Internet Glucosamine Ads

By J.R. Rogers

Consumers are always asking me what to make of some of those ads that appear on the search engines. And, it is a fair question. Many of these advertisements are paid for and frankly, are not fair to the consumer. Let’s take a look at one website.

www.topjointsupplements.com

Now, I saw that advertisement that is paid for so it appears on the top of Google. I  clicked through the website just as you would. What I found is a little disturbing. First of all, they go to great lengths to “slam” other products. That is not marketing ladies and gentlemen. Not at all. Frankly speaking, it is outrageous to call other products “cheap.” So, going a step further, I clicked on this link: “Go to #1 Joint Supplement” which of course, takes you over to a product called Somaflex Joint Support.

Somaflex

The website website then proceeds to give you all the reasons you should pay $39.99 (Plus, $4.65 for shipping) for a bottle of this product. The grand total is $44.64. According to them, Somaflex Joint Support scores very big on consumer scales. (Look at the 5-star ratings they have) However, if you go over to Amazon.com, you will find that this same product only has (3) reviews. One gives two stars to their company. The other two reviews ……..well, who knows? In brief, not so many great reviews. I am always a little suspicious when I see something like that.

Synflex America

As to their second choice in products, we had to sue that company for copyright infringement; false advertising; unfair competition; and, unfair and deceptive trade practices. The fact is, they wound up paying Synflex America, Inc. a great deal of money. Further, their “copycat product” will not hold a candle to Syn-flex®. And, the basis for our lawsuit was clear. This company made an attempt to copy our highly successful formulas. (I might add that this company did not even come close in their attempt) After all, we have sold over 1 million bottles and I know that this company is not even close to that number.

There is more but you can judge for yourself. The question is, if www.topjointsupplements.com is promoting an overpriced product as ‘their” #1 choice, what is this product doing there as their #2 choice? If they are in fact holding themselves out as neutral judges of joint care products, they must be aware of the background of that product. It would seem pretty  clear that this website is being paid for those who purchase this product through their website.

What I find even more disturbing here is that ‘no one knows who publishes this website.” I checked the registration myself and it is done by “proxy.” That means, they are hiding their name from the public. That also means that (they) can recommend products without having to disclose who they are and the public is led to believe that their “product rankings’ are neutral and objective. That is not the case at all.  These products are promoted by this website to make profits and that is that.