Click on animated image to see the "duck swim". The point is that if it looks, acts, and swims like a duck, it probably IS a duck!
Deceptive & Misleading Websites Steal Time = Money is true with many examples of how it can happen. "False and Deceptive Pay-Per-Click Ads" by Ben Edelman tells of falsly "free" online ads. Also, today I got my "Consumer Health Digest #06-21" subscriber e-mail from Stephen Barrett, M.D.'s "Quackwatch". In it, was a piece on WebMD which is a well known website and print magazine (that I just saw a copy of in a doctor's office yesterday).
Dr. Barrett's Mission Statement says it all, as far as the many things that he concentrates on. He is good at recognizing "ducks" by spotting their clues and evidence. But, this latest WebMD piece caught my eye. Why? Because it has to do with a website misleading people, in my opinion, for financial gain by using the marketing term "FREE".
Maybe Dr. Barrett's piece had some affect on WebMD as there is a disclaimer at the top of the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic page. It says: "Editors' Note: WebMD Weight Loss Clinic is a paid subscription service offered by WebMD. This review was written by WebMD's editorial staff, which is independent from the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic. In writing this review, expert analysis was provided by professionals who are not affiliated with WebMD or the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic. There was no influence by WebMD Weight Loss Clinic on this review." Why then is WebMD's brand name on the clinic if they say (in Dr. Barrett's piece) that WebMD " "does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment." In my opinion, a disclaimer itself can be one of the "Clues To Deceptive-Misleading Websites ". But, let's look at the rest of the clues.
Dr. Barrett's "Consumer Health Digest" e-mail piece says: "WebMD fostering vitamin scam - WebMD, one of the Internet's most comprehensive consumer health sites, is encouraging people who enroll in WebMD's fee-based "Weight Loss Clinic" to buy dietary supplements that are overpriced and unnecessary. After completing WebMD's detailed dietary questionnaire, enrollees land on a page titled "Special Offers from Our Sponsors," which offers a FREE TRIAL of "personalized vitamins. . . . a convenient way to help ensure you're getting the vitamins and minerals you need with a personal vitamin program customized for you." The "free" program costs $6.95 for shipping and handling and, if not cancelled, continues with monthly shipments that cost $53.30. The supplements, sold by LifeScript, of Mission Viejo, California., are offered regardless of whether or not the answers to the questionnaire indicate that the person's diet is nutritionally adequate. In addition, many of the routinely offered products include questionable herbal ingredients. [Barrett S. LifeScript customized vitamins are a ripoff. Quackwatch May 13, 2006] "LifeScript Customized Vitamins Are a Ripoff" WebMD states that it "does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment." However, the placement of the ad and its characterization as a "special offer" could easily be interpreted as an endorsement."
The N.Y. State "Consumer Law Help Manual " says under their "The Word "Free" in Advertising" section: "When making “free” or similar offers all the terms, conditions and obligations upon which receipt and retention of the “free” item should be set forth clearly and conspicuously at the outset of the offer so as to leave no reasonable probability that the terms of the offer might be misunderstood." Too many sellers leave the details of "free" down the road vs. right next to that word!
Maybe, website situations like these are contributing to the results of this Consumer Reports WebWatch poll cited on the "Education On The Internet" blog: "Do we trust the Internet?".
Animated image courtesy of www.artie.com.
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