Month: September 2009

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Fat Chance: Get a “Free” Month of Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers just started a new advertising campaign promising a free month of service.

In two different TV commercials the company promotes a “free month”. In one, this is what the narrator says:

“In the time it takes you to watch a bad reality show, you can learn to switch off hungry and lose weight. Right now Weight Watchers is offering a whole month free. Join and get a month of unlimited meetings with online tools so all you need is 45 minutes a week, to take control, turn hungry off, and turn weight loss on. The free month offer is only available for a limited time, so join today. Hurry registration is free too. Weight Watchers. Stop dieting, start living.” [red color added]

*MOUSE PRINT: In the first TV commercial, the fine print disclosure on the screen for approximately three seconds says:

*Must buy first month of monthly pass to get free second month. Automatically renews each month until you cancel. Not available in AZ, HI, AR, TN and other nonparticipating franchise areas. Offer ends 10/17/09.

In another TV commercial, the company promotes a free month of Weight Watchers online:

wwtv

*MOUSE PRINT: As the announcer is saying “sign up now and get one month free” a fine print disclosure in the commercial reads:

*Must purchase a 3 month subscription to Weight Watchers Online to get your 4th month free.

Finally, here is the promotion for a free month as it appears on the homepage of their website:

wwfreemonth

*MOUSE PRINT: The footnotes on the Weight Watcher’s website tell the full story and disclose this (actual size):

wwfootnote

The offer is really “buy one month, get one free” or “buy three months, get the 4th month free.”  That is far different from the impression created that the company is giving away a free month period.  “Get a free month” and “Buy X months, get one free” are two completely different offers. The TV commercials make no oral disclosure at all about a purchase requirement.  All they talk about is getting a free month. 

Particularly for a program that is not selling food, but rather just offering meetings and guidance, the concept of getting a month free without strings is certainly plausible.  (Bally gives away one or two months free every winter, with no purchase requirement.)

Can’t companies play it straight and stop advertising “FREE” but somehow forget to clearly mention the required “BUY” part of an offer in the same breath?

[The Vice President of Public Relations for Weight Watchers International did not respond to a written request for comment for this story.]

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GM’s 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

gm60day

Starting September 14, General Motors is offering a 60-day satisfaction guarantee on any new 2009 or 2010 Chevy, Buick, GMC or Cadillac purchased between now and November 30th. The president of GM in a TV commercial says, “and if you’re not 100% happy, return it, we’ll take it back.”

You must keep the car for at least 30 days, and then you have another 30 days to return it. Don’t expect to get 100% of your money back, but pretty close.

*MOUSE PRINT: Among the many requirements are these:

  • Buyback Price means the actual price you paid to the Participating Dealer for the Eligible Vehicle itself (after any rebates, discounts, employee discounts, or supplier discounts) plus applicable sales taxes you actually paid.
  • The Buyback Price does not include the costs of any taxes (other than sales taxes), licensing, titling or registration fees, insurance, dealer installed accessories, aftermarket products or add-on equipment (other than factory options ordered with the vehicle), dealer fees of any kind, ancillary products including without limitation extended warranties or service contracts, finance charges, any negative equity (the amount by which a loan on a trade-in vehicle exceeds the dealer’s purchase price for the trade-in) or any other expenses incurred by the Buyer in relation to taking delivery of the Eligible Vehicle.
  • Your Eligible Vehicle’s odometer must not have more than 4,000 miles since the Delivery Date.
  • Your Eligible Vehicle must have been registered and insured in the Buyer’s name since the Delivery Date.
  • Your Eligible Vehicle must have no more than $200 of damage as determined by GM or GM’s agent. Such damage may include, without limitation, internal or external scratches, scrapes, dents, odors, rips, burns, etc.
  • Your vehicle must NOT be registered to a business, corporation, partnership, utility, federal, state or local government, rental car company or any other organization;
  • You cannot return an Eligible Vehicle and repurchase a vehicle you traded-in when you purchased the Eligible Vehicle;
  • You cannot trade in an Eligible Vehicle and then repurchase it later.
  • You cannot sue GM over this program — arbitration only.

All in all, GM’s offer is advertised in a straightforward manner, and the “details” are consistent with the promises made and are not unreasonable (but for getting zero back on dealer-added options, accessories, and extended warranties).

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See post below for update on the T-Mobile fee for paper bills.

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UPDATE: T-Mobile Delays/Rethinks Fee for Paper Bills

T-Mobile just announced that it is delaying and rethinking its plan to charge customers a $1.50 a month fee to receive a paper bill via the US Mail. The company apparently heard the yells and screams of customers, and word that a class action lawsuit had been filed.

Here is the official announcement on the T-Mobile message board:

Paper Bill Charge T-Mobile Statement

T-Mobile is committed to encouraging customers to make the move to paperless billing. It’s a great alternative to paper and better for the environment.

Since the announcement we’ve heard everything from kudos to concerns about the move to paperless – especially from our customers who today are receiving paper bills at no charge.

So, we’ve decided to not charge our customers a paper bill fee for now. Instead, we’ll be taking more time to determine the fairest way possible to encourage people to go paperless.

Customers can still visit my.t-mobile.com to sign up for paperless billing.

We thank our customers for their patience and appreciate people letting us know how they feel about this important topic.