ‘health’ products and multilevel marketing companies. You could argue one way or the other for some of these, but that’s half the fun.

Check out what these people think are total scams, meant to get you to hand over your hard-earned cash, and upvote the opinions that you agree with as well. Disagree with any of these opinions? Know of any other things that you think aren’t much better than actual scams? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Meanwhile, be sure to read Bored Panda’s in-depth interview with the author of the thread, MelteyReddit.

#1

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams This might be unpopular but here goes.... The Catholic church. Currently worth 30 billion, the Vatican has 8 billion in assets . In 2014, it was discovered they were hiding 1.1 billion off the books. Why aren't these funds going to the poor? In 2019 it was discovered the Vatican was heavily invested in unreported luxury apartments.

Then there's the ugly stuff all this money is financing; Until 2014, the age of consent in Vatican city was 12. Yes. Twelve - the lowest age of consent in the world. It was only changed after the pedophilia scandal took hold. Then there's the wide history of evils brought on by the church; the ivory trade, castration of young boys (castrada), the Spanish Inquisition, Holocaust denial, cutting funding for the poor with LGBQ ties and on and on....

The Catholic church provides a thin veneer of "good" for their followers, but for centuries they've been feeding corruption beneath the surface and continue to do so.

decorama , Reinaldo Kevin Report

#2

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Convincing every high school kid they NEED to go to university. In reality skilled Trades or another specialized school would be the best route for a lot of people, and the pay can be very good.

alp1ne , Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the great mistakes of recent Western thinking was the decision to push so many of the young towards higher education (and in to degrees of limited use) and away from apprenticeships. This has resulted in heavily indebted graduates who are of no use to the job market and an extreme skill shortage.

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Katinka Min
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Recent American thinking. In Germany the majority of people do apprenticeships. The system has been around since the middle ages. However, a 1st world ccountry does need a ton of university graduates. Our numbers are too low, especially in STEM subjects,

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also to not preassure the kid to join university immediately after HS. It is perfectly fine to take a year to work, or travel (if they can afford it) or volunteer. It is also fine to change careers if you realise that its not for you. Dont stay 5y in the university for a career that you dont like.

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MrOwlAteMyMetalWorm.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But in interviews employers ask you to explain gaps in studies and they judge based on which school you went to ,they even keep you in the dark about the salary you deserve vs what they want to pay you,cheap labour is all they want while the top 1% earns most of what any organisation makes.

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ben woskje
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

agree with hugh - but would like to add that in addition there is a generation of over-confident, under-skilled people who have jobs like "thought leader" and "prime minister of Australia" when they have NFI what they are doing - and are good at one thing only - spinning s**t.

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that ask to young generations three times the qualifications that they have just for an entry job

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends where you live I think, but certainly true in Scandinavia. Also 'following your passion' is overrated - unless it's truly a passion. If you just find art history interesting, maybe think about something more likely to get you a paying job, art history can still be ha hobby.

andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree. Its important to find something that you like but still has more demand. Even people with titles in economy (like my cousins) have trouble nowadays finding jobs. Studying something that barely has demand is nice while it lasts but wont get you a job later in life. My years studying biology were some of the happiest of my life but I wish that isntead I had done biotechnology, biomedicine or somerhing related to biology but with more demand.

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Rose the Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A university degree has become just a form of snobbery particularly in China. Trade jobs aren't considered "socially acceptable". Try suggesting a trade to a less than brilliant student and all hell breaks loose with Mummy.

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Viviane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once asked a foreman from an academic family, "Does your family look down on you for being a foreman?" He said, "No, because I'm the only one who knows how to fix things in the house."

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Skilled workers are making much more money than many people with a title to their name.

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Chich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was years ago when I was thinking about what to take. Toured around some of the gov't/private offices in the field I was interested in. Ended up taking a two year technician program over university as I was told several times that they wanted people who could "actually do something".

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Carrie Laughs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true. I get fed up with sifting through applications from people who went to University for the 'experience' and a degree that's not much use to the jobs they are applying for.

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QueenMiri
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

University is unnecessary for most jobs. In Europe, even though it's basically free, a lot of people don't go. I did not.

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe times have changed, but back in my time (late 2000s), the only jobs that didn't require university were part time and low wage seasonal jobs.

