Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
The ‘What I Wanted Vs. What I Got’ Trend Has People Sharing Funny Stories Of Frustration
Expectations are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s fun to imagine all the wonderful scenarios that might play out in real life. On the other hand, if your expectations are a tad on the unrealistic side, they can completely wreck your emotional state when you step down from your daydreams and come face to face with reality.
But what about fairly realistic expectations? Surely, if somebody advertises a product or a service, the customer can expect to get exactly what they pay for… right? Spoiler alert: oh, dear Lord, no! TikTok users have been uploading videos showing the huge differences between what they (un)realistically wanted and what they got. From clothes to dog haircuts and more.
People have been adding TikTok user Keelyknight aka Madeline’s audio (where she’s crying because of the nails she got) to their own videos, and we’ve collected some of the best ones for you to watch, dear Pandas. Have a look, upvote your fave vids, and be sure to let us know which ones were your favorite, why, and if you’ve ever been in a similar situation yourselves.
@kneelyknightThis was the worst experience I’ve ever had. #nails #help #foryou #foryoupage♬ original sound - Madeline
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Monday 4 years ago
Sure..spend thousands on a lawyer so you can get your $50 back.
Load More Replies...
Earl Grey 4 years ago
MORAL: Don’t take a photo of an obvious styling by a $700 high-end Hollywood boutique to your local $15 hair cutter and expect anything other than a disaster. The difference in the level of talent, experience and professional equipment needed to pull it off is like day and night. And this applies to a lot of these entries.
MilaFi 4 years ago
This is a disaster, yes. However, I don't think this template would have worked as well with this person due to the shape of her neck and head. The models' neck is very narrow and shapes prettily upwards to the head. The other one has thicker neck and the head is longer in shape.
Sarah watson 4 years ago
Or when someone sees the pic on the left and goes down to the cousin they have who has just started beauty school that week to do it.
Load More Replies...
Rannveig Ess 4 years ago
If slightly miscolored nails is the "worst experience" this lady ever had, I envy her. Do your own damn nails then.
Thomas Turnbull 4 years ago
if those nails of kneelyknight are the worst experience she's ever had she has lead a very sheltered like and is in for some big shocks in her future.
Billy The Kid 4 years ago
The hairdresser certainly made short work of that. That is one hair raising experience! Hope she got a cut price on that.
Whitney-Blair Beals 4 years ago
Wtf. LOL not only is it uneven and just bad... but it's inverted
Wysteria_Rose 4 years ago
Had this happen to me. Not the exact design, but I wanted this diamond design (like scales and I was having a mermaid-themed summer) and oh my god, that poor hairdresser should have just told me she wasn't that skilled in undercut designs. I didn't even see it until I wore my hair up one day and a coworker was like, "Um, did you try to do it yourself?" She handed me a mirror and I flipped out. It definitely looked like I tried doing it myself.
TheReader19 4 years ago
They should have gone to a barber not a hairdresser. That style is barbering and you need special training g to do it
Zelda Jones 4 years ago
What did the hairdresser think they were doing ? They need to go back to school.
Lanie 4 years ago
Is it possible that your username works so well with your comment, or do I not see very well?
Load More Replies...
Princess Toadstool 4 years ago
Reminds me of a news article where someone going in for a haircut got a pause button shaved in their hair
RELATED:
When it comes to getting something we totally didn’t want, there are two aspects that you have to consider. The actual quality of the service and managing your own expectations so that you don’t end up being constantly disappointed.
The first aspect is fairly straightforward, even though it might not be easy to get around. If the product or service you’ve received doesn’t meet your standards of quality or what’s been advertised, then you’ve got to ask for a refund. Complain! Often and loudly.
#5
Amy Pattie 4 years ago
Oh no... it will look better once you bush it out but that ombré is atrocious
Obviously, try to be as diplomatic as you can with your complaints—you’re dealing with other human beings after all. And it’s not always the person who’s registering your complaint who was responsible for what you got. So try not to make their life hell and they’ll be more likely to help you out.
If a company has a genuine customer-first policy in play, they’ll take serious complaints, well, seriously. They’ll hear you out, offer you support, follow up on your complaint, and do whatever they can to make up for their mistake. But we all know that far from every company is willing to be so friendly and instead has a “profit comes first, collateral damage is all right” kind of mentality.
