Financial Planning What to do When a Company Lies About Its Products Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Written by Mint.com Published Mar 15, 2012 - [Updated Oct 19, 2021] 3 min read Advertising Disclosure The views expressed on this blog are those of the bloggers, and not necessarily those of Intuit. Third-party blogger may have received compensation for their time and services. Click here to read full disclosure on third-party bloggers. This blog does not provide legal, financial, accounting or tax advice. The content on this blog is "as is" and carries no warranties. Intuit does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the content on this blog. After 20 days, comments are closed on posts. Intuit may, but has no obligation to, monitor comments. Comments that include profanity or abusive language will not be posted. Click here to read full Terms of Service. They say the truth will set you free, but sometimes, not telling the truth can make you lots of money. That’s the assertion made by a California woman suing the maker of a major orange juice brand, claiming that its “100% pure and natural” orange juice is, in fact, not. In a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year, she claims the company, knowing consumers “want and demand natural products,” deceives them in its advertising and packaging for some of its juice. In fact, the juice is extensively processed in a way that changes its essential nature, she adds. This is hardly the first time people have claimed something was wrong with their drink. In my book, “Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals” I explore the fascinating case of yet another beverage, which made health claims about its products that some consumers found misleading. The question is, what do you do when you think a company has lied about one of its products? The lawsuit. Based on the previous two examples, you might think a lawsuit is the fastest and easiest way to get a company to start telling the “truth.” It isn’t. Actually, it’s most often the last resort. Lawsuits are expensive and they take a lot of time. Unfortunately, the good guys don’t always win, either. Buy carefully. Did you do all of your research before plunking down your credit card? Often, with just a little research, you can determine if a company’s assertions are correct, or if they’re inflated. As I explain in Scammed, most lies can – and should – be caught at this stage: before you buy. Ask for clarification. If you’ve bought something you believe is fraudulent, try asking the company for clarification. Sometimes, what you think is a fib is actually a misunderstanding, and it can be fixed with a quick conversation. Note: It’s better to phrase this as a question, rather than an accusation (in other words, instead of saying, “This orange juice isn’t 100 percent pure!” try “What does 100 percent pure mean, exactly?” Appeal to the management or executive level. If you’re unhappy with the answer you get from a rank-and-file employee, contact a manager. The best way to get an “official” answer or clarification is to put your request in writing, preferably as an email. I list the names of many managers on my customer-service wiki. Go to a higher authority. Take your case to a government regulatory agency, a media organization or, ahem, a consumer advocate (like me). A third party may be in a better position to gain clarity, and possibly push for clearer language to appear in any labeling or marketing claims. It would also send an unmistakably clear signal to the company that you’re not going away until it does something. Stop buying the product – and tell others to do the same. The boycott should be your last stop before filing a lawsuit. Tell everyone you know that the product is phony, urge them not to buy the product, and only if that fails should you take your case to a court. Companies stretch the truth about their products – or lie – often. But if you follow these steps, you can help put an end to it. Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate who blogs about getting better customer service at On Your Side. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook or send him your questions by email. Previous Post Don’t Throw That Out! Smart Uses for Your Pantry’s Odds… Next Post Spring Cleaning Tips for Under $20 Written by Mint.com More from Mint.com Browse Related Articles Mint App News Intuit Credit Karma welcomes all Minters! Retirement 101 5 Things the SECURE 2.0 Act changes about retirement Home Buying 101 What Are Homeowners Association (HOA) Fees and What Do They Cover? Financial Planning What Are Tax Deductions and Credits? 20 Ways To Save on Taxes Financial Planning What Is Income Tax and How Is It Calculated? Investing 101 The 15 Best Investments for 2023 Investing 101 How To Buy Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide Investing 101 What Is Real Estate Wholesaling? Life What Is A Brushing Scam? Financial Planning WTFinance: Annuities vs Life Insurance