Costco is one of the world’s biggest and most popular shopping chains. It is particularly known for its affordability and reasonable pricing. If you’ve ever been to a Costco, you would have noticed the wide variety of Kirkland products. Kirkland is seen as the cheaper but lower-quality version of more well-known brands. To help you make informed decisions about what you are really buying, we will discuss the brands hidden behind Costco’s Kirkland label.
Diamond Naturals Dog Food
Most pet owners only want the best for their furry friends, meaning they usually don’t look for the cheapest option when buying dog food. This is because most of the cheaper brands have low nutrient content, providing less sustenance for the dog.
However, the Kirkland Signature Small Dog Food ticks both boxes in terms of pricing and quality. Manufactured by Diamond Naturals Dog Food, you can rest assured knowing that your dog will still be getting all the vitamins and minerals that they need, but for a good price.
Acetum Balsamic Vinegar
A few years ago, Costco agreed to a partnership with Acetum Balsamic Vinegar in order to manufacture a more affordable Kirkland version labeled Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. While the name might be different, the vinegar is exactly the same, but for a fraction of the price.
In fact, you can purchase Kirkland’s version at just $6 for a liter, whereas Acetum’s version will cost you close to $17 for just 8.5 ounces at Walmart. This might just be the steal of the century, and most people don’t even know about it!
Rice’s Honey
Raw honey is far from cheap, especially when produced by a big-name brand such as L.R. Rice. That said, you can bring home a hefty bottle of raw honey for the low price of $0.20 per ounce at Costco.
What’s more, many customers believe that the Kirkland version is simply the L.R Rice product rebranded, as they taste almost identical. Again, the only difference is the low price of the Kirkland raw honey.
Nature’s Path
Granola is one of the most popular breakfast choices around the world. For this reason, you can expect to pay quite a hefty price for it, especially if you only want the big brand versions, such as Nature’s Path.
However, you can still get the exact same granola for a much lower price with Kirkland. Costco entered into a partnership with Nature’s Path a few years back, which is why you will notice a small ‘Nature’s Path’ logo on the much more affordable Kirkland dupes.
Enfamil Infant Formula
Baby formula is yet another product that parents don’t mind paying more for if it means that their child gets the best. The Kirkland Signature ProCare infant formula doesn’t have the best reputation, as the low price makes it seem like a low-quality product.
The truth is that the Kirkland product is actually manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, the same company responsible for producing Enfamil Infant Formula, a highly reputable brand that parents around the world trust.
JIF Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
It is rumored that the Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter is actually just a rebranded version of the very popular Smucker’s Peanut Butter. As they taste so similar, the only real difference is the price tag.
The Kirkland version also tastes very similar to JIF Peanut Butter, which is arguably the most popular in the country. For this reason, it’s the obvious choice when shopping at Costco.
Tillamook Butter
The Kirkland Signature Butter range is both cheap and high quality, making it the perfect addition to your shopping list. Additionally, it’s a rumored rebrand of Tillamook Butter — a much more expensive product.
Similarly to Tillamook, the Kirkland version is made with unsalted sweet cream that is graded AA. Don’t miss out on this bargain next time you visit Costco! Next time you’re baking cookies and need butter, you’ll be glad you got the deal.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
K-Pods have become all the rage among coffee lovers. However, they are generally more expensive than buying regular beans or coffee grounds, especially if you buy from a big-name brand such as Starbucks or Tim Hortons.
If you are looking for some reasonably priced K-Pods, Costco has you covered. While it is not confirmed, it is rumored that Green Mountain Coffee Roasters actually manufacture the Kirkland pods.
Crystal Creamery Ice Cream
Kirkland Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream is a customer favorite because of its delicious taste and surprisingly low price tag. It’s even classified as ‘super premium’ due to the use of high-quality dairy products.
Again, while a partnership between the two brands has not been confirmed, the taste of this Kirkland dupe is almost identical to that of the Crystal Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream.