Consider seeking legal aid if the product was especially expensive or if you, your loved ones, or your pets suffered because of what happened. If somebody’s blatantly advertising something that’s clearly false as a way to make a quick buck, then you’ve got to do your part in putting an end to it.
#13
However, there’s that pesky second aspect when it comes to not getting what we wanted. And that all comes down to our expectations. Sometimes, what we want is so perfect, requires so much skill and craftsmanship, that not everyone can fulfill our orders. In those cases, what we envision and what the local craftspeople can provide simply don’t sync up. Or, to put it more bluntly, you get what you pay for.
#16
Amy Pattie 4 years ago
I can’t even fathom the thought process in thinking these were remotely similar. How to people get away with this?
Don’t expect your nails to look like a model’s when you’re getting them done at a discount store at your local mall. Similarly, you can’t expect a newbie dog groomer to get the same results as a grandmaster with decades of experience: they’ll do their best but you simply can’t expect them to perform according to your imaginary expectations.
In life, it’s best to do your very best to get the result that you want and then relinquish any and all expectations. You did your best. Well done! Now sit back and don’t fret, find something else to do. If you get what you want, fantastic. If not, no big deal—you’ll try again later. Maybe with a different tactic in mind.
Having low expectations is a healthy mindset, similar to the one where you’re encouraged to do good things for people without expecting anything in return. Life has a pleasant way of surprising us when we’re not desperate, needy, and whiny.
PsychCentral explains that the first step in relinquishing unrealistic expectations is being able to spot them. Of course, that’s easier said than done because we may have had certain expectations for years and years. And a lot of it’s connected to our desire to maintain control over everything.
Some examples of completely unrealistic expectations include the beliefs that everyone should like you and that the world should be fair. We simply can’t have that kind of control over the world (well, unless we’re a superhero, the Emperor of the Universe, or a member of the Greek Pantheon).
#25
Eva the Egg 4 years ago
All you would have to do to get that sort of hair is go to sleep and wake up
Similarly, if we’re constantly disappointed by results and not having our expectations met every step of the way, well, maybe it’s time to analyze them in detail. Spend the weekend looking at your belief structures.
Give yourself permission to not have everything go perfectly. Embrace flexibility. That doesn’t mean giving up your high standards (quality is good stuff, people), but you have to be relatively down to earth. Otherwise, you’ll spend the rest of your life making wanted vs. got TikTok videos.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
DD 4 years ago
Let this be a testament to all: You get what you pay for. I'm a cheap-ass on most things but I work in a design-centric industry... If you want wedding invites, cake, beauty services, business cards, flowers, costuming, basically ANYTHING that is arts-adjacent, SPEND THE MONEY if you have high standards, people. Support the folks who have spent their money and energy to perfect their craft. If ya can't afford a pro cake, a messed up monster cake is adorable and very much expresses your love without the price tag.
Monday 4 years ago
THIS. You can't buy a $30 cake and expect it to look like the $200 designer cake you saw on instagram. You can't pay your hairdresser $50 and expect the $200 celebrity colour job.
Load More Replies...
Lisa T 4 years ago
That is why there is the saying “You get what you pay for”. If you want it cheap, it’s going to look cheap. Why do people keep ordering clothes from Wish? 😂
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Why did they eve'the bother trying? Most of it was to be expected... especially the face masks.
Nicole Blomkamp 4 years ago
I never cease to be amazed by how people are surprised about shitty results when they find the cheapest dodgiest way of doing things hahaha
JennyLaRue 4 years ago
I always pay attention to the person I'm speaking to with any requests to see if they look like they understand or if they're looking mildly panicked. It's important to understand the limitations your stylist/baker/nail technician etc has, especially when it's involving crafts that rely on skill. Not everyone is an expert on every possible option within their trade (although it would help if people admitted that to their clients before they commit some of these atrocities)
Ron Santos 4 years ago
The masks are just fools being separated from their money. If you don’t have the underlying structure, a flat mask is not going to look like a CARTOON character’s face when you drape it on your face!
