31 Outrageous Marketing Tactics Companies Use to Trick You

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John Summers • Contributor
Mar 17, 2024 11:00 PM EDT

In today's world, ads have infiltrated every corner of our lives, from social media and websites to television and billboards. We've grown so accustomed to their presence that they've become an almost unnoticed part of our daily routine. However, as the competition for consumer attention intensifies, some companies have resorted to dubious and downright manipulative marketing tactics to push their products.

This listicle exposes 31 shocking examples of how far certain companies will go in their quest for sales. From misleading claims and fine print to exploiting emotions and creating false scarcity, these tactics reveal a darker side of marketing. As you scroll through these examples, you'll see just how cunning and deceptive some marketers can be in their efforts to win over customers. It's a reminder to stay vigilant and question the ads that vie for our attention and wallets. Let's dive into the murky waters of evil marketing tactics and see how companies try to con their consumers.

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  • 01

    It's free! (If you buy it)

    ? Free WiFi WI-FI PROCEDURE FOR THE USE OF THE WI-FI SIMPLY MAKE A PURCHASE OF $5.00 TO RECEIVE A VOUCHER WHITCH WILL GIVE YOU 1 HOUR ON 1 DEVICE. IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER TIME YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER PURCHAS.
    via deMilked
  • 02

    Free Pizza!!! oh... wait...

    Library & Learning Centre UNIVERSITY OF SURREY Please keep the library FREE of PIZZA No hot food is permitted in the library. A seating area is available on the ground level foyer.
    via deMilked
  • 03

    Hire a pregnant model?! but we have photoshop!

    ||| = $5 OFF ORDER $59 SAVE CODE:LOVE05 $8 OFF $15 OFF ORDER $79 SAVE CODE:LOVE08 ORDER $129 SAVE CODE:LOVE15 Missveen $30 OFF ORDER $199 SAVE CODE:LOVE30 Maternity Dress With Printed Polka Dots $29.83
    via deMilked
  • 04

    It's free for 79$

    Select Varie 10 ct K-Cups PAY A ONE-TIME ANNUAL FEE OF $79 AND GET gust 11 through 17,2021 TO STOCK ON HAND. 9.9 oz or Kellogg Select Varieties FREE DELIVERY FOR A YEAR ON ALL ORDERS OVER $35. Prices and items are effective with a Kroger Plus Card at your neighborhood Kroger store SO THAT ALL CUSTOMERS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE GREAT PRICES, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES. NONE SOLD TO DEALERS, RESTAURANTS OR OTHER RESALE ESTABLISHMENTS. COPYRIGHT 2021. KROGER TEXAS L.P. KROGER.COM "
    via deMilked
  • 05

    This Vending Machine Is 100% Sold Out. It Only Tells You That Items Are Sold Out After You’ve Put Money In/Used Your Card

    800 Coca-Cola ice cola BODYARMOR 398 Coca-Cola
    via deMilked
  • 06

    Asking to be sued

    Marques Brownlee @MKBHD There's a gaming chair company called ITEY. They photoshopped a photo of me sitting in a @tldtoday video and used it as an ad for years Never seen their chair in my life I don't care if the chair is great, this is trashy. Don't buy their stupid chair amazon.fr/INTEY-Fauteuil... . 9:32 PM Aug 4, 2020 43.5K
    via deMilked
  • 07

    That's just evil!

    NCY 550 PUBLIC PARKING 4 We Deliver For www.ps.com PUBLIC PARKING $4 each 10 minutes each 10 minutes ON
    via deMilked
  • 08

    Empty on the inside

    2000000 Crayo PID SQue SHOWN OKERS FABER-CASTELL 48 Connector Pen Cube Center Yes Creative Celuar me · Framed Armata to Caloura Degg FABER CASTELL Creative Colour me' Book AST гдео 2946 25 10 FAB 48 Connector Pen FABER CASTELL And 48 Cute Connector Per Save $2.40 $Q60 CASTELL Colar me' Book
    via deMilked
  • 09

    "Was Wondering Why It Ran Out So Quickly"

    all skin types GOOD GENES it in Um TREA 1. Deeply exfoliates for clarity, radiance, younger-looking skin. Visibly brightens reappearance of dark spots. Instantly ps the look of fine lines and wrinkles. SUNDAY RILEY
    via deMilked
  • 10

    Ads in your fortune cookie!

    TAX TIP #5 Too spicy? Antacid pills may be a deductible medical expense. Start for Free: TaxAct.com Tax Act SURPRISINGLY LEGAL
    via deMilked
  • 11

    This special "Gold Chalk" was just white chalk Spray-Painted Gold

    Cheezburger Image 9895939584
    via deMilked
  • 12

    Don't do that!

