Instatrim.com Takes your money and does not send the product. Ripoff Mandan North Dakota

BBB Reliability Report

BBB
Serving Minnesota and North Dakota
2706 Gannon Road
Saint Paul, MN 55116
651-699-1111
mnd.bbb.org

Complete Weight Loss Center
3531 Memorial Hwy
Mandan, ND 58554
Telephone: (888) 829-0637
Fax: (602) 532-7528
instatrim.com

The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report
BBB Definition:

report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB membership information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues
BBB Definition:

advertising issues - Claims alleging print or electronic media advertised claims or practices misrepresent the service or product offer.


or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.

Original Business Start Date: May 2002
Principal: Mr. David Guthmiller, Owner/Manager
Email Address: Jeremy@completeweightlosscenter.com
TOB Classification: Weight Control Services, Health Food / Nutritional Supplement Stores
BBB Membership: This company is not a member.


Additional DBA Names

Weight Loss For All LLC
InstaTrim
Livewell Consulting LLC

Principal Officer
Mr. David Guthmiller is the Owner/Manager of the company.

Nature Of Business

According to information in BBB files, Instatrim sells weight-loss kits which include weight-loss tips and weight-loss tablets.

Customer Experience

Based on the BBB's file on this company, it has an unsatisfactory record
BBB Definition:

unsatisfactory record - A company has an "unsatisfactory business performance record" with the BBB is based on the experiences reflected in BBB files. This file condition results when the company has failed to resolve or respond to complaints, repeatedly failed to respond or resolve issues in a timely manner, failed to resolve the underlying issues for a pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.

of complaints, failed to honor their commitment to mediate or arbitrate disputes or honor mediated agreements or arbitrated decisions, failed to substantiate, modify or discontinue false advertising claims
BBB Definition:

advertising claims - The BBB reviews business advertising, (newspaper, magazine, TV, radio, internet) routinely to ensure that it is truthful and ethical. Claims in advertising are measured against basic advertising principles of the BBB Code of Advertising
BBB Definition:

BBB Code of Advertising - bbb.org/membership/codeofad.asp

which was developed to guide advertisers, advertising agencies and advertising media.

that are challenged by the BBB, or failed to discontinue unauthorized use of the BBB name and logo, a Federally protected trademark.

due to the pattern
BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.

and volume of complaint received and failure to respond to an advertising challenge.

Specifically, complaintants state that the terms and conditions of the sale are not clearly stated and that medical limitations for use are not clearly stated before purchase.

Consumers should understand that when they purchase of introductory materials, they agree to regular future purchases unless they contact the company directly and cancel the future purchases.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

The Bureau processed a total of 130 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. 44 of these were closed in the past year.Of the total of 130 complaints closed in 36 months, 44 were closed in the last year.

Advertising Issues
BBB Definition:

Advertising Issues - Claims alleging print or electronic media advertised claims or practices misrepresent the service or product offer.

Unresolved
BBB Definition:

Unresolved - The company failed to resolve the complaint issues.

1 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.

Billing or Collection Issues
BBB Definition:

Billing or Collection Issues - Claim alleging billing errors, unauthorized charges, or questionable collection practices.

Resolved
BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

40 - Company resolved
BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
39 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
28 - Company resolved
BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues, but not within the BBB's timeframe.
Unresolved
BBB Definition:

Unresolved - The company failed to resolve the complaint issues.

3 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.
Administratively Closed
BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

10 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.
4 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
1 - BBB determined the company provided proper verification that indicated there was no obligation to resolve the issues of the complaint.

Sales Practice Issues
BBB Definition:

Sales Practice Issues - Claims of alleged sales presentations made in person or by telephone that contain misrepresentations of the product or service, high pressure sales practices, failure to disclose key conditions of the offer, and verbal representations not consistent with written contractual terms or agreements.

Resolved
BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

2 - Company resolved
BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

Delivery Issues
BBB Definition:

Delivery Issues - Claims alleging delayed delivery of ordered merchandise.

Resolved
BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company resolved
BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues, but not within the BBB's timeframe.

Advertising Review

In September 2006, the BBB issued an advertising challenge requesting that this company modify its web site to prominently disclose that when customers sign up for a "free offer" they are automatically enrolled in a membership program for additional products and/or an online support center program, which has a monthly fee. Next, the BBB asked the company to change the web site to make all programs an "opt in" choice, not an "opt-out" matter as this was resulting in numerous complaints. Further, the BBB asked that this company remove any references or inferences that "nothing would be automatically shipped to your home". Finally, the BBB asked why the company was not able to respond to customers regarding inquires about return credits for six weeks.

While the company did respond to the BBB's initial letter, it has not modified it's web site to eliminate the cause of complaint. This advertising challenge was closed as unresolved
BBB Definition:

unresolved - The company failed to resolve the complaint issues.

Industry Tips

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Promotions

According to the Better Business Bureaus, weight loss schemes are on the increase. Many weight loss promotions will promise consumers the loss of several pounds in a week or overnight without shunning their favorite foods or having to exercise
Some dieters peg their hopes on pills and capsules that promise to "burn," "block," "flush," or otherwise eliminate fat from their system, but medical science has yet to come up with a magic pill, potion or device for weight loss. Some pills may help to control appetite, but they can often have serious side effects. Many weight loss promotions only thin your wallet, not your figure.

Be wary of claims that promise immediate, effortless and/or "guaranteed" weight loss. Also watch for buzzwords like "breakthrough," "secret," "exclusive," or "miraculous" in advertisements. They are not scientific words and often appear in misleading promotions for fraudulent products. Also be skeptical of self-proclaimed health advisors who sell their products by using high pressure sales tactics and one-time-only offers. Be cautious of vaguely worded testimonials that cannot be verified. Testimonials should not serve as a substitute for scientific proof of a product's efficacy.

Before committing to a weight loss product or program, check with your physician, a qualified nutritionist and/or a registered dietitian. Also check the offer out with the Better Business Bureau or your nearest Food and Drug Administration office if you have questions about an advertised product. If the promotion or plan sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Of course, any diet pill or other weight loss product is, at best, only a temporary or partial measure. Long-term weight loss requires a permanent change in eating habits and regular exercise.
3/25/2003