| Comment Number: | 543809-00045 |
| Received: | 10/10/2009 |
| Commenter: | Kathleen Joseph |
| Organization: | N/A |
| State: | LA |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | 16 CFR Part 425: "Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans" |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I would like to ask the Commission, upon review of products advertised for sale on TV, to prohibit all companies offering "free trials," or using print so small it cannot be read in the allotted time, or those who insert an asterisk to indicate that "results are not typical" or other misleading information. These tactics are used to deliberately confuse or mislead consumers. They are used by all types of companies from banks offering "free checking" to snake oil salesmen touting the value of their product. Some of the companies who use these tactics are Jenny Craig Diet Products, Bowflex Exercise Equipment, the Smoothie Diet Plan, Dish Network and Direct TV I believe that it is shameful for companies to use these tactics, and worse, that they are allowed to ply their trade with the approval of the FTC. I implore those responsible for safeguarding the public to prohibit this shady method of conducting business. It is tantamount to approval for the FTC to continue to allow deception in advertising.