    SWIGGY Someone's at the door Okay, we lied 27m ago But someone could be at the door soon if you order in some piping hot breakfast right now! Tap to order & get 50% off.
    via deMilked
  • 13

    Three churros

    Pak One Churro $1.49 or Three Churros $4.00
    via deMilked
  • 14

    Ad pretending to be a Lease termination notification

    Due to anticinated customer response encourage you to go to www.metrofe YOU HAVE BEEN PRE-QUALIFIED FOR AN AUTO LOAN FF Metro Ford of Madison 5422 Wayne Terrace Madison, WI 53718 608-496-8838 LEASE TERMINATION PROGRAM m T1 P1 Co am NA JUS TF LEASE TERMINATION NOTIFICATIO pre-qualified T. IT'S THAT EASY! KRSF T
    via deMilked
  • 15

    Hidden inner tin to make the pie appear bigger

    Cheezburger Image 9895941632
    via deMilked
  • 16

    "Chipotle Goes All-Out Advertising That For The Next Week Delivery Is Free, And Then Casually Makes The Delivery Menu Priced Higher Than The Regular One"

    く Build Your QUESADILLA PROTEIN OR VEGGIE C CHICKEN $8.30 180 cal Build Your QUESADILLA PROTEIN OR VEGGIE CHICKEN $9.40 180 cal STEAK $9.30 150 cal STEAK $10.90 150 cal BARBACOA $9.30 170 cal BARBACOA $10.90 170 cal CARNITAS $8.80 210 cal CARNITAS $9.95 210 cal SOFRITAS PLANT-BASED PROTEIN $8.30 150 cal FAJITA VEGGIES INCLUDES GUACAMOLE $8.30 20 cal SOFRITAS PLANT-BASED PROTEIN $9.40 150 cal FAJITA VEGGIES INCLUDES GUACAMOLE $9.40 20 cal
    via deMilked
  • 17

    This means absolutely nothing!

    EVERYTHING 99 OR LESS & UP NEW PL
    via deMilked
  • 18

    They made the box 11% bigger and put 1.6% less cereal in it

    Facts General Mills veryberry Cheerios Flavored with Real Fruit AND OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS ஆ General Mills veryberry Cheerios Flavored with Real Fruit AND OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS CAN lower CHOLESTEROL Sweetened Whole Grain Oat Cereal "THE STAG OF SOULE FER DALY FOW WHOLE GRANDA EVERYBERRY ONS CALADETION INSA OSTRO NAY THEREAF HEART DECRE NYTICS PROCESS NET WT 11.1 0Z (314g) PER 24 CUP SERV SHOWRO 110 1135 CAN lower CHOLESTEROL Sweetened Whole Grain Oat Cereal FRER SALY FROM LE GRAN FOOL UNE NEWP BE
    via deMilked
  • 19

    This Kickball is not made for Kicking

    Kickball NOT FOR KICKING MADE IN CHINA
    via deMilked
  • 20

    So why call it Avocado Oil?!

    Calcium Best By: JUN 18 2021 Lot# 00013290 LOMBARDI QUALITY PRODUCTS ALL NATURAL AVOCADO OIL 9819 0% Iron PLUS PAREVE SPANISH BLENDA 0% Percent Daily Value (DV) based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Ingredients: Canola Oil & Up to 10% Avocado Oil Distributed by: Smart Foods., LLC Los Angeles, CA 90065 www.avocadooilusa.com Packed in the USA - Product of Italy
    via deMilked
  • 21

    Clearly not the same fan

    AFTER BEFORE AFTER CLEA WE COVER
    via deMilked
  • 22

    One real camera and one fake

    SIM1 SIM2 Q3 MB V5.0 20170904 AT&T PREPAID Nano 6209B
    via deMilked
  • 23

    "When You Thumbs Down The Show On Netflix But It Keeps Coming Back At The Top Of Your Homepage"

    NETFLIX Home TV Shows Movies Latest My List SERIES the goop lab with Gwyneth Paltrow "The Healing Trip" Flying to Jamaica to take magic mushrooms and experience psychedelic psychotherapy, the goopers laugh, cry and release a gamut of intense emotions. Play Episode Episodes
    via deMilked
  • 24

    "Unremovable Ads On My $2,500 Samsung Smart TV"

    Guide Channel List 貝 ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE IN THEATERS TUESDAY Sponsored TVPLUS d
    via deMilked
  • 25

    An ad disguised as a ticket (who thought this is a good idea?)

    ARE NYC DEPT OF FINANCE PARKING VIOLATION PO BOX 2127 LATIONS NEW YORK NY 10272-2121 Red Dragon Tattoo PORTAITS JAPANESE COLOR BLACK&GREY REALISM BODY PIERCINGS 390 E. FORDHAM ROAD BRONX, NEW YORK 10458 718.220.6787 REDORAGONTAINYC REDORAGONTATTOONY@GMAIL.COM
    via deMilked
  • 26

    Come on!

    $10 OFF Excludes Nike. Details inside.
    via deMilked
  • 27

    Turns out the sign actually says "7.99 lunch special"

    LUNCH SPECIAL S 1. 99 AIR
    via deMilked
  • 28

    Surprise!

    Cheezburger Image 9895960832
    via deMilked
  • 29

    I would be so mad!

    KRAKOWSKI KREDENS 1906. TRADICIA GALICTISKA CZEKOLADA Z ŻURAWINĄ RECZNIE FORMOWANA HAND MAR CHOILATE WITH CRANSCARY
    via deMilked
  • 30

    This is actually dangerous!

    DO IT WIG GRUNT WORK LHO DO IT SUPER High Streng Breaking Str Matti Porno *NOT SUITABLE FOR CLIMBING
    via deMilked
  • 31

    Those are some tiny kids on the box

    HOPSCOTCH WITH A TWIST PLACE MARKERS INCLUDED! NO-SLIP SURFACE! WOWE GEYSER BLASTE SURPRISE ENDING GET Aqua Blast HOPSCOTCH YOU CAN BE ONE SET INCLUDED AMERICA'S NEXT BANZAI TOY TESTER! go to toyquest.com for details. rants permission before going online.
    via deMilked

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