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If you hate wasting time walking around the mall, online shopping might be right up your alley. It’s fast, it’s efficient, and it has become almost like a lifeline during quarantine. When you have something specific in mind, you often turn to the retail giant Amazon, a go-to site for virtually everything. Yet, once you scroll past the items you need, things take a bizarre turn.

The Worst Things For Sale (TWTFS) is a Twitter account dedicated to the most horrible objects on the web. After all, there’s plenty to choose from. The creator, Drew Fairweather, combs the site and handpicks "one terrible item every day" to make his followers a little baffled and a lot amused.

So if you’re looking for a terrible gift guide, you’ve come to the right place because we have selected some of the weirdest things the account had to offer. Continue scrolling, upvote the ones you enjoyed most, and tell us what you think about them in the comments!

When people say that all things should have a function and a purpose, they've probably never stumbled upon an enormous USB-compatible Enter Key or a fried chicken phone case. The internet is chock full of items so extreme that they seem unreal. Yet, all it takes is one look at Amazon to recognize that it’s a true treasure trove of weird, strange, and peculiar objects. 

We reached out to Drew Fairweather, the founder of the account, to learn more about his project and the inspiration behind it. The artist not only writes The Worst Things For Sale blog but is also the author of the daily comics Toothpaste For Dinner and Married To The Sea

Fairweather started TWTFS about ten years ago when he was simply looking through Amazon. He noticed that there were many weird and hilarious items "always peeking out from under what I was actually trying to find," he told Bored Panda. Ever since then, the author has faithfully documented the oddest and most pointless objects found online. "Once you realize the breadth of bizarre things available there, you can't un-see them!" 

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

I have seen it, its actualy amazing becase it hugely desexualite woman wearing it, so they arent fpcus of some random boner

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When it comes to the Twitter account, it now has more than 11.6K followers. This shows just how many people are drawn in by a desire to discuss and figure out why on earth such things exist in the first place. Also, why some people actually buy them. Well, as they say, one person’s trash is another’s treasure.

"Since buying items is the main creative outlet of most people—most Americans, at least—people enjoy seeing unusual items for sale," he said. Statista reports that Amazon was responsible for 50 percent of US e-commerce spending in 2021. One of the company’s key tools to increase that spending is Amazon Prime, a membership that gives you free and fast shipping, plus extra privileges like streaming music and video. 

In 2018, as many as 62 percent of their customers in the US were Prime members. According to Statista, they are highly engaged shoppers who spend a lot of money—more than double the amount of non-Prime members per year—and are relevant to Amazon’s success. 

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Fairweather also writes about items "that seem normal—branded waffle irons, pink screwdrivers—that have a strange or sinister subtext hidden beneath the sales pitch." When it comes to some of the most bizarre things he has ever come across, it has to be the "BabySaver, a box where you store your child's baby teeth after they fall out." 

"The box has holes for each tooth, so you can reassemble your child's teeth into a jaw-shaped curio," he explained. "If that's not enough, it has a slot in the middle for your child's umbilical cord." 

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

Maybe the follow-up is Melanie's Funeral and then Melanie's Wake to complete the trilogy. Not many twists, I'll be honest. Unless there's a crossover into George's Marvellous Medicine.

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When it comes to finding such items floating around Amazon, he revealed that most of them he has dug up on his own, though his followers also help with suggestions. "I tend to stay away from novelty items, which are those intentionally created to be 'wacky,' since there's nothing unusual or sinister about these." 

"I'd rather write about something like Extylus, which is a stylus for your smartphone that you strap to your finger, so you can use your finger to control your smartphone."

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

That’s actually quite funny… I think even Jesus would laugh at this.

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"As with any items manufactured and sold, these were all created with the purpose of making money! A lot of these companies, I'd imagine, start with someone having an idea they hope will be popular, a niche product that will become the next Beanie Baby or Scrub Daddy," he told us. "They're then put through the wringer of marketing to become one of the abominations I write about, like Bumper Dumper, the toilet you attach to the trailer hitch of your truck."

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

My family destroyed capitalism and the only thing they brought back was this tee shirt.

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The artist revealed that his ultimate goal is to make people think about what they’re buying and why. "These products are mostly made of plastic, manufactured by underpaid factory workers, sold at a premium to people who don't need them," he explained. 

"They're a colossal waste of energy and material resources, and it engenders suffering from the human cost of manual labor, the occupational health hazards experienced by the workers, and the ecological damage done by extracting these limited resources from the Earth." 

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Call Me Mars
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but I NEED this! I have autism and HATE when food touches, and I would buy this is an INSTANT!

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Fairweather continued: "The very richest people accumulate wealth and use their power to strip the rest of us of health and happiness, then sell it back to us, one plastic piece at a time. We don't need any of these things! It's all a symptom of a society which has prioritized the accumulation of the wealthy over all other aspects."

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

I wonder if it stores the pee or it just flows out on the other side, and you use it more like a watering can.

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

Am I missing something? Why is everyone so grossed out? Pre covid testers for moisturizes were common, and that's essentially what Vaseline is, isn't it?

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So while these awful objects catch our attention and allow us to let out some genuine laughs, they also show a much deeper problem. Remember that each time we consume a product, we support certain businesses and their values. So next time you want to buy a funny-looking thing online, think long and hard whether it's actually worth it.

