The end of the year is a time to reflect on the good times, bad times, and those that just made you scratch your head in disbelief. While there were plenty of really great – and not so great – things that happened in 2015, we’re here to remind you of some of the most baffling, embarrassing, and gaffe-worthy business and consumer stories that graced the pages of Consumerist in the last 12 months. [More]
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Under Armour Pulls “Band Of Ballers” Shirt Amid Criticism That It Echoes Iwo Jima Imagery
By 5.18.15
Under Armour is apologizing and promising to stop selling a T-shirt dubbed “Band of Ballers” after complaints that its image of basketball players raising a hoop closely mirrored the style of the Marine Corps War Memorial. That memorial is based on a famous photograph taken of soldiers raising a U.S. flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II. [More]
The Year That Shouldn’t Have Been: The 50 Most Embarrassing Stories From 2014
By 12.31.14
In the days leading up to a new year, most people take time out to reflect on the good and the bad of the previous 12 months. While there were some really great things – and not so great thing (Comcast/Time Warner Cable Merger, anyone?) that happened in 2014, there was also a seemingly endless supply of stories that left us wondering just who has control of companies’ social media platforms and why CEO’s just can’t keep their mouths shut. So without further adieu, here is Consumerist’s list of stories that make us go “What, The What?” [More]
Papa John's Founder Says Don't Eat Too Much Of His Pizza
By 2.6.09
Marketing and PR folks probably dread stories like this one: John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John’s, said on a BBC radio interview yesterday that you shouldn’t eat too much of their pizza.
Microsoft Releases Dirty Santa Chatbot On Unsuspecting Children!
By 12.4.07
Oh noes! The children! Microsoft released a Santa bot on its Windows Messenger network that had a surprising predilection for swinging the conversation to oral sex.
Top 10 Worst Marketing Gaffes, Flops, and Disasters
By 3.2.07
The Consumerist’s guide to the top 10 worst gaffes, flops, and disasters in the history of American marketing and advertising.
CompUSA Sells Computer Dripping With Porn To 13-Year-Old Boy
By 12.28.06
The Donaldsons bought their 13 year-old son a new computer from CompUSA for Christmas and were shocked to find it bedecked with racist child porn.
Top 10 Biggest Business Debacles 2006
By 12.18.06
Welcome, New York Times readers. Here’s a bit of an intro to The Consumerist, if you’re curious and want to learn more.
E in “Verizon” Found Upside Down
By 10.26.06
Verizon is so busy never stopping working for you they forgot to hire a proofreader.
No Juice For Target Franklin Doll
By 9.6.06
After reporting on our famous blog that Target was selling Franklin Delano Roosevelt dressed up like Ben Franklin, the offending page was removed from the Target website. In its place is this page, offering 3 of the most popular “Gift Humor Toy President Political” dolls.
Target Misses With Talking Action Roosevelt Figure
By 8.31.06
At left, the Franklin Roosevelt doll from Target. Seated at right, our 32nd president.
Best Buy Encourages Shopppers To Buy CyberPoopy
By 8.28.06
Over the weekend, an error on the Best Buy website returned very curious results. Searching for “Cybershot 7.2” returned not only no direct results, but what they suggested instead was quite, shall we say, unbecoming.