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Lisa Pavlica
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People forget that universities are a BUSINESS. They will sell you a degree in breathing if you will pay for it.

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GirlFriday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two of nephews have chosen trade school or apprenticeships over college. One has completed his apprenticeship and is making more than and working less than the nieces and nephews that went the traditional route of college.

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Beans
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family calls it the "cult of the diploma" where a piece of paper trumps giving people chances or getting educated on the job etc.

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Eric Schultz Saindon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on what you want to do. Prepare them well so they can make the right choice for them.

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lara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How in the hell does ANYONE know what they want to be or do for the rest of their life at 16?

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Tami
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got 12 years of great employment out of my first degree (an Associates) and 25 years of great employment out of my Bachelor's degree. It's important to select an education that's marketable and builds on your talents.

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Nizumi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a university education. Then I went to secretarial college so I could get a job.

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toss this in here too: Convincing HS graduates that they SHOULD/MUST know exactly what they want to study (if appropriate) and do for the rest of their lives! When my boy came home mid-Junior year, stressed out and anxious, I naturally inquired as to the cause. He told me that they had been given tests that would determine their education and career path for their Senior year and beyond. And he was anxious because none of it appealed to him and he thought it should. What was wrong with him? A bit of investigation and I learned that the 3 paths that somebody determined would apply to everyone were Business, Medical, and Vocational. Each student would fall into one of those categories and their Senior year curriculum would encompass those type of skills. I was soooooo angry that the school administration was already trying to keyhole individuals that instead, should be experiencing a little bit of everything life has to offer,

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Brendan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being a post-graduate, I totally agree with this one. Kids are fed the lie that uni/college will buy you a ticket to your dream job.

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Mark Hamilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you can't ship a plumbing or electrical job to China or India! A good tradesman is worth his/her weight in gold!!!! liz

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Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pushing the young into higher education when in many cases is just not right for that young person, leaving them feeling inadequate, incapable and useless. In the UK trades are seriously short of apprentices training for the future, many will not even consider them, it is not 'cool'. Schools and Society need to get back to these

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Robin Virga
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's possible to make more as a young welder than I will ever make as an architect.

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CincyReds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree with this. College is not for everybody. My son went straight to the Marine Corp after high school, I mean like 3 days after graduation. He is now looking at trade school for something, he want s to drive trucks.

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Sandra Gould
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ABSOLUTELY! The European model includes both. America is starting to recognize the wisdom in that.

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Euni Hinojosa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one needs to go to university or college. As long as you can read and are curious, imaginative, and you just want to learn is all you need. Speaking as someone who worked in education for over 30 yrs. Very disillusioning.

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ive got 11 years experience and I get interviews for my field but NOT having university is whats f****d me on getting the better paying job

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Mariya Stoyanova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can always get a degree, even better if it is after you got a job in the field

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ya you either go to university or get a trade and be off work a lot.

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Sue Bradley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree 100% also it's good to try different jobs - how do you you are good or enjoy a job otherwise? Xx

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Janet L
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the 1970’s in the UK 3% of school leavers went to university because entry requirements were so tough.

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Richard Grady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sorry, they DO need to go to college. What needs to change is this idea that you have to choose between trade skills and education. We need more trade people. More EDUCATED trade people. The idea that education is simply a pathway to a career or earning potential is the greatest scam. The sum total of all of mankind’s knowledge is YOUR BIRTHRIGHT whether you’re a carpenter or a doctor.

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Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not everyone needs, even wants an higher education. But, they are brain washed to think...the HAVE to have one!

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RoseAnne Hutchence
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it Germany that helps younger students decide between university or skilled trades? And that country which values a master carpenter as much as a doctor?

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Donald Holder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's totally a control factor. The universities are a modern era indoctrination center. And what makes it even more hideous is that they've convinced the students to pay to be brainwashed. The biggest scan in modern history. Especially in America in the last 30 or so years.

