Updated every Monday!   Subscribe to free weekly newsletter.

Thanks for Nothing – Winter 2025

A few times a year we spotlight offers from companies that are real head-scratchers, are actually less generous than they appear, are just plain outrageous, or may simply elicit a chuckle. Here’s the new crop.

California Olive Oil

Rosemarie L. sent us this picture of two 100% extra virgin olive oil bottles from her local Shaw’s supermarket.

California olive oil

The one on the right, California Olive Ranch, was a dollar cheaper so she thought she would buy that one. That is until she read the bottom of the label.

*MOUSE PRINT:

10% California olive oil

Unlike the Signature store brand which is 100% from California, this one is only 10% from there. Thanks for nothing, California Olive Ranch.


American Blueberries

Tim C. wrote to us about this package of blueberries saying “it certainly leads you to believe you’re buying American-grown produce at first glance.

*MOUSE PRINT:

American Blueberries

We agree. Thanks for nothing, American Blueberries, Inc.


Macy’s Black Friday Sale

Back in August, we complained about Wayfair’s problematic search engine that returned over 9,000 results when looking for a blood pressure monitor when in fact they only had 10 real listings.

Well, what Macy’s did last month during their Black Friday sale makes Wayfair’s tech people look like geniuses.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Macy's Black Friday sale

Even the most ardent bargain hunter will not go through over 150,000 sale items in search of a great deal. Thanks for nothing, Macy’s.


Get $5 Off Any P&G Product?

MrConsumer was very excited to get this email from Procter & Gamble seemingly promising $5 off on any item. That is what the email subject said, and that is what the big print said in the body of the email.

P&G Save $5

Only in smaller print in the email did P&G reveal the true nature of the offer. They weren’t offering a $5 off coupon, but rather…

*MOUSE PRINT:

P&G Save $5 finer print

Thanks for nothing, P&G.


OmegaXL – Satisfaction Guaranteed?

Many mail order products come with a free trial or a satisfaction or your money back guarantee to help consumers feel better about trying something new. This joint supplement called OmegaXL has a most unusual policy, however.

*MOUSE PRINT:

OmegaXL guarantee

If you tried it and you were not satisfied, you can’t return it because their policy requires that the package must be unopened and unused.

Thanks for nothing, OmegaXL.


If you find a product policy, offer, or advertisement suitable for this section, please send it along to Edgar (at symbol) MousePrint.org . Thanks.

Updated every Monday!   Subscribe to free weekly newsletter.

Blue Diamond Doesn’t Stick to Its Durability Claims

Blue Diamond waffle platesWhen we buy nonstick cookware, many shoppers want the coating to last as long as possible. So manufacturers try to convince us of how durable their brand is.

In a website ad for Blue Diamond waffle plates for a its griddle, the company can’t seem to get its numbers straight.

First it says its diamond-infused coating delivers five times more strength and lasts 10 times longer.

Blue Diamond 5x-10x

Then it changes the numbers. Ten times longer wasn’t enough, so someone at the company probably suggested let’s say 50 times stronger and six times harder.

Blue Diamond 50x

But then, there’s the old asterisk after those numbers. And the claims change again.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Fine Print

Lasts longer, more strength, more durable, harder… 5x, 10x, 6x, 50x… it almost feels like the company is pulling numbers out of thin air. And that makes their claims at least two times harder to believe.

Updated every Monday!   Subscribe to free weekly newsletter.

Hey Campbell’s, Where’s the Beef?

The Campbell Soup Company was recently sued by a New York consumer who said she was misled by Campbell’s Chunky soup label “Beef with Country Vegetables” which has more vegetables than beef.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Campbell's Chunky Beef & Veg

The ingredients statement above shows that there is more water, carrots and potatoes in the can than beef. In fact, the entire 18.8 ounce can has 15 grams of protein, which is only about two ounces of beef!

One has to wonder if Campbell’s took lessons from The Three Stooges on how to make cheap soup?

By contrast, Progresso beef and vegetable soup, has beef as the primary solid ingredient after broth and water.

The consumer’s lawyer further argues that the product should be labeled “Vegetables and Beef” since vegetables predominate over beef. He may be thinking of label rules that require On-Cor, for example, to call the product below “gravy and turkey” because there is more gravy in it than turkey:
en-cor turkey
I don’t know if those rules apply here. The product in question is beef soup and it probably doesn’t even need to have pieces of beef in it.

I think the chances of this case succeeding are… m’m, m’m not good.