Targeting The Elderly

image by Shutterstock

So there I was, scrolling through Facebook, when I see Clint Eastwood! Looking remarkably younger than I know him to be, extolling the benefits of a supplement that allowed him to get off of all blood pressure medications! Miraculous!

Now I’ve been on blood pressure medication, sometimes more than one, and I would love to get off of any medication I can. There are always side effects, and it would be great to be able to deal with things like high blood pressure with natural supplements.

So ever hopeful, I watched a veerryy long video of someone who is ostensibly a doctor, Dr. Barbara O’Neill, who went on and on (and on) about how wonderful this supplement is, made from something like Himalayan goat whiskers, the eyelashes of virgins, blah blah blah … and that if she were to price it at its full value it would cost something like $275, but because of the specialness of supply and wanting to help people be able to afford it and get off of their meds that big Pharma only wants them to be dependent on because they’re money grubbing crooks—for today only, we can get it for only $23 a bottle! WOW! So ever hopeful (when will I learn!) I decided that I could afford $23 and would just try it out. One bottle. Click here. I clicked here. Immediately my screen shows three bottles with three more bottles next to them, and the price says $49! And I’m assuming that it’s really $49 per bottle because I’m starting to get suspicious. Then they’re telling me “Get three bottles and get three free!” The next thing I know is they want my credit card number (again, when will I learn?) and before I know it my credit card has not been charged $49 or even three times $49 (which would have come to $147!) but $299.70!! (which is even more than 2 x $147!!)

Holy shit! Immediately I write them asking for a refund because of the bait and switch and dishonest advertising, and almost as immediately I get this email from a Linda CS:

“Hi Patricia,

Thank you so much for reaching out! Unfortunately, this package has already been processed & been packaged (I’m thinking “in less than 5 minutes??”). If you want, you can return the products upon receiving them. Processing will take 2-3 weeks.

You can ship the product back to the address below. Remember to send us the shipping tracking number once sent. Product must arrive within 30 days of purchase order date (We cannot refund shipments that do not have a tracking number or go past a 30 day return cycle our fulfillment center will not credit it)

Return Shipping Address

Once received, we will inspect the return and usually refunds (Less a $50 Restocking Fee) are processed within 5-7 business days. I kindly request that you specify the quantity of sealed bottles you intend to return. Ensuring those bottles remain sealed is essential for efficient processing.

If you prefer not to go through the return process, I can ask my manager if I can offer you a refund credit of $30 which I can process.

Let me know either way by replying to this email. Here to help. (Yeah, right!) Again, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Thank you so much : )

-Linda

I’m seething. Immediately (I’m in high gear: everything I’m doing is “immediately!”) I contact the Better Business Bureau and I see many complaints against this company (which goes by several different names: apx, Safe Harbor Supps Inc, Forge Labs Blood, Cardiac Zen. I file my own complaint and am assured that the BBB will look into it

I then proceed to write Linda CS:

“Thanks for getting back to me Linda.

However, your response is totally unacceptable, and the offer of a $30 refund plus charging me $50 “restocking” fee is ludicrous and outrageous.

Your video ad stated that a bottle of this Blood Stabilizer supplement would be $23. When I got to the payment page, the price was $49, and only three bottles instead of one were offered with the statement “Buy Three Get Three Free!” Now three times $49 would have equaled $147, but immediately my credit card was charged $299.70.

This is nothing less than robbery and false advertising.

I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and they will be contacting you.

I also noticed that many have filed complaints about your company with the BBB, and it occurred to me that there are probably enough of us to file a class action lawsuit.

My experience with your company has been extremely negative, and I will not hesitate to state this publicly should I come across any of your social media video ads in the future. Not only was the charge not what was advertised, but your response is completely inadequate.

When I get the product, I will have it tested to see what the ingredients are. I suspect that there is nothing that would help to mitigate high blood pressure, so in addition, your company may be held responsible for endangering the lives of those who discontinued their blood pressure medication believing that your supplement would be all they would need (as the ad states) to naturally lower their blood pressure.

I will try calling tomorrow, but I will not expect to reach anyone as so many who have filed complaints have said that they have tried calling but never got a human being on the phone.

I will be looking into what legal recourse I have.

Patricia Ross

The very first email I open early the next morning is from Linda CS again:

“Hi Patricia,

We hope this message finds you well

Great news! Your credit of $299.70 has been approved and processed. You should see the funds back in your account within 5 to 10 business days depending on your card provider.”

(for a chilling film about how ubiquitous and skilled scammers are, see the very violent (but it’s OK because the good guy is winning) and bloody film: “The Beekeeper.”)