Mainstream Media “Outs” Resveratrol Internet Marketing Abuse - Part One

All I can say is, "It’s About Time!"

I’ve been warning readers about the risks of auto-ship plans for years. My first blog post on the subject ran October 22, 2006 and was put up on the Ageless Beauty website shortly thereafter.

Since then I’ve written 23 more blog posts and several more articles for the website to alert readers to auto-ship plan abuses. It’s essential to get the word out to consumers. On the other hand, I know from (painful) personal experience how circumspect the media must be to avoid costly lawsuits.

Despite all my efforts, my mail has been running about50/50. Fifty percent write to thank me for the warnings even describing their close calls. Unfortunately 50% write to complain, some even thinking I recommended the company in question because I wrote about a specific product line or supplement. (More on how that might happen later.)

Resveratrol Buzz vs. Scam
When Resveratrol supplements burst onto the scene and I began to research the science behind the buzz, I was appalled by the number of sites hawking Resveratrol supplements. About 90% of them were one-product websites offering free trial offers to lure customers into auto-ship programs (the terms of which appear as far down the order page as possible).

Prominently displayed are press releases regarding Resveratrol from legitimate media like CNN and Fox news. I wrote, “The press reports on resveratrol are not endorsements of any particular brand of Res V supplement.” Further I said, “I’m amazed that 60 Minutes and Oprah have not taken steps to stop this practice.”

Tomorrow “Mainstream Media and Criminal Investigators Act against Resveratrol Auto-Ship Marketing Abuse”.

Tags: Internet marketing abuse, auto-ship plan warning, bogus celebrity endorsements, resveratrol marketing abuse, resveratrol research, supplement hype, authorities act against Internet scams, buyer beware