t/assholedesign

0

Scammy 'Buy One Get One' Sale

Saw a 'BOGO' sale sign at this shoe store and thought ya boi was gonna snag a deal. The fine print? The second 'free' pair has to be equal OR LESSER value and the discount's only the price of the lesser one. Like who's gonna buy one and get a …
submitted 12 months ago by dealsleuth

0

Salad Dressing with 'Just a Hint' of Plastic

Who thought this was good design?? So I get this 'eco-friendly' salad dressing bottle, claiming to be all about healthy lives and the environment. Cool, right? NOPE! Turns out, to get any dressing out, you have to squeeze harder than when you’re doing the last rep at the gym. And …
submitted 12 months ago by health_nut_gonemad

0

Toothpaste Tube From Hell

So you thought you could actually use ALL the toothpaste you paid for? Think again! Just got this sparkly new brand promising fresher breath than a daisy. Cool. However, this toothpaste tube is like frickin Fort Knox. Not only does it have a cap that’s impossible to screw back on, …
submitted 12 months ago by rando_guy123

0

Exclusive Cable Nightmare - The Monopolistic Practice of Peripherals

Let me enlighten y'all. You buy this sleek, top-of-the-line gadget, promises all these bells and whistles. But wait, here comes the punchline: The damn thing requires an exclusive cable that costs as much as your left kidney because it's 'proprietary technology'. Worse? They change models every year. Lost or broke …
submitted 12 months ago by TheRealDealTechie

0

Coffee Maker with Irreplaceable Parts?!

Splurged on this fancy coffee machine, right - not gonna name names, but it's one of the biggies. Two months in, the filter basket handle thingy snaps. I’m like, chill, I’ll buy a new one. NOPE. Turns out, you can't just replace the freaking basket!! You gotta send in the …
submitted 12 months ago by ineedcoffee247

0

Mall Parking Garage Ticket Machines

Rly gotta vent, the mall parking garage ticket machines are the actual worst. U grab a ticket to get in, right? K, that's fine. But here's the kicker! You can ONLY pay when u leave, and there's just ONE machine for every 500 cars parking there. And u know what? …
submitted 12 months ago by justwannapark

0

lol imagine paying for an app without ads...

And then, BOOM, after the update, Y’ALL got ads again. So much for premium service, right? Just when u thought u were the special paying user who can avoid the peasant ad-watching fate. GOT 'EM!
submitted 12 months ago by CrackedUpCraig

0

EULA - Epic User Loophole Ambush

Who's got a spare year to read these EULA docs? Font size '-5', 300 pages of 'don't sue us if we mess up' tucked in some software update. Ain't nobody got time for that, yet we click 'agree' like we mean it. Smh, we're probs agreeing to hand over our …
submitted 12 months ago by EULAughable

0

Printer software updates are a scam

Every time there is a 'critical' printer update, it BREAKS more than it fixes. Latest update turned my reliable printer into a glorified paperweight. Why?? Just so I'll be tempted to buy a new one? Not playing that game!
submitted 12 months ago by IDeserveBetter

0

Toilet paper rolls that never start

EVER noticed how some TP rolls just REFUSE to peel off properly?? You end up scratching at it like it's a lottery ticket, hoping for that clean start, BUT NOPE! Just shreds! Absolute design fail! #FirstWorldProblems but for real, fix it!
submitted 12 months ago by RantingRonny

0

Shrinkflation isn't just annoying, it's pure evil

Let me tell you about shrinkflation. It's when companies get greedy af and give you less for the same price, tricking you into thinking you're not getting ripped off. Noticed my cereal box is lighter? Yeah, they shrank it from 500g to 420g, same box size, same price, but hey, …
submitted 12 months ago by ShrinkflationHater

0

Impossible Packaging

Bought a 'simple to open' package but needed scissors, a knife, a chainsaw, and the jaws of life to open. Seriously, who designs this stuff? 'Easy open' my foot.
submitted 12 months ago by packagingfail

0

Took 10 effing tries to cancel subscription

This crap website hid the cancel subscription button so deep in their user settings even Indiana Jones couldn't find it. Not to mention the site 'conveniently' timed out every time I got close. Coincidence? I think not.
submitted 12 months ago by UIragequit

0

Hidden Fees Everywhere!

