| "Turn your body into a super fat-burning | | | | out of keeping with the desired outcome |
| furnace!" | | | | (e.g., "just three minutes a day toward |
| | | | slimmer thighs")? |
| "Washboard abs in just 5 minutes a day!" | | | | |
| | | | Does the fine print contain any disclaimers? |
| "Exciting new development!" | | | | |
| | | | |
| "Research proven!" | | | | Does the offer include additional free |
| | | | prizes? |
| If It Sounds To Good Too Be True, It Probably | | | | |
| Is. | | | | (Buyers Beware Checklist from "Consumerism |
| | | | and Quackery", IDEA Magazine, May 1998 by Len |
| How many times have you heard this? Yet, ads | | | | Kravitz, PhD.) |
| and infomercials can be so seductive, you | | | | |
| really want to believe the wild claims they | | | | Online Buying Tips |
| promise, so you may be tempted to suspend | | | | |
| good judgement and buy into the fantasy. | | | | You need to have confidence in the company |
| Substandard and fraudulent products hurt more | | | | and product you’re buying online. Does |
| than just your wallet. When a product | | | | the company have your best interests at |
| doesn’t do what it claims to do, | | | | heart? If in doubt, search for clues as to |
| you’ll feel let down. This can lower | | | | their reliability. Do they have a phone |
| your self-confidence and can even lead you to | | | | number? You may want to call to check them |
| believe that your fitness goals will never be | | | | out further. Ask a question by e-mail and see |
| achieved. This article will help you to | | | | how long they take to respond. Ask the |
| identify fitness frauds and give you tips and | | | | company for independent research that |
| resourses on so you’ll be able to make | | | | substantiates their claims and promises. You |
| better decisions when buying fitness | | | | can check out the company on the Better |
| products. | | | | Business Bureau’s Business Report |
| | | | page. Their page states "The Better Business |
| Buyers Beware Checklist | | | | Bureau collects and reports information to |
| | | | help prospective buyers make informed |
| Quackery is not easily detected. Use this | | | | decisions in dealing with business and |
| checklist before purchasing a product | | | | charitable organizations." |
| advertised in a mail-order catalog or on TV. | | | | |
| | | | If In Doubt, Ask An Expert |
| Is the product supported entirely by | | | | |
| testimonials? | | | | The media is quick to announce the latest |
| | | | health/fitness discovery, regardless of the |
| Is there any controlled, randomized | | | | source. Unfortunately, this new claim may |
| scientific evidence supporting the sales | | | | later be retracted when proper studies are |
| claims? | | | | made. But quacks will use (and misuse) |
| | | | questionable data to convince you to buy |
| Do the experts associated with the program | | | | their product. What should you believe? If |
| have the proper credentials? | | | | you don’t have the time to sort |
| | | | through information dispensed from reputable |
| Is the person selling the product | | | | sources, you should ask an expert. A |
| believable? | | | | certified fitness instructor should be able |
| | | | to separate fact from fiction. |
| Does the promotion use any pseudomedical | | | | |
| jargon? | | | | Your Tax Dollars At Work |
| | | | |
| Does the promotion boast a secret formula or | | | | The Federal Trade Commission says that |
| answer? | | | | "consumers waste billions of dollars on |
| | | | unproven, fraudulently marketed, and |
| Do the claims seem miraculous or | | | | sometimes useless health care products and |
| far-fetched? | | | | treatments." They advise all workout |
| | | | "wannabes" to exercise good judgment when |
| Is the product appealing to your vanity? | | | | evaluating advertising claims for fitness |
| | | | products. |
| Does the suggested use of the product seem | | | | |