Why are US consumers so angry? It's not just high prices
theguardian.com
July 12, 2026
10 min read
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49/100
Summary
Nearly 80% of Americans experienced issues with products or services in 2025, with about two-thirds expressing feelings of "rage." Contributing factors include overcharges, customer service difficulties, poor product quality, and billing errors amid rising prices and inflation.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 80% of Americans experienced a service or product problem in 2025, with about two-thirds feeling "rage" about it, according to the National Consumer Rage survey.
- US households are estimated to lose $165 billion annually due to the "annoyance economy," which includes costs associated with time, fees, and irritation in daily life.
- Factors contributing to rising consumer frustration include company consolidation, regulatory rollbacks, and the use of technology that often works against consumers.
- The dissatisfaction with customer service is impacting social interactions, as frustrations lead to decreased community engagement and participation.
Community Sentiment
Concerns
- Processes are hollow and some AI isn’t making my life any better — it's just adding to the frustration.
- Software updates often disable features I already paid for, making it feel like I'm just paying for scams.
- Every warranty claim I've made has turned into a Kafka-esque nightmare, highlighting just how broken customer support has become.
- Everything feels like a scam now, with subscriptions for services that don't warrant it, creating a cycle of consumer frustration.