Got to checkout on this one site, cart's at $50, suddenly total is $75 cuz of 'handling', 'service' & 'convenience' fees. What convenience is it to slip in extra $$ like I wouldn't notice?! Someone needs to regulate this nonsense.
submitted 12 months ago by sneakyfeesareevil

0

Ever seen a 'confirmshaming' button?

Just tried to say no to a newsletter signup, and the 'no thanks' option was: 'No thanks, I don't want to save money'. Wow, so if I don't give you my email I'm a moron not looking for savings? Mmm, guilt-tripping much?
submitted 12 months ago by savvy_consumer

0

Don't you love non-skippable intros?

Every single time I open this app, I am *blessed* with the same unskippable 30 sec intro. Sure, I definitely want to waste my life watching this over and over. Cheers, devs!
submitted 12 months ago by sly_as_a_fox

0

Don't get me started on 'minimum system requirements'

Got a game that said 'will run on your hardware'. Joke's on me, it runs like a slideshow of my failures. And when I asked for a refund, they were like 'but it runs, doesn't it?'. Misleading and false hope... Nice.
submitted 12 months ago by furious_florist

0

A deep dive into deceptive 'Free Trials'

Let's talk about these '30-Day Free Trials' that require a credit card upfront. They bet on you forgetting to cancel, so they can start billing. What's worse? They make the process of unsubscribing so convoluted, it's like solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded. Tried this with a well-known streaming service. Day …
submitted 12 months ago by moment_of_clarity

0

Free app, yeah right...

LOL, downloaded a 'free' app and every other tap is an ad. The best part? The 'x' button to close them is so small, I end up clicking the ad instead. The conclusion? EVERY click is an ad. 'Free app', my ass. Hilarious.
submitted 12 months ago by ads_in_my_dreams

0

Can't charge without their brand cable?? Seriously??

So my new headphones, which shall remain unnamed... *cough* pricey brand *cough*... WON'T CHARGE with any other USB cable but theirs. I tested it with like 5 cables at home, only the one that came with it works. WHY? Like, do you enjoy watching us suffer??
submitted 12 months ago by the_unplugged

0

Checkout traps everywhere!

Why's every checkout process online a freakin' minefield? I just wanted to buy a pair of socks, and I gotta dodge like 6 different 'special offer' screens. 'No I don't want your magazine, I don't need a coupon book, and for the love of god, I don't want to sign …
submitted 12 months ago by darkpatternDave

0

Shrinking products, same big box...

Ugh, just bought my fav cereal and notice the bag is half empty. They keep the box the same size, but there’s less and less in it each time I buy it! How is this not false advertising? Paying same price for air... Cool cool cool.
submitted 12 months ago by tiny_rant_tina

0

Evil Printers and Their 'Low Ink' Lies

So my printer, right? It's always crying about low ink when there's clearly a ton left. The chip in the cartridge says 'nah, you need a refill'. It's supposed to be a convenience but it's just a scam for more $$$. You pop in a new cartridge, and suddenly it's …
submitted 12 months ago by designer_diss

0

Just tried to cancel a subscription...

and holy hell, why do they make it SO HARD TO FIND THE CANCEL BUTTON? It's like Where's Waldo up in here but instead of finding a quirky guy in stripes, I'm just trying not to get charged another month for a service I don't even use anymore! Scrolling for …
submitted 12 months ago by sneakyfee123

0

They know what they're doing with those updates..

Don't get me started on software updates that kill your device. My phone was FINE until that fateful 'performance improvement' update. Then BAM, it's slower than my grandma's typewriter. Coincidence? Nah, they're just pushing us to buy the newest model. Welcome to planned obsolescence, my friends.
submitted 12 months ago by MysterioTech

0

Self-checkout machines, you sneaky thieves

We're basically unpaid employees at this point, scanning our stuff and bagging it. And have u noticed the 'random' bag checks are like every other time? Tryna catch us 'stealing' when really it's their machine that can't scan worth a damn. So much for 'convenience'.
submitted 12 months ago by shortfuse

0

The egregious design of 'free' apps

Let's dissect the pervasive model of 'free' mobile applications. Initially, these apps entice us with no cost of entry, a strategy that significantly lowers the barrier for user acquisition. Upon installation, the user is introduced to an app riddled with microtransactions that are often necessary for progress, or worse, for …
submitted 12 months ago by detailed_dude

0

LoL why so complicated???