Foster Farms Chicken
The Kirkland range actually includes more than one variety of high-quality chicken breasts. If you frequently make chicken, you can’t go wrong with the Kirkland Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts.
This product is actually a rebranded version of the Foster Farms Chicken Breast Filets. The quality is great, while the price tag is still very reasonable. To be more specific, you can purchase 4 quarters of chicken breast for just $13 a pack.
Ehrmann Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a staple food in many households, which is why it makes sense that there are so many brands to choose from. Ehrmann’s yogurt is a favorite for many, but there is actually a cheaper option hidden in plain sight.
Kirkland’s Original Greek Yogurt is manufactured by the same company behind Yogino, LACTO Zero, and Ehrmann’s. While the price may be a bit deceiving, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t have to compromise on quality.
Warren Motor Oil
When it comes to motor oil, a lot of people simply grab the first one that they see and hope for the best. With that being said, a lot of products are actually made by the same company and just packaged differently.
The Costco branded oil is manufactured by Warren Oil — the same company that produces Amazon’s AmazonBasics motor oil, one of the most popular options in the United States. The only difference between the Kirkland and Amazon versions is the price.
Jelly Belly
After all these years, jelly beans are still one of the most popular sweet treats on the market. However, if you purchase the classic Jelly Belly jelly beans, you can expect to pay a small fortune.
Luckily for us, we can get the exact same quality product for a fraction of the price at Costco. Few people know that Kirkland jelly beans are actually produced by Jelly Belly themselves, meaning that you will essentially be getting the exact same product for half the price.
Humboldt Creamery Ice Cream
When it comes to ice cream, Ben and Jerry’s is an international staple. Because of this, their products are usually on the more expensive side. If you’re looking for an ice cream brand that still tastes just as good, we highly recommend Humboldt’s.
In 2016, the brand agreed to a partnership with Costco, so the Kirkland ice cream packaging looks almost identical to the typical Humboldt ice cream packaging. However, the price is much more affordable.
Niagara Bottled Water
Niagara water can be bought at just about any shopping chain in the United States. The brand isn’t exactly expensive, and, truth be told, the Kirkland water range is roughly the same price as the original Niagara water.
Other than the similar price range, you will notice that the two water brands taste exactly the same. This is because Kirkland water is manufactured by the same supplier.
Chinet Cups
If you are stocking up for a party, Costco is definitely the place to go. This is mostly due to the fact that they do bulk sales for very reasonable prices. As a result of a lucrative partnership, Costco and Chinet have released the signature Kirkland Big Red Cup.
Plastic cups are a party staple, but they can become expensive when buying large quantities. Luckily, the Costco version will only cost you $12 for a pack of 240, which is much more affordable than the classic Chinet cups.
Ocean Spray Juice
Ocean Spray fruit juice is a customer favorite, which is reflected in the price tag. However, if you’re at Costco, you can get the exact same quality juice for half the price. This is because the Kirkland version is actually manufactured using the same supplies as Ocean Spray.
If you don’t believe us, just take a closer look at the Kirkland Cranberry Juice next time you visit your nearest Costco. You’ll notice a small Ocean Spray logo in the center of the packaging.
Formaggi Zanetti Parmigiano Reggiano
Similarly to most retailers, Costco sells a wide variety of cheeses. You can pay a small fortune for some classic brands — however, few are quite as delicious as the signature Kirkland Parmigiano Reggiano, which is actually produced by Formaggi Zanetti.
While the brands might not look exactly the same, the taste is almost identical. For this reason, you have access to world-class cheese that only costs $12 per block. You can sign us up for a dozen please… and that’s just for starters!
Reynolds Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is another household staple, which is why it can be rather pricey. The same can’t be said for the Kirkland Aluminum Foil, which is actually manufactured by Reynolds. At Costco, you can buy a standard roll of foil for just $5, which is significantly cheaper than other stores.
This product came about after Costco entered a partnership with Reynolds a few years ago. For this reason, you will notice a small Reynolds logo plastered on the packaging of the Kirkland aluminum foil.
