We’ve all been there—excited about a purchase only to find that what we get isn’t quite what we expected. From wildly inaccurate product photos to misleading ads, it can feel like luck isn’t on our side when reality doesn’t match expectations. Here are 17 hilarious (and a bit frustrating) moments when people couldn’t believe just how unlucky they were.

1. “Did My Barber Mess with Me?”

Everyone knows that feeling of excitement when you show a photo of your desired hairstyle to your barber, hoping they can make magic happen. But one Reddit user learned the hard way that not all barbers have the same artistic vision, ending up with a haircut far from what they wanted. It’s a gamble that didn’t pay off this time.

2. A Deceptive Sandwich Packaging

Ever opened a sandwich package to find the contents severely lacking? This sneaky packaging hid the filling in a way that made the sandwich look far more satisfying than it actually was. One unlucky customer peeled back the bread, only to find their sandwich was more bun than anything else—deceptive advertising at its finest!

3. “I Bought a Scratching Post for My Cat”

Cat owners know the struggle of finding the right scratching post. But this Reddit user’s purchase arrived as a disappointing, flimsy shadow of what the picture promised. Unfortunately for their cat, this “scratching post” looked more like a toy for mice.

4. “The Image on the Box Was Slightly Exaggerated”

When you buy something, you hope it lives up to the product photo. One person bought a toy that looked grand on the box, but what came out was far less impressive. Lesson learned: sometimes, product photos are pure fantasy.

5. “Ordered a Bamboo Plant Online. It Arrived in All Its Glory”

If you’ve ever ordered plants online, you know the anxiety of not knowing what will show up. This poor customer ordered bamboo, expecting a lush, vibrant plant. What they got was a small, sad stick—hardly the lively greenery they envisioned.

6. “Every Single Grape in the Bag Has Seeds”

Grapes with seeds can be a nuisance, especially if you were expecting a seedless snack. This unfortunate shopper realized too late that they’d bought an entire bag of seeded grapes. The disappointment was real—and so was the hassle.

7. “These Cat Socks…”

Socks with cute animal faces are all the rage, but this shopper got a surprise when the print turned out less-than-cute. Instead of adorable cat faces, they received distorted, bizarre expressions staring back at them from their ankles.

8. “Where’s the Meat?”

When you order a meat sandwich, you expect, well, meat. But this person got more of a bread sandwich, with a thin slice of meat hidden inside. Fast food can be a hit or miss, but this one was a clear miss in the “meat” department.

9. “My Kit Came with No Kat”

Expectations vs. reality strikes again. This person bought a Kit Kat only to open it and find a “Kit” but no “Kat.” The empty chocolate shell with no wafer inside was both hilarious and sad—an ironic twist on the classic candy bar.

10. “Looks (and Tastes) Like Old Bread Left in the Sun”

When you’re craving fresh bread, the last thing you want is a stale disappointment. One Reddit user’s experience with a dry, crumbly loaf left them feeling cheated, and we can feel the heartbreak from here.

11. “Heavy Duty Combat Boots”

Combat boots are supposed to be rugged, durable, and tough, but this buyer received what looked like mini boot replicas—perfect for a doll, but far from what an adult could wear. The reality check on size was an unpleasant surprise.

12. “Space-Themed Cake Topper: What We Ordered vs. What We Got”

A parent planned a special space-themed cake for their child’s first birthday. But when the topper arrived, it looked nothing like the image—a dismal version that barely resembled a spaceship. Safe to say, the cake didn’t launch any smiles that day.

13. “Definitely Not Like the Picture Shows”

Food packaging is notorious for its exaggeration, and this photo proves it. A snack that looked bursting with flavor on the package turned out to be a sad, empty shell, leaving the customer to wonder why they even bothered.

14. “The Tomato Overload”

Ever opened a sandwich expecting a balanced mix of ingredients, only to find one component overtaking the whole thing? This customer’s sandwich had so much tomato, it was practically a salad between two slices of bread.

15. “Elmo Cake Disaster: What We Ordered vs. What We Got”

Elmo cakes are a common request for children’s birthdays, but this order turned into a nightmare. Instead of a cheerful, fluffy red Elmo, they got a deformed, lumpy creation that looked like it had seen better days. Not exactly the party vibe they were going for!

16. “Expectation vs. Reality—Waistband Edition”

Ordering clothes online is always a risk, especially when it comes to sizing. This person ordered pants expecting a comfy fit, only to discover that the waistband couldn’t even stretch past their chest. Clearly, size wasn’t what they thought it would be.

17. “What Was Ordered vs. What Was Received”

Finishing off our list is yet another case of an item not living up to its photos. This user received an entirely different product from what they ordered, leaving them baffled at the lack of resemblance. Sometimes, online shopping is like playing a game of luck.

These unfortunate moments remind us that reality doesn’t always match up with expectations. From food mishaps to disappointing purchases, the online world can be unpredictable. Next time you make a purchase or see a picture-perfect product, keep these stories in mind—sometimes, what you see isn’t what you get.