# Are these advertised products frauds? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2023, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306 "2023-08-09T11:25:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/21 "2023-08-09T17:35:07Z")
If it sounds too good to be true. It most likely is. Buyer beware. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/22 "2023-08-09T17:42:24Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > That’s at least a little saner. They get sold online as “Mini-AC Unit!” with wild claims about cooling a room in minutes and sold for ridiculously high prices. I’m repeating this from the thread I linked, but a lot of them get by on tiny little technicalities. For example, I bet you’d see camparatively dramatic performance, _at short range_ from the models listed while there’s still a good bit of ice in the reservoir. But it’s damn well going to short lived at any temp you’d need it for. And if your “room” is a tiny dorm, closet, or micro-micro space that barely fits your bed, sure. Might indeed cool the whole room, briefly. But I can use a 7.99 desk fan and a bowl of ice water for nearly the same effect. So overpriced, over-hyped junk, but with the thin veneer of plausibility that probably keeps them from being sued. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/23 "2023-08-09T17:43:32Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > More accurately, they COULD work in some minor way, in theory. But the devices being sold won’t work because they don’t have anything in them to work. OK, that’s true, too. For that matter, plenty of real, completely-genuine, completely-practical products also have cheap, shoddy knock-offs that do almost nothing. Like, phone chargers exist and work and are worth it… but the chargers you can buy for $5, you really don’t want to. Some of those cheap chargers can destroy your phone, or even you. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/24 "2023-08-09T18:01:06Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > That’s at least a little saner. They get sold online as “Mini-AC Unit!” with wild claims about cooling a room in minutes and sold for ridiculously high prices. As others already said, it’s an evaporative cooler, aka swamp cooler, and they will cool a room in a dry climate. But if the ads are actually calling it an “air conditioner”, then IMO that _is_ false advertising. A swamp cooler is not the same thing as an air conditioner, and doesn’t work the same way. A swamp cooler will cool a room, but not to the extent an AC can – on a 90 degree day in Phoenix it can cool a room to a reasonably comfortable temperature, but on a 110 degree day it might only cool the room down to the mid 90s, which is better, but still hot. And an AC will dehumidify as well as cool. A swamp cooler will lower the temperature, but increase the humidity. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/25 "2023-08-09T18:24:39Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > But if the ads are actually calling it an “air conditioner”, then IMO that _is_ false advertising They typically call it “Mini-AC” and have “Air Cooler” in small print elsewhere. Intentionally deceptive with a “cover your ass” footnote. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/26 "2023-08-09T18:25:42Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > why isn’t is available everywhere? Why isn’t it on every TV, website, tiktok, building wall? Maybe it…doesn’t work?” Nahhh, that can’t be it. It’s gotta be that Big Corporations are hiding it from us so they can put more cancer causing stuff in the chemtrails to prevent us from finding out the reverse vampires are conspiring with the mole-men from their base on the far side of the flat moon. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/27 "2023-08-09T18:28:26Z")
You forgot Bigfoot. He gets hot in the cave with all that hair. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/28 "2023-08-09T20:06:25Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > But I can use a 7.99 desk fan and a bowl of ice water for nearly the same effect. If you don’t have to be presentable - or have ready access to a dry shirt - you can just drape a wet towel around your neck. Works great. I can’t figure out how the outfit that incessantly flogs “slimming gummies” isn’t spending all their time in court. They used to be “Oprah’s Slimming Gummies” but it looks like she put a stop to that. The ads still show the Shark Tank stars supposedly hooting and clapping over these things and I really doubt whether Mark Cuban actually endorses them. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/29 "2023-08-09T20:15:20Z")
Often they change business names more often than you change your underwear, and a lot of them aren’t based in the U.S. to begin with. Couple that with Facebook’s almost non-existent fraud policy, and it is open season on the general public. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/30 "2023-08-09T20:54:52Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You forgot Bigfoot. You have a disturbing fascination with this creature, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/31 "2023-08-09T21:00:11Z")
Not too disturbing; I’m pretty sure he’s a relative of hers. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/32 "2023-08-09T22:09:30Z")
As for the miracle weight-loss formulas, a lot of them are nothing more than bulk-forming laxatives. Fine for short-term relief, but if you take enough of them every night for a long enough time, you’ll eventually poop out weight. You’re also likely to experience bloating, gas, and possibly more severe side effects. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/33 "2023-08-09T22:19:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Often they change business names more often than you change your underwear, And just how do you know how often I change my underwear? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/34 "2023-08-09T23:13:17Z")
The most fascinating _Cryptid_ in the world. “When I decide to be sighted, I do it in South Arkansas.”. **Bigfoot** 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/35 "2023-08-09T23:39:22Z")
My assumption is that its like that Sensa(?) product from a few years ago–a scented powder. The idea was that you sprinkle this stuff that smells like something you want eat on something healthy that you don’t want to eat. Like eating a plate of broccoli…ain’t fun but its healthy… and if you’re eating it and it smells like nachos…tht makes it easier. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/36 "2023-08-09T23:54:32Z")
Imagine eating soggy nachos. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/37 "2023-08-09T23:56:24Z")
The juxtaposition between frequency of changing underwear and pooping yourself to weight loss is just too much. 🤢 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/38 "2023-08-10T05:46:43Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > And here’s Bigfoot. Again. > > There are more sightings of Bigfoot on the Dope than out in the woods. > 😊 Possibly because Bigfoot sighting have declined greatly in the last 15 years. Said to be a result of so many people carrying cellphones with cameras built in: people kept asking _“so why didn’t you take a picture when you saw Bigfoot?”_ ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/39 "2023-08-10T16:02:56Z")
Those people are eaten. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306/40 "2023-08-10T17:44:06Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > “When I decide to be sighted, I do it in South Arkansas.”. **Bigfoot** Willow Creek, California, makes a contrary claim. [And it has a bigfoot museum.](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/12680) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-advertised-products-frauds/988306.md?page=3)