Bumble Bee Tuna
Good quality canned fish can be tricky to find. Additionally, a small can of tuna will cost upwards of $3 at Walmart, which is not exactly cheap. Luckily for us, Costco was able to secure a partnership with Bumble Bee Seafood, leading to the development of Kirkland canned tuna.
This particular Kirkland product is actually very popular amongst customers, which isn’t surprising considering the supplier. You can purchase an eight-pack of Kirkland tuna for just under $18, which is significantly cheaper than most other retailers.
Isigny Ste-Mere Brie
Brie cheese originates in France, which is why it is usually one of the most expensive cheeses on offer. Isigny Ste-Mere Brie is a traditional French-style cheese that is usually imported into the United States. For this reason, it can cost a small fortune.
However, at Costco, you can buy the exact same cheese for just $7 per unit, which is significantly cheaper than the Isigny Ste-mere branded version. Most customers don’t know that the French brand actually entered a partnership with Costco, so other than the packaging, the cheese is identical.
Blommer Chocolate
It’s safe to say that chocolate will be enjoyable, no matter what brand it may be. With that being said, there’s no denying that some brands are tastier than others, such as Blommer Chocolate. You will have to pay more for these products, though.
However, you don’t have to compromise on taste to spend less at Costco. The Kirkland Signature Chocolate products are actually manufactured by Blommer Chocolate themselves, but for half the price.
Hellman’s
For just over $7, you can purchase 64 ounces of Kirkland’s mayonnaise. While you may lean more towards Hellman’s due to its popularity and reputation, you should know that both products are manufactured by the exact same supplier — Best Foods.
In other words, they taste almost identical. The only real difference is the fact that you will get much more mayonnaise for the same price if you buy Kirkland.
Pureology Moisture Hair Care
Hair care products are far from cheap. This is especially true for Pureology, which is one of L’Oreal’s luxury lines of hair care. At Costco, you can provide your hair with the same care for a fraction of the price.
The Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo will set you back just $10, which is significantly cheaper than most other options. What’s more, this Kirkland shampoo is manufactured by the same supplier of Pureology.
Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice
At Costco, you can purchase a 3-pack of 100% organic carrot juice for just $7. When compared to other brands, this is a complete steal, which isn’t surprising considering most Kirkland products are.
Bolthouse Farms is now a Kirkland subsidiary, which is why the Kirkland carrot juice is so reasonably priced. Bolthouse also produces a wide variety of other organic juices and is known for its top-quality products.
Swanson
Costco sells bulk packages of chicken stock for very reasonable prices (even for Costco standards). While the low price might lead you to believe that the quality is subpar, this actually couldn’t be further from the truth.
Swanson, a leading supplier of soups, broth, and stock, produces the Kirkland chicken stock. This might surprise some, as the Kirkland product packaging looks completely different from other Swanson products.
Newman’s Own
Fruit juice is not cheap. For this reason, if you are looking for a bargain, you should definitely give Costco’s signature grape juice a try. The product is sold in bulk and doesn’t compromise on quality.
In fact, most customers claim that the taste is comparable to that of Newman’s Own, which is the creme de la creme when it comes to fruit juice. With that feedback, you would be mad not to jump on board. This is one offer to juice (pun intended).
Tyson
Frozen chicken is a staple meal in just about every household. In the United States, Kirkland chicken breasts are a major competitor to Tyson Chicken. This is mostly because Kirkland is both budget-friendly and good quality.
Kirkland chicken comes from farms that do not use antibiotics, meaning that they are also healthy. There really is no downside when it comes to this Costco product, which is why it has become so popular amongst shoppers.
Persil Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a very expensive addition to any grocery list. Persil is the leading brand in the United States, but that only means that it will cost more. Instead of simply following the crowds, we recommend trying Kirkland’s Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent.
Over the years, more and more customers have started to suspect that the Kirkland product is manufactured by the same suppliers of Persil. This is due to the fact that the quality is exactly the same. The only difference is the reasonable price tag of Kirkland.