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Myxomatosis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American - I did get an APPRENTICESHIP. In a very specialized field however. Photographic Chemical Engineering really does not exist anymore UNLESS there is still the need for liquid chemical processing. However, along with that came a slew of other degrees that I hold very near and dear to me. A certain type of perfect color vision, Master Printer status, expertise in hand coloring, just to name a few. I may only do private work now and specialize in archival work. Especially with photovoltaic negatives, tins, glass plates, and those prints that should never be exposed to heat or light (check your attics!), but I have loved everything I have done. From teaching college to working for Kodak and now myself (although not often), I would not change my apprenticeship for a second. *Unless it was a full ride to med school.*

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Cynthia Souza
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most years, my brother the car mechanic made way more money than I did with my college degree teaching elementary school.

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Amaranthim Talon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son decided to go into HVAC after high school. He isn't even looking back :)

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H.L.Lewis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely. College requires a lot of core courses. Go to trade school and you only take what you need for that career. Tuition is lower, and you have to pay for fewer classes.

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Mark Peterson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The trick is telling them what NOT to do and then they will do it.

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Laurie L
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Colleges have done an excellent job of convincing people they need a college education to be successful. A degree is highly over-rated and a quick way to start your life out in massive debt you can never escape.

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Donny Cromwell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't tell people often and hardly ever, but people are always very surprised how much I make in the trades. And I am debt free.

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CatWoman312
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They only enforce that idea so you’ll end up going on debt. It’s all about capitalism

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Charles Weisel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is true, here in Maine three shipyard hires right out of high school and the pay and benefits are amazing... With no debt for training or education. You can even get a degree through their apprentice program if that your thing.

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David
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As most universities have become little more than Marxist indoctrination camps, it makes sense that these worthless degrees are pushed. It makes it easier to implement the Marxist policies in government when the population has been taught that profit is evil and it has been insured that people will be more and more dependant on the Govt, because they are in debt for 6 figures and their worthless degrees guarantee they can't get work.

dwendele avatar
David
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The totally useless degrees, like gender STUDIES (and MANY others) should NOT offer an actual degree. So many kids being scammed out of 100s of thousands of dollars for degrees that have no actual benefit. A degree should be useful and mean something. All that other fluff should just be considered "hobby" courses.

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Michael Se
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS! You can also take a few years after high school before going to college.

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Mike Ray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked my a$$ off going to college while working full time because I always felt a degree was necessary to be financially successful in a chosen career. I finally got my B.S. in Computer Science but I never felt like it helped me get a job in the field. My experience is what mattered

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Paddling Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100% We have an aging trades workforce and we still need people to fix our appliances, plumbing, vehicles, etc., and we still need people to build things.

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Mariya Stoyanova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only the smartest should go to college and university not those who can pay the tuition. No need to waste money and time on higher education if you couln't even cover the basics in high school. Not everyone is a college material. But money... $$$...

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Legen ( wait for it ) dary
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After study law in Portugal, but now living in Germany I wounder if believe that a Ausbildung its not the same story as university was. At the end its my Jura study unnecessary and lost time and money.

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Michigan Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one o the other mistakes was raising govt guaranteed student loan amounts. over and over again. all that did was allow higher education to raise tuitions...and worst of all, that really encouraged those unaccredited places with worthless degrees to flourish for a couple decades....phoenix, ITT Tech, several different truck driving schools, etc...

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DonS
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That! It was what our high school counselor told us ! You want a good job go to university and that trades or specialized school were "beneath" us. I went to a private high school who just want to boast their students who makes it big after graduating to put their pictures everywhere. Like we had the picture of an astronaut, but she went there for only a year and left for another school when she saw the bullshit going on there. My gf went to a specialized school and has a great job (nearly double my salary and I went to university and possess a Master degree). To conclude: F**k that school and their guidance counselor.

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reason for this lie is hedge funds. Many hedge funds are funded by investments in universities and colleges. The schools themselves are being swapped by rich people like trading cards.

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Lev Pertsov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't deny the fact that blue color jobs are going away at an accelerating pace. I actually would advice all high school kids to seriously think about university.

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends if you live in a city or the country. Here most jobs available are construction, agriculture, factory workers... I have barely seen office jobs

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Redditor MelteyReddit’s question got quite a bit of attention on r/AskReddit. Their thread got 20.2k upvotes and 15.4k comments, while the original poster racked up a whopping 55 awards at the time of writing.

“When I first published my question, I didn't think it would get so much attention. I thought to get a few responses here and there but quickly realized my phone exploded with notifications,” the redditor shared with Bored Panda how they reacted to their post going viral.

