ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said in a statement: "Power Balance has admitted that there is no credible scientific basis for the claims and therefore no reasonable grounds for making representations about the benefits of the product.
"Its conduct may have contravened the misleading and deceptive conduction section of the Trade Practices Act 1974," Mr Samuel said.
"When a product is heavily promoted, sold at major sporting stores and worn by celebrities, consumers tend to give a certain legitimacy to the product and the representations being made."
www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/power-balance-bracelets-exposed-as-a-sham-20101223-195u7.html
Pity a LOT of other companies and products aren't made to adhere to as strict standards of proof.
It'll be interesting to see how the "ambassadors" react, and whether they will keep wearing and supporting their bands now.
Although just because I can't "scientifically" prove that I feel stronger and more flexible wearing the band (or my lucky underpants), does mean that I don't feel stronger and more flexible.
i'm sure the power balance company saw this coming when they started out and just hoped to make as much cash as possible before the fad was exposed or people lost interest.
i wonder if the suckers who bought power balance bands are the same who bought and wore lycra tights when they were marketed as 'skins'?
The poor dudes that had a stand at the pKRA on the goldy - i think the compay was elken powerbands -
They were trying to promote their product and all the kites knew it was a sham -
They couldnt even sell em for $20
The stood there all week and talked to about 5 people
It is amazing what rubbish people believe in. Everyone that bought one deserves to loose their $20 - $60.
my room mate genuinely thought that she had better physical balance whilst wearing one i.e you could push her soulder and she wouldnt fall over if she was wearing one, but would if she wasnt. her other friend carried a PB card (plastic card with powerbalance written on it @ about $60 a pop) in her handbag..so she has better balance whilst walking down the street! I thought it was so funny i just agreed and let them run with it.
if the hologram doesnt work, the marketing sure does!
no but seriously it makes me balance so much better and i land like everything with one on
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein
Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything.
-Frank Dane
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.
-Elbert Hubbard
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
-Euripides
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
-Author Unknown
Fools rush in where fools have been before.
-Author Unknown
Lord, what fools these mortals be!
-William Shakespeare
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
-Percy Bysshe Shelley
The same could be said for organised religion.... The biggest scam of all... and still gettin em by the millions!!
