You are right. It gets all the more confusing because the ads are telling you all day everyday what you need to feel happy. Because you're not happy now, you need a smoother skin, a faster car, a more far away holiday!!!! So they kind of do sell you happiness. But not the kind you mean, right?
Haha Well I would say they sell the illusion of happiness. People buy the cream and the car and are still unhappy.