From Hype to Nope! 19 Products That Went From Hero to Zero Almost Overnight

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURES. FOR MORE INFORMATION.

We’ve all been there. 

You hear the buzz, you wait in line; it’s the release of a brand new product and everyone is convinced it’s the next big thing! 

This could be anything from a revolutionary tech gadget to an exciting beauty trend, whatever it may be, we can’t help getting swept up by the hype only for our dreams to come crashing down days later when reality hits. 

So let’s take a look at 19 products that didn’t quite make it, overhyped with sky-high expectations but then flopped hard and fast almost overnight! 

From disastrously unsuccessful movie spin-offs to controversial dietary trends and everything in between, this eye-opening list will have you shaking your head at these failed phenoms you won’t soon forget.

#1. Juicero

This expensive cold-pressed juicer was going to revolutionize the way we make juice at home!

After investing millions into the product, investors found out you could just squeeze the bags of pre-cut fruit and veggies with your bare hands to get the same results for a fraction of the cost.

#2. Mobile Messaging Apps

With the emergence of smartphones and mobile networks, communication technology took a major leap forward. 

Mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and Line allowed users to communicate with friends and family using text messages, photos, videos, and other media on their phones.

While some may still use these apps, it’s a rare occurrence.

#3. Hoverboards

According to several people, hoverboards were the totem of trends, with music videos and popular acts fielding them during the rave.

Nearly everyone had them before they fizzled out like smoke from the mouth of a match stick. People dumped them ‘because they break down so easily and quickly after purchase,’ a user named Shelby emphasized.

#4. Google Glass

Do you remember google glass? One user thinks it’s easily one of the hyped pieces that didn’t meet expectations. Daniel, a contributor on the thread, claimed the bogginess and docky nature of google glass was its major undoing.

Several people feel privacy issues around this product affected its commercial viability.

The supposedly intuitive technology offers more privacy concerns than beneficial features.

#5. Ford Edsel

Many reasons are why the Edsel failed spectacularly.

First, it wasn’t well built.

Second, consumer tastes changed between the time it was designed and when it hit the market for sale.

Finally, it was way overpriced.

#6. Deadly Insects

Remember the warnings about Murder Hornets? The news made them out to be gigantic insects that would quickly incapacitate you.

Before that, there were Killer Bees. I remember as a child being scared, thinking bees were going to end all of humanity.

#7. Segway

The Segway was supposed to revolutionize how people got around. No more walking or biking, using a Segway was safer and faster.

Alas, the concept didn’t take off. Now, you only see a Segway if you visit a shopping mall as security guards use them to get around.

#8. Asbestos

For a short time, asbestos was the greatest thing out there. Homes were using asbestos siding because it was virtually indestructible.

Unfortunately, soon after it went mainstream, we learned its fibers were unhealthy and caused all sorts of respiratory issues.

#9. Google Wave

Tipped to replace email, having brought a more personalized feel to electronic mailing, several people seamlessly consider Google Wave as one of the over-hyped innovative flops.

Judging from another person’s account, Google Wave was pretty good in that it made group discussions easy. According to one user, its failure was that the technology came way ahead of its time.

#10. Smaller Phones

We could imagine some years back that this future would have nearly invisible yet sophisticated phone devices, one user says, explaining the craze for smaller devices as the height of cell phone tech genius back in the day.

I wouldn’t want to watch my Netflix drama squinting to know if Kiefer Sutherland was wearing a Nike or Adidas while hopping on a truck of bioweapon to save fictional America. Nope, I’ll pass.

#11. Google +

Google+, someone has espoused, was supposed to push Facebook off the internet rave-rail with its array of features; the social network, however, faded into oblivion after an unsuccessful hype stint.

One user affirms the ‘hardline, invite-only system’ the innovators adopted at launch lured the idea to ruin.

Another user thinks the mandatory cross-platform integration of the applet with Youtube to grow Google+ popularity birthed the social network’s demise.