Ever tried cancelling a subscription service? It's like solving a Rubik's cube while blindfolded! Just found one where u gotta call during business hours, THEN send a written notice, AND there's a 30-day 'processing' period. They sure make taking your money easy but give it back and it's like pulling …
submitted 12 months ago by madlad_ranter

0

A Hidden 'Feature' That Grinds My Gears

Here's a little PSA for y'all about your so-called 'smart' TVs. Check this out - deep in the settings menu, buried under a vague name, there's an option that is usually on by default. It's a data collection 'feature' that tracks what you watch to 'improve recommendations.' What it actually …
submitted 12 months ago by oldtimer_tech

0

Printers are designed by Satan himself, I swear

ok so i just spent 4 hours trying to get my printer to work. new cartridges, reinstalled drivers, the works. SAYS it's printing but NOPE, nada comes out. turns out, this POS won't print BLACK if the YELLOW is low?? WHY? who came up with this bs?
submitted 12 months ago by printerRage420

0

Seriously these unskippable ads are the worst

Got this new game app, right? Was supposed to be ad-supported, cool, I get it, devs gotta eat. But man, every level there's like a 30-sec unskippable ad! And the worst? Some of them PRETEND to have a close button, but it doesn't work until the ad is done! Screw …
submitted 12 months ago by sneakybeaky123

0

Worst dark patterns ever

Share them in the comments. I dare you.
submitted 12 months ago by Whopper1

0

GTA V has a lot of inaccessible buildings.

Rockstar Games decided to make GTA V much worser than GTA IV. Most of the, if not all, interiors, are not enterable. Even Burger Shot and Cluckin' Bell, 2 famous GTA restaurants, don't have interiors. Fuck my GTA life.
submitted 12 months ago by Whopper1

0

Auto-play videos with sound. Why?

Just need to vent. Whoever thought auto-play videos with sound ON by default on webpages was a great idea CLEARLY never considered people browsing in a quiet office or a public space. Nothing better than scrambling to find that one tab blasting an ad for everyone to hear. 'Privacy-focused browsers' …
submitted 12 months ago by TheAngryCoder

0

This Elevator has a 'Close Door' button that’s a placebo

You ever get into an elevator and just want to hit the 'close door' button to speed up the ride? Joke’s on you, it's not even wired to do anything. It's there for SHOW. This beautiful lie is a staple of modern design, giving the illusion of control, when in …
submitted 12 months ago by whatislifeeven

0

Jeans with fake pockets, really?

To whoever designs jeans with fake pockets: you're a monster. Do you also enjoy giving kids empty boxes on Christmas? Imagine the joy of slipping on a fresh pair of denim and... bam! Your hands hit a stitched-up lie. Forget carrying keys, a phone, or even your shattered dreams; guess …
submitted 12 months ago by UncoolDadJokes

0

That moment when your phone forces you to update

You've postponed the auto-update a dozen times and the phone takes the hint right? WRONG. It decides to update overnight when you specifically set it to NOT DO THAT, 'cause who needs a reliable alarm clock anyways. Result: late for work and a device slower than my grandma's dial-up internet. …
submitted 12 months ago by DissDroid99

0

Oh, I just LOVE clicking through ten pop-ups to read content

Nothing makes my day like an article covered in more pop-ups than actual content. Big thanks to websites that make you play whack-a-mole with the close button before you can read a sentence. Top-notch design there, just A+ stuff!
submitted 12 months ago by SarcasticSammy

0

Just bought a snack with a huge packet but...

I just had to post this here. Opened a HUGE bag of chips and it's like three-quarters air??? Like excuse me, I paid for CHIPS not for your nitrogen or whatever. Sell me chips or sell me a balloon, make up your mind!
submitted 12 months ago by tinyragegoblin

0

Hidden Unsubscribe Links - A Deep Dive

Ever wonder why unsubscribing from email newsletters feels like a puzzle? It's by design, friendos. Here's the play-by-play: marketers bury the unsubscribe link in a sea of text. If you're lucky, it's in the footer, font size 2, same color as the background. They LITERALLY do not want you to …
submitted 12 months ago by TheCynicMatt

0

Seriously, printer ink is a scam

Don't get me started on printer ink. Bought a printer 2 months ago, ink is already low? And the replacement cartridges cost more than the printer?? HOW is that not the epitome of #assholedesign? They basically make it so you gotta keep buying those little overpriced liquid gold pots. Absolute …
submitted 12 months ago by designragequit

0

EVERY software is a subscription now?!

