The judges on the investment reality show Shark Tank seem to have a sixth sense for pitches that turn into million-dollar ideas.
But for every Shark Tank success story, the show has seen a few more flops. These 15 truly outrageous products made the sharks do a double-take.
1. The Squirrel Boss
The inventors behind this pest control product tried to build a better squirrel trap. A touch of the remote control sends an electric shock through your bird feeder, but it only managed to scare away the Sharks, who said it was too cruel.
2. Kook'n Kap
You had to be willing to sacrifice your sense of style if you put on this product, which was meant to keep cooking smells from sticking to your hair. Something about the deal must have smelled bad to the Sharks, because none of them made a bid.
3. Under-Ease
Another product designed to keep your life smelling fresh, the carbon filter in each pair of Under-Ease undies turned your farts into a breath of fresh air. But they didn't exactly look comfy, and maybe that's why the product got no bids.
4. The Wake'n Bacon
As if the idea of an alarm clock that cooks hot bacon next to your pillow wasn't already a turn-off for the Sharks, the inventor actually raised his asking price in the pitch room. Kevin O'Leary wasn't afraid to tell him exactly what he thought about the product:
"I'm going to put that in my Museum of Really Bad Ideas That Kill People."
5. Cougar Energy
The pitch behind this product is that energy drinks are only marketed towards young men. Cougar Energy is the sugary drink for mature women who need a pick-me-up. The Sharks weren't attracted by the product, but against all odds you can still buy it.
6. Man Candle
With scents like beer, golf course and farts, it's a wonder the Sharks could even stand to be in the same room with this pitch. Barbara Corcoran couldn't even believe that the inventor was making a living from selling these candles, and Robert Herjavec looked stunned when he told the Sharks he had invested $40,000 in his business.
7. The Elephant Chat
There's the beginning of a cute idea in this pitch: the stuffed elephant sits in your room until you need to have a heart-to-heart with your partner. Then, you pass him back and forth as you share your deepest feelings. Too bad this little critter costs $60, a price tag that investors just did not want to talk about.
8. Pet Paint
The pitch said that Pet Paint is veterinarian tested for your dog's safety, and washes off easily. But good luck finding a picture of a dog enjoying their makeover. The Sharks and dogs felt the same way about this product: hard pass.
9. Throx
Quick: what's the easiest way to avoid losing socks in the laundry? If you answered, "Buy socks that come in threes," you're probably the inventor of Throx. The extra sock "idea" supposedly made this business worth $200,000. The Sharks didn't think so.
10. Moberi
You could kill two birds with one stone using this pedal-powered blender to make your smoothie. There's still a Moberi stand in Portland, but the Sharks decided it's more fun to watch someone pedal your smoothie than make your own.
11. The Ionic Ear
The Sharks were left scratching their heads on the show's very first episode when an inventor revealed their plan to surgically implant Bluetooth headsets inside your head. The device would have to be removed again once the battery ran out, but it could be charged nightly with a Q-tip shaped device. As if people aren't on their phones enough already.
Barbara Corcoran still remembers the pitch as the worst idea she ever heard on Shark Tank.
12. Squeaky Knees
These custom-designed pants for toddlers put little bike horns on your baby's legs, so you can hear them getting into trouble when your back is turned...Or you could just keep an eye on them instead? The Sharks didn't quite get it either.
13. I Want To Draw A Cat For You
Steve Gadlin's web business is all in the name. For prices ranging as high as $30, Gadlin will draw and ship you a doodle of a cat. The strangest part of this pitch was when Mark Cuban said he "got" it, and invested $25,000.
14. The UroClub
You've probably seen this goofy product on TV, and you can thank Shark Kevin Harrington for believing in Dr. Floyd Seskin's invention. It was designed to let golfers "relieve" themselves on the back nine. Incredibly, the good doctor was asking $250,000 for just half of his invention, and got it.
15. The Sullivan Generator
If you think some of those other pitches were bold, remember that inventor Mark Sullivan asked the Sharks to pitch in $1 million for just 10% of his idea - which didn't exist yet.
The Sullivan Generator could supposedly harness the Earth's rotation to create limitless energy, and of course it created gold as a natural byproduct too. The claims were too good to be true, and the science just didn't pan out.
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