Online shopping is super convenient, a whole world of products and services to choose from that will get delivered to your doorstep at the click of a button. However, there is, of course, a price to pay for all this convenience and cheap stuff.
Firstly, you don't get to physically touch, smell, and judge the actual dimensions of a product like you would in a shop. This can lead to all kinds of misunderstandings and even epic fails, mainly if you are dealing with some unscrupulous companies from less regulated countries.
Then there is the waiting. Your ordered goodies could get stuck in customs, and the wrong product could've been sent by mistake, it also might get broken in transit. It could end up being an awfully long time between you clicking 'buy' on the online shopping site and actually receiving a satisfactory product in your hand! However, these are the risks we take for a bargain, and not having to drag around town looking for something in a shop. We here at Bored Panda had compiled a list of times when online shopping fails went hilariously wrong, as a kind of cautionary tale. Do your research on counterfeit goods before you click that button! Scroll down below to check the expectations vs reality photos out for yourself, as well as some previous posts here, here and here, and share your own shopping fails experiences in the comments!
#1 This Patch I Ordered Off Amazon...
Of course on rare occasions it can go the other way, and you can receive something even better than what you expected. I know which badge I'd prefer in this case! Sometimes the world makes us all want to pack up and leave
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534points
#2 My Grandpa's Neighbor Ordered An Inflatable Santa Online... They Sent Him The Wrong Size
This guy then floated it up and put it in front of his house in Brooklyn. It surely makes for an impressive Christmas decoration!
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442points
#3 Royal Quality
This is amazing on so many levels; from the spelling mistake to the artists impression of the Royal couple. Although some might say, it's actually pretty accurate! Either way, this is definitely a collector's item.
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428points
#4 My Wife Ordered A Backpack From Amazon To Use As A Carry On. Cat For Scale
This cat looks quite happy with the situation, it's now the proud owner of a brand new catpack. Now it looks ready to set off on an exciting adventure of self-discovery. Where first? Purr-is? Meow York?
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428points
#5 Might Be Wrong Though
Mixups do happen! Photo evidence works a treat this time, as Dylan Evans discovered hilariously. Gotta say, it does rather suit him though
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420points
#6 Photo Evidence Of Earrings That Never Arrived
How do you provide photo evidence of something that's not there? This Twitter user ordered some earrings on the popular Chinese online retailer AliExpress, and they just didn't show up. It's probably happened to you too at one point, hasn't it? Usually the company will find the problem and make sure the product gets to you ASAP, but not this time. They wanted to be sure they weren't being tricked. "Show us that you don't have the earrings," they demanded. WTF?? This is Iris' cheeky attempt to comply.
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419points
#7 My Friend Bought This Costume Online And I’ve Been Laughing All Day
Deadpool, is that you? This costume is sure to be a hit at any Halloween party, although maybe not for all the right reasons...This looks more like the dimwitted lovechild of deadpool and spiderman
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419points
#8 Ordered A Russian Patch For My New Jacket... Got A Pride Flag
Some masterful trolling going on here, considering Russia's 'reputation' on LBGT rights. Somebody wanted to make a statement, and they succeeded!
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382points
#9 Never Buy A Cat Tree From Amazon
Although the structural integrity of the cat tree might be lacking, kitty seems to be enjoying it nonetheless!
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349points
#10 Love My New Yeezys
Kanye West's laughably overpriced and deeply ugly 'fashion' pieces are funny enough anyway, so it's hard to feel much sympathy for anyone who shells out hundreds of bucks for them. But when they arrive looking like oven-mitts for the feet... Yeah nah still no sympathy here.
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344points
#11 From A French Airbnb Alternative
It's all about perspective. Like any business, people on Airbnb want to show what they have from its very best side, even if that means that the reality doesn't always match up to expectations...You gotta give them 5 stars for trying though!
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323points
#12 Incredible Unicorn Calendar From Amazon
So far, this gem has a 1-star rating on Amazon and judging by the reviews, it doesn't look like it's going to rise anytime soon. Buyers are complaining that "the photos inside are not at all like the cover." They are line and stick drawings, not mythical scenes. But I guess that's why they wouldn't allow clients to preview the contents.
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314points
#13 Hopes Were Crushed
Mistake number 1: Ponchos for guys are never cool, unless you are deep in the Andes, sipping mate and herding llamas with the locals.
Mistake number 2: Ordering anything online and expecting to look as effortlessly stylish as the model. Not gonna happen, Friar Tuck!
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308points
#14 I Didn't Expect It To Look Like Pig Feet
Pigmaid? Merpig? Instead of Netflix and chill looking like a sultry siren of the sea, your dainty trotters and snout in the popcorn could give a different impression entirely. It's not even the same material ffs..
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296points
#15 What You Order Vs What You Get
What's 50 inches long, 35 inches high, and looks like a body bag? Your new $40 couch, that's what!
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287points
#16 When Your Dress You Ordered Looks Exactly Like The Pic Online
Of course there are also companies that won't even make the effort to deceive, but will flat-out rip you off instead. Getting your ass of the couch and going to an actual shop to purchase your clothes suddenly seems much more appealing!
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282points
#17 Thanks Walmart, For My New Rug
Read the description carefully! Some asshole companies are intentionally misleading, anyone could be forgiven for thinking this chair cover is a rug. Unless those slippers belong to Barboie or something...
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277points
#18 I've Actually Been Trolled By China. I Ordered The One On The Left From AliExpress And The One On The Right Turned Up
Ok, the good thing is that the seller accepts returns "if product is not as described." The bad thing is that the buyer has to pay the return shipping fee. But why either of these products were ever conceived of and manufactured, we'll never know.
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276points
#19 I Ordered These Boots On Sale From Aldo.Com For 50% Off. I Received One Shoe
Pretty sure this woman is not Cinderella that would be comfortable walking around with just one shoe. Maybe that's why they were 50% off?
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271points
#20 The Bear Mask My Friend Ordered Vs The Nightmare Fuel He Received
Halloween can be a stressful time: choosing the costume, ordering it, trying it on. And what if they send you the least thing you've expected? Apparently the owners dog found it so distasteful that he stole it off the table and shredded it. So this guy is back to square one with his Halloween costume!
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265points