Kettle Brand
If you are looking for a quick and delicious snack, we highly recommend the Kirkland Signature Crinkle-Cut Potato Chips. Manufactured by the same suppliers of Kettle Chips, you will receive a good quality product for much cheaper than standard potato chips.
Flavored with real Himalayan salt, the chips are gluten-free, Kosher, and made without any GMOs. Under any other brand, you can expect to pay much more than $8 per unit.
Huggies
If you have small children at home, you would know just how important investing in good quality diapers can be. As a parent, you only want to keep your child comfortable and happy, which is why settling on cheap, scratchy nappies is simply not an option.
The Kirkland Supreme nappies are just Huggies in disguise, making them the obvious choice for parents across the country. What’s better, the Kirkland version costs just $40 for a pack of 150, which is significantly cheaper than actual Huggies diapers.
Callaway Golf Balls
Costco really surprised the golfing world when they released their own golf ball range in 2016. While most golf experts stick with big-name brands, such as Callaway, the Kirkland range is actually just as impressive when it comes to performance.
Additionally, you can buy a single Kirkland golf ball for just $1.25, which is a real bargain. When compared to a number of popular brands, such as the Pro V1 golf balls, the Kirkland dupes actually did much better, which may come as a surprise to many!
Stonyfield Farms
When it comes to yogurt, Costco offers a variety of budget-friendly options. Their Kirkland Original Organic yogurt is often compared to the Stonyfield Farms yogurt range, which is one of the most popular dairy products.
On top of the great taste and affordable price, this Kirkland yogurt product is also incredibly healthy, as it is non-fat and has live cultures. In this way, it’s also comparable to brands like Dannon and General Mills.
Georgia Pacific
If you are looking to fill your printer but don’t want to spend a fortune, the Kirkland Signature Professional Photo Paper is the way to go. This budget-friendly range is extremely similar to big brands, such as Georgia Pacific and the International Paper Company.
There are a few variations of printer paper for you to choose from at Costco, each with a significantly lower price tag than you will find at other retail branches. You can also buy this paper in bulk, which ends up saving you even more money in the long run.
ALL Laundry Detergent Pods
We’ve already discussed just how expensive laundry detergent can be. However, at Costco, you can get your hands on a 152-count carton of detergent pods for the very reasonable price of $21.
Customers suspect that these pods are actually manufactured by the same supplier as ALL Laundry Detergent Pods, as the only real difference is the packaging and the price tag.
Sunsweet
Dried fruit is another extremely costly grocery item that many people simply avoid in order to save some cash. However, at Costco, you can purchase a 3.5-pound bag of dried plums for the affordable price of $10.50.
These Kirkland dried plums are actually manufactured by Sunsweet, one of the leading dried fruit suppliers in the retail industry. For this reason, you can rest assured knowing that the quality of the fruit is still top-notch, even with the reasonable price tag.
Nice ‘n Clean Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are usually pretty pricey, as retailers know that they’re an essential item for many families. Luckily, you can get your hands on some reasonably priced wipes that still match the quality of the more expensive options.
To be more specific, the Kirkland baby wipes cost only $20 for a pack of 900 wipes, which is the bargain of the century if you ask us. Where else could you get that many baby wipes for that price? And if you have a baby, it’s not like you’re about to stop using them anytime soon. Stock up!
Starbucks Coffee
If you’ve ever considered buying Costco’s Kirkland Signature Espresso Blend but decided that the price is simply too low for it to be a good quality coffee, think again. This Kirkland product is made by one of the leading coffee manufacturers in the world — Starbucks Coffee.
This espresso blend is custom-roasted by the gargantuan coffee chain, which may surprise more than a few people. Next time you’re looking to restock your coffee, remember that a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better quality product.
Sonova Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are quite an advanced piece of technology, which means a lot of people don’t want to waste money on a cheap product that might end up malfunctioning in the near future. For this reason, they probably won’t consider the Kirkland Signature (KS9) 9.0 Digital Hearing Instruments a viable option.
