But terms and conditions aren’t the only place where we find fine print. Marketers use it more and more to try to dupe their customers into buying their products. Want some watermelon juice? If you don’t check the ingredients listed in superfine print, you probably won’t know that there’s no watermelon in it. Just apples, beetroot, carrots, and ginger. As absurd as it is, at least it can be funny. That’s why we’ve compiled the most ridiculous reminders of why it’s always best to read the fine print from all over the Internet. Let us know in the comments whether they make you laugh or mad, and share your own infuriating examples! We reached out to an expert who could shed some light on misleading marketing. Teresa Murray is a consumer watchdog director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), and she kindly agreed to explain the importance of transparency in marketing and labeling. We talked about more than just obviously absurd ads but about hidden fees, surprise medical bills, and more serious issues. “Companies have a moral obligation to disclose all types of things relevant about a product or service.” When you’re buying a thing or a food item, the manufacturer should include information about what that product contains. If it’s food or a thing that could cause an allergic reaction, companies should include exactly what is in the product. Considering these questions will make you a well-informed consumer. And a company that answers them on a label or an ad is most likely ethical. “Transparency is important because we’re giving our hard-earned money to companies. We need to know exactly what we’re paying for,” Murray explains. “Rules on this topic were updated a couple of years ago by the FTC because too many consumers – at a time when people are grief-stricken and vulnerable – weren’t being given complete information about a funeral they’re planning.” Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