Vicky Zar 4 years ago
This happens (at least the tattoo, piercing, hair and nail stuff) if every Tom, D**k and Harry can just go and open a shop. If people would get proper education and training in their crafts, this would not happen.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
But if you visit someone with proper education and training you must pay 3 times what Thomas, Richard and Harry charge.
Load More Replies...
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
A lot of companies - especially oversees companies that make it hard to get a refund - will use a beautiful photo of a professionally made dress then send what's essentially a sack. Fast fashion is a ripoff in so many ways.
MandaPanda 4 years ago
If someone shows you a picture of the hair style you want or the nails or cake, etc, and you don't think you are capable of delivering that, then speak up. It's a waste of time and money.
Chucky Leganjit 4 years ago
I don't get this nail fails. Like after 1 nail it is visible what the quality is. Stop doing the other 9 nails and get the hell out of there
cah 4 years ago
Why do people let things continue being done when u see they're making a mess, hair, nails?
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago (edited)
I'm going to complain for a moment here. Under the one about the bad spray tan, I said "It looks like they made her up in blackface. She should sue." I keep getting downvoted for it either by ignorant people who don't know what blackface is, or by white supremacists who object to me condemning blackface. It's pissing me off, fellow Pandas. Thank you. I'm still furious, but at least I can vent.
Chucky Leganjit 4 years ago
You are looking for a fight with those woke comments, BP isn't the place for that. Stop bringing in racism in a discussion that doesn't call for it and you don't get down voted so much
Load More Replies...
Eslamala 4 years ago
"if you think hiring a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur and see what happens". Also, people who buy clothes on Aliexpress, Wish, Shein and similar should know by now the stuff is NEVER like what you see in the pictures.
Samara Morgan 3 years ago
My mom has cute leggings from Aliexpress sale. I also saw many people get beautiful clothes for their children from there. It's not 100% bad, sometimes people want to take the risk.
Load More Replies...
CORLEONE 4 years ago
Hey, if you need something to buy online you should go to the main product website. For example you need a cup Yeti and you found a cheap one on Amazon just go to Yeti.com so you can have the real product and the warranty. It is win win. Anyway, that is how it works for me. I hate this overpriced sites like Amazon or Ebay. Good luck!
kath morgan 4 years ago
Yeah it doesn’t seem like any of these things were ordered from the original designer. Something doesn’t sit right about that with me, as an artist.
Load More Replies...
Jasmin Smith 4 years ago
About the shaved dogs, coming from a dog groomer: There's a lot of issues with the "wanted" photos of the dogs. There was one where the wanted picture was of a puppy with a puppy coat, while the dog was an adult. The groomer should have discussed this with the client and tried for more reasonable expectations. Also, it looks like they were all shaved down. This is most likely due to MATTING. You don't see any of the before pictures, and if your dog is matted IT WILL BE SHAVED DOWN, no matter what. Take care of your dog's coats, and you should be able to have a better groom.
Shun 4 years ago
I see a lot of hair saloon disasters. It won't be easy to get exactly the style you've seen on the picture. You won't have the same hair type and the hair dresser. Consult with your stylist and choose what will look good. Don't just follow the trend. Also, don't be stingy and research before you go to a saloon.
aubergine10003 4 years ago
People still think they are going to get something awesome by buying cheap, knockoff crap from China... when 99 percent of the time, that simply isn't going to happen.
DogMom 4 years ago
My whole renovation could be on here. Only the guy who painted our walls delivered what was expected
Lucas 4 years ago
Oh, I am sorry that happened to you. That's worse than most things here. Hope you didn't have to pay for work that was sub-standard. That can be worth going to court over as it is usually much larger sums of money.
Load More Replies...
DarkLumiya 4 years ago
Y'all just pay for a pro, what do you expect, stop bashing the hairdresser/ cake maker/nail artists if they aren't trained to do it how the f you expect them to manage those XD
Al Christensen 4 years ago
It's what happens when you try to copy others instead of doing something original.
Don't Look 4 years ago
I wanted to see how many times the word sue came up. I was pleasantly surprised that I only saw it once.
Sofia Murat 1 year ago
Some people get clothes that are way to small for them then complain? It's not the stores fault it's theirs. And about the others, you get what you pay for. Most of these cost like 10$ when the pictures they wanted cost about 100$.
alloutbikes@yahoo.com 2 years ago
Why is "I ordered the same size as the model " supposed to fit when they aren't even close to the size of the model?
