Smilin' Bob Not Smilin' Anymore

Consumerist reports an Associated Press release that Steve Warshak, 42, was found guilty of 93 counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering. His 75-year-old mother, who has cancer, was found guilty of conspiracy and other charges, and was sentenced to 2-years, but is free pending appeal. US District Judge Arthur Spiegel, in Cincinnati, OH, denied Mr. Warshak's request to remain free pending appeal, but gave him 30 days to wrap up his affairs and report to prison. Besides Enzyte, Washak's company, Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, who also distributes products to boost energy, manage weight, reduce memory loss and aid sleep, will be allowed to stay in business — but must forfeit $500 million. Among their most egregious offenses was a requirement of a Notarized statement from a doctor certifying that they had a small penis. Amazingly, remarkably few customers availed themselves of the refund offer. Unfortunately, it looks like the commercials will still be able to continue...

Comments

Snake Oil

[18_Rabbit]

How do people suspend their critical thinking enough to believe these things? Snake oil has been around forever, it looks like it's not going away any time soon.

Re:Snake Oil

[TheRealMindChild]

The nasty trick in this game is that they offer a free sample... all you do is pay like $1.95 for shipping, which MUST be paid for by credit card. "Not bad" they think. "The worst that could happen is it doesn't work and I'm out a couple of dollars" they say. Sure. It sounds reasonable. By that time, you are already screwed. See, when you open your package of wonder, it comes with an "informational" booklet that is actually more like an advertisement for their other products. Almost everyone just throws it out. But in the middle of the 13th page, between two paragraphs that have nothing to do with it, is a statement saying "By ordering this sample, you agree to become part of an automatic plan in which we send you a new supply every month and charge your credit card. If you do not agree to this, you must cancel this agreement by calling 1-800-Screwed-U"

A lot of this seems like a dramatic embellishment. It isn't. Obviously the quotes aren't exact and the phone number isn't really what I listed (explanation for the humor impaired), this is how it works. By the time you realize that you are on some automatic plan to get crap that didn't do as advertised in the first place, they have already charged you for two months supply. And you can not return it under any circumstances.

Disclaimer: I worked with a guy that sued Berkeley Nutraceuticals.

Re:Snake Oil

[retchdog]

A lot of people wrongly assume that reversing charges is one of the ways you get "bad" credit. That either you get dinged directly, or the credit card company puts you on a naughty list or something, for future note. Seriously!

Even after I explain to them, that it is one of the major reasons to have a CC and that the issuing bank is happy to find out which of their merchants are screw-ups, they only barely believe me. Financial superstition; two evils, together greater than the sum.

Re:What I don't understand, though

[matria]

Milk production has nothing to do with breast size. Breast size is purely how much fat is being deposited in the breast. Actually, larger breasts make breastfeeding more difficult, since the longer milk ducts have to be kept from getting bent and twisted in all that fat. The enlargement of the breasts while breastfeeding is due to enlargement and engorgement of the underlying milk glands (similar to mumps and other diseases enlarging and engorging the lymph glands). The fat deposits are on top of the milk glands.

As far as penis size goes, yes, too long is quite uncomfortable, often leaving internal bruising that lasts for days. And smaller penises actually ejaculate with greater pressure to the point of the ejaculation being felt by the female partner, as well as a very distinct and noticeable pulsing effect. Larger penises more like dribble, and the pulsing effect is also lessened.