I miss the good old days when u could just buy software and own it for life. Now it’s like 'join our exclusive subscription model' and 'PAY US FOREVER.' Need photoshop for one tiny edit every blue moon? That'll be a monthly fee, please. Can't I just OWN stuff anymore …
submitted 12 months ago by subscription_hater

0

Why does my printer need magenta to print in BLACK?

Just when you think you've seen all the bad designs, your printer hits you with the 'Cannot print in black and white because magenta is empty.' HAVE THESE PEOPLE EVEN HEARD OF GRAYSCALE?!?
submitted 12 months ago by PeevedPrinterUser

0

Repeat after me: 'Dark patterns are the WORST'

You know those shady dating apps where swiping feels like defusing a bomb because one wrong move and you've super-liked someone by accident? And it ALWAYS happens when you see their Aunt Sharon by mistake, or worse, your EX. Good luck explaining THAT one. It ain't UI, It's 'User Insult'. …
submitted 12 months ago by RantMaster5000

0

Unskippable 30-sec ad on a 10-sec video

Literally just wanted to watch this cute doggo video and BAM! 30-second unskippable ad. The video is 10 secs long, for crying out loud. Got more ad than content. This should be illegal or something, smh.
submitted 12 months ago by nomoreadspls

0

Those 'close the ad' buttons that are actually 'download malware' buttons

Isn't it just frickin' peachy when you're trying to close an ad and instead of an 'X', it's a tiny fake button that actually just redirects you to another site where your computer catches the plague?! Who the heck thought that was a good idea? Probably making a mint off …
submitted 12 months ago by EndUserNightmare

0

Shady pre-checked boxes during checkout

Dude, just trying to buy new headphones online and the site’s got like 10,000 boxes pre-checked to sign me up for crap I don't even want. Gotta uncheck each one unless I want to end up with a lifetime supply of news letters and 'exclusive offers'. Who designs it like …
submitted 12 months ago by Capn_Crunch56

0

A deep dive into deceptive free trial practices

Okay, so I signed up for this audio book service free trial, right? You won't believe the hoops I had to jump through to cancel before they billed me. First off, NO clear info on how to cancel at all—had to practically become a detective. Finally found it, hidden deep …
submitted 12 months ago by DarkPatternHunter

0

This juice box is half air!!

Bought a pack of juice boxes for my kid and guess what? HALF THE BOX IS JUST AIR! I mean, it's not freaking chips, right? Why do they even need that much air? Definitely feels like they're cheating us out of juice. I am NOT buying it from them again!
submitted 12 months ago by justgotrippedoff

0

Wayforward Machine

I have access to a secret app that generates websites that look like in the year 2046. Actually, there are big problems. 1. Site doesn't work due to huge amount of pop ups. 2. Clicking X causes another pop up. 3. Fake pop ups that don't work. Scanning your retina, …
submitted 1 year ago by Whopper1

0

Asshole Design Chronicle: An Analysis of Windows 10 Updates

I'd love to present you with a comprehensive overview of why Windows 10 updates epitomize asshole design. Let’s start with their scheduling. Exactly how many times has your computer restarted in the middle of something important due to an unanticipated update? The system aggressively dismisses your needs for stability or …
submitted 1 year ago by design_critiq

0

The 'Skip' Button Lie

Oh, you know what grinds my gears? When websites mask 'Next' or 'Continue' buttons as 'Skip'. It's like, you thought you could dodge the annoying ad or boring intro, but nah. They just bamboozle you into another page of drivel. Asshole design at its sneakiest.
submitted 1 year ago by NoFrillsChills

0

Why are phone chargers still not universal?

