The Cost of Doing Business
Comparing the amount companies agree to pay to settle deceptive marketing charges with their annual revenue.
SanMedica International claims its amino acid supplement, SeroVital-hgh, delivers a boost of human growth hormone (HGH) that … does something along the lines of anti-aging.
While the company’s website associates HGH with the reduction of fat and the appearance of wrinkles, not to mention heightened sex drive, SanMedica’s own study testing the efficacy of SeroVital-hgh concluded (emphasis added):
Our results show that a single oral dose of these amino acids can significantly increase GH Levels after 120 minutes in healthy men and women. Whether these GH changes persist over a longer duration or have other positive effects is being further examined.
So, by the company’s own admission, the science is still out on whether SeroVital-hgh can do anything other than temporarily increase growth hormone levels. Good to know.
Another thing that’s good to know? Consumers seeking a refund (the supplement costs $99) have to call SanMedica to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization number and then are required to pay return shipping. So much for the company’s “no-nonsense, money-back guarantee.”
In addition, consumers should be wary of the “preferred customer plan,” which upon checking “Yes, I want to save money!” automatically enrolls them in a monthly automatic $79.20 billing cycle, after the initial $99 order.
Look out for supplement companies pushing health claims its own studies don’t seem to support.
Find more of our coverage on supplements here.
Our Ad Alerts are not just about false and deceptive marketing issues, but may also be about ads that, although not necessarily deceptive, should be viewed with caution. Ad Alerts can also be about single issues and may not include a comprehensive list of all marketing issues relating to the brand discussed.
Comparing the amount companies agree to pay to settle deceptive marketing charges with their annual revenue.
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