Warning: Parameter 2 to wp_hide_post_Public::query_posts_join() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/customer/www/camcheck.co.za/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php on line 307
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.“
[note note_color=”#fbfbb1″]Slimbetti Hoodia Gel / HA Steinman / 18189
Ruling of the : ASA Directorate
In the matter between:
Dr Harris Steinman Complainant(s)/Appellant(s)
Water Berry Trading 46 cc t/a Slimbetti Respondent[/note]
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.
CamCheck posts related to Slimbetti / Slender Gel / SlenderMax |
- 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
- ASA Ruling: Slender Max Tincture 6 March, 2010
- ASA Ruling: Slender Caps 6 March, 2010
- ASA ruling: Slender Max February 2010 22 February, 2010
- ASA ruling: Hoodia Slender Gel 16 November, 2009
- Hoodia Slender Gel 29 June, 2009
- Hoodia Slender Gel / Slender Max 5 February, 2009
Saw Slimbetti on Face book, thank goodness I checked whether this is a scam.
Hi I was stupid enough to fall for Slimbetti. After a wee I started to develop some kidney pain. I stop using it and return their goods. They have send me 3 months pills. I send them email but they said I must sent a doctors letter before they cancel the c contract. What contract? Can they do it?
@Gerda
No they cannot say this, absolute rubbish. You can approach the Consumer Commission, i.e., lay a complaint with the NCC.
Hi Gerda,
Lodge a complaint with the Consumer Protector, that is what I did.
I was foolish enough to fall for this PGC3, no ways I can get hold of the owners of De Vida Wellness, Jasmine and Chris, I need to send their rubbish back, if I phone the number they will not give out the physical address, I have signed a debit order, but going to see the bank
Hi There,is PGC3 from De Vida Wellness in Cape Town a scam?I saw the ad in the Vrouekeur.I ordered the product on a debit order on Thursday.Can I stop the debit order on my account if it is a scam without prior notice to De Vida Wellness?
Thanks.
Lindie from Pretoria
@Lindie
It is my opinion that this is a scam because the majority of studies have shown no weight-loss effect for the ingredient, AND, the dose is very low. The dietitian, Rael Koping, who substantiated this product for Slimbetti owners, Jasmine and Chris Grindlay, has been reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa for unethical and unprofessional conduct.
This is a scam. I have reversed the debit orders and now they are hounding me!!! What can be done???
I made an order as well of the product, they deducted R135 for delivery, they gave me 3 months supply. I followed their diet plan, excised but the product is not doing what it promised to. All I’m getting are headaches, sleepless night and weight gain. They were suppose to deduct 266 on the 15th but they didn’t so I cleaned my account took all the money out and closed it. Do they have a right to blacklist me or drag me to
court and demand I pay them?
Hi i ordered from them – or rather De Vida Wellness and their product was rubbish but i took a debit order. They never gave the support promised and the cell number given for this has been disconnected. End Nov i got an sms telling me i could send STOP and they would end nothing more. I did and received a message back saying thank you they would stop but i still owed 175 on my debit order contract. However they took the full amount of R352. I cannot afford this. What can i do???
I have also bought this product and i have not shown 1kg of weight loss.
I have also just received the first 3 months product, I have phoned them to cancell the next 3 months worth of product and she said that she will get back to me. Can’t believe that I fell for this.
I ALSO FELL FOR THIS AND TRY TO STOP IT BUT THEY FORCE ME TO PAY THE THREE MONTHS. SINCE USING IT A AM SO NAUSE AND VOMIT ALL DAY LONG THE SLENDER GEL IS BURNING MY SKIN YES I DID LOOSE BECAUSE OF BEING SICK ALL TIME CANT EVEN KEEP WATER IN. WANT TO RETURN THE STUFF. ALSO DEBITORDER AT BANK WILL MAKE SURE THAT I DO A RETURN ON IT EVERY TIME AS THIS PEOPLE IS NOT COMING BACK TO ME I THINK WE ALL WHO HAS BEEN CAUGHT BY THIS PEOPLE MUST OPEN A FACEBOOK BLOCK AND I SURELY CAN SEE HOW WE WILL WIN THIS THING EVEN IN COURT.
I have also fell for this slimbetti extreme fat burner received it in two days but still try to get held of them did get someone who said they phone back immediately still waiting. yes I did loose weight all because of nausenes and vomiting all the time since I start using it I can not even keep water in. the gel is burning my skin, I have a debit order and gone reverse it every month as I said to the someone who I talked to that it is not working and want to force me to pay the three months.
A lady named Anthea and Brad contacted me ,i also gave my banking details but when reading this now I’m scared of losing my money.What should I do ,I didn’t get my products as yet .
@Liezel
It is important to lay a complaint with the National Consumer Commission. This is a scam.
This is biggest scam that I have ever seen. Thanks good to know something is gone be done to stop people like this.
Julia Bouwer
I have clicked their link on facebook and an agent contacted me today , as im reading these complaints , I am so worried that i have already gave them all my banking details, payslip and address. I do not want the product anymore . I sent them an email after reading the complaints that i am cancelling they have not yet got back to me yet
They have deducted 1000’s off my account. They deliver this nonsense which is here in my office, and now you will see they simply just dont stop, they keep taking money
Hi Marie Anne,
Log a complaint with Consumer Protector, that’s what I did.
I purchased Slimbetti, what a load of crap they gave me, did not even work, yet I paid tons of money for this crap. I asked DeVida Wellness (company that signs you up for Slimbetti, to refund me, still nothing.
Decided to take them to the Consumer Protector, as its my money they took. False advertising and total scam, please warn all your friends and family and demand your money back.
I can’t believe that i fell for it…been using the detox tablets…haven’t started the belly fat tablets….i’m going to fight with them right away…why didnt i do my homework first…
Hi Denise,
I logged a complaint with the Consumer Protector, furnished them all my documents, etc. Angelo, the guy fro DeVida Wellness, informed me that they not going to refund me, as there is a no money back guarantee on their product, because they know it doesn’t work. Just waiting for the Consumer Protector to get back to me. I suggest you do that as well, so the more complaints they receive from the company, the better it is for all of us.