[Admin]

It's not passed yet, but it seems that it's well on it's way to being passed.

Here's a post from the Chicago Tribute:

Federal Trade Commission's plan to change rules on ad endorsements, testimonials worries marketers -- chicagotribune.com

From what I gather, the FTC have been noticing a problem with the way companies have been advertising. They use testimonials and think just because they slap up a disclaimer that that rids them of any and all responsability when it comes to people not getting the same results that the company claims to becnhmark.

We can take a look at the way Iternet Marketing has been evolving for the past few years and make that assessment. Take these tesimonials that most marketers put up on their product pages. How do we know these are genuine, and actually back up the claims being stated?

We don't to be honest with everyone. And it's not just Internet Marketers that are doing this stuff either. Many major corporations are making false claims about their products trying to catch the gulible.

In many ways, I hope this passes and becomes regulation. Maybe it will stop the scams, and bring forth the real marketers that have safe and usable products that says what the product does or will do, and lasts for a while.

Btw, if you promote other people's products or your own, and use a disclaimer thinking it will keep you safe in the courtroom, think again. You better be able to proove your product is or does what you claim it does.

And for goodness sake, make sure those testimonials that you are using on your site are the real McCoys because it could well be the very thing that brings down your business.

[buffalo]

Sounds like a good idea, but as soon as they do one thing to stop the scammers, the scammers will find a new way to scam.

[jbolte1976]

Great post Mary. For me personally, my antenna goes up when I see or read of the amazing, outstanding, never seen before, break through whatever, and my suspisions are confirmed when I see the little * results may vary, results not typical, or the ultra fast disclaimer at the end of a informercial or radio ad, etc.

To me whether or not the product had merit, it has lost it because of the above mentioned. I'm not one to want more and more goverment regulation, etc but this could help with the unethical bunches out there.

I can remember a informercial from Sunday morning when I was jogging on the tread mill. I think it was a IM'ing product and.... "so and so made $118,000 last month", etc
and of course the busty girls interviewing, etc...but that's all whole other marketing topic

Thanks for brining this to our attention Mary.

Jason

[Admin]

Hey Buffy,

Originally Posted by buffalo

Sounds like a good idea, but as soon as they do one thing to stop the scammers, the scammers will find a new way to scam.

True, but I look at it like eventually they will catch the buggers and stop the scams altogether.

Lol Iwas watching a show on the histroy channel that was about Chicago's Mobsters. They didn't think they would be brought down either, but they've been able to keep them at bay at the moment for quite some time now.

So, if the Government can do that, I'm sure they'll eventually stamp these other characters out. If not, they'll make if awfly hard for them to stay in business.


Hey JB,

I hear you about those red flags going off. I look at commercials and all I see are red flags anymore lol.