Terka Červeňáková 3 years ago
I don't understand how your nails can turn out so bad. You sit right there. The nails are right in front of your eyes... If you don't speak up when the nail lady does the first nail too short, you can't be surprised about the result...
Davis the Un-Greatest 4 years ago
The pic of the nails at the top isn’t even that bad! It’s the same thing they asked for. Maybe a shade darker, but pretty much the same.
Susan Egan 4 years ago
I don't understand how you let someone continue a bad job on your finger nails. You are right there, you can see the colors, the length of the nails etc. Tell them to stop. The other problems may just be that the people are asking for things, say the cakes or the hair styles, that the designers have never done or can't do. Unless they are advertising it as something they do.... Of course they should say, I'm sorry I can't make this cake. Or I'm sorry your hair isn't going to take the dye like this etc. The idea that "you get what you pay for" isn't the issue here. We don't know what people were doing other than asking to have something done that looked like what was in a picture.
HooowlAtTheMoon 4 years ago
A lot of people seemed to just be ordering the wrong size. Makes me think maybe they ordered the wrong size so they could get attention for expectation vs. reality...
DD 4 years ago
Let this be a testament to all: You get what you pay for. I'm a cheap-ass on most things but I work in a design-centric industry... If you want wedding invites, cake, beauty services, business cards, flowers, costuming, basically ANYTHING that is arts-adjacent, SPEND THE MONEY if you have high standards, people. Support the folks who have spent their money and energy to perfect their craft. If ya can't afford a pro cake, a messed up monster cake is adorable and very much expresses your love without the price tag.
Monday 4 years ago
THIS. You can't buy a $30 cake and expect it to look like the $200 designer cake you saw on instagram. You can't pay your hairdresser $50 and expect the $200 celebrity colour job.
Load More Replies... Lisa T 4 years ago
That is why there is the saying “You get what you pay for”. If you want it cheap, it’s going to look cheap. Why do people keep ordering clothes from Wish? 😂
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago
Why did they eve'the bother trying? Most of it was to be expected... especially the face masks.
Nicole Blomkamp 4 years ago
I never cease to be amazed by how people are surprised about shitty results when they find the cheapest dodgiest way of doing things hahaha
JennyLaRue 4 years ago
I always pay attention to the person I'm speaking to with any requests to see if they look like they understand or if they're looking mildly panicked. It's important to understand the limitations your stylist/baker/nail technician etc has, especially when it's involving crafts that rely on skill. Not everyone is an expert on every possible option within their trade (although it would help if people admitted that to their clients before they commit some of these atrocities)
Ron Santos 4 years ago
The masks are just fools being separated from their money. If you don’t have the underlying structure, a flat mask is not going to look like a CARTOON character’s face when you drape it on your face!
Vicky Zar 4 years ago
This happens (at least the tattoo, piercing, hair and nail stuff) if every Tom, D**k and Harry can just go and open a shop. If people would get proper education and training in their crafts, this would not happen.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
But if you visit someone with proper education and training you must pay 3 times what Thomas, Richard and Harry charge.
Load More Replies... Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
A lot of companies - especially oversees companies that make it hard to get a refund - will use a beautiful photo of a professionally made dress then send what's essentially a sack. Fast fashion is a ripoff in so many ways.
MandaPanda 4 years ago
If someone shows you a picture of the hair style you want or the nails or cake, etc, and you don't think you are capable of delivering that, then speak up. It's a waste of time and money.
Chucky Leganjit 4 years ago
I don't get this nail fails. Like after 1 nail it is visible what the quality is. Stop doing the other 9 nails and get the hell out of there
cah 4 years ago
Why do people let things continue being done when u see they're making a mess, hair, nails?
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago (edited)
I'm going to complain for a moment here. Under the one about the bad spray tan, I said "It looks like they made her up in blackface. She should sue." I keep getting downvoted for it either by ignorant people who don't know what blackface is, or by white supremacists who object to me condemning blackface. It's pissing me off, fellow Pandas. Thank you. I'm still furious, but at least I can vent.
