Selling It

Goofs, glitches, and gotchas spotted by our readers

By Consumer Reports

January 5, 2023

Quality, Our Price, 99 cents, and yellow bursts on a pink background

Marketers want their products and services to be noticed and applauded, but sometimes the attempt backfires. When it does, our eagle-eyed readers let us know, submitting examples of rip-offs, poorly worded ads, half-empty packaging, outlandish claims, and goofs that have made them laugh out loud.

Scary Bedtime Stories

These sleep “aids” make it a lot harder to get the rest you need.

This Mattress May Give You Nightmares

screenshot of website advertising Dreamer Twin Miracle Foam Sleeper Sofa Mattress for $777,777.77

Or at least the price will.
Submitted by Jay Yocis, Cincinnati

Time to Wake Up? You'll Never Know.

screenshot of Amazon page for Peakeep Non-Ticking Silent Alarm Clock

A “silent” alarm clock won’t help you much in the a.m.
Submitted by Gerald Wilson, Chattanooga, TN

Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite?

lawn sign that advertises Bed Bugs for $59 per room

Good luck with that if you take this deal.
Submitted by Kristi Wright, via email

We're Not Sure This Pillow Will Help You Sleep Better

advertisement saying Sleep Better, Feel Better with wedge pillow and claim that "XW wedge pillow helps relive" various symptoms

But it might help you repeat that lousy night you just had.
Submitted by David Alexander, via email

Send Us Your Funny Ads

Be on the lookout for goofs and glitches like these. Share them with us via:
• Email: SellingIt@cro.consumer.org
• Mail: Selling It, Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Ave., Yonkers, NY 10703

Please include key information, such as the publication’s name and date. We might publish your submission here.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the February 2023 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.