It’s nice that Big Lots takes toy recalls seriously: we agree that alerting people to dangerous products so they can get pulled off shelves as soon as possible is a noble undertaking. It’s also very well and good that they promote their low prices as “Unbelievable!” However, when you combine the two, that’s when things get a little confusing. [More]
signage
Big Lots Finds Kids’ Safety Unbelievably Important
By 5.21.13
Soda At Walmart Is Wholesome, Healthy, Delicious, Or One Out Of Three
By 4.15.13
Reader Kathy sent along this photo that she took at Walmart. She found this display kind of puzzling, and for good reason. “Seriously? So suddenly soda is ‘wholesome and healthy’?” she writes. “Yeah right… good one, Walmart.” [More]
Kohl’s Employee Explains Math-Impaired Signage
By 2.11.13
Vindication for reader Garrett: a real, live Kohl’s employee agrees that the “60% off plus 25% off equals 85% off” sign that he spotted in his local store makes no sense. That’s because this person studies engineering, which means that he or she has some familiarity with how math works. They explained to us what Garrett should have done, as well as the likely origins of this wacky sign. [More]
Fun Reads For Father’s Day: ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’
By 6.21.12
Fifty Shades of Grey, a current bestseller that’s lightly rewritten Twilight fanfiction the erotic tale of chance meeting gone terribly, terribly right, might make an appropriate gift for some people. A friend who shares your love of popular fiction. Your favorite librarian. Your grandmother. We’re pretty sure it wouldn’t make an appropriate Father’s Day gift, though, no matter what this Target display says. [More]
This Seems Like A Perfectly Reasonable Policy To Us
By 1.30.12
What worries us more is that people are putting money — known to be downright filthy — in their undergarments to begin with. [More]
Home Depot Salt Pellet Deal Shrivels Under Scrutiny
By 10.19.11
Whether it’s a signage error or a stacking error, this pile of salt pellets is not what it seems at first blush. [More]
These Kroger "Build Your Own Sixpack" Signs Are In Conflict
By 7.7.11
Karl was surprised when he saw this printed-out sign on the beer case at his local Kroger. It informed him that it was “unlawful” for the store to sell singles or six-packs where you get a six-pack box and fill it with a variety of beers of your choosing. He was surprised because just a few away were several shelves of beers underneath a giant sign that loudly advertised “Mix a Six, $8.99, Pick your style!” [More]
Should We Open These Packages?
By 6.22.11
This sign was submitted to the Consumerist Flickr pool. Do you think I should open up one of these packages?
The magic of independent retail: signs like this one where the shopkeeper’s personality so clear, you can feel it even from thousands of miles away.
Home Depot In Need Of Spanish Translator, Proofreader
By 1.12.11
Mike found this sign in the carpet section of a New Jersey Home Depot. The portion below the boldface type under the second bullet point highlights the fact that the sign could have used one last look before the person in charge of sign proofing gave it the thumbs-up. [More]
This Sale Depends On What The Meaning Of "Everything" Is
By 12.16.10
If you see signage in a store that says “40% off everything,” what do you assume that might mean? While shopping at Ann Taylor Loft, Mike had this wild idea that such signs mean that everything in the store is marked down 40%. He was wrong. The sale specifically excluded new spring merchandise in one corner of the store…which most of the store signage failed to mention. [More]
Let's Hope Energy Drinks Improve Your Math Skills
By 12.15.10
Frank spotted this sign at his local Stop & Shop. “And to think, one of the reasons we moved to this town was for its highly touted education system,” he laments. Maybe the employees of this convenience store are from the next town over. [More]
"Weat Paent Man" Sign At Lowe's Makes Reading Fun Again
By 7.26.10
There is a free thinker at the Lowe’s in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, who has rejected the system’s stifling rules for spelling. Nice penmanship, though. (Thanks to Tim!) [More]
Please Prepay This Gas Station In Advance
By 2.21.10
Reader Neil found this sign on a gas pump near Cleveland. He’s disappointed, since he prefers to pre-pay after the transaction is over. [More]
What Does Prosperity Taste Like? Beef.
By 2.13.10
What does prosperity taste like? According to McDonald’s in Singapore, it tastes like beef. From a historical point of view, I suppose that’s true.
What’s a Prosperity Burger? It’s a beef or chicken burger on a long bun, almost like a small sub sandwich, with onions and a black pepper sauce. If you want mega prosperity, apparently you need to add some twisty fries.
(Thanks to Dan for the picture!)
Hollywood Video Giving Away Free Kids
By 12.31.09
I’m going to grab a bunch and resell adopt them out for extra money in 2010. Thanks to Kevin, who snapped the pic and who adds, “I know Hollywood Video isn’t probably doing that hot with the advent of Netflix, but I’m not sure if this is the way to go.” [More]
Toys R Us Invites You To Save -$10
By 11.23.09
We love when Toys R Us does this. Ah, yes. “While supplies last.” Hurry, people. Hurry.
Pet Store Takes Advantage Of Grocery Shrink Ray
By 11.16.09
Dan sent in this pic from a local pet store. It reads, “After January 1st, bag sizes will be decreased, and these new prices will stay the same. For the rest of 2009 you will save 12.5% on all big bags of Science Diet dog food!!” I like how they’re spinning the reduced packaging in a way that benefits them and the customer, while also making sure nobody is fooled come January 1st.
Apple's Color Coded Employees Confuse Shopper
By 8.28.09
An Apple store in Ohio doesn’t want to clutter up its elegant store layout with signage, so you have to rely on a color coded system to find the appropriate employee to ring up your purchase. It’s like the Homeland Security Advisory System, retooled to measure how inconvenienced you’ll be.
