N.O.-XPLODE is a dietary supplement that is marketed as an “extreme pre-training energy & performance igniter.” Unfortunately, the product has been reported to “ignite” health problems in people who use it. N.O.-XPLODE is an AVPT – an “Advanced Volumizing & Performance Technology.” An AVPT product is a “multi-action matrix” containing a combination of dietary supplements which,… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: June 2011
May Be Difficult To Cancel Subscription To BlueMountain.Com
The Internet has revolutionized the ways in which American consumers shop for and use everyday services. Even the humble greeting card is not immune to e-change. Now, instead of having to go to a brick-and-mortar store, consumers can purchase greeting cards directly from Internet retailers who can send the cards in the mail, allow users to print… Continue Reading
Disney Movie Club May Be Imposing Unauthorized Charges
One of the oldest mail-order marketing schemes involves selling consumers memberships in buying clubs. Consumers are initially offered a number of free or reduced-price items; only in the small print are members informed that they will receive periodic items at full price unless they are diligent enough to cancel each such shipment. This scheme is often referred… Continue Reading
Are Penny Auctions A Scam?
Penny auctions are a new introduction to the Internet, and are proliferating. The most popular ones are www.beezid.com, www.bidsauce.com, www.quibids.com, www.bidrivals.com, and www.dealdash.com. A penny auction is nothing like eBay. Users do not post the auction items for sale, but rather the owner and operator of the auction site is selling the items. The items… Continue Reading
Federal Judge Determines Service Fees Atlantis Charges Its Guests May be Unfair And Deceptive
In March of this year, Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C., based in White Plains, New York, filed a Complaint in federal court in Florida against Kerzner International Resorts, Inc., the general sales and marketing agent for Atlantis resorts. The Complaint alleges that Atlantis unfairly and deceptively charges its guests a daily per person “mandatory housekeeping… Continue Reading
When Does “Overtime” Not Mean Time And A Half?
In March 2011, we wrote about the many practices employers may use in an attempt to reduce costs in these difficult economic times. Unfortunately, some employers take advantage of employees, requiring them to work through breaks or at other times when the employee is “off the clock.” By these practices, the employer is able to avoid paying… Continue Reading
Dukes v. Wal-Mart: A Challenge To Proving Commonality In Large Classes Of Plaintiffs
On June 20, 2011, the U. S. Supreme Court overturned the certification of one of the most expansive class actions ever filed in the U.S. The Supreme Court ruled that in this case, plaintiffs had failed to come forward with sufficient evidence that the 1.5 million former and present female Wal-Mart employees in the class shared common legal claims… Continue Reading
Does www.classmates.com Violate The Law When It Automatically Renews Memberships?
We have written previously about companies, particularly on-line companies, that automatically renew persons’ subscriptions. It appears that the website www.classmates.com has a tremendous amount of consumer dissatisfaction with the way that it automatically renews memberships. For those who do not know, www.classmates.com, which is now known as Memory Lane, allows members to reunite with people… Continue Reading
Best Buy Service Plans
Best Buy, also known as the "big blue box," is a well known specialty retailer of consumer electronics that is the top such chain in the eastern United States and one of the top two in the west. Customers like shopping at Best Buy because of the large selection of products offered in each category… Continue Reading
U.S. Bank Announces Increased Fees
Saving for retirement just got more difficult if you maintain IRA accounts at U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank recently announced an increase of its annual fee for IRA accounts from $10 to $30. The bank previously waived the $10 annual fee for accounts with a minimum balance of $5,000. Under the bank’s new terms, the $30 fee is… Continue Reading
Job Search Firms
In August, 2009, we posted an article about several job search firms that prey on recently unemployed people, charging them thousands of dollars for empty promises of superior employment search services that in the long run amount to very little and definitely nothing worth the thousands of dollars they cost. Since then, we have received… Continue Reading
Mineral Elements By Eden
Last month we posted on this blog an article entitled, "The High Cost of Free Trials". We noted that various companies offer free trials of so-called "miracle" nutritional supplements and cosmetics. But these companies actually make cancelling and returning the product difficult, if not impossible, so that they can charge consumers full price and more…. Continue Reading
Having Trouble Cancelling Your Subscription?
Many services that are provided to consumers, particularly those offered over the Internet, have monthly or periodic subscriptions for services which automatically renew each month or each period. The subscription will automatically renew unless the subscriber calls to cancel the subscription before the end of the current period. However, many consumers find it difficult, if… Continue Reading