However, this particular product is actually manufactured by Sonova Hearing Aids, a well-respected and popular brand when it comes to hearing aid technology. Costco also offers a free hearing test, where you can try out these aids for yourself before committing to a purchase.
Duracell Batteries
Most people are happy to pay higher prices for batteries if it means that they will last longer. However, with Kirkland, you can have the best of both worlds by paying a very reasonable price for some of the best-quality batteries on the market.
The Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries are actually made by Duracell, the leading manufacturer of batteries worldwide. It has been proven that the Kirkland batteries have the same power output as Duracell, making them a real bargain.
By Thalia Shepherd –
It seems like a comedy of marketing errors out there! These fails will leave you questioning the sanity of the ad world. Whether it’s a product placement that missed the mark by a mile, a slogan that’s in a parallel universe, or a design that makes folks reconsider their life choices — we’ve gathered together a few of the many ads out there that deserve a gold star in the epic fail category!
Just Keep Swimming
When marketing your business, you can benefit from familiarity for sure. This fish and chips store was hoping that the popularity of a certain Pixar film would get them a little bit of an audience. We think the name is clever, but it could cause some minor trauma!
We think this name is gonna frighten a bunch of children. After all, who wants to eat adorable little Nemo with some salt and a side of fries?
Meatbird?
Sometimes, when we look at the ads or labels, we overlook what they say, especially if it’s on something we pick up daily, like a whole chicken. That being said, we’re sure this label would definitely be read by just about everyone.
Though it’s not wrong, as it’s very truthful in what it’s advertising; it’s still unnerving. After all, it’s pretty simple to stick the word ‘chicken’ on this label!
Unfortunate Name
When getting ready to open up a business and thinking of the name one wants to give it, many people go with their own name. After all, it’s very personable and shows that you’re attached to that business.
But if your name is Rob and you’re a jeweler, maybe you shouldn’t use your name. People might get the wrong idea and take your suggestion to heart!
So Confused
One of the most important things to have when shopping is a clear idea of how much you will spend. So, while this ad gives a clear idea of what you’re gonna spend, we’re not sure what you’re spending your money on!
We understand reusing boxes is always good for the environment, but if you’re going to do that, make sure you put the sign over the previous product sign that was there. That way, it’s a little clearer and less confusing in the long run.
What a Deal!
A buy-one-get-one-free deal is always a great tactic in any sale. This marketing, though, could’ve been a little bit better because it’s not really clear what exactly you’re getting – especially since the big item is a bed.
We’re not saying it’s not a good deal, but they need to clarify what they’re offering. Otherwise, people might just expect something the store isn’t willing to give.
Just to Clarify
We understand that sometimes you’re worried about the meaning being unclear when you’re putting up signs. But it’s also very condescending when you justify something that’s clearly already been said!
That being said, we wonder why they thought they needed to make this sign. Maybe someone was a little unclear on what open and closed meant.
Good to Know
Though most of us were always aware of germs, everybody’s become a little more sensitive to them over the past couple of years. So, whenever we see someone in the fast food service industry not washing their hands, we all get a little jumpy.
It’s clear that Taco Bell has had some issues. However, we’re not sure that this marketing is an excellent tool to get people to come in. After all, are we really sure that Patty is washing her hands?
Excuse Me?
When putting out the marketing for anything big, it’s always crucial to get the measurements right. That includes where doors may land to make sure that you’re not putting across a message you really don’t want to put across.
For instance, we’re not sure we want to ride this airplane. It’s already stuffy enough, adding unfamiliar smells won’t make that trip any easier!
Spinning Heads
Sometimes, some areas are off-limits to certain activities in communities. This can be because they’re dangerous or just simply because the area doesn’t want any damage to the places. But there are some unique activities on this list of things that we’re prohibited from questioning.
We can definitely understand ball games and riding cycles, especially if it’s a quiet community. But what type of dogs do they have in this community where they feel they need to exorcise them? That’s a little concerning!
