Philip Cotler, known as thefatherof modern marketing, once said, “Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose what you make; it is the art of creating genuine customer value.” I wonder what he thinks about where marketing is heading these days withliesand manipulation.Many people catch this deception. When Reddit userGlad_Cat_5129asked, “What’s the most blatant lie a company is currently getting away with in their advertising?” folks gushed with answers. We compiled the best ones for you to peruse, so just scroll through!More info:RedditThis post may includeaffiliate links.

Philip Cotler, known as thefatherof modern marketing, once said, “Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose what you make; it is the art of creating genuine customer value.” I wonder what he thinks about where marketing is heading these days withliesand manipulation.

Many people catch this deception. When Reddit userGlad_Cat_5129asked, “What’s the most blatant lie a company is currently getting away with in their advertising?” folks gushed with answers. We compiled the best ones for you to peruse, so just scroll through!

More info:Reddit

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Your call is important to us…We are experiencing a higher call volume…If it was that important, they would hire people to answer the phones.

People at desks wearing headsets, possibly working on false s.

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Goodwill is not a charity. they are 100% for profit with ceo and people in corporate offices raking in millions every month.

Goodwill store entrance with logo on glass door, illustrating false s concept.

Flushable toilet wipes.YOU CAN ALSO FLUSH A SMALL EXPLOSIVE BUT YOU REALLY F*****G SHOULDN’T.

Cottonelle flushable wipes packaging, possibly misleading advertising about product features.

You must be wondering how companies get away with it. That’s where the loophole ofpufferycomes into play, which is a marketer’s right to lie. It means that ads can legally lie to you as long as the lie is so obvious of an exaggeration that you know not to take it seriously.

Every fastfood/restaurant commercial on what they claim their food looks like!! Lies, all lies! .

Juicy burger with fresh toppings, illustrating potential false  by companies in fast food marketing.

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives.Direct from their website no less.

UnitedHealthcare sign with flag, highlighting healthcare innovation in Maryland, related to false s.

Best coffee in town.' Every town seems to have 15 of those, though.

Three people clinking coffee cups with latte art, illustrating social interaction and beverage enjoyment.

During the recent coronavirus pandemic, the FTC sentwarning lettersto companies that they determined may be violating theFTC Act. It warned them that their conduct was likely unlawful and that they could face serious legal consequences, such as a federal lawsuit, if they did not stop immediately.But that’s not all—if the company’s competitors were to find out that they were lying in their ads, there’s another challenge that they will have to face. The competitors can simply lodge a complaint with theNational Advertising Division(NAD). The NAD has been around since 1971 and has adjudicated some5,000 disputesover whether advertising was fair and accurate.

During the recent coronavirus pandemic, the FTC sentwarning lettersto companies that they determined may be violating theFTC Act. It warned them that their conduct was likely unlawful and that they could face serious legal consequences, such as a federal lawsuit, if they did not stop immediately.

But that’s not all—if the company’s competitors were to find out that they were lying in their ads, there’s another challenge that they will have to face. The competitors can simply lodge a complaint with theNational Advertising Division(NAD). The NAD has been around since 1971 and has adjudicated some5,000 disputesover whether advertising was fair and accurate.

‘You need a subscription to buy this printer ink.’ Like, just let me print in peace.

Printer on a wooden floor with photos and paper, illustrating false s.

Toilet paper math… 8 rolls =12 rolls ! 12 rolls = 36 !!

Misleading  on toilet paper pack claiming 30 rolls equal 68 regular rolls.

“All-natural” claims on products that still contain synthetic ingredients.

Granola bar with chocolate coating and peanuts, illustrating false s by companies.

The unethical practice of lying in ads can be very tantalizing to companies looking to get quick results throughmarketing. However, such lies can actually sabotage a brand’s reputation. Due to the digital revolution, consumers are becoming more conscious, and they do not like being lied to.

Game ads – NEVER like actual game play.

Fantasy video game battle scene, showcasing potential false s with characters on a wooden bridge.

Apple and their apple AI.

Glass-fronted store with an Apple logo, representing company advertising.

I recently went to a Dollar Store and everything was $1.25.

Family Dollar storefront showcasing colorful signage, reflecting branding and s.

While lying in ads might seem like a quick way to boostsales, it can lead to serious long-term problems—like losing customers' trust, dealing with legal troubles, or hurting your brand’s reputation. It just makes you wonder whether it’s worth it in the end.However, in the long run, misleading ads can cost way more than they’re worth. Fixing a damagedreputationtakes a ton of time, effort, and money. Plus, once customers lose their trust, they’re likely to switch to competitors and warn others to steer clear of such lying companies and their brands.

