Hilarious photos of online products vs. reality

The internet has some hidden gems. Many of these are the stories of those who bought something online and were surprised by what actually arrived. An example? "This patch I ordered off Amazon..."

Tip? Try and find a use for bogus orders, if possible. For example, this could be an excellent break-up parting gift.

Photo: Reddit: submitted by u/Chsrmsy

Or how about this baking mess? According to the shopper, this is what happened:
"My sister ordered cupcakes for my engagement party yesterday. Sent Wal-Mart bakery the pic on the left. Instead of a ring, apparently, I said yes to a silver toilet seat."

Tip? Buy the original.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by wenie4

Whatever is going on in that Bulbasaur's mind? Who can tell if the problem here is the eyes, the teeth, the lips or the facial expression. Either way, he's not to be trusted.

Tip? Let your loved one know you tried. It's not your fault, you did your best.

Photo: Twitter/@DyllonKG

"Expectation vs. Reality after a 6-month backorder from West Elm", this unhappy shopper received a badly produced chopping board which barely resembled the original.

Tip? Sometimes better to buy in-store.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by pputkowski

"This large wall tapestry my best friend bought me vs what actually came." We have to say at least the pattern looks similar?

Tip? Check the size ALWAYS!

Photo: Reddit/submitted by shufflethecards

"This winter hat I ordered on Wish (VS) the one I received."
No longer a hat, this shopper actually received a woolly tube.

Tip? Send it back and probably wait 8 months for a refund.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by DanielJayPizzle

This poor shopper bought a relaxing face mask for some pampering time. Little did she know that it would be fit for a Hobbit.

Tip? When it's this funny, do what this lady did: take a photo and upload it for all to have a laugh at your expense.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by u/whoaaintitfun

"Bought rings online." Hopefully this poor shopper's partner wasn't left standing at the alter waiting for their ring!

Tip? Something seriously this important isn't worth buying online.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by u/alwaysgreat

"He really pulls it off." To be fair, the unhappy shopper shouldn't be too unhappy, it does wonders for his figure.

Tip? This time, we would have to say: just use some scissors.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by u/Bmchris44

Totally agree, there isn't really much you can do with this one. No creativity can help. It's directly for the bin, I'm afraid.

Tip? Always prepare yourself mentally when opening the packaging, it may not be quite what you expected.

Photo: Facebook/Knock Off Nightmares

This man went viral on Twitter after posting photos of his mistaken online order from ASOS. Mr Evans looks fabulous in the dress, although he probably contacted the clothes company to ask for his sunglasses and jeans to be sent to him instead.

Tip? Work it.

Photo: Twitter/@MrDylanEvans

This is a scene we have seen many times nowadays: the cheaper knock-off dresses that companies replicate from the expensive designers. This poor shopper was drawn in to the trap.

Tip? If it's cheap, it's probably a knock-off.

Photo: Twitter/@marrahaley

A confused shopper received a tiny model of the chair she thought she bought to go in her bedroom, but was actually suitable for a dollhouse. The comments are full of people asking the shopper why she didn't look at the size and she has admitted her error. We all make mistakes.

Tip? Get creative - this would make a fantastic phone holder for your desk.

Photo: Twitter/@itssavannahxox

More so a fail by the shopper than an online shopping disaster, but the mistake is funny all the same. So is the photo of the unhappy recipient.

Tip? Learn the differences between inches, metres, centimetres...

Photo: Instagram/kitnipbox

Well, her sister is laughing, but I'm sure the unhappy shopper isn't! The solid frame is replaced by balsa wood, the trunk decorations are twigs plucked from a tree and the lack of varnish and treatment is, well, lacking. Not what it says on the tin!

Tip? A bed always needs to be bounced on before buying.

Photo: Twitter/@RebeccaKwanga

When Ms Bradish received spring onions in replacement for her spring flowers, she knew just what to do. They probably don't quite hit the mark of what she was aiming for though.

