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I don’t know if you read about it, but Vibram, the guys who make those weird toe shoes – you know, those frog feet – is in a bit of hot water at the moment. They’ve just settled a law suit with a woman who sued them for making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits associated with this type of “almost barefoot” running.
Technically, the problem was not with the shoes per se – many experts still think the benefits of the odd looking FiveFinger shoes are completely legitimate – instead, the problem was with the advertising. Because you can’t make claims that you cannot prove to sell a product – duh.
Wait, what?
I mean, I know that’s the rule and that advertisers can’t just make outrageous claims and get away with it, but look around you. They do! All the time. I mean think of all the nonsense we hear every day.
We had a good laugh over certain products in the office today. Remember that plastic gadget that you only had to use for 20 minutes a week for perfect abs? Or that plastic bracelet that increased your strength and balance? Or that belt that “vibrated” away your fat? Or the expensive cream that promises to make you look ten years younger? Or the vast number of fat burning and weight loss pills on the market.
I mean diet pills. Really? In one of her shows Oprah once said that if someone like her who has all the money in the world and an enormous desire to be thin can’t find a miracle tablet or shake or tea or potion, then it clearly does not exist. (She also promised to tell us the moment they manufacture something that actually works.)
When you think about it, it’s actually pretty damn mean to give people the hope of a miracle when it doesn’t exist. But unfortunately we are wired to yearn for quick fixes and miracle cures. We can’t help the way we are. And unfortunately there are scoundrels out there who know that.
I just wonder why we’re letting them get away with it. Don’t you think it’s about time we make these immoral opportunists pay for lying to us? Why are they laughing all the way to the bank when they’re the ones breaking the law?
So next time you spend money on something that doesn’t deliver the promises it advertised, don’t be a victim.Report the bastards. You’ll save someone else from making the same mistake and who knows, you might even get your money back.
Follow Women24 and Lili on Twitter.
Technically, the problem was not with the shoes per se – many experts still think the benefits of the odd looking FiveFinger shoes are completely legitimate – instead, the problem was with the advertising. Because you can’t make claims that you cannot prove to sell a product – duh.
Wait, what?
I mean, I know that’s the rule and that advertisers can’t just make outrageous claims and get away with it, but look around you. They do! All the time. I mean think of all the nonsense we hear every day.
We had a good laugh over certain products in the office today. Remember that plastic gadget that you only had to use for 20 minutes a week for perfect abs? Or that plastic bracelet that increased your strength and balance? Or that belt that “vibrated” away your fat? Or the expensive cream that promises to make you look ten years younger? Or the vast number of fat burning and weight loss pills on the market.
I mean diet pills. Really? In one of her shows Oprah once said that if someone like her who has all the money in the world and an enormous desire to be thin can’t find a miracle tablet or shake or tea or potion, then it clearly does not exist. (She also promised to tell us the moment they manufacture something that actually works.)
When you think about it, it’s actually pretty damn mean to give people the hope of a miracle when it doesn’t exist. But unfortunately we are wired to yearn for quick fixes and miracle cures. We can’t help the way we are. And unfortunately there are scoundrels out there who know that.
I just wonder why we’re letting them get away with it. Don’t you think it’s about time we make these immoral opportunists pay for lying to us? Why are they laughing all the way to the bank when they’re the ones breaking the law?
So next time you spend money on something that doesn’t deliver the promises it advertised, don’t be a victim.Report the bastards. You’ll save someone else from making the same mistake and who knows, you might even get your money back.
Follow Women24 and Lili on Twitter.