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

At least make it sticky notes so it doesn't get erased by your sleeve. Amateurs

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

You can even store the umbilical cord and the lanugo in it. Every proud parent should have one.

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

Amazing how much american flag apparel there is. I'm sure that there's something written that the flag is not supposed to be worn

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

I think its to prepare your cat for a baby in the house so it doesn't eat your child

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Luther von Wolfen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you can't just use your hands to shape hamburger into any shape you want.

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martin734
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think these perform the same function as the rubber bands that people who self-harm wear. When they feel they need to self-harm they use this to inflict pain without causing injury. Whether they work or not has never been proven either way but if it helps to stop people from injuring themselves it serves a purpose.

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

Implications aren't that terrifying. You punish yourself for doing behaviour you don't like. I could shock myself each time I bite my nails for example. It wouldn't work, but it's an option.

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

No, it works. I use it as an alarm and to quit Facebook. Its the only thing that worked for a lot of people for nail biting. It has a detector in it so you get shocked if you lift your hand to your face for nail biters.

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

I can picture abusive parents or partners using this as "punishment."

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

This might work for anxiety, like snapping a rubber band that’s worn on your wrist, but more.

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User# 6
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a sneaky suspicion they're not worn around the wrist.

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

had the same thought, though i have seen similar things that are mean to be worn in ... other places and are better designed for it.

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

I can think of a whole community of consenting adults who would like this

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

I actually have one of these. It is extremely useful for breaking bad habits. When you catch yourself doing g it, , ZAP!

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

Probably great for pain and those that get pleasure by pain.

lynnem avatar
Mrs Spigot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ex husband had a similar thing that was noise activated supposedly to stop snoring. Needless to say it didn't. It did however provide great amusement when the cat sat next to him meowing very loudly.

aurorarider2013 avatar
No you can't have my name
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell them to skip the extra cost and just buy a shock collar. Make sure they put it around their necks too. Then they'll know the pain *and* realize how cruel those monstrosities are.

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

That's how at least one company I know of helps people quit smoking via aversion therapy using a mild electric shock. I learned about it when I went there wanting to quit years ago, but instead of paying the company I built my own little shock device and used it in the same way. It did work, and I kicked the habit within a week.

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

Does anyone know how bad the shock is..? It couldn't be too bad cause it would probably be bad for your heart or something if you kept doing it regularly.

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

These have been showing up when I search for deaf alarm clocks! Apparently they are being sold under that use? Normally my brother and mum use vibration discs under their pillows. I feel like they will probably stick to that.

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

Gaslighting doesn't cover it uh? The whipping and beatings hasn't worked either candy they make you look bad. Well this Ronco Home Electro Shock Torture Device will have everybody see things your way.

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

the only design flaw here is that it cant be locked on . . . . . .what? . . . . . just me then . . .okay, fine.

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Sylvia_SilverVampire
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Human version of an electric animal collar, so they can feel all the pain they have caused animals. Karma!

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Huck Finn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the best Shark Tank episodes EVER was with this product.

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Xenon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The inside buckle looks uncomfortable as hell, never mind the electrical shock!

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Minh Lê
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know at least one couple who had used a real dog shock collar during sex.

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Karen Hill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have one of these. Good for stopping nail biting or smoking.

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Barbie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should get both of my kids one of these that way whenever they tell me "NO" It'll zap their asses!

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Jes.the.Mess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bad husband. Give me the credit card and watch the kids. Don't make me shock you again!

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

A matching set for a wedding or anniversary gift would be ideal. His and hers zappers.

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Big Chungus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has been a life saver for me. I always sleep through alarms, but now I shock myself awake in the mornings and I even start to wake naturally at the times I get shocked at.

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

Buy today for that ornery ol man with dementia or the toddler who jus won't stay out of the cookie jar!

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

Well. Whats good for dogs MUST be good for people, especially people who USE 'electric collars on their dogs. Though SHOULDN'T it be around the neck!!

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

Imagine if trump had worn one & sanity was holding the remote controller.

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

It's obviously kink gear I'm starting to think this judgment of "bad" is bull too

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

I need that to help me quit smoking. I am running out of options.

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

It doesn't do it automatically you have to press the button

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

This sounds like a similar concept to snapping a rubber band against your wrist to break bad habits or disrupting unwanted thoughts.

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

Could have been used in COVID lockdown or I wonder would it keep the kids in the yard!?

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

I need this. Everytime I'm telling something to my husband and he's not even listening I would zap him.

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

Let's be real we know it's for men and usually they it comes with a whip and something to tie him down with. .

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

The TV show, "Cheers" had a brilliant routine about this product, almost 40 years ago.

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

I read an article in the guardian a few years back bout a school in the US for SEN kids who use these. Terrifying.

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advice5cents
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ex bf and his equally giant brothers trying on their dog's shock collar, cranking the power to max, and jumping over the line. Last I heard he was the GM at a highly ranked golf club.

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

Sure they used it on themselves but even using one on their dog.. awful.

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

You know that someone, somewhere, will buy this for their d**k. It is inevitable. I am not purple.

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F8th
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are we sure it’s a “bracelet”? I’m not convinced.

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

Sure it's a bracelet and not a c*ck ring? Looks BDSM.

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

Haha, I know of people that would simply love this. Could go along great with their electric chastity belt.

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