False Advertisem*nt
You might think that when you’re building or opening up a company, what you’re selling will match the building itself. But these guys don’t seem to care; they were just looking for a nice building.
We hope there are some sliding doors in the building, though. Otherwise, this will be very confusing, and we’re not quite sure the company will succeed.
So Open
You know, a lot of people in the world today appreciate a company that’s honest with their marketing. Authenticity sells, but we’re not sure this much authenticity is necessary!
We know this is probably just an error in marketing placement, but whoever set this up this way may be trying to tell us something. Maybe it’s not about the product but rather the person who put it out.
Needed Now
Sometimes, a failure in marketing is a cry for help. This person needs someone to help them write signs for multiple reasons. Not only is this misspelled, but it’s not really well visualized when it comes to graphics.
Or maybe did that on purpose to show how much they’re in need of hiring someone for this position. If that’s the case, then this may be an epic win when it comes to marketing!
Not Comforting at All
Many companies come up with a mantra to help their associates stay true to their brand image and help customers understand what they’re getting when they sign on with them. This, though, was not well thought through.
Sometimes, the choice word is key; in this case, they chose the wrong word. We don’t know about you, but we wouldn’t want to stay someplace where they execute guests every day.
All Hail the King!
The world was enamored when the new king of England was crowned. Because of this enormous occasion, many people took to using it as a way to market their goods. Especially in the great UK!
However, we’re not sure this is the right way to do that. First of all, we’re not sure it’s respectful to celebrate the king’s coronation with a toilet paper sale, but maybe they’re also trying to make a rude statement.
Not Sure What to Do Here
The key to the success of any business is for the customers to understand when they’re open and closed. That’s why sites always have hours of operation. But you’d be a little confused if you got to the store and saw something like this.
The way this reads, it sounds like the store isn’t even sure they’re open. And if the store isn’t sure, how can the customers be sure?
That’s So Wrong
We’re sure this store wasn’t paying attention to its advertising layout when they put this image right below this sign. It’s definitely not a great tool to sell diapers.
On a second glance, maybe it’s a good advertisem*nt. After all, that’s the last thing you want to see when you’re thinking about changing someone’s diapers. So, whether this stuff fails or not, is up to you!
Okay, Fine
Look, we all have our little guilty pleasures, and for many of us, they happen to be donuts. But seeing it spelled like this, we’re wondering if the person who put them out is trying to help us stay on our diet.
Then again, who would tell us not to have any of these? If you want to eat a donut, eat a donut. Don’t let anybody tell you not to – especially those who are trying to make money from selling them.
Only an Opinion
Whenever someone puts out marketing tools, they’re supposed to do a spell check before they actually print them out. Sometimes, though, humans make mistakes. Clearly, these people didn’t pay attention to this label maker.
Unfortunately, if someone pays attention to this, they may not want a bite of that pound cake. After all, the last thing you want to do is bite into a lemon-poopy pound cake!
Hmmm, Is This an Accident?
Creating ads like this is quite difficult, and finding the right graphic to do it is important. This company felt like it was a good advertising move to have mobile advertising, and they were right. However, they should’ve really paid attention to where that muffler would be.
This is quite a coincidence! We guess nobody really would have a problem with it unless they have a little bit of a dirty mind.
Who Knew?!
In this fast-paced world, all of us endure some form of anxiety. This is why pharmacies and other self-help gurus make so much money – we’re all looking for a cure.
If we only knew the cure was sitting at the store in a bag ready for us to snack on! We don’t think that pretzels are going to cure anxiety, though. But who are we to argue? Maybe they will!
No Deal
Many stores have sales on holidays and throughout the week to drive traffic into their stores. To do this, they create marketing tools, but they really have to pay attention to the words that are used.
This store clearly didn’t think about that because there’s no way this will drive traffic to the store. Who wants to go somewhere where they have to pay full price for everything?
Tasty!
Have you ever seen the movie Soylent Green? That’s what this reminds us of. Seriously, though, they should have worded this differently.
