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50 Online Shopping Fails That Are Both Hilarious And Concerning
Funny,FailsMAR 17, 2023

50 Online Shopping Fails That Are Both Hilarious And Concerning

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Shopping online has become a popular option nowadays. It’s convenient, timesaving, and usually worry-free. That might be why a third of the global population chooses it over actually touring the stores. However, it can be a double-edged sword, as you’re never quite sure of what you’re going to get.
Despite the descriptions and pictures, your purchase might look nothing like what was presented. It can also come in questionable packaging or be something you didn’t order in the first place. We have scoured the internet to find some of the best examples of shopping fails and scams. Some situations play to the buyer's advantage, others—not so much, but most are far from what was expected. Scroll down for the images and check out more examples of shopping gone wrong here and here.

#1 Be Sure To Always Check The Size When Ordering Treats

Be Sure To Always Check The Size When Ordering Treats
359points

Shopping online has been an option for quite some time already. However, during the Covid years, it became the new norm in a lot of households. In addition to being easy, it was the safe thing to do. Some people decided to stick to the new habit even after the restrictions have been lifted.

A 2021 survey revealed that one in two people admit their spending habits have been permanently altered by the pandemic. According to the Census Bureau’s data, during its first year, there was a 43% increase in e-commerce sales.

#2 I Requested 8 Bananas In My Weekly Grocery Pickup Order… They Gave Me 8 Bunches And Managed To Only Charge Me $0.68 - The Price Of One Single Banana

I Requested 8 Bananas In My Weekly Grocery Pickup Order… They Gave Me 8 Bunches And Managed To Only Charge Me $0.68 - The Price Of One Single Banana
342points

#3 My Fiancé And I Ordered A Navy Bathmat And This Came, 10/10 Would Order Again

My Fiancé And I Ordered A Navy Bathmat And This Came, 10/10 Would Order Again
341points

Zippia revealed that last year, as much as 21% of global retail sales were made online. The statistics don’t seem to be surprising, considering the number of online retailers—according to 2022 data, there were 2.5 million of them in the US, 9.1 billion globally.

Shopping online is also convenient because you can choose from stores from all over the world without having to lift yourself up from the sofa. Even if you decide to buy local, there is no need to drive around different locations to collect the various items you need—nearly everything can be delivered to your doorstep. (Invesp pointed out that 80% of consumers are more willing to buy certain products if they come with free shipping.)

#4 I Came Home To A Package I Didn't Order - I Opened It Up To Find This And Have No Idea Who To Thank

I Came Home To A Package I Didn't Order - I Opened It Up To Find This And Have No Idea Who To Thank
314points

#5 There Was An Attempt For “Discrete Packaging” By The Adult Site I Ordered From

There Was An Attempt For “Discrete Packaging” By The Adult Site I Ordered From
295points

But it’s not all about convenience. Research shows that after Covid, people continued to buy online because they found it enjoyable. Shopping is believed to make people happy (there’s even a name for it you’ve most likely heard—retail therapy), and using the web allows them to do it wherever and whenever they want to.

#6 What To Do When You Order A Small T-Shirt, And They Send You An XXXL

What To Do When You Order A Small T-Shirt, And They Send You An XXXL
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280points

#7 I Have A Sick Dog So I Ordered £70 Worth Of Groceries From Morrisons Via Deliveroo. Morrisons Accepted The Order But Canceled Almost Every Item. And I Got An Onion

I Have A Sick Dog So I Ordered £70 Worth Of Groceries From Morrisons Via Deliveroo. Morrisons Accepted The Order But Canceled Almost Every Item. And I Got An Onion
I paid £5 for delivery and £5 tip. Deliveroo refused to cancel. Behold, the world’s most expensive onion.
275points

#8 The Cake That Was Ordered And The Cake That Arrived

The Cake That Was Ordered And The Cake That Arrived
256points

Nowadays, e-commerce amounts to nearly 15% of total retail sales in the US. The percentage has remained unchanged ever since the surge between 2019 and 2020. As for predictions for the future, Statista suggests that by 2026, nearly a quarter of global sales will be online.

#9 My GF Ordered Some Ankle Weights For Running And Somehow Got Sent This Instead... Trying To Convince Her To Just Go Out Running With The Hammer

My GF Ordered Some Ankle Weights For Running And Somehow Got Sent This Instead... Trying To Convince Her To Just Go Out Running With The Hammer
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255points

#10 BFF Got This Bear Hat For My Cat To Recreate An Adorable Instagram Post She Saw

BFF Got This Bear Hat For My Cat To Recreate An Adorable Instagram Post She Saw
255points

#11 My Mum Ordered This Online

My Mum Ordered This Online
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249points

The most popular products people go online to shop for seem to be clothing; they spend roughly 1.5 trillion dollars on it worldwide. Second on the list is electronics with a little over one trillion dollars. It is followed closely by footwear ($381.9 billion), while pet care ($280 billion) and toys ($104 billion) line up behind it respectively.

#12 After Seeing The Pic Of My Nephew In His New Christmas Gift My SO Thinks He “Might Have Ordered The Wrong Size”

After Seeing The Pic Of My Nephew In His New Christmas Gift My SO Thinks He “Might Have Ordered The Wrong Size”
239points

#13 Thought My Amazon App Was Frozen, Guess Not

Thought My Amazon App Was Frozen, Guess Not
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233points

#14 I Ordered A Seinfeld Shirt From China And Not Only It Has "Friends" Printed On It But It Also Has R Letter Missing

I Ordered A Seinfeld Shirt From China And Not Only It Has "Friends" Printed On It But It Also Has R Letter Missing
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229points

But why do people feel the need to shop as much as they do in the first place? The psychologist and author Regan A. R. Gurung covered the desire to buy more in Psychology Today. First of all, it simply feels good. Buying things can trigger the release of dopamine, which is known to make us feel good. Then there’s conditioning, an unconscious process affected by the abundance of ads around us, as well as an actual need for certain things.

#15 This Is What Happens When You Order Stuff Off Facebook. What I Ordered vs. What I Actually Received

This Is What Happens When You Order Stuff Off Facebook. What I Ordered vs. What I Actually Received
226points

#16 My Beautiful Order From ProFlowers

My Beautiful Order From ProFlowers
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220points

#17 You Also Need To Order Hips, Thick Thighs, And A Push-Up Bra Then Dye The Clothes Red

You Also Need To Order Hips, Thick Thighs, And A Push-Up Bra Then Dye The Clothes Red
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215points

Dr. Regan A. R. Gurung also indicated novelty as one of the reasons we constantly buy things. “Just like children who plead for a new toy only to then, weeks (or days) later, leave it unattended as their attention is drawn to a newer toy, adult attention is likewise drawn to novelty,” he wrote. Lastly, he pointed out that owning certain items can make us feel special, which is why we feel the need to get them.

#18 So I Ordered A Spider-Man Mask A While Back, And This Is What Came In

So I Ordered A Spider-Man Mask A While Back, And This Is What Came In
209points

#19 Even My Dog Was Disappointed In This Facebook Ad Purchase

Even My Dog Was Disappointed In This Facebook Ad Purchase
208points

#20 Ordered A Cute Pink Pig Kawaii Cushion Plush. But The One I Received Is All Hairy And Weird

Ordered A Cute Pink Pig Kawaii Cushion Plush. But The One I Received Is All Hairy And Weird
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196points
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