Toothpaste Ingredients, Origin, and Purpose
If you turn to the back of the packaging on food items and other products there is a contents table that lists ingredients and the specific quantities. But, have you ever wondered what the actual purpose of each ingredient is?

This toothpaste tube not only states what each ingredient’s function is but also where the ingredients come from. This is an amazing way to educate people and let them know what’s in their products in a way that they can fully understand without a degree.
TV Remote With Headphone Jack
When it comes to noisy neighbors, if it’s not a heated argument or belly-filled laughter, it’s likely their TV is just too loud. You could use earplugs as a quick fix, but doesn’t seem like a long-term solution.

This small headphone jack could be the answer to all your issues. Allowing one to plug their headphones into the TV remote means others can sleep in peace without compromising anyone’s needed screen time.
Library Cell Phone Vault
A library is, understandably, a place of silence for people to escape into their novels or work without noisy distractions. So, getting a phone call and having to try to run out before it ends can feel like a race against time.

This library has created a sound-proof chamber in which you’re able to take that call without having to try to dodge or hurdle over others. While this might seem extreme, we’re sure the librarian will be very grateful if you used it.
Takeaway Taco Container
Not in the mood to cook and wash the dishes? Takeout is the perfect solution to enjoy your favorite restaurant meal from the comfort of your couch. When your delivery finally arrives and you open it up, however, you discover that it’s no longer intact.

To avoid that disappointment, this equally-divided container will keep your tacos upright. No broken or smashed shells, and the fillings stay exactly where they’re supposed to be.
Great Customer Experience Design
Somehow, whenever you go shopping and know exactly what you need and where it is, you’re endlessly confronted by staff members offering assistance. But, conveniently, when you need that help, there are no staff members to be found.

This store found the perfect solution to solve this problem. Instead of asking everyone through the door if they need any help, it has a basket color system that will quietly and helpfully alert the staff of who actually needs them.
Empanada Fillings
Let’s say you get 10 warm, delicious empanadas for your hungry family, with each one having a different filling (after all, kid A loves chicken, and kid B only wants vegetables in theirs). You organize them all in a box and go home hoping to enjoy them there.

But, then they get all mixed up in the box, and there’s no way for you to tell which one was for you! This empanada has the filling type baked into the dough so you don’t need to bite into nine different pastries in order to find the beef empanada you’ve been craving!
Sewn-in Glasses Cloth
For those who wear glasses, this one’s for you! Spectacle wearers know how often their lenses need to be cleaned in order to keep that 20/20 vision they don’t naturally have. No average piece of material will leave a clean lens with no scratches.

This cloth that has been sewn into the shirt means clear vision all the time. Because, honestly, who actually remembers to always carry around that mini microfiber cloth?
Miniature Curtain Sample
While renovating or redecorating you’re usually given a small sample of what you are looking to purchase. It can be quite difficult, though, to really gauge how a new color or material will look on a large scale.

This company found a wonderful solution as it sends over a miniature set of blinds so the customer can really get an idea of how the color will look.
No Beep Microwave Setting
Early in the morning or late at night, trying to perfectly time when to open the microwave door to miss the beep as the timer ends is quite stressful. Trying to keep quiet so no one gets woken up but also really wanting a hot meal?

This microwave has a setting that lets you turn off the beep. So, if you’re trying to keep quiet while heating your midnight snack, this one’s for you. Unless you actually enjoy the nerve-wracking act of catching it just in time.
Nail Polish Color Swatch
Unless you are a creature of habit and stick to the same color time and time again, choosing the perfect nail polish can be very time-consuming. Sometimes, even when you’re done with the manicure, you take a look and realize it actually doesn’t suit you at all.

This bottle of nail polish has a swatch of its color so you are able to place it over your nail and be 100% sure it’s the right color for you. This should definitely be on every manicurist’s wish list!
Angled Peanut Bottle
Peanuts are a healthy and delicious snack, but after using your fingers to grab a few nuts they become greasy. While some would say this is the best part (because you can lick your fingers after), others would seriously disagree.

This bottle of peanuts is for those who prefer clean hands. They’ve even taken into consideration that trying to get a small portion can be tricky and have created an angled neck to help pour them out.
Stairs With Bicycle Tracks
For bicycle riders who live in the city, this one is perfect for you. Carrying a bicycle up the stairs is physically taxing, as you also have to make sure you don’t bump into other people. These stairs have a built-in bicycle track to assist you up or down the stairs.