While lying in ads might seem like a quick way to boostsales, it can lead to serious long-term problems—like losing customers' trust, dealing with legal troubles, or hurting your brand’s reputation. It just makes you wonder whether it’s worth it in the end.

However, in the long run, misleading ads can cost way more than they’re worth. Fixing a damagedreputationtakes a ton of time, effort, and money. Plus, once customers lose their trust, they’re likely to switch to competitors and warn others to steer clear of such lying companies and their brands.

ANYTHING Xfinity/Comcast advertises.

Playtex - as they sell feminine products, I assume must have some farce of caring about women’s health…I hope?Their products contain chemicals banned in Europe. These chemicals leech into our reproductive systems causing fertility issues. The company donated to Trump.They don’t care if they k**l women or prevent births to make money. .

Playtex Sport tampons box on a table, illustrating false  concerns.

TurboTax has for the longest time sold their Federal product for $39.99 and told you that you can pay it out of your refund, they will ‘just deduct the $39.99 fee from your refund.‘What they dont tell you is that there is a $39.99 fee in order to pay your balance of $39.99. So the total is actually ~$80.

Person paying with a credit card at a store counter, highlighting consumer transactions and s.

Woman applying skincare product in mirror, wrapped in a towel, highlighting false  in beauty industry.

“NUMBER ONE MOVIE IN AMERICA!”…sure thing Sherlock Gnomes.

Film clapperboard on a desert set, representing the theme of false s in media productions.

“Best Buy” was opened with the promise of their name being a guarantee. That guarantee didn’t even last a week before they walked it back. Now it’s one of the worst places to purchase low-end consumer electronics. Their actual name is a lie.

Best Buy store exterior highlighting false s by companies.

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One of the most blatant lies could be from companies claiming their products are “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” without offering clear evidence or certifications. Many brands use greenwashing tactics to appear environmentally conscious without making real, impactful changes to their practices.

Phone displaying recycling symbol on a reusable mesh bag, highlighting false s in eco-friendly products.

We are raising the prices so we can keep delivering you great products.Also, that thing you like and buy our products for? Yeah we don’t do that anymore.

Assorted fruits on display with price tags, showcasing tempting but potentially misleading advertising tactics.

The vitamin industry.

Person holding a bottle of supplements, with breakfast plate nearby, illustrating false s by companies.

Those Prevagen commercials are selling modern day snake oil.

Prevagen supplement bottle, advertised to improve memory and support brain function, with claims of sharper mind and clearer thinking.

Dating apps like Hinge claim they’re ‘Designed to be deleted,’ but not because you’ve found someone…. Just out of sheer frustration with their algorithms and paywalls! It should be illegal to manipulate people’s emotions like this!

Two women sitting outdoors, holding phones with Bumble and Tinder apps, illustrating false s theme.

That’s gotta be clean coal, right? What else comes close?

Industrial site with large machinery and conveyor belts, illustrating concept of false s by companies.

Classic car showroom with various vintage models, showcasing sleek designs and vibrant colors.

Kohl’s putting things “on sale.” Everything on sale is the same price as it is in other stores, and everything that isn’t is wildly overpriced. Found a paid of Enzo shorts in Kohl’s for like $100 last summer. The ones on sale were closer to $40.

Shopper browses clothing racks with a discount sign, evoking false  themes.

Red Bull gives you wings!

Energy drink can in snow, possibly symbolizing false s by companies.

Loblaws in Canada and most of their stores advertising “lowest prices” on things they are clearly wildly overpriced.

Price tag showing misleading offer in garden store, illustrating false s.

Rose gold iPhone placed on a gold laptop keyboard, symbolizing modern false advertising trends.

A brand of ginger ale here says it’s “made FROM real ginger”. Ginger is the ingredient present in the smallest amount. I’ve made real ginger ale from real ginger and I use several times as much ginger as sugar.I wouldn’t mind if it said “made WITH real ginger”.

Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Lemonade bottle, emphasizing use of “real ginger” in the false s context.

There has to be some sort of lie in those O-O-O-Ozempic commercials.

People in vintage attire posing in a whimsical setting; concept possibly related to false s.

You can rent a U-haul for $19.95 per day.

Miller lite tastes great.

Tic Tacs are made almost entirely of sugar.

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