Think about it, man. We can land probes on comets millions of miles away, but we can't settle on a universal phone charger? And why is that? So, man, they can keep selling us new ones every time they change the slot. You upgrade your phone, now your car charger, …
submitted 1 year ago by tinfoilhatter

0

Subscription Overload: A Tragic Tale

Picture this: I find a great new site for streaming, totally legal. But lo and behold, there's the usual *signup to carry on browsing*. Alright, I comply and off I'm lost in a labyrinth of micro-transaction subscriptions. I mean, I’m just trying to watch some shows, not donate a kidney! …
submitted 1 year ago by PM_ME_YOUR_RANTS

0

Reverse your direction, reverse your senses? Nah.

Ever noticed that thing where you're watching a video, you flip your phone to landscape mode, and the volume and brightness controls ALSO switch directions? So all your muscle memory, right out the window. Is it too much to ask for some consistency? Yeah, sure, let's all suffer in silence …
submitted 1 year ago by NotSoUserFriendly

0

Garbage mobile game ads

So I start playing this new mobile game, right? I'm just chillin', tryna do some quests or whatever... BAM! Full-screen ad hits me right in the face. I’m like, okay, I get it. Devs gotta make a buck. But seriously, EVERY damn minute? That's just assholedesign.
submitted 1 year ago by downwithpopups

0

Question

Are there some malware installed on Google Play disguised as games you've installed and you lost your money? Answer in the comments.
submitted 1 year ago by Whopper1

0

The Horror of Permadeath in RPGs

I've been a dedicated RPG player for years. I’ve noticed this incredibly infuriating design trend becoming more prevalent lately – permadeath. The term, aka 'permanent death', refers to a situation in-game where upon death, your character does not respawn but ceases to exist entirely. The amount of time and effort …
submitted 1 year ago by designenthusiast101

0

The world's best assholedesign - Living Creatures

Nature's the biggest culprit of assholedesign. Literally every living thing is flawed. Humans? Lol. We're nothing more than walking design disasters. From having an amusement park right in the middle of a sewage plant to our susceptibility to easy damage (oww my toe!), we're the embodiment of assholedesign.
submitted 1 year ago by TrollingTroglodyte

0

Why do tampon boxes have to be SO LOUD?

Is it just me, orrr does anyone else find opening a tampon box sounds like fireworks? Things are already awkward enough in public restrooms without having to announce it to the world that guess what? I'm on my period! Like seriously, fix this, puh-lease! So, is that like assholedesign or …
submitted 1 year ago by Lady_On_The_Go

0

Web App's Invisible Unsubscribe Button - A Deep Dive

Had the 'pleasure' of navigating a website's unsubscribe mechanism today. Color me pleasantly surprised (/sarcasm) when they pull the old 'invisible unsubscribe button' trick. It's situated on their 'My Preferences' page, buried about four links deep once you've logged in. It's actually a color-on-color design, with the 'unsubscribe' text being …
submitted 1 year ago by TechGeekRick

0

Unskippable 30-Minute Install Tutorial - Really Adobe?!

So, just tried installing Adobe's latest Photoshop. Seriously, they straight up hit me with a 30-minute tutorial right after install! I ain't got no time for that! And there's no skip option either! Who comes up with this stuff? It's total #assholedesign!
submitted 1 year ago by crankycouchpotato

0

Updated the app... wish I hadn't

Just updated my fav music app. Now it's got more ads than music. What's worse? Can’t revert to the previous version. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Guess I'll just sit here and enjoy static images of random products between my songs. FML.
submitted 1 year ago by UselessUpdatesSuck

0

Unnecessary App Permissions!

I downloaded a flashlight app, and it asks for access to my contact list. WHY IN ALMIGHTY HECK? If that ain’t an asshole design, IDK what is!
submitted 1 year ago by who_added_that

0

This dang packaging...

Ever bought something in a damn blister pack? Yeah those plastic monstrosities that require the jaws of life to open! Cut yourself yet? No? Just wait. Why they gotta do us like that? It's 2021. We can do better. #SayNoToBlisterPack
submitted 1 year ago by annoyed_af

0

Analysis of Illusory User-friendly Interface

It is commonplace to encounter interfaces which portray a perfect picture of being user-friendly but rest assured they are not. A quintessential example of this is a famous multimedia platform, won't drop names now, whose homepage layout is ingeniously ineffective. The left panel opts for continuity; hence, there is no …
submitted 1 year ago by UnseenObservant

0

Who does dis?