“The reason why I think [the question] resonated so well is because it's a very open discussion that can be easily argued about,” they pointed out that there’s quite a bit of nuance in the thread and not everything is as black and white as it seems.

#4

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Any product that's made by Gwyneth Paltrow

lamesas Report

#5

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Anything that says it will detox your body. That's what your kidneys are for.

drromancer , Birgith Roosipuu Report

#6

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams US healthcare system. I went to the ER a few weeks ago for an unknown pain in my chest and overall sh***y feeling. Got slapped with a 1500 bill with what turned out to be viral food poisoning. My brother, who is a doctor, said that was normal. Why the f**k is that normal?!

bluthco , National Cancer Institute Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because that's what a sad majority of the US-Americans wanted and still want, because the Orange tells them lies about how paying such ludicrous amounts (and $1500 is cheap) is better than having universal healthcare. I'm sorry for you folks.

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MelteyReddit personally believes that it’s vital to know where your money is going. “I always try to stay up to date with where my money is going. If you are unsure if something is a scam, you can try looking it up on the internet to see how other people feel about it,” they urged people to do their own background research before purchasing something. What’s more, if your gut says that something’s off, chances are that something fishy is actually going on.

In MelteyReddit’s opinion, there are a few things that stand out and scream that something’s secretly just one big giant scam.

“I think the best way to recognize one is by a few factors, [for example,] if they are really pushy about a product that they wanna sell or if the website design/product design looks fake/rushed. Or if they ask an unreasonable amount of money for their product,” they shared their take on how to recognize hidden scams. “An answer posted a lot on my post was the lottery or casinos. Of course, we can't forget those.”

The author of the post added that they’re thrilled and thankful to everyone who engaged with their thread on r/AskReddit. “I want to thank everyone for answering my post, it means a lot to me!”

#7

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Funeral services, preying on the grief of loved ones.

I understand that its really for the living to celebrate their lost loved ones, but when I'm done I just want my family to bury my dead ass in the backyard and throw a bash at the house in my honor. Doubt I'll mind considering I'm dead.

SingleFunction80 , Rhodi Lopez Report

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Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the prices are crazy. You just lost someone you love and you literally have to wonder how you're going to pay for their funeral.

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#8

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams That humans are here to just work and die. No way humans evolved so we can work 5 of 7 days of the week, trying to jam fun in on weekends

Visible-Activity2200 , Alex Kotliarskyi Report

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Emowan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't really afford it, but I now only do 2 hours on Wednesday morning instead of a full day. I use the rest of the day for appointments and relaxation. Been a godsend for my mental health.

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#9

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Emails and messages from corporates and celebrities that "We are in this together" during the pandemic.

northern_light007 , Stephen Phillips Report

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Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All sent from their villas to several million while we "essential workers" continued to go to work to be paid trifles.

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For an earlier article, I’d spoken with one of the mods helping run the r/Scams subreddit, a community that helps support the victims of scams and help inform them about the various ways criminals might try to bamboozle them.

One of the mods told Bored Panda that rudimentary research, education, and preparation all make a huge difference when trying to recognize scams for what they are. Nobody is ever 100% foolproof, no matter how insightful and perceptive they might be, but it’s always better to educate ourselves. Internet scams, in particular, can be more difficult to recognize in some cases because you’re no longer dealing face-to-face 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. 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," they explained.

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#10

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Planned obsolescence.

recaffeinated Report

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Gandalf the Pink
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A bit lacking in elaboration here so: Planned obsolescence is the practice of artificially making a product's lifespan shorter so people will replace it more often. This leads to a massive waste of resources and towering amounts of hardware trash that most often isn't recycled. Poisoning the planet all in the name of profit. If you wonder why phones seem to generally break just in time for a new generation of phones that's why. Nokia bricks was never as profitable as today's iPhones which a lot of people replace semi-anually. Imagine building yourself a house but not making it as sturdy and long lasting as possible. Planned obsolescence is seriously a horrifyingly Earth-destructive strategy. Another good example is light bulbs, which early models could last many years or even decades but today's light bulbs are manufactured to last about a year. Check out "This is why we can't have nice things" by Veritasium on youtube!

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#11

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Organized religion.

thedeadeye , Aaron Burden Report

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Mike Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Organized religion is now big business, especially in the USA.

