Companies sell some pretty weird things, but what is even stranger is that people will actually pay money to buy them. The following are some of the most bizarre things ever to hit the store shelves – and that actually made it to the checkout counter!
1. Flavoured wallpaper
Lickable Wallpaper, may seem like something out of fiction – possibly Willie Wonka’s factory – but it is a real product and it has been installed in the elevator of a communications company based in London, called Engine. It is made up of 1,325 McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes and is cookie flavoured. The company is hoping to install this new tasty interior decorating treat in other locations throughout its office, in the future. The real concern isn’t the taste as much as whether or not it is possible to keep it sanitary!
2. Greeting cards made by Luigi the lovebird (yes, an actual bird)
The greeting cards are made up of the unique, one-of-a-kind shredded paper creations of Luigi the lovebird, who is owned by Mary McQueen. These cards are sold through Mary and Luigi’s company, called Hand and Beak. Not only are these cards flying off the shelves (so to speak), but Mary was able to secure a massive investment from David Chilton (author of “The Wealthy Barber”) on the CBC show The Dragon’s Den (the Canadian version of The Shark Tank on ABC). Today, they’re sold at Hallmark Cards and are flying off the shelves! Now who’s the bird brain?
3. UFO detector
A company called Images Scientific Instruments has released a UFO detector among its many unique forms of “science equipment”. This particular device is designed to help its owner to detect when UFOs are nearby by sensing magnetic and electromagnetic disturbances. If there is a UFO zooming in, the flashing LED light and beeping sound is meant to help owner to either escape in time to avoid abduction or be the first to arrive at a landing (or crash) site. In case you are hoping to learn to detect UFO appearances, yourself, instead of relying on a device the company also sells an ESP lamp that will allow you to hone your extra sensory perception skills.
4. Alien abduction insurance
In the off chance that your UFO detector didn’t alert you fast enough, or if the aliens you did meet had less-than-friendly intentions, UFO abduction insurance is now available to cover the damages. The coverage was first sold by the St. Lawrence Agency, which is located in Altamonte Springs, Florida. More than 20,000 people have bought a policy of this nature (though not necessarily from that provider), the most famous of whom is likely Shirley MacLaine. This likely doesn’t come as much of a shock, as celebrities are known for purchasing all sorts of strange forms of insurance news making policies. Among those covered by the St. Lawrence Agency, there are two who have received payments on their claims, so far. The coverage pays the policyholder $1 per year until either they die or one million years has passed (whichever occurs first).
5. Pet-based housekeeping
Tired of cleaning up after your dog? Why not allow him to do the cleaning for you with Pet Sweep? These four wearable duster boots fit on your dog’s paws so that he will clean fur, dust, crumbs, and other debris off the floor as he moves about the house. According to the package, one size fits most paws…hopefully customers are not trying to fit the product to both a Chihuahua and a Great Dane!
6. Snuggie for Dogs
After a hard day of housecleaning using the Pet Sweep, your furry friend is likely all tuckered out and ready to curl up on the couch for a relaxing evening. The people behind the Snuggie for humans understands and has now created a version of its soft fleece blanket with sleeves, with Rover in mind. The manufacturer promises that it will be far easier to put on your pooch than a typical dog sweater. I guess 30 seconds is just too much time for some people.
7. Vacuum cleaner-based beauty salon
No list of weird things that people buy could be considered complete without an honourable mention for the Flowbee Haircutting System. All you need is a vacuum cleaner, the Flowbee, and an individual with no care for personal appearance, and you’ll save thousands on haircuts over the years. It even works on pets; because everybody wants to share their grooming products with the dog! Since the product was first launched in 1988, well over 2 million of these vacuum cleaner attachment units have been sold.
There are thousands of other nutty products that have been sold – and bought – over the years, but these are easily among the most popular. They’re certainly some of the most amusing!
Do you know a weird, bizarre, freaky, or just plain odd product that has become bafflingly popular? Please share in the comments below!
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