Thanks for Nothing – Fall 2025

Every few months 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 latest crop.

T-Mobile Free iPhone 17 Offer

Those of us of a certain age remember the FEDEX commercials where John Moshitta rapid-talked his way to stardom. It seems that T-Mobile found their own new rapid-talker to disclose all the catches involved in their offer for a free iPhone Pro 17.

Listen to the last 17 seconds of this commercial — mostly unintelligible for the average person.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Thanks for nothing, T-Mobile.

High Beef Prices

MrConsumer did a double-take a few weeks ago when he saw this $38 price tag on a three-pound chuck steak at his local supermarket.

*MOUSE PRINT:

When I was a kid, chuck steak was 39-cents a pound on sale! Now it’s $11.99. High demand and shrinking supplies they say is to blame. With prices like that for the cheapest type of steak, demand is sure to fall.

But perhaps we should be thankful for the relative bargain that chuck steak is compared to three pounds of Wagyu steak at Costco at ten times the price:

Thanks for nothing, Stop & Shop, Costco, and all the other grocery stories charging outrageous prices for beef.

Home Depot Free Tool Offer

An email from Home Depot made a tempting offer right in the subject line promising a free Milwaukee expansion tool (whatever that is). When you open the email, the recipient is probably surprised to learn there is a $3,000 minimum purchase necessary!

*MOUSE PRINT:

Thanks to David B. for this submission, but thanks for nothing, Home Depot.

Gizmodo Charger Offer

On Gizmodo’s deal page recently they promoted a three-port phone charger as “almost free.”

However, when you scroll down, you learn the charger isn’t anywhere near “almost free.”

*MOUSE PRINT:

Thanks for nothing, Gizmodo.

Walmart Mayonnaise Price Rollback

Everyone knows when you see a rollback sign at Walmart, that signals a price drop.

*MOUSE PRINT:

This must be the new math. Thanks for nothing, Walmart.

Groupon Deal at AMC Theatres

It looked like quite a deal at AMC to get a movie ticket and a snack for only $5.03 with a Groupon discount.

*MOUSE PRINT:

It turns out that only the drink was $5.03. The movie was an additional $12.

Thanks for nothing, Groupon.

If you find an offer suitable to be called out here, please send a copy of it to Edgar(at symbol)MousePrint.org . Thanks.