tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post4799113173468795764..comments2023-09-04T01:31:11.524-07:00Comments on Adventures in nonsense: What to do about Boots.Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14195003492084088327noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-18657517142429029252011-06-10T13:32:02.476-07:002011-06-10T13:32:02.476-07:00Done :)
Vikki xDone :)<br />Vikki xNoodlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09883976240440898848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-75504081678434706022011-05-26T07:10:52.481-07:002011-05-26T07:10:52.481-07:00Submitted my complaint yesterday, as per the list ...Submitted my complaint yesterday, as per the list of dates.<br /><br />Just had a phone call from Consumer Direct, saying they would pass my email on to Trading Standards.Ben Harrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-64354090452503322152011-05-16T05:19:51.245-07:002011-05-16T05:19:51.245-07:00I have just submitted my complaint to Consumer Dir...I have just submitted my complaint to Consumer Direct. I am also about to complain to the ASA about the same misleading claims in relation to this product appearing on the Lloyds Pharmacy website.Josephine Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07768504132752070319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-35272835528733078162011-05-09T03:24:03.976-07:002011-05-09T03:24:03.976-07:00Right. Had to do a real hatchet job on my message ...Right. Had to do a real hatchet job on my message but I finally managed to submit it with 3 characters to spare. I need a cup of tea now.Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-14887033720254683102011-05-09T02:09:40.539-07:002011-05-09T02:09:40.539-07:00Having submitted my email directly to the address ...Having submitted my email directly to the address given for Warwickshire Trading Standards I've been redirected to Consumer Direct after all. Been trying to submit my complaint using their form but I'm having problems. I understand the text limit, but however much text I delete, the excess character count only reduces by single figures! At this rate I'll have to delete nearly all of it. So annoying. I spent a good chunk of yesterday constructing my email. Has anyone else had this problem?Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-71017012257269991862011-05-08T12:04:31.723-07:002011-05-08T12:04:31.723-07:00Done. Complaint submitted to Warwickshire Trading ...Done. Complaint submitted to Warwickshire Trading Standards by direct email.Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-67110945109242848242011-05-05T03:49:59.018-07:002011-05-05T03:49:59.018-07:00Done!
--
Boots the Chemists (Boots UK Ltd.) are ...Done!<br /><br />--<br /><br />Boots the Chemists (Boots UK Ltd.) are continuing to offer for sale a product called the "Ladycare menopause relief magnet", which claims to offer relief from various symptoms of menopause. According to my understanding, these medical claims are without basis.<br /><br />Details of the claims made for the magnet were previously available at http://www.boots.com/en/Ladycare-menopause-relief-magnet_122270/ but this has now been edited to remove them. They still exist on the packaging of the device, however.<br /><br />The Consumer Protection from Unfair Regulations 2008 regulates unfair commercial practices, and I believe that the claims made may fall under the definition of "misleading actions", prohibited under regulation 3. It may also fall foul of regulation 5, in that a practice is misleading if it contains false information. I believe that regulation 9 makes misleading practices like these an offence.<br /><br />I would therefore ask you to investigate the selling of this device by Boots UK Ltd. and whether it falls foul of the regulations above (or indeed any others).<br /><br />Thanks in advance for your time.<br /><br />Sean Ellis.Sean Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09888890768546556641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-20914263451063774672011-04-21T09:25:08.014-07:002011-04-21T09:25:08.014-07:00Just sent mine online - a day ahead, but I don'...Just sent mine online - a day ahead, but I don't think it will matter, given it's the Easter break. -SvenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-32328017995120589832011-04-20T04:45:47.128-07:002011-04-20T04:45:47.128-07:00Mine is sent - Andy StokerMine is sent - Andy StokerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-6210150720016153822011-04-18T00:29:20.558-07:002011-04-18T00:29:20.558-07:00Reporting for duty, saaah!