No more shoulder and back pain from trying to lift your bicycle high enough to avoid knocking someone with a wheel. This track makes traveling with a bicycle that much easier.
Built-in Water Temperature Gauge
Have you ever spent more time in the shower trying to get that perfect balance between hot and cold than you did actually washing up? Then, you finally manage to get it just right, only for one small nudge from an elbow to set you back to the start…

This built-in water temperature gauge can give you the exact heat so you can remember it for future showers. Get to the perfect heat in no time with this clever design.
Manhole Cover of City Map
Traveling, although exciting, can sometimes be overwhelming. New food, sites, and people can leave you wandering down streets and losing track of where you’re going. Panic starts when the sun begins to set and you have no cell signal.

But, then you look at your feet and this manhole not only shows exactly where you are but has a map of the city so you can find which streets will lead you back.
Phosphor Streetwalks
So, what happens if you know the direction you are going but the sun has set and the street lamps are out? Need a guiding light to show you the way home?

This country cleverly decided to put phosphor into the sidewalks to make them magically glow at night. They not only offer a source of light but are a beautiful sight, too.
Reversible Benches
Ocean versus picturesque buildings. How can you decide which view to face while sitting on a bench? Finding an empty bench is definitely a score but what happens if you prefer to watch the boats go by over the kids wrestling in the park?

This bench allows the best of both worlds. With this smartly designed reversible backrest, you’re able to choose your direction and easily change it as you please.
Chopstick Guide
Despite each person having their own technique, trying to master the art of how to correctly hold and use chopsticks takes some practice. Leaving some so frustrated they resort to using a knife and fork.

This restaurant’s menu has a step-by-step guide on how to hold chopsticks, so while you wait for your meal you can practice.
Flat-Ended Knife
Are you looking into an almost empty jar of peanut butter? Trying to scrape the last bit out but the knife just doesn’t reach the edge and now you have a hand covered in sticky peanut butter.

This flat-ended knife will fit perfectly around the base of the jar, getting even the toughest parts of the spread out. It’s the perfect gift for any PB&J lover!
Colored Tape for Packaging
From the kitchen, to the lounge, to the bathroom. When ordering products on a large scale, it’s difficult to keep things organized when receiving so many packages.

This company has created a system that matches the color of the tape to the category of items inside the box. It’s a visual and super easy way to keep yourself organized.
LED Traffic Pole
The traffic is backed up and you’re over 10 cars from the traffic light. You’ve not moved in ages and can’t see if the light is red, or green, or if the people in front are just asleep.

The frustration is building and your hand is hovering over the honker. These traffic lights have the entire pole lit up with LED lights so every person near or far will know what the signal is.
Benches on Tracks
It’s a beautiful day and you have decided to take a walk outside. By noon, the sun is at its peak, the sweat is starting to drip, and your sunglasses are not strong enough for you to look ahead without a squint.

Luckily, these benches are on tracks so you can easily move them to a position of comfort — be that under a tree or in direct sun to optimize tanning conditions.
Thoughtfully-Designed Plug
Multiple plugs, multiple sockets. What’s the issue? It’s the clash of the outcropping cables that prevents the use of side-by-side sockets — resulting in the frustrating need for an adapter or an extension cord.

This plug has a curved design to avoid that frustration so that it can be plugged in with other cables at the same time. This is truly genius!
Puzzle Box Stand
When doing a 200 or even a 500-piece puzzle, you need to look at the box occasionally as a reference to make sure you’re on the right track. For a 1000-piece puzzle, you need to map out that image perfectly.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to juggle finding pieces in one hand and the box in the other. This puzzle cleverly came with a stand to place the box onto so you can use both hands to rummage through the pieces.
Wok With Oil Measurements
When measuring dry ingredients you don’t really need to give the measuring spoons a good wash. But, when it comes to wet ingredients, especially oil, it needs a bit more elbow grease to truly come clean.

This wok has circles printed on the base so you can measure your oil without needing measuring spoons! This is also a great way to not over-grease your food and keep it light and fluffy and not soggy and oily.
Olive Oil Pouches
Never managed to get your hands on the wok with printed measurements, but got your hopes up about not having to wash out oiled measuring cups? Hopefully, this individual olive oil pouch can be an alternative.

