The Empire Strikes Backlash: 10 Overrated Companies We Can’t Stand Anymore

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There are thousands of companies out there, and many do a great job not only offering a great service but also treating customers and employees well.

But other companies have lost sight of what makes them unique and are now entirely overrated.

Someone asked what the most overrated companies are on a popular online forum.

Here are the top responses.

#1. Zales

Many agreed that Zales and other large chain jewelry stores have high markups and poor customer service.

As a result, people recommend buying from local, family-owned jewelry stores.

To further the point, Signet Jewelers owns Zales, Kay Jewelers, Jared, Blue Nile, and more.

#2. Luxottica

You might not know the name Luxottica, but they are in the eyeglass industry.

So why do people not like this company?

Because similar to Signet Jewelers, Luxottica owns everything.

This includes Oakley, Ray Ban, and more.

They also run Pearle Vision, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Target Optical, and more.

#3. Uber

There is not much love for Uber.

While the service they provide is great, the company as a whole has issues.

As one person noted, “The company burns through so much money, has never been profitable, has no moat, has a ton of competition, is banned in some countries/cities, and still has a market cap of $80 billion.”

Then there is the pay that drivers receive. The issue is that the amount varies by location and type of ride.

One driver shared this look behind the curtain.

“In the U.S., if a driver accepts a ride that pays $100, they will lose $25 in primary fees plus an extra $1 to $3 in secondary fees. However, they will still keep at least 72% of the fare.”

“The problem occurs with low value rides. A $15 trip will result in a primary fee of $3.75 plus a potential secondary fee of $3, which means the driver may only keep 55% of the fare. If the cost of gas and car depreciation is taken into account, if not supplemented by a tip, they may make under 50% of the fare.”

#4. Instagram

People used to love going on Instagram to look at amazing pictures from around the world.

Those posting took pride in ensuring the pictures they took were top quality.

But to make money, Instagram pushes videos, and most of the content is from wannabe models, influencers, and memes.

If that isn’t enough, plenty of ads will also annoy you.

#5. Beats by Dre

These headphones were a status symbol from the start.

The build quality has always been poor, and the sound quality is just as bad.

Some people did point out that now that Apple owns the brand, the quality has increased, but not to the point that the headphones are worth buying.

#6. Hello Fresh

Hello Fresh is one of the first meal kit companies out there.

While many people swear by the service, many others have issues.

Some point to making people work during the pandemic, while others say the price is too high to be worth what you get.

Others mention that their deliveries would routinely be missing ingredients, which defeats the purpose of having a ready-to-eat meal kit.

#7. McDonald’s

McDonald’s was a great place to get cheap food that was decent quality.

You knew you weren’t getting high quality, but you accepted that because of the low price.

But now, the prices for everything at the fast food restaurant have increased, making it not worth it.

For the same amount of money, you could go to a local restaurant and get a much better quality of food.

#8. Google

Google has been the dominant force behind web searching for decades now.

But things are as rosy as they once were for the tech giant.

Instead of creating innovative services, the company focuses on share buybacks to prop up the stock price.

When competitors release new services, Google now plays catch up.

And it gets worse.

Many people are fed up with the search results not showing what they seek.

Others have given up on the search company because they feel it censors web results.

#9. Verizon

You could argue that all the telecom companies could be listed here.

Most complain about the horrible customer service.

Many people said trying to close an account for a deceased loved one was the most complicated thing they have ever done.

I can relate.

When my father passed away, getting Verizon to transfer the account to my mother was like pulling teeth.

In addition, they had the nerve to try to charge her a $75 account transfer fee.

#10. Nestle

There is a lot of dislike for Nestle out there.

People claim the company doesn’t care about the environment, pays workers a poor salary, and more.

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This thread inspired this article.