This marketing issue has to do with translation, so perhaps that’s what went wrong here. Either way, we’re not sure we’d spend money on something that tastes like people.
The Only Way to Serve Them
It certainly seems that many marketing fails come up because people just didn’t take that extra step to do a spell check. Unless, of course, they’re trying to tell us something about premade supermarket food.
We don’t know if we’d spend that much on a crispy children’s sandwich, just in principle. Also, $5.89 seems like a weird price.
No Access?
Having a clear understanding of what roads can be accessed and what has no access is important for those in the area. Therefore, the signs have to be precise.
Clearly, this city didn’t get the memo. So, is there access or not? We’ll never know. If we’re honest, that’s kind of scary!
Welcome!
Just because something is closed doesn’t mean you don’t have to welcome the people who intend to visit. This zoo had a goat paddock and was willing to welcome guests, but then something happened in the paddock, and it had to close.
It looks like they’re playing with our emotions, and that’s messed up because we’d be really excited to see the goats!
Tastes Like America?
Who knew that they changed the name of hot dogs? Freedom Franks sounds a little weird, and the fact that they’re American-flavored is even stranger. What exactly does America taste like?
We don’t know about you, but we think there are many things wrong with this. Who eats hot dogs that are flavored with vanilla, fruit punch, and blue raspberry? Is that what America’s really about? If it is, we don’t want any part of it!
‘T’ Stands For…
One of the ways for people to remember things is to create word games about them. That’s why a lot of businesses use this tactic in marketing. But when you do this, you have to make sure you’re very clear.
This karate dojo, though, made a little bit of an error. After all, we’re not sure what ‘T’ stands for. And we won’t even talk about the other issues with this sign.
Different Strokes
Everybody has different things they feel are necessary when setting up an office. For instance, some may think a stapler is necessary, while others might think a coffee maker is necessary. One thing we don’t necessarily see as being necessary for a home office is a Lego Volkswagen.
But who are we to judge? Different strokes for different folks, right? It’s kind of a cool little thing to have floating around as a knick-knack.
Second-Hand Shopping
It’s always good if your baby is pre-loved. Many of us love to go second-hand shopping, but we’re not sure we want to shop second-hand for a baby. We aren’t sure that’s what this is intended to insinuate, but that’s how it reads.
In fact, it might have been better if they’d said something else entirely. At least then, it’d be clearer about what you’re getting. But it does look like an adorable shop!
Check Your Spelling
This marketing is all kinds of wrong! From the layout to this building, everything is off. This is clearly a DIY job and not one that a corporation did. And if a corporation did it, someone needs to have a severe talking to.
Even if you can figure out how to read it, you’ll stop in your tracks when you get to the bottom. We’re not sure what that is, but we know we don’t want it!
Eco-Milk?
There’s a lot of science being thrown around when it comes to the change. We’re all on the edge of our seats to learn more about it, but we’re not quite sure that milk is the problem.
So we’re not sure why we need neutral milk like this. It’s a clean design – we’ll give them that – even if the message is lost.
One Foot at a Time
Everybody has two feet, right? This company seems to think it’s okay to charge per foot. Honestly, we’re sure that’s not what they intended to say, but that’s how it comes across.
We wouldn’t necessarily buy from here. Although, the price is pretty good, so maybe it’s worth it. Ultimately, it’s still just $20 per pair of shoes. So, either way, it feels like it’s a win-win for this company!
The Future Looks Bright
Graduating from college or high school is a big step. It’s the next leap into your future, so the thought behind this ad is really good. It’s a time to look to the future! However, if you look to the future and see the light coming towards you, it may not be the bright future you think it is.
We think maybe they should’ve re-thought where they had the student look. We understand the vision of walking down train tracks and all that, but it looks like they’re walking into the light, and that’s not the future they should be looking to.
Bloodsucker?
Geometric shapes are a big tool used in graphic design. They allow you to create depth and texture and all that good stuff. But you have to be careful how you place things; otherwise, you’ll wind up making a person look like a vampire.
