Consumer Safety & Awareness Part 36

Advertising Scams (Part 10 – Words that Deceive, part 2)

More words that advertisers love to use and what they really mean. Continued from last week.

Free Trial Offer – Many companies do provide free offers or coupons for a free product. Do not, though fall for the scam where you get something for free yet have to give your credit card number for shipping and handling. In almost all cases these are membership club scams. In the small print you’ll find that by getting the free sample you are agreeing to accept more each month at an unrealistic price (plus more shipping and handling).

Feel Better! Look Younger! – Ponce de Leon’s descendants are still searching for the Fountain of Youth and such products make huge promises and sell for up to over a thousand dollars. Never believe an ad that promises to make you look better or feel better. For about what they cost you can go to a doctor specializing in what you need “cured” and have a realistic assessment. Almost all of these products are no better than snake oil or eye of newt.

The Miracle Solution – Since ancient times people have been pushing cure-alls or solutions to ailments. In the Dark Ages there were longevity potions, arthritis magnets, and prayers for invalids. In the 1800s, peddlers sold tonics, elixirs, salves, and pills. Whatever ailed you, they had a cure for. In the 1980s, we had cures for all sorts of cancer, menstrual cramps, impotency, and hair loss. Actually some drug companies have made limited break-throughs with some of these concerns, but the side effects may be worse than the original problem.

All Natural – (or No Artificial Ingredients) – All things are derived from nature. It used to be that anything could use this term, and many products still do. But look closely at the ingredients – all natural preservatives, food colorings, flavors… and none of them are any better for you than the old-fashioned stuff.

One Time Offer – Buy it right now, I’ll give you the best deal ever. Walk away. Don’t even talk to the guy. It’s stolen, a fake, or junk.

Includes Omega 3 - (or Fish Oil, or Antioxidant, or Secret Ingredient, and 200 other or more other supposedly health items) – Whatever the most recent nutritional study discovers, within weeks products will contain the ingredient. The worst is Acia, a useless product that has been advertised for weight loss, diabetic cure, cancer cure, and dozens of other things. The Food and Drug Administration and dozens of independent labs have found no value in these products. So why do people buy them? Read on….

Listen to What Our Users Have to Say – Testimonials are phony. The people in them are actors and paid to say what they declare is the latest best product. The actors will never be fined or sent to jail because they are just playing a role. The companies do not mind getting a $4 million fine after making a profit of $50 million.

Multi-level marketing companies (for a list see Wikipedia) use testimonials to sell their overpriced useless products. They get your friends, neighbors, and relatives hooked on one of their products and tell them they can get their supply at a discount if they become a representative.

Improve Your Sex Life – (or Natural Male Enhancement) – Sexual aides have been around for centuries and every time there is a real breakthrough phony products follow. In the 1990s there were products that stated they “contained an ingredient found in Viagra.” Yes – their pill used the same solvent or thickener, or coloring agent. Also watch out for sale of these items on the Internet at a discount – most of them are phony.