The olive-shaped pouch provides a perfect quantity of oil and can also be used for dressing salads or other foods on the go. Plus, that design is absolutely adorable!
Step-by-Step Furniture Assembly
Have you bought self-assembling furniture and want to prove you have what it takes to master this adulting task? It doesn’t seem too difficult. However, it’s been an hour and you’ve now resorted to reading the instructions in the other languages, thinking this might help you.

These furniture assembly instructions are sorted by steps rather than types. Thus, ensuring that all the necessary items needed for that step are stored together. No more having to decipher the code in some foreign language!
No Crack Bathroom Stall
For some, going to a public bathroom is uncomfortable. But, the irrational paranoia of people peeking through the crack of the bathroom stall, is almost enough to make some avoid the whole public bathroom experience altogether.

This bathroom stall has been designed so that the crack is no longer there and you can use the stall with some much-needed peace and privacy.
Solar Panel Bench
Have you ever had your phone battery die while out and forgot to bring a portable charger? We’ve all found ourselves out stuck with no music for the rest of our walk, or urgently needing to make a call with no battery.

Thankfully, this bench has a solar panel attached with a USB charging port so you can connect your phone and get some sweet battery. This is just so smart and useful!
Color Matched Button Baby Onesie
Changing a baby’s clothes is challenging enough, with the little one squirming, hoping to be anywhere but there. Trying to get those buttons to line up is almost never achieved on the first try, even with a calm and patient baby.

Someone found a perfect solution, though. The middle buttons on this baby onesie are a different color from the rest so they can be easily matched up. From there you just have to make sure you get the rest of them right.
Color Defining Thread
Even for those with years of experience, aligning buttons isn’t as simple as we want it to be. Especially, when you’re in a rush, it’s a guarantee to skip a hole so you have to start again, really making you regret that snooze for an extra 10 minutes.

The thread on the bottom button and hole are a different color from the rest so you can easily match them up and avoid those extra minutes of frustration in the morning.
Spoon With a Nudge
Decided against sushi and leaning towards a warmer meal? A rich broth always hits the spot, although letting go of the spoon even just for a minute could mean you’ve lost it to the soup bowl. What would have been a tasty meal then has you looking through noodles trying to find your cutlery.

But, fear no more, just get this spoon! The nudge on the end of this spoon hooks perfectly onto the edge of the bowl so you don’t need to go fishing for it.
Trolley With Supermarket Map
There’s a major benefit to going grocery shopping at your local supermarket — you walk in and know exactly where everything is stocked. So, going to an unfamiliar store where you are looking for something specific can take 10X longer.

Luckily, this trolley has a map of the store so you can do all your shopping quickly and easily without pacing up and down the aisles. You’ll never be lost in this store again, even if you’ve never been there before.
Wildlife Overpass
Road obstructions are not only caused by other drivers paying little attention to the traffic signals, or road works. Wandering wildlife can take a walk through the roads causing more traffic than the average bad driver.

Not only does this cause chaos for drivers, but it’s very unsafe for the animals. This overpass over the highway was built in order to prevent any wildlife from creating obstructions to the road and allow them to safely cross over.
Finger Sizing Cut Outs
Why buy a whole glove, when all you need is just a glove for your fingers? Finger gloves have a wide variety of uses including keeping a wound clean and dry or for sowing and knitting. However, each finger size is different.

These packages for finger gloves have cutouts to measure your finger for the perfect size. Ensure it’s a single trip to the store with the guarantee of the correct fit.
Family Size Cereal Box
Family-size grocery items help you to save much-needed cash at the end of each month. But, truthfully, the quantity is sometimes just too great, resulting in food becoming stale or going to waste.

This family-size cereal has halved the contents into two separate bags. This way, while using one of the packages, the other half stays fresh.
Dry Erase Desks
Are you someone that takes down notes while working? Do you have a desk filled with sticky notes as reminders of what to do, are you a school student trying to work out a quick mathematical equation, or a person who doodles on the side while on the phone?

This dry-erase desk is the perfect place to write down your notes without piling up the pages. Quick, easy, and environmentally friendly!
Protein Powder Scoop Hook
Whether you looking to maximize muscle gains, or add a dose of protein to your meal, using a protein powder is a great way to increase your protein intake. Most protein powders come with a scoop that is used to measure the amount of powder needed. However, most of the time those scoops disappear into the powder.