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#12

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams The whole baby product industry is based on making parents feel worthless and irresponsible if they don’t shill out for things that will be outgrown or unnecessary in six months.

mywifemademegetthis Report

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Lytha
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my son was born, as soon as I went out with him, even for an hour, I literally took EVERYTHING I could need. My bag weighed tons, but I was like "you never know". A few months later, I took a diaper or two, wipes and something to drink. And I had a lot of stress in less. It's difficult because indeed, as young parents, we take a lot of judgment in our teeth. "Ah, didn't you take (insert here the super crappy trendy thing that everyone considers essential)?" "You only took 12 diapers for an hour's outing ??? how are you going to do it?" "Do you use disposable wipes? I thought you were green?" "Is your stroller a second hand? You should have bought the (insert here a trendy stroller that costs a kidney)" ....

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“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," the mod from r/Scams told Bored Panda earlier.

"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 said.

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"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."

#13

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Any claim that a 'magic' drink will help you burn fat.

No, no drink or no food can burn that -- that is a pure fabrication.

moosejaw110 , Alex Lvrs Report

#14

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Ink cartridges for your printer are super cheap to manufacture but the retail price is really high

holytaco57 Report

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Trillian
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why they can make printers super cheap. You will pay through the cartridges

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#15

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams The wedding industry in the U.S.

$20,000 - $30,000 for a single day, stressful-as-hell event. When I learned a photographer alone runs $5000 minimum I almost puked. And a lot of venues didn’t give a s**t about covid and hosted packed weddings, resulting in deaths because “wE gOtTa MaKe MoNeY sOmEhOw” Absolute slime balls.

Now before all the vendors dog pile me, let me be clear, I’m fully aware why you guys charge as much as you do. I also hope you understand why an average person like me looks at the price and says hell no.

And for those that want a conventional wedding: If you can swing it, do whatever you want. My wife and I did a Sandals all-inclusive vaca/wedding/honeymoon, which has its own pros and cons but still a no-brainer due to the cost and convenience.

CaptainPlummet , Shardayyy Photography Report

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Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A closed friend had a "dream" wedding, very expensive, very "conventional", very "not her". And when I found out the amounts allocated for this wedding, it hurt me a bit, because if I had such an amount, I could have finished paying off the house ... (spoiler alert, this was 15 years ago and the house is not yet reimbursed: D)

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#16

Bottled water, looking at you Nestlé

some_bs_name_ Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've only ever bought bottled water when I was in a jam - whenever I needed water and couldn't get tap water easily. I've never understood why anybody would waste their money on bottled water.

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#17

Instagram fitness model meal plans. I cant believe people still pay them a lot of money for cookie cut meal plans and fitness advice. They are literally just pulling s**t off of google, copy paste your name, and make you think its personalized for you. Taking advantage of dumb people who are desperate to lose weight. Its pitiful on both sides.

thascarecro Report

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Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would not call them dumb or pitifull, I would say "Hopefull" or "Desperate"

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#18

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Any online course promising to teach you how to make money

Sullixio , Samantha Borges Report

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Chloe *Leah* Pheonix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I basically make 80000-1000000000000 per day>>>>>>>omg so life changing>>>>>>>work online>>>>>>>*insert sketchy link*

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#19

Two-party political systems. They seem to be in opposition to each other but in reality take "donations" from the same entities to further their agendas, so the sense of choice is mostly false in reality.

Mr_Lumbergh Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only know of the US that does this (Though I guess the UK comes close?) and from the outside it seems that that whole system needs to be scrapped and started over. It looks broken beyond repair.

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#20

All multi-level marketing companies.

They tell you that all you have to do Is get 5 people to sign up and they each get 5 people to sign up, etc. Except these are not mathematical geniuses running these companies. By the time you get about 12 levels deep, you’ve surpassed the entire population of the Earth. It’s a good lesson in exponents.

FatherPyrlig Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just look at who falls for them, in huge numbers, and you’ll see why they don’t want the best and brightest. They don’t intend for anybody to do anything but spend money buying stock to sell.

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#21

Companies saying their employees are valuable to them and they care about their employees.

Uncertn_Laaife Report

#22

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Casinos.

All of the casinos in my state are video poker and video slot machines. There are barely any table games left.