Tip? Read the small print, Ms Bradish could have given them back to the driver! Maybe she needed spring onions after all...

Photo: Twitter/@snoozeanne

Lace, intricate detailing and flowing layers of tulle is what this shopper expected from her prom dress. What actually turned up was silk, sequins and, is that plastic?

Tip? If it's a professional shot of a beautiful model in a beautiful dress and it seems cheap to you - Don't. Do. It.

Photo: Twitter/@_Annie_AreYouOk

The best thing about this epic shopping fail has to be the caption that comes with it: "Nothing in the world lasts forever. Except maybe plastic." I'm not sure this shopper wants this dress to last forever. I hope it's recyclable material!

Tip? One of the Facebook users has suggested making a shower curtain - it's good shout.

Photo: Facebook/Knock Off Nightmares

"My targeted facebook ad purchase was a real let down."

Tip? If it's too good to be true... it probably is.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by PolarBeaer

Love it? Perhaps she meant loathe it? Either way it certainly wasn't the dress she was expecting.

Tip? If you see the text 'final product may differ from photo' - run.

Photo: Instagram/@8eth_Thomas

Her poor friend. Why you would order a British Royal family commemorative plate from Brazil, though?

Tip? Use the zoom function when shopping.

Photo: Twitter/@DionLimTV

Dear shopper, you would be correct in thinking you got cheap imitations. Although many users have commented saying the final product is not awful, it isn't what this lady ordered!

Tip? Don't just post the photo, include the company name and prevent others from making the same mistake.

Photo: Twitter/@lady_viral

Shopper wanted sleek, foxy, pointed-toed, stiletto, thigh-high boots. Shopper got frumpy, rounded, flat, tie-up Robin Hood knockoffs. Not ok.

Tip? Find someone who has the same sized feet as you, to give them as a gift. Someone you don't like, perhaps.

Photo: Twitter/@Anele

This unhappy shopper wasn't too impressed (so much so that a number of words have had to be removed from her post!) with the 'bench' she bought from Amazon.

Tip? Don't trust it just because it's on Amazon. Even if it's from the trusted shopping platform, the marketplace still allows third party companies to advertise and sell on the platform so check your orders carefully.

Photo: Twitter/@Rollitupk

"Super Hero Hydrating Face Masks!" They may be hydrating, but they are definitely not for a kids' sleepover!

Tip? Laugh. It's funny.

Photo: Reddit/submitted by u/TrixiDelite

Poor Megan. She wan't the first and won't be the last. She has had a few comments from people who bought the same dress and received the same product that not even a good press could save.

Tip? Don't trust buying on the internet ever again!

Photo: Instagram/mrsmeganroyer

Yes. A mega-fail. Although it probably did state the size on there somewhere...

Tip? Try looking for reviews with over 100 or more shoppers, it will be more reliable than just 13 'perfect 5-star' reviews.

Photo: Instagram/kbblain

Who doesn't love the internet! This poor lass got a badly-made knockoff of the original, but other Instagram users came to her rescue with a number of ways she could take it in and made adjustments for it to work.

Tip? Seek advice

Photo: Instagram/_icyblonde

There are many looking at this wondering why. Just why.

Tip? Sometimes the mistaken product is better than the original you were going to buy so keep your mind open.

Photo: Instagram/toddkeebs

The cheaply made dishes, black wire branches and lazily engraved brush are not what this shopper had ordered.

Tip? Check refund policies.

Photo: Instagram/shortcake1054

This unhappy dog owner was shocked to find an XL was more suitable for a smaller Pomeranian than their larger dog. At the end of the day, it's a shirt for a dog. Why would you anyway?

Tip? Dogs don't wear clothes.

Photo: Instagram/the_theodore_dan

This Falcor looked like it should belong on the early Star Trek episodes.

Indeed there are many who have fallen to the tricks of the online consumer market. Just be sure to always check what your buying and make sure there is a good refund policy in place with some decent reviews.

Photo: Instagram/the_benjamin_henning