This protein powder container has a hook that you can easily attach the scoop to. With this clever design, you’ll never lose the scoop in the powder again.
Easy-Open Tab
You search every corner — you feel the edges for a small give hoping it will be the correct spot to gain access into the package. However, you almost always have to resort to fetching scissors to get it to open.

This easy-opening package leaves a corner exposed aiding in a simple and frustration-free opening. Can we just agree that every package should have this?
No Mess Spatula Leg
There are dishes made that you can rest your cooking utensils on, or even use a plate or cutting board so your counters don’t get dirty. But, that does mean there is an extra thing to wash.

This spatula has an attached leg that you can place on the counter — preventing the head of the spatula from touching the kitchen counter. This is truly a must-have in the kitchen!
Hotel Pillow Menu
There’s nothing better than sleeping in your own bed. After all, it’s a guaranteed good night’s sleep. The same can’t be said when spending the night in a hotel room. The chances of a stiff mattress or rowdy neighbors is high.

This hotel has tried to account for some factors by providing its guests with a detailed pillow menu. Whether your preference is firm support or something more feather-filled, they have a pillow for everyone.
No-Stop Trashcans
Whether you prefer a casual scenic bike ride or something to get your heart pumping, there’s no denying that having to stop in the middle of your route to throw away trash is quite the hassle.

These trash cans are placed along bicycle tracks so that riders don’t need to take a detour or even slow down. A quick toss of your trash and you’re on your way — it’s almost like a game of Cornhole!
Nightlight Turned Flashlight
It’s the middle of the night and the power has gone out? Let’s say your phone’s battery is empty which means no flashlight. How do you navigate through the house to find a light source without bumping into furniture and stubbing a toe?

This nightlight still works when the power is out. Plus, it doubles as a really handy flashlight. So, make sure to keep this one close by and plugged in at all times.
Labeled Bed Sheets
You would think a household task that is done about once a week would be mastered quite quickly. However, fitted bed sheets will leave you with one foot hooked to the bottom right corner while your body is sprawled over the mattress trying to tuck the left top corner.

Who would think such a small sewn-in label could make such a world of difference? No more flapping your arms around trying to find the longer side — all you need to know is how to read and follow instructions.
Rooftop for a Bicycle’s Saddle
While we usually associate bike rides with summertime, bicycles are a mode of transport for many year-round. But, during winter it’s quite difficult to avoid getting wet in the rain. A raincoat will certainly help keep you dry, but climbing onto a wet saddle seems pretty uncomfortable.

These rooftops will ensure your saddle stays dry all through the rainy season, and prevent that really awkward wet patch you would get from sitting on a damp seat.
40+ Evil Marketing Techniques That Businesses Don’t Want Us to Know
Photoshop Magic
Most of us are aware that those images we see on our Instagram feed or in advertisements have all had some sort of manipulation done to them — though maybe we’re not aware of exactly how much has been done to them.

This YouTube star found that out the hard way when he saw himself sitting in a chair he had never even seen. This company seemed to think it was totally okay to take his content and use it as their own.
Read the Fine Print
When you find a place where you can get a good deal, no matter where it is, most people will automatically jump at it. This is especially true if you live in a large city where public parking tends to be pretty pricey.

Seeing this sign would definitely have us jumping for joy — until you read the fine print and realize that you’re going to have to park for 10-minute increments in order to get that price.
What’s Inside
If you’re someone who’s really into artistic hobbies or perhaps you just love to color, then owning a nice marker set is a must. So, we’re sure that when someone like that saw this box of markers, they thought they getting the ultimate deal.

Unfortunately, the company tricked the customer with its deceptive packaging. You think you’re getting a whole box of markers for $9.60 when, in reality, you’re only getting a handful.
Online Testing Software
Schools are always trying to find ways to prevent kids from cheating. A lot of the time nowadays, that means investing in software that’s specifically designed to do just that. However, maybe they need to read their reviews before investing in software like that.

It appears that the software that this school was looking to employ had quite a few issues. With that, we can understand why this parent might be a little concerned.
Kung Pow Consequences
One of the things that most people look forward to when they get Chinese food is that little sugar cookie after the meal. Inside, there’s a fortune that you can’t wait to unwrap. But, now there’s also something else.