No one is happy, no one is having fun. It's just a room full of zombies feeding the machines and losing money. Every person I talk to is convinced that they know the secret formula to win. You cannot win.

It might sound trivial but the old slots were just a spinning reel. These new machines are extremely addictive. The way the lights flash and the sounds go off like: Bing Bing BING. WINNER of 40 cents. The entire thing is a psychology hack to give people the impression that they're winning when they're not.

MSFNinja , Kvnga Report

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Sam Kunz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a new Casino near where I live. I stopped in because they were offering a free buffet. I walked around and saw one person sit down and start to win hand over fist on a video slot. People crowded around the person. This person made thousands in minutes. Then got up and disappeared into the crowd but I followed and saw this "Winner" sneak into an employee only door. This person was paid to pretend to win.

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#23

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams College tuition. I graduated with a B.S. Information Technology and Computer Science. Working at a job and earning just as much as my coworkers who didn’t go to college and earned certifications. They have zero debt, while I’m $40k in the hole.

Accurate_Interview10 , Vasily Koloda Report

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beastmachine.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude I'll be getting into uni next month and my fees are about $300/yr for a STEM/CS deg that includes tuition and lodging along with food coz it's sponsored by government. For places that aren't sponsored you may have to shell out $4000-5000/yr and that's pretty reasonable

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#24

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Trying to look good for men by reading women's magazine articles! Throw those magazines away, take good care of yourself, make the best of what you've got and don't be defined by someone else's expectations of what you should be.

KatPrincess88 , Charisse Kenion Report

#25

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Recycling plastics.

Less than 10% of plastic waste is actually recycled.

vitto2point0 , Julia Joppien Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not just ban the use of single use plastics? It is easy - and quite a few countries have taken major steps in this direction. We can (and have in the past) relied on glass bottles, paper bags, paper straws, card burger containers, card ear bud shafts etc. etc.. Profits need not be affected (heaven forbid!) and most/many consumers would tolerate the tiny increase in prices.

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#27

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Apple cables

hellofellowhumanss , Mika Baumeister Report

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ben woskje
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The apple eco-system - all of it. Intentionally created to be product specific, always technically behind the current technology standards - creates an obscene amount of waste... all to lock people in.

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#28

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams In the US, doing my own taxes. The government literally has all my info and can do it for me, but their excuse is that "but Americans like doing their own taxes!". No. I especially don't like being forced to pay for a service like TurboTax either.

turnOn , Kelly Sikkema Report

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Gin. No tonic
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country taxes are done on a government's website, where most of the info is already inserted and I just have to check it or can add some extra expenses (such as giving back education/housing loan). It takes no more than 15 minutes once a year

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#29

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Essential Oils being marketed as having these major health benefits/as treatment for illnesses. The only exception being clearing your sinuses. Some essential oils actually do pretty good work in that regard (at least for me personally... mileage will vary I'm sure).

tim_to_tourach , Chelsea shapouri Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems when people don't have access to affordable health care, they'll try any alternative - no matter how far fetched

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#30

The entire working economy is a scam. You bust your ass for half of your waking hours, at least, then get told that your work is worthless and you don't deserve basic needs... even though your rich owners are making millions in profit off of your "worthless" labor?

NoKenjataimu Report

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J. F.
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I don't pay good wages because I have a lot of money; I have a lot of money because I pay good wages." - Robert Bosch, sadly something that was forgotten over the last 30 years

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#31

The "All natural" market/label. Means nothing.

jackHadIt Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gluten free. Most people are not gluten intolerant, it's just a fad they need to follow.

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#32

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Adobe’s subscription based monopoly

pregnantbaby , Szabo Viktor Report

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beastmachine.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude, just search on Google and you'll find so many alternatives. Maybe try watching Linus Tech Tips video on how they made videos without using any Adobe product

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#34

non-GMO food

GMOs are safe, we have been unknowingly doing this for thousands of years. Now we just have a more reliable,safe and fast way to do it.

Existing_Lynx_337 Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. People need to understand that selective farming, e.g. taking only the seeds of the most productive plants for next year, is selection based on genetic mutations and therefore LITERALLY IS genetic modification, just on a slow term and based on observation rather than design.