Chucky Leganjit 4 years ago
You are looking for a fight with those woke comments, BP isn't the place for that. Stop bringing in racism in a discussion that doesn't call for it and you don't get down voted so much
Load More Replies... Eslamala 4 years ago
"if you think hiring a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur and see what happens". Also, people who buy clothes on Aliexpress, Wish, Shein and similar should know by now the stuff is NEVER like what you see in the pictures.
Samara Morgan 3 years ago
My mom has cute leggings from Aliexpress sale. I also saw many people get beautiful clothes for their children from there. It's not 100% bad, sometimes people want to take the risk.
Load More Replies... CORLEONE 4 years ago
Hey, if you need something to buy online you should go to the main product website. For example you need a cup Yeti and you found a cheap one on Amazon just go to Yeti.com so you can have the real product and the warranty. It is win win. Anyway, that is how it works for me. I hate this overpriced sites like Amazon or Ebay. Good luck!
kath morgan 4 years ago
Yeah it doesn’t seem like any of these things were ordered from the original designer. Something doesn’t sit right about that with me, as an artist.
Load More Replies... Jasmin Smith 4 years ago
About the shaved dogs, coming from a dog groomer: There's a lot of issues with the "wanted" photos of the dogs. There was one where the wanted picture was of a puppy with a puppy coat, while the dog was an adult. The groomer should have discussed this with the client and tried for more reasonable expectations. Also, it looks like they were all shaved down. This is most likely due to MATTING. You don't see any of the before pictures, and if your dog is matted IT WILL BE SHAVED DOWN, no matter what. Take care of your dog's coats, and you should be able to have a better groom.
Shun 4 years ago
I see a lot of hair saloon disasters. It won't be easy to get exactly the style you've seen on the picture. You won't have the same hair type and the hair dresser. Consult with your stylist and choose what will look good. Don't just follow the trend. Also, don't be stingy and research before you go to a saloon.
aubergine10003 4 years ago
People still think they are going to get something awesome by buying cheap, knockoff crap from China... when 99 percent of the time, that simply isn't going to happen.
DogMom 4 years ago
My whole renovation could be on here. Only the guy who painted our walls delivered what was expected
Lucas 4 years ago
Oh, I am sorry that happened to you. That's worse than most things here. Hope you didn't have to pay for work that was sub-standard. That can be worth going to court over as it is usually much larger sums of money.
Load More Replies... DarkLumiya 4 years ago
Y'all just pay for a pro, what do you expect, stop bashing the hairdresser/ cake maker/nail artists if they aren't trained to do it how the f you expect them to manage those XD
Al Christensen 4 years ago
It's what happens when you try to copy others instead of doing something original.
Don't Look 4 years ago
I wanted to see how many times the word sue came up. I was pleasantly surprised that I only saw it once.
Sofia Murat 1 year ago
Some people get clothes that are way to small for them then complain? It's not the stores fault it's theirs. And about the others, you get what you pay for. Most of these cost like 10$ when the pictures they wanted cost about 100$.
alloutbikes@yahoo.com 2 years ago
Why is "I ordered the same size as the model " supposed to fit when they aren't even close to the size of the model?
Terka Červeňáková 3 years ago
I don't understand how your nails can turn out so bad. You sit right there. The nails are right in front of your eyes... If you don't speak up when the nail lady does the first nail too short, you can't be surprised about the result...
Davis the Un-Greatest 4 years ago
The pic of the nails at the top isn’t even that bad! It’s the same thing they asked for. Maybe a shade darker, but pretty much the same.
Susan Egan 4 years ago
I don't understand how you let someone continue a bad job on your finger nails. You are right there, you can see the colors, the length of the nails etc. Tell them to stop. The other problems may just be that the people are asking for things, say the cakes or the hair styles, that the designers have never done or can't do. Unless they are advertising it as something they do.... Of course they should say, I'm sorry I can't make this cake. Or I'm sorry your hair isn't going to take the dye like this etc. The idea that "you get what you pay for" isn't the issue here. We don't know what people were doing other than asking to have something done that looked like what was in a picture.
HooowlAtTheMoon 4 years ago
A lot of people seemed to just be ordering the wrong size. Makes me think maybe they ordered the wrong size so they could get attention for expectation vs. reality...
Related on Bored Panda
