According to mainstreet.com, a nutritional supplement maker peddling so-called miracle products made from South American açaí berries are being forced to pay up $350,000 in refunds.
Free is rarely free, and when the promise of weight loss is thrown into the mix, it pays to be very careful.
Central Coast Nutraceuticals, which offered a “free trial” to consumers the acceptance of which actually forced them into expensive monthly deliveries, was ordered by an Arizona court to give refunds to customers after deceptive marketing, WalletPop reports.
Acai Berry have claimed that the antioxidant-rich berries fights cancer and aging and promote weight loss. Advertisements of the berry supplements, juices and teas have appeared on social networking sites like Facebook and used the Oprah Winfrey, Rachel Ray, WebMD (Stock Quote: WBMD), and AOL Health (Stock Quote: TWX) names in their advertisements, implying that high-profile folks have endorsed the products.
According to a warning to consumers from the Better Business Bureau earlier this year, customers who signed up for a free trial of the supplements were given two weeks to cancel deliveries before being shipped $85.90 worth of supplements each month from FX Supplements or $40 worth of supplements a month from Central Coast Nutraceuticals.
I think it’s very aggressive and unfair marketing method. Remember, “Free cheese for the second mouse only”.
Central Coast will have to pay $1 million in civil penalties to the state of Arizona, $350,000 in consumer restitution and $25,000 to cover the state’s legal and investigative costs, according to the office of Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
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- Another Diet Scam: Kimkins by WildAngel6 – For more Kimkins info: Kimkins on About.com. Kimkins on Insider Exclusive. Kimkins on ConsumerAffairs.com. Say NO to Kimkins!
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