Many fortune cookie companies have taken to adding little advertisements to the back of the fortune — at least we hope that there was a fortune on the back of this piece of paper.
Finding the Sum of Pie
On a chilly winter’s day, there’s nothing quite like a hot chicken pot pie. When you’re dealing with a larger family, you might want to get extra.

And although this Snapchat user did buy the bigger pie just in case, it turns out that the packaging itself was larger than the actual pie! Talk about deceptive!
A Little Extra
Every now and then, companies revamp or remodel their products. Whether it’s different imagery or a new color palette, it’s intended to reincite excitement about a certain product. That must have been what Cheerios was thinking when they came out with this larger box.

Unfortunately, it looks like they didn’t really add more cereal, but rather just gave the box a bit more height. That’s kind of messed up, don’t ya think?
Cover Your Bases
No matter who you are, it’s always great to find a place where you can get quality products for a budget price. So, a lot of companies have begun marketing their lower price points, like this store. But, if you’re not paying attention, you could really be disappointed.

It seems that this store is just covering all its bases by claiming that they have products that start at $0.99. Thanks for getting our hopes up!
Extra Blades
The last thing you want is an exhaust fan that’s dirty and corroded. This can hinder the airflow and cause issues in the system it’s attached to. So, finding a good cleaner is crucial.

This company’s cleaner seems to be fantastic. It cleans exhaust fans so well that the end result looks like a brand, spankin’ new fan! Oh, wait… it is.
Then What Is it For?
In gym class, a popular game to play is kickball. You’d get those hard rubber, bouncy balls out and break up into teams.

But apparently, if you play the game with this brand, you’re not supposed to kick the ball at all. How do you create a kickball that’s not for kicking? That doesn’t seem right…
Be Extra Careful
Many people dream of owning a Ferrari. Oftentimes, these people go to dealerships to take a look at the cars and imagine themselves driving with the top down. But, if they saw this, they’d probably think twice.

Apparently, if you break this seal, you’ve just signed an agreement. Basically, this is the most expensive version of ‘you break it, you buy it.’
We Are All Essential
Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of talk about essential workers. These workers have jobs that many of us probably did pay much attention to before the last couple of years. And while we do appreciate that these people are essential in a sense — comparing yourself as a Walmart employee to doctors, nurses, and scientists

It seems that these Walmart workers are comparing themselves to people that save lives every day. Though they’re definitely important, we’re not quite sure they’re that heroic.
Fake it Out
Over the past several years, phones have made a drastic advancement in their technology. One of the areas that are the most changed is the camera abilities. With that being said, many companies are trying to expand their camera capability even further.

But, this company did something a little shady in making it look like there’s a dual camera. When you actually look at it, it’s still just a single camera operation.
Am I Blind?
After quarantining on and off for the past couple of years, many people want to get out and travel around the world. But, they also want to do it in the most cost-effective way possible. So, if an airline promotes this type of rate, they’re sure to get a lot of traffic to their website.

Unfortunately, it seems that they may have not really been offering the $50 flights but using it as a tactic to get people to visit their website.
All Out of That One
Sometimes, you just want a little something different for lunch. So, finding a place where you can get a good meal for as cheap as possible becomes your primary goal. This guy clearly thought that he had found it when he discovered a lunch special for $1.99.

But, that advertisement was actually saying that the lunch special was $7.99. Whoever wrote it thought it would be clever to twist the seven just a bit to get more people into their dining room.
Check the Menu
More and more grocery stores are trying to go high-tech to make it easier for their customers. For instance, this store covered the refrigerator and freezer glass with a menu of what can be found inside.

This would be a great idea if the fridge and freezer actually had what was listed on the menu — plus, who wants to stand there and read a menu when they can simply open the door and check inside?
It’s in the Details
Advertisers sometimes don’t thoroughly check their ads to ensure that there are no contradictions within them. Sometimes, this can be a bit deceptive — or it could just be a pure accident.

We certainly hope that this was just an accident, otherwise, how shady can you be? The flyer for this shoe sale — which excludes Nike — features a person donning a pair of Nike sneakers! Contradictory at its finest.
Opt-Out
It seems like everywhere you look, there are advertisements. This includes your brand new out-of-the-box electronic devices. The deceptive thing about this, though, is that some of these ads cannot be removed.