Let’s face it, this guy already has a bad enough rep as it is! Fixing this would be as simple as just moving his picture up or removing the geometric shape altogether.
What a Bargain!
You don’t have to pay for anxiety, folks, we all have it for free! But if you absolutely need to pay for it, you’re going to want to look for a budget option. This psychiatrist or counselor is offering it for a pretty low rate.
It seems like maybe the ad is missing a word. Maybe it should have said ‘Anxiety disorder treatments are now only $45.’ Now it looks like they’re selling something no one wants!
An Extra Letter
Marketing is meant to be super cute. Often, ads use imagery that matches what they’re trying to market. We think they were on the right track, but got a little thrown off, so they added the extra ‘I.’
We think that the dumbbells would’ve been clear, and would’ve been a suitable substitute for the ‘I.’ Maybe they thought an extra ‘I’ would make the ad more impactful.
Genius!
Thinking outside the box is always great, it’s how some of the best thoughts and ideas come into this world. Many great inventions have been made by using this concept. So, using this idea for marketing is actually a great idea.
But even if it’s an excellent idea, this execution is poor. After all, thinking outside the box doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the rules, it just means thinking about a problem in a different way.
Tell Us How You Feel
We think it’s really brave of Sara Lee to be so open and honest with their feelings. It’s okay if Sara Lee doesn’t like Sara Lee, we all go through those phases in which we don’t like ourselves. But maybe don’t use it as part of your marketing scheme.
After all, if you’re selling food, you want people to think your food is good. So, seriously, while we feel for you, it’s probably best to rework this ad.
Cutting it Up
Marketing for salons can be very tricky. You have to make sure you use the right words and have the right images. This ad really doesn’t do either, so this is definitely a fail.
The thing that stands out to us the most is the use of the word ‘cut.’ You don’t want to say you cut anybody! You style and do haircuts, but cutting people seems aggressive.
Not Feeling It
What teenager doesn’t love the weekends? So, it’s not surprising that this clothing brand focused on the days of the week that kids love. But the styling of this model doesn’t quite lend itself to that idea.
In fact, it does quite the opposite. It might have been best to lose the jacket altogether. That way, we could see the cute Saturday across her chest and know the intended idea.
It’s Magic!
When you want a relaxing day at a spa, you want to know what you’ll get. So, the marketing should be enticing and well thought out with beautiful colors. This salon was on the right track – until they reached the bottom image.
We’re unsure how a massage will turn someone into a sushi roll! This would’ve been a home run if they’d just stuck with their original layout.
Really?
We certainly hope that even at this price, these PCs will last longer than the ad is making us think they will. That being said, we can give them a few points for being honest. Now that we think of it, how do they know other people say that it won’t last that long?
Overall, this could be a great advertisem*nt. It would’ve been a gold-star advert if it hadn’t been for that little wording issue!
No One Nose!
Photoshop is a fact of life nowadays. Most of the time, it’s used very well. It seems this person was new to the program. Or maybe this woman has a serious problem with her nose.
We know it’s advertising for the sleeping mask, so the nose shouldn’t bother us, but it’s a little creepy that this woman is sleeping, and all we can see is one nostril. Don’t you find it creepy? Or is it just us?
Magic Bus?
The future is here! And with it comes invisible buses that just appear out of nowhere! We’re sure that this ad intended to say that there are buses everywhere and they’re easy to access.
But all it looks like is a floating person with an open door. This could be really cool, or it could be really scary for some child who’s riding the bus for the first time. They need to rethink this advertisem*nt!
Earth Looks Different
A good puzzle can be a way to spend the afternoon in peace and relaxation. But how frustrating would it be if you’re looking to do a puzzle of the earth and you look down, and all you see is the moon? They’re not really the same thing, are they?
We don’t know about you, but we’d be very frustrated! On top of that the moon is a far less entertaining puzzle thanks to the fact that it’s just one color. We aren’t sure who was put in charge of this, but they definitely failed!
