Slimbetti scam continues, no remorse

Posted 23 September 2013

We have previously highlighted the scam artists, Chris and Jasmine Grindlay, the owners of Slimbetti, who continue to scam consumers.

They have also ignored ASA rulings and continue to trade knowing full well that their products have no proof of working, and in fact, in some cases, proof why the products are not likely to work.

A breach complaint was laid with the ASA for their advert placed in Finesse magazine. The ASA wrote to the Grindlay’s asking for a response, and as noted in the ruling: “. . . . the respondent advised that it had received the documentation, but had no desire to respond. It asked the Directorate not to disturb it again.“

18 Sep 2013

http://www.asasa.org.za/ResultDetail.aspx?Ruling=6685

BACKGROUND
On 24 April 2013, following several adverse rulings and breaches of such rulings, the ASA ruled that the respondent had “… ignored reasonable requests for cooperation, and the Directorate has every reason to believe that the respondent will continue with its pattern of disregard …” In accordance with this ruling, the ASA issued an Ad Alert to its members with the following instruction:

“Members are therefore requested NOT TO ACCEPT ANY SLIMBETTI ADVERTISING AT ALL until advised otherwise by the ASA. Members are also advised that the advertiser has exhibited a pattern of disregard for the ASA Code, and has previously been sanctioned for the same offence when advertising under the name Planet Hoodia. The advertiser is a repeat offender”.

SUBSEQUENT TO THE RULING
On 5 August 2013 the complainant, Dr H A Steinman, lodged a breach complaint against the respondent’s advertising for Slimbetti product that appeared in Glamour magazine. It was submitted that the respondent continued to claim “proven weight-loss results”, “burn unwanted fat and release energy”.

It was further submitted that the claims are also being made on its new website, www.slim24.co.za, which referred to its www.slimbetti.com website.

RELEVANT CLAUSE OF THE CODE OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE
In light of the breach allegation the Directorate considered Clause 15 of the Procedural Guide (Enforcement of rulings) as relevant.

RESPONSE
The respondent was given an opportunity to respond to the breach allegation but failed to do so in writing. Despite being informed about the breach allegation, no response was forthcoming. Subsequent emails were also ignored. Ironically, the respondent contacted the Directorate and asked for the information to be resent, which was duly done. However, when the Directorate phoned the respondent to query why no response had been received, the respondent advised that it had received the documentation, but had no desire to respond. It asked the Directorate not to disturb it again.

ASA DIRECTORATE RULING
The ASA Directorate considered the relevant documentation submitted by the respective parties.

In the absence of a response from the advertiser, the Directorate had no option but to rule on the matter based on the information at hand.

Clause 15.1 of the Procedural Guide states that “The responsibility for adherence to a ruling made by the Directorate or the ASA Committees lies with the person against whom such ruling has been made”.

There is no doubt that the wording contained in the current Slimbetti advertisement is materially and substantially the same as what was previously ruled against. As before, the respondent’s advertisement makes unsubstantiated promises of exceptional weight loss and features various alleged testimonials of satisfied customers. As before, not a shred of evidence has been presented.

Accordingly, the respondent is in contravention of the Directorate ruling of 17 October 2011 and therefore in breach of Clause 15 of the Procedural Guide.

The breach allegation is upheld.

The Directorate is also mindful of the fact that there is effectively an Ad Alert in force which is supposed to prevent the respondent from placing its advertising with any of the ASA’s members. From discussions with Finesse it would appear that this publication is not a member of Print and Digital Media South Africa, and would presumably not be aware of the previous rulings.

A copy of this ruling, as well as the relevant Ad Alert will therefore also be sent to the Finesse editorial staff.

Here are articles and ASA rulings against the Grindlays.

• 5 supplements that claim to speed up weight loss – and what the science says 31 January, 2018
• Liver failure and transplant needed after supplement use 13 April, 2016
• JOY! Magazine, Caxton publishers and Slimbetti adverts 9 May, 2014
• Weight-Loss Products – Hoodia 25 March, 2014
• PGC3 Pure Garcinia Cambogia 21 November, 2013
• Slimbetti scam continues, no remorse 23 September, 2013
• Slimbetti Active Xtreme – another scam 5 March, 2013
• COMENSA – Slimbetti – Jasmine Grindlay 5 June, 2012
• SlimBetti – same Slender Max scam artists: Discussion 14 May, 2012
• Posts related to Slimbetti / Slender Gel / SlenderMax 24 April, 2012
• Glucoslim, Naturaslim, Thermoslim, Slimbetti 4 November, 2011
• Hoodia has many side effects 31 October, 2011
• ASA ruling: Slimbetti Fibre Slim 7 September, 2011
• ASA Ruling: Slimbetti Thermo Advance 7 September, 2011
• Dis-Chem refuses to stop selling useless “slimming” muti 24 August, 2011
• Diet drug dodges ASA again 4 July, 2011
• SlimBetti – same Slender Max scam artists 21 June, 2011
• Hoodia Slender Gel ~ Slender Max sanctioned! 7 February, 2011
• Podgy meets dodgy (Slender Gel) 25 November, 2010
• Individuals behind Slender Max / Slender Gel 17 November, 2010
• Hoodia Slender Gel / Slender Max 2 November, 2010
• Hoodia Slender Gel – ASA ruling 25 July, 2010
• Slender Gel (Hoodia Gel), again! 22 June, 2010
• ASA Ruling: Slender Gel breach 13 May, 2010
• Hoodia Slender Gel-Slender Max-Hoodia Gel 11 May, 2010
• ASA Ruling: Slender Max Tincture 6 March, 2010
• ASA Ruling: Slender Caps 6 March, 2010
• ASA ruling: Slender Max February 2010 22 February, 2010
• Hoodia Slender Gel – now called Slender Max 16 November, 2009
• ASA ruling: Hoodia Slender Gel 16 November, 2009
• Hoodia Slender Gel 29 June, 2009
• Hoodia Slender Gel / Slender Max 5 February, 2009