Advocare

Advocare

October 14, 2006

This is a complaint about Advocare products, (health supplements, vitamins, etc.) and the way the company handles complaints.

I purchased Advocare health supplements because the salesperson assured me they were guaranteed. This is the ONLY reason I went forward with the purchase, because the products are so ultra expensive. In order for me to get set up with the basic products I supposedly needed, it cost $500.00. I tried the products and immediately, I didn't like them. I called my sales rep after just four days on the products to report this. She told me I hadn't given them a fair chance and to keep taking them. She also had the salespeople above her (this is a pyramid type sales company) call me to say the same .. just stick with them, you'll love them.

Foolishly, I did stick with them because I did agree that four days probably wasn't long enough to give them a fair try. I periodically spoke to the salesperson, always indicating that I was not seeing the results promised, etc. Just keep taking them, sometimes it takes a couple of months for the benefits to "kick in," is what I was always told.

At the end of the supply I had taken, I still was not favorably impressed, nor did I want to re-order, that's for sure! I began calling my salesperson to say I would like my money refunded, as she had told me up front when speaking to me about the guarantee. Problem was, she was no where to be found! I left message after message for her at numerous numbers and even through a couple of people who knew her, to know avail. She NEVER contacted me.

So I decided to contact the company directly. Since this is one of those pyramid sales, there's no building or office you can go to. I looked them up on the web, and emailed them through their website. Basically, they said, send back the UNOPENED products and I could get my money back. But wait! That's NOT what I had been told when she was trying to sell them to me. And how very CONVENIENT that she and the sales people above her kept telling me to USE the products because I might not see the benefit if I didn't use them for a couple of months. When she was trying to sell me the products, she never told me that there were any limitations on the guarantee or that if I actually used the product (d'uh!) that I couldn't get my money back.

So I wrote the company again, pointing out that the salespeople had insisted I wasn't giving the products a fair chance and to keep taking them. NEVER had they told me that had anything to do with the guarantee. All I had ever been told was that I would be satisfied, guaranteed. The company COMPLETELY IGNORED my second letter.

Now in addition to what I consider total misrepresentation of a guarantee, I want to mention how appalled I was when I was first ordering this product (over the phone) and the order taker started asking all these personal questions, like my date of birth and social security number. I said, what in the world do you want to know that for? They said, well, in order for you to sell the products we need to have this information. I said, SELL the products?!! I haven't even TRIED them yet. Why would I want to sell something I haven't even tried?!. But that's what kind of company this is. The second teir sales people even bragged to me about how much money they were raking in on this product. I thought pyramid sales was illegal, anyway.

All I wanted was to be treated fairly, and to get the guarantee I was promised.

So needless to say, I hated the products (which not only did not deliver on the results I was "guaranteed" they actually had the exact opposite effect.) and I hate the company for their lousy customer service. I don't see how this will ever be resolved since both the sales person and the company refuse to even communicate with me. Which means I am out my $500.00. That's a lot of money, to me.

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I am so sorry for your bad experience. However, your comments have saved me from making a similar mistake. I was invited to a presentation. I wanted to learn about the product but the only thing they wanted to talk about was how much money you could make. This was a signal to me that the company may not be very reputable. Perhaps you can explore other avenues such as the Better Business Bureau, District Attorney, or something.

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I just want to add that advocare is an excellent company. Nothing is guaranteed but i do know that i have taken it and saw great results, and so have 3 of my friends. No one i don't believe has put a gun to your head and made you by the products, i think personally by you having negative energy you produced a negative effect. I am not on hear to redicule you or make fun, but if you follow the regimate that your supposed to follow and practice a healthy lifestyle then i know the outcome would have been positive.

Now as for the pyramid comment, you are right pyramid schemes are illegal, advocare is not that. Advocare is no different then lets say AMWAY, which has the same concept. I.E. one of the most successful IBOs out there. (indepenent business owner) just in case you didn't know. So i apologize for your negative experiences but the product is pretty awesome and has a lot of backing to prove it. I used it 7 yrs ago and have requested that other people use it to, and they all have been impressed. Sorry for your inconvinience. Have a great week. Hope things have gotten better for you

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I have been using Advocare products for 8 years and I signed up as a distributor so I could get a discount on my products. I have never had a problem and love the products. I lost 54 lbs and feel really good. This company does not force you to sell a certain amount to keep your discount which I think is awesome because honestly I am not a sales person at all. They keep improving and putting out new stuff. I am a very satisfied customer.

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I had the pleasure of reading your letter about your unfavorable experience with Advocare. I wanted to share some insight to your complaints and then my experience. First you mentioned that the person you dealt with promised you something that did not come to past, like a guarantee. Remember it is always the consumers responsibility to check those details before purchasing and the credibility of the person selling the product before slamming the company. I have dealt with many sales people in all different kinds of business's and it happens even with the most prestigious of companies.It sounds like your sales rep that you purchased from may have been over zealous to get you to try the product and may not have explained how to use them. Most of the time in what I have seen in situations like yours is you bought on emotion from wanting what most people want, is to feel better and look better. The problem inherently is most people do not know how to reach those goals without specific direction.

Second, I have recently tried advocare products and followed the program as designed and to my pleasant surprise I lost 30 pounds in 2 months. I have duplicated my success with 8 people already. Not one have had complaints because I was with them supporting and instructing them through the course. My test phase of the products and system Advocare provided was awesome and hope that you reconsider the company and focus more on the integrity of the person you dealt with. Maybe even look at the system you followed that you mentioned you gained weight on the system. Good luck in your future health choices,remember Advocare is a supplement company, you still have to know how to eat and prepare your meals.