Reebok is paying a pretty sum to the Federal Trade
Commission, $25M in fact. Why? Because they lied in the worst possible way. They
told women that if they were to wear their Reebok EasyTone, then their butt and
thighs would shrink and tone. I mean, way to be cruel.
We all know the answer to shrinking and toning is
the treadmill. We all wish the answer to shrinking and toning was as simple as
putting on a pair of shoes, sitting on our butt, and watching Breakfast at
Tiffany's while the inches disappear.
Reebok is paying the largest fine in recent FTC
history and in addition, has been ordered to allow their consumers to return
the shoe for a full refund. To lie about the effectiveness of a product is
foolish for any brand. It will damage a brand's reputation and relationship
with consumers. For a sporting brand like Reebok, it's foolish to show flaws in
your research and design when competitors like Nike and Adidas are killing it
in that arena.
I agree with the FTC's decision. I also secretly
think there are some women on that FTC board who heard about this shoe, bought
them immediately, wore them every day and saw no results. Of all the products
to lie about, Reebok, a lesson for the future: don't tell women you're going to
shrink their butt and thighs! They will find you.
You may ask..."but the Kardashian's endorsed them...doesn't that mean they work?" Umm, no.
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