This person bought a brand new smart TV and is now stuck with film and app advertisements that they don’t really care to invest in. That seems a little sneaky and quite annoying.
No More
When you find makeup that you really like, you want to use every last bit of it before you buy a new package. But sometimes, companies decide that you need to buy more, so they do things like this.

How messed up is that?! The fact that this person got limited use out of this skincare product — which we assume was pretty pricey — was probably frustrating.
Going for the Realism
One clever tactic that many marketing companies utilize is to make their advertisements seem as if they’re as real as possible. For instance, this company looking to finance cars made it seem like it was coming directly from the dealership itself.

They even went so far as to create a fake smudge to sell the realism. This is just an underhanded tactic, and we hope that it didn’t work.
Merry Christmas?
We all know that the biggest time of the year to make sales is during the holidays. Whether it’s electronics or other services, it makes no difference. This satellite service decided they would utilize that idea and send out Christmas cards that look like they’ve been made by children.

Who’s not gonna open a Christmas card that’s written like this? In fact, you may not even read who it’s actually from before opening it. Clever, yet slightly unethical…
Unbalanced Ratio
When it comes to buying food nowadays, many people are moving towards healthier items to ensure a better lifestyle. But, what happens if you look at a container or package and it says 100% natural avocado oil — only for you to discover that there’s only about 10% in the product? It’s hard not to question the integrity of the brand.

This is clearly not 100% avocado oil. In fact, most of it is just vegetable oil! That’s false advertising that could get this company in trouble.
So Serious!
It seems pretty serious to go so far as to say that if someone breaks a bag, they’ve agreed to the end-user license located inside the bag.

In order to agree, don’t you have to be able to read it first? This marketing ploy seems to be a little deceptive, and we’re not sure it’s wholly legal either.
Extra Cash
Anyone that walks down the street and spots a wadded-up ball of cash is going to bend down and pick it up. It’s always a good day when you find some money lying around! We’re sure this is how this person felt — until they unfolded the money, that is.

Using the imagery of cash to get your brand across seems cruel and frankly, quite sketchy. But, we guess not everybody is as ethical as others.
Patterned Thinking
When you’re pregnant, it can be challenging to find fashionable clothes that make you feel your absolute best. Most maternity clothes are cut very simply and often have unflattering patterns or colors. So, when you’re pregnant and find a cute dress like this, you’re going to be all about it.

But, when you look closer, it looks as though someone Photoshopped the polka dots to look larger, creating the illusion that this dress is actually a maternity piece. But, it’s not! What?!
No Choice
More and more stores are investing in apps — this is the future, after all. Brands feel that this will make the customer experience much easier. On top of that, the apps enable brands to market new or upcoming sales and keep their customers in the loop.

Sometimes, though, these companies go a little too far in marketing for their new app. This specific store even removed the prices from all their products to encourage customers to download the app. How annoying…
Personalized Feel
When you get your mail from the mailbox, the truth is that you’re automatically drawn to things that seem to be handwritten or handmade. So, though capitalizing on this is technically a smart marketing ploy, it’s kind of shady as well.

This person wanted to invite people to a sales event and thought that they would give it a bit of a personal touch to get more eyes on their advertisement.
Deceptive or Genius?
We know that some may find this a little bit of a deceptive practice in marketing but we honestly think it’s pretty ingenious. After all, the last thing you want to have to deal with is ants in your home!

So, an extermination company utilizing this as a marketing tool seems to be right on target — though we’re not sure they had to be this realistic in order to get their point across.
Pay to Play
Sometimes, when you’re thirsty, you just have to find the closest vending machine and pop that money in to quench your thirst. Typically, though, empty vending machines will have some sort of indication on the face of the machine.

Not this one, though. This one requires the buyer to put their money before they can find out what products are out of stock. This is definitely a little shady, especially if you can’t get your money back once you’ve put it in.
Faux Chalk
When you’re trying to be creative, you want to have as many options as possible. That means if you’re dealing with chalk, you want a chalk set that has every color you could imagine, including off-the-wall ones.