#12. Fyre Festival

This festival in the Bahamas was supposed be a who’s who for up and coming influencers. If you wanted to be known in the world, you needed to come.

However, once people arrived they learned something was amiss and the entire thing turned out to be a major scam.

#13. HD DVD

Hard to reconcile the widely proclaimed hype with the offering of the HD DVD.

This trumpeted innovation should have performed better, especially in the light of HDR pictures in the current cinematic space. ‘I still remember half the movies being blue and red,’ one person recounts.

#14. New Sodas

Remember New Coke and Crystal Pepsi? These new colas were supposed to take over the soft drink industry, but were major misses for both Coca-Cola and Pepsico.

The initial reaction to Crystal Pepsi was solid and in its launch year, made enough revenue to own 1% of the market. While that sounds low, it is in fact incredible. So much so, Coca-Cola launched Tab Clear immediately afterward.

But a year later, Pepsi discontinued the soft drink.

#15. Xbox Kinect

The rave of the Xbox Kinect excited first-time gamers back in the day. Reminiscing those hyped moments, one person says the highlight of the pumped game was in the ‘Xbox On and Xbox Off’ feature.

Another says nothing trumps getting sent off in Fifa ‘when the mic hears you swear at the Tv.’ Looks kind of like the one instance nobody ever needs a voice prompt.

#16. Airship Travel

Away from the endless list of Google innovations, Airship travel had its ‘spice in the rum’ moments. It was, by several accounts, pitched as the seamless approach to long-distance travel.

Excited to revolutionize travel and replace the automobile, airship travel didn’t live to see the Mach speed age.

#17. Virtual Boy

Way before there was Oculus VR, Nintendo released its own VR headset, the Virtual Boy.

It was far from perfect, with grainy black and red images, and ultimately a complete flop.

Either people weren’t ready for VR, the technology wasn’t ready for prime time, or a combination of both.

#18. Moviepass

Moviepass rhapsodized its era; hard to believe the Netflix and HBO of this world would ever come close.

‘Such a horrible consumer-friendly concept’ is the way someone describes it. Another thinks it is ridiculous how much hard to bank idea like that could pull any investors in the first place.

#19. 3D TV

There is a consensus about the failure of 3D TV. One person expounds that the offerings of the technology in respect to improving watch time experience failed a function of the absence of enough movies filmed in 3D.

A cluster of comments also complained about the need to spend extra bucks on 3D glasses, plus the difficulty experienced due to its dorkiness.

3D TV sounds like seeing through the 2020s in 2050 vision!

How To Turn Gift Cards Into Cash

Do you have a bunch of gifts cards you don’t want or plan to use? Instead of tossing them in the trash, why not turn them into cold, hard cash?

That’s right, you can get money for your gift cards, and it’s a lot easier than you think.

HOW TO TURN GIFT CARDS INTO CASH

61 Fun Money Facts

Did you know there are places you can pay for things using a special local currency? Do you know why some coins have ridges on the sides? Discover over 60 fun money facts that you didn’t know.

61 FUN MONEY FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW

Rare Bills And Coins Worth Thousands

You might think that the money in your pocket is only worth the amount printed on it. But some rare bills and coins are worth much more.

They might no longer be in circulation or they have errors printed on them. Depending on the error and the condition of the currency, you could be sitting on a small fortune.

25 RARE BILLS AND COINS YOU VERY WELL HAVE THAT ARE WORTH THOUSANDS

Best Places To Buy Stamps

If you still mail letters and bills, you need postage stamps.

While the post office is a no-brainer when it comes to where to buy stamps, there are many other places that now sell them.

And in some cases, you might be able to save money in the process.

BEST PLACES TO BUY STAMPS

Sell Feet Pics For Money

We all want to know how to make a lot of money without putting in a lot of work. If this is you, say hello to taking pictures of your feet.

There are many people willing to pay you for these pics and you can do it safely and classy at the same time.

HOW TO SELL FEET PICS AND MAKE MONEY

This thread inspired this article.