Letter sent by way of ...Reporting for duty, saaah!<br /><br />Letter sent by way of Consumer Direct at 08:28 hrs on Mon 18th April, saaah!Stephen Curryhttp://occamstypewriter.org/scurry/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-39147446385367012892011-04-13T05:38:59.679-07:002011-04-13T05:38:59.679-07:00Done today:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I write to compla...Done today:<br /><br />Dear Sir or Madam,<br /><br />I write to complain under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 about a product on sale in Boots.<br /><br />The product is the "Ladycare Menopause Relief Magnet" and the packaging makes claims that I believe are unsupported by good evidence.<br /><br />The packaging states:<br />"All you may need for:<br />- Hot flushes<br />- Night sweats<br />- Restful sleep<br />- Weight loss<br />- Less bloating<br />- Increased energy<br />- Vagina dryness"<br /><br />In the "Frequently asked questions" section of the product's webpage it is asserted:<br /><br />"LadyCare has shown to be helpful and used by thousands of women."<br /><br />There is no positive evidence for the efficacy of magnetic treatment of menopausal symptoms in PubMed, and indeed two articles highlight that there have been negative findings:<br /><br />Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of The North American Menopause Society.<br />http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14716179<br /><br />I quote "Single clinical trials have found no benefit for dong quai, evening primrose oil, ginseng, a Chinese herbal mixture, acupuncture, or magnet therapy."<br /><br />Advances in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. http://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/pdf/10.2217/whe.09.31<br /><br />The box labelled "Approach to management of menopausal symptoms" says:<br /><br />"Homeopathy, magnetic therapy, reflexology, dong quai, ginsing, evening primrose oil and vitamin E have not been demonstrated to be clinically significant compared with placebo."<br /><br />and the under "Non-hormonal options"<br /><br />"Magnetic therapy: no benefit"<br /><br />Also under "Homeopathy, magnet therapy & foot reflexology"<br /><br />"In RCTs, neither homeopathic remedies, magnet therapy, nor foot reflexology out-performed placebo in relieving menopausal symptoms."<br /><br />I have seen the product for sale online here http://www.boots.com/en/Ladycare-menopause-relief-magnet_122270/<br /><br />I note that since I first saw the product Boots have doctored the image and information for the product on their website to hide these unsupported claims.<br /><br />I hope that Trading Standards will fulfil its duty to enforce the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations Regulations 2008, particularly regulation 27 which requires proof of accuracy of a factual claim. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1277/regulation/27/made<br /><br />I've not suffered personally from this ineffective product, as I'm a 37 year old man, and not a menopausal woman. However I write as a concerned citizen disgusted that Boots - an ostensibly reputable business - should be happily promoting bogus treatments. Weasel words on the packaging such as "may" belie the implication of effectiveness. I do not believe for one moment that a consumer will give much thought to the difference between "all you need" and "all you may need". The implication of this one ineffective product being all someone may need fails the consumer who might otherwise opt to use well evidenced and effective treatments for their condition.<br /><br />Thank you for your time in investigating this issue.<br /><br />Best wishes<br /><br />Tim ReidTim Reidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-30044896060242906992011-03-25T06:30:32.854-07:002011-03-25T06:30:32.854-07:00complained today online as requested.complained today online as requested.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-81522877090769795682011-03-24T06:22:58.557-07:002011-03-24T06:22:58.557-07:00Compliant regarding Boots in Farnham posted today ...Compliant regarding Boots in Farnham posted today as requested.Jimbobthomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13871376414914384679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-32565368560600566442011-03-18T10:26:07.231-07:002011-03-18T10:26:07.231-07:00Just done it now! Got an immediate reply saying th...Just done it now! Got an immediate reply saying the email had been quarantined as it contained blocked words. My fault for including 'Vagina dryness' in my complaint, I suppose. Still, will get it through, vagina reference intact! Especially with all of this Nigerian gold and V1agr1 I have to sell them...Marshhttp://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-79076641303987372452011-03-11T10:24:54.133-08:002011-03-11T10:24:54.133-08:00I sent my initial complaint on my date of the 9th ...I sent my initial complaint on my date of the 9th March to my local Trading Standards office as suggested but their response was to contact Consumer Direct. So I emailed them back to confirm if they had dealt with my complaint, but they hadn't and advised I contact the ASA. So I have submitted my complaint again today to the ASA via their online form. I got there in the end.Nichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17937696551094560462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-6133981226451241482011-03-10T08:03:48.429-08:002011-03-10T08:03:48.429-08:00Response from Leicester Trading Standards. Interes...Response from Leicester Trading Standards. Interesting that they seem to think that the onus of proof is on them to say something doesn't work, rather than on the manufacturer. Good that she passed it on to Nottingham TS and they in turn to Bristol. Here's what she said:<br /><br />I am afraid I mis-spelt your email originally so it bounced back, but since sending it I have received a call from Nottinghamshire Trading Standards who say they have received a number of similar enquiries and have forwarded the enquiries to Bristol where the manufacturer is, for the Trading Standards there to raise with them.