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#35

Adulthood because kids think it’s great but it’s not

BirdKibble Report

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hyperunknown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adulthood rocks. I'm 43, my other half is 42. 13 years going strong. No kids = no stress, no drama, no school/government/etc hassle, a lot more money, travel when we want, sleep when we want etc. Basically 2 peeps in their 40's still living like we're 18. You get the life you make for yourself by good planning, and not letting the energy stealers, Karens and drama-people in. Again, adulthood is awesome :D

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#36

Pretty much anything that says it will enlarge your penis

jobo633 Report

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#38

Getting a phone call about your cars extended warranty.

TrustedPluto104 Report

#39

And survey says; Diamonds (but also most jewelry)

footinmymouth Report

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Nicky
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree! Why is wearing a hard rock mined by exploited people in Africa considered an act of love?

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#40

Eating/drinking raw eggs. The proteins found in eggs only become useful to your body after the structures are changed by applying heat aka cooking them.

There's not only no point choking back a raw egg. You're also absorbing less protein from it than if you were to cook it.

"Cooked eggs have a bioavailability of around 91% for protein, while protein from raw eggs only is 50% bioavailable (Evenepoel et al., 1998)."

https://www.reddit.com/user/BloodintothewildRed/ Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do people actually do this? I've only seen it in like movies from the 80s - but love the citation

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#41

Insurance, health insurance in particular. The whole concept is pay into a pool on the off chance that something happens you can get some kind of reimbursement which sounds fair on the whole, but is so often bogged down with unfair terms and conditions that many get screwed over. This on top of predatory policies and greedy salespeople means a whole lot of people get [screwed] over.

nineball22 Report

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Kari Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That depends heavily on the country and honestly, I think it‘s a major reason why universal health care has such a bad reputation in the USA. I was in a bad car accident two years back and had no trouble at all with neither car nor health insurance, which I am very grateful for because I had enough to worry about at that time.

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#42

Tiktok. They now have an event where they pay you $40 if you refer a friend. It’s clearly selling your private information, but people ask their friends to be referred like crazy.

Karlos-the-Kitten Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still don't get why we don't finally start boycotting this chinese surveillance bullshit, but apparently people just don't care.

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#43

Realtors, probably the most overpaid, under qualified profession. The commission based comp is crippling for some sellers, and if you try to sell on your own (FSBO), they will steer all their buyers away from you.

Dad6FMTX Report

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Shelly M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because FSBOs don't know what they are doing and dont get smoke inspections or final readings.

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#44

Having a royal family. It’s bonkers in this day and age that a country as grown up as Britain has a monarch that costs us all money, just for privilege of having her. A literal Queen, wearing a crown, who believes that she was sent by God to sit on a gold throne. And we have to sing a song asking for her longevity at football games. The royal family are a scam, cost us too much money and are currently harbouring a nonce to boot.

laura_susan Report

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Gin. No tonic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's image also brings in a lot of tourists, helps sell loads of souvenirs, and overall adds to the economy. It would be interesting to know not just the cost, but also the value of having a royal family. Also it seems that countries with royal families tend to be more stable during crises.

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#46

Corporate owned apartment complexes tacking on hundreds of extra dollars in monthly fees on top of rent. Mandatory cable TV packages, parking fees (on a flat surface lot, with no assigned parking), valet trash. All a scam and just a way for them to pocket incremental sales on top of rent.

letssgooooo Report

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Jjiinnee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't this only a high-end complex thing, ..for Luxury Apartments and Condos for people who make the top 1% of income? It is in Boston...I know many complexes on the waterfront do, but...who else but a top earner can afford 7k in rent a month, and why would they complain if they could? LOL.

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#48

NFTs.

There will be a market for these in some form, but we are hip-deep in the rowdy, scam-filled early days.

echo6golf Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never understand NFTs, no matter how many ways it's explained to me. They make no sense.

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#49

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Chiropractors. "The only way I can help is if you come see me 3 times a week for as long as you live."

zopea , Toa Heftiba Report

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel so much better after a visit to the chiropractor (once or twice a year) that I fail to understand the scam. I wanted my back to feel better and it does after I leave, service given, service paid for. Where was the scam?

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#50

Fifa games

Redmage53 Report

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SykesDaMan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this post was meant for the video games (I've checked the reddit post) but it could also apply to actual real football (or soccer for US) games.

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Note: this post originally had 56 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.