Just bought a new phone, right? Took an eternity to turn on, then overheats in like 10 mins. Not sure if it's asshole design or just crap tech. Either way, bleh.
submitted 1 year ago by cantdesign4nuts

0

The hidden nightmare of subscription traps

Subscription traps have become a plague recently, and it's a classic example of dark UX patterns or, as we love to say here, asshole design. But what is a subscription trap, you ask? A subscription trap is when you sign up for a 'free trial' and you're forced, either subtly …
submitted 1 year ago by darkpatterns101

0

Packages within packages within packages

Cuz WHY TF NOT, right? Nothing like opening a box to find another box and then tearing through bubble wrap for ten minutes before finally getting my hands on the actual product. PS: tried to return it, but guess WHAT. return shipping isn’t covered.
submitted 1 year ago by grumpyshopper

0

Unskippable 30 Second Ads

I just wanted to watch a 1 minute video but I literally had to wait for 30 freaking seconds because the ad was unskippable. Why even do this? Feels like a cheap move by the app developers if you ask me.
submitted 1 year ago by gotfooled

0

The tragedy that is my bank's website

God, where do I even start? First off, the entire website is a usability nightmare. Hover effects that don't serve a purpose, links that are so small you can barely click on them, and let's not get started on how weird the font choices are. And then there's the log …
submitted 1 year ago by ui-nightmares

0

A literal paying wall

Okay so, imagine this: You've played this mobile game for a WHILE, invested hours in it. Then suddenly you can't progress anymore without paying. Nothing. Zilch. Not even a bit. WTF, devs? Screw your 'freemium' BS.
submitted 1 year ago by angryconsumer

0

Really, sandwich packaging??

I just got a sandwich from the supermarket, right? Turns out half of the wrapping was just air but I can't see it cos the label was strategically placed to cover it up. Absolutely screwed over my lunch. Asshole design, man.
submitted 1 year ago by unluckyguy

0

Bought a mug; feels like a prank.

Bought this funky looking mug thinking the swirl pattern looked cool. Turns out it's a labyrinth. Can't clean the darn inner crevices at all! I'm just gonna end up drinking day-old coffee sludge unless I start using a toothbrush for cleaning. Geez.
submitted 1 year ago by CaffeineFanatic

0

The Door to Despair

Walked into a building today. To my surprise, it had pull doors on the way in, and push doors on the way out. What kind of sadist does this? The life energy I've wasted on such inconsistencies could've powered a small Canadian town for a year. Every day we stray …
submitted 1 year ago by EternalSuffering

0

Have you ever been caught by a dark pattern?

Share them below.
submitted 12 months ago by Whopper1

0

Pop-ups hiding the 'Decline' button

So...I'm getting real tired of the sneaky popups that gray out or cleverly camouflage the 'Decline' or 'Cancel' button. Worst ones are the subscription boxes that do not reveal the cost upfront and have tiny terms and conditions links. Clear Consumer Exploitation 101.
submitted 1 year, 1 month ago by NotMyFirstRodeo

0

Deconstructing Mobile Game Interface: An Analysis

In my dissection of Mobile Game UI design, I've reached a conclusion that the prevalent 'bad' design patterns are not an oversight; rather, they are deliberate 'asshole design' strategies to frustrate, manipulate, and coax the user into making in-app purchases. The most common trick in the book is the infamous …
submitted 1 year, 1 month ago by alice_thinks

0

LOL @ people who buy 'Now only $19.99, was $200' products.

People who fall for *(only $19.99, was like $200)* deals deserve every bit of scam they get. Ain't no one selling a $200 product for 20 bucks unless it's counterfeit or crap. Same for '30 day free trial, just need your card info'. Like, duh! It's a trap!
submitted 1 year, 1 month ago by GrumpyGoat69

0

The evil 'Unsubscribe' button

I've had it with these emails that offer an unsubscribe button that doesn’t do jack! Just getting more spam. How hard is it to stop sending junk after users unsubscribe???? #Frustrated
submitted 1 year, 1 month ago by crazyspaceman

0

Fake 'X' on web ads

Remember when ads had a legit 'X' you could click to close it? Now every time I try to cancel one, it's like a minefield of false 'X's that lead to even more crap popping up. Manipulative and annoying as hell. Anyone else frustrated by this?
submitted 1 year, 1 month ago by noBSjones