So, when this teacher saw that there was gold chalk in her new set, she must have gotten very excited. Unfortunately, once it broke, she realized very quickly that this was a classic false advertisement.
Saving Energy
With the climate the way it is, many people are looking for products that help them reduce energy use. Not only does this help the planet, but it also decreases their monthly bills. So, we can understand why when someone saw this ad, they were pretty stoked.

Unfortunately, if you read the fine print, it only saves 70% when you’re boiling one cup of water. We don’t think this is going to be very effective in saving the planet.
Squinting to See It
It’s just good business to try to upsell your bigger packages no matter what industry you’re in. So, it’s completely understandable when a company uses marketing tactics to do this. However, this Avia ad is just taking it a bit too far.

Because you have to market all the prices together, this company found a way to almost completely hide the cheaper package that they offer. Why? So, their customers are less likely to choose it.
Select Items
Retail stores are notorious for having confusing — if not deceptive — marketing when it comes to sale signs. You have to be very careful in reading every detail, and this example only proves that case.

The topper on this rack says that everything is three bucks, but when you read the underlying sentence, it says only select items. This seems to be a little misleading and quite unnecessary.
Something Is Missing
When you get that mid-afternoon craving for something sweet, there’s nothing better than making that beeline for the vending machine around the corner. Finding a candy bar for $0.50 is almost unheard of, though, so we’d definitely question this.

It seems that this vending machine supplier forgot to add the one to this, which is a pretty bad mishap considering that we’re dealing with hungry people here.
Not-So Free Wi-Fi
Nowadays, more and more people are working on the road and need to have access to Wi-Fi at all times. Not only that but most of your phone apps require Wi-Fi and so, having free Wi-Fi in a hotel or an establishment is an excellent way to show the customers you care about them.

That is unless you have a procedure to get to the Wi-Fi that forces the customer to spend $5 on a voucher. Then, the Wi-Fi isn’t really free, now is it?
Parking Ticket
Anyone that owns a car and has to find a parking spot around the city knows the feeling of coming out to their car after running an errand only to find a little red or yellow ticket tucked away underneath the windshield wiper.

This tattoo parlor is capitalizing on this, and though it’s deceptive, it’s probably also pretty effective.
Everyone Wants a Package
How exciting is it to come home and see that there’s been a package left for you? Most people get super stoked because if they haven’t ordered anything, that means someone sent them something.

This store knew that and decided to capitalize on it for their 4th of July blowout sale. Hopefully, they have a lot of great deals because people are going to be slightly upset that they didn’t get a gift in the mail.
Shady!
There are plenty of companies and brands out there that create chic yet affordable shoes so you can look stylish without having to break the bank. But, very few of them take other shoes and sew on their own labels.

We wonder how this store was charging for the high-end shoes, because the original brand is way more budget-friendly. How they got away with this is beyond us!
Not Quite Right
There are few things more exciting than a cool toy that resembles your favorite superhero! Most kids have at least one of those and so, finding a toy like this — that not only resembles Iron Man but can also be bounced and thrown around — has to be pretty awesome.

However, when you advertise something and put a picture of it on the product, the end result should look like that product… unlike this Iron Man “wibbly boppin’ pal.”
Show Ticket
Finding ways to advertise your new song can be challenging. There are so many different avenues, and you don’t want to copy other people. This musician found a way to be unique by utilizing a parking violation style advertisement.

This definitely one way to get someone’s attention. But, if they’re really not paying attention to the details, they could easily miss that this is an advertisement for a song.
Not Cool
When you buy electronics, one of the things you need to pay attention to is the warranty on that device. That typically comes inside the box with the actual product. So, having a warranty void sticker on the outside seems to be a little questionable.

After all, how do you even get into reading the warranty without breaking it? This is a very uncool marketing technique, don’t you think?
Seems Dangerous
Every year, new flu strains float around, and many people go to the doctors to get their flu shots. This is so that they can prevent themselves from catching it, but they need to take care of themselves along the way too.

Vitamin Water came out with an ad that basically pushes flu shots to the side. Because apparently, flu shots are so last year… as long as you’re drinking Vitamin Water. That’s logical (not!).
Have you ever thought to yourself, there must be an easier way to do this? Don’t worry, we have some of the answers to your questions. From labeled bed sheets to microwaves with no beep settings. We have compiled a list of 40+ simple, yet genius designs that will make you wonder, “how did we not think of this sooner?”