<br /><br />Further to your emailed complaint about the claims relating to the above product, I have looked on the web site and note at present it is out of stock and also that the claims made are, as is usual, tempered with the words "MAY". It would on an enforcement level be difficult to prove that this product does not do as claimed as it may well help some people and we would have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that it does not meet any of its claims at all. (Unfortunately it is down to us to prove it is wrong rather than the trader to prove it is right).<br />I have however forwarded your complaint to Nottinghamshire Trading Standards who act as Boots Home Authority Trading Standards Service, for their information.<br />It is up to them whether they feel there is a potential breach of the Consumer Protection Regulations and they may raise it with Boots as to what evidence they can provide to substantiate the claims made.<br />There are thousands of these borderline type products available and Trading Standards does not have the resources to question the complete accuracy of some of the claims made unless they are grossly and obviously misleading.<br />Personally I cannot see how this product could work but the power of suggestion is huge and there has been a growing belief in the efficacy of magnets in some circumstances. <br />Also the product is available from many chemists and health stores other than Boots and all are careful with the description applied.<br /> I am sorry if this does not go as far as you would have hoped.<br />However,thank you for your complaint.<br />Regards<br />Carole<br />Trading Standards Officer<br />Leicester City CouncilJohnniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02908392733427157954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-24833363152397120402011-03-09T03:54:56.074-08:002011-03-09T03:54:56.074-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Johnniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02908392733427157954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-35256448515432389752011-03-07T18:59:55.432-08:002011-03-07T18:59:55.432-08:00Done! What do you mean it's way past midnight?...Done! What do you mean it's way past midnight??? :-)Zenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10419783839561343514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-81574715237300649872011-03-04T12:36:02.420-08:002011-03-04T12:36:02.420-08:00Done now and on the correct day and all!Done now and on the correct day and all!Conor Pendergrasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17419292562350129080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-81031415325835824112011-03-04T01:22:01.684-08:002011-03-04T01:22:01.684-08:00...and Consumer Direct have confirmed they have pa......and Consumer Direct have confirmed they have passed it on to Trading Standards...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312752937396553118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-84382391174868980912011-03-02T14:58:30.581-08:002011-03-02T14:58:30.581-08:00Done mine.Done mine.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312752937396553118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-23720823311926164662011-03-02T10:57:49.097-08:002011-03-02T10:57:49.097-08:00I've had a reply from Nottinghamshire county c...I've had a reply from Nottinghamshire county council's 'Understanding Demand Unit' saying they have to prioritise and they'll keep it on file for future reference blah blah... So, just as Simon said, we have to make sure the volume of complaints is high enough to make them take Boots' widespread cynical exploitation of the naive public seriously.Steve Haighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-80947724161490710852011-03-02T07:02:32.151-08:002011-03-02T07:02:32.151-08:00Done! A few days late, sorry.Done! A few days late, sorry.johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474642270394654536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-49629514300707704622011-03-02T05:04:37.718-08:002011-03-02T05:04:37.718-08:00Sent mine via consumer direct just now. Sorry I mi...Sent mine via consumer direct just now. Sorry I missed my allocated date, email fail :/Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14539175222290571773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959094372836804855.post-1365205288148493962011-03-02T04:58:17.184-08:002011-03-02T04:58:17.184-08:00I shall do mine in 18 days but also wanted to say ...I shall do mine in 18 days but also wanted to say hello to Doogie Brodie :)<br /><br />Word verification: crunturg (!)Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17150960025351599805noreply@blogger.com