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.