My complaint about Sit and Slim is upheld. But what about that wraparound?
I have received lots of comments on my blog posts Lose weight by sitting down? and I have complained to the Advertising Standards Agency about Sit and Slim. Muriji promote the use of their chairs - at considerable expense - in five locations, one of which is in New Malden, and a number of local people feel they have been misled and ripped off by this company.
Today I feel entirely vindicated - which is definitely a good feeling.
Three other people (encouraged by my blog) also complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about the adverts by Miruji for Sit and Slim chairs, and the ASA added in some further issues. Altogether they submitted seven different issues to the ASA Council, and the Council upheld all of them.
You can read the judgement here, but in essence it states:
1. The so-called trial at Hellesdon Hospital "did not show that Sit and Slim could result in weight reduction, improve self-esteem, increase confidence, reduce or eliminate aches and pains, facilitate the healing and prevention of injuries or improve sleep" so the claims "had not been substantiated and were misleading".
2. Phrases like 'NHS Hospital trial' were misleading because it "was not NHS-approved or formal research".
3. The claim that the chair was worth £10,000 was not substantiated.
4. The claim that the Sit and Slim chair could reduce blood pressure breached the rules about advertising health related products.
5. The ads also breached the rules about advertising treatments for obesity.
6. Miruji did not provide documentary evidence that one of the testimonials was genuine.
7. The ads "gave the impression that weight loss would be a direct and inevitable consequence of using the programme itself and that it was unlikely to be clear to readers that any weight reduction would have to come entirely from lifestyle changes that they would have to implement themselves."
The conclusion is very clear.
"The ads must not appear again in their current form."
Muruji are also advised to consult the ASA advice team before creating any more ads.
I was actually sent a copy of the judgment on Thursday 19th April, embargoed until today. The judgement became operative on the day before that and Miruji would have had sight of it earlier in the week.
So you can imagine my surprise at finding a four page advertorial for Sit and Slim wrapped around the Kingston Guardian dated 19th April. The ad repeated all the claims that were trashed by the ASA. The company must have known that the judgement was imminent and decided to have one last go.
I phoned ASA about the wraparound, and they talked about the lead time for preparing and placing an ad in the local press, so could not criticise them. Of course, they will take action if any new ads appear in the future.
However, the company's website still makes many of the claims that have been criticised by the ASA. (I won't do them a favour by providing a link to the website from my blog, but you know how to Google)
I've also passed all my information on to the Surrey Comet/Kingston Guardian, so I hope they will cover the story soon.
Comments
At last! I have been waging a battle with this company for over 19 months about their misleading advertising, misleading claims made during their sales pitch and about the unfair terms in their so-called contract.
I have complained to the OFT and on their advice to the local Trading Standards office, but despite their backing I am being pursued for an amount of £1400 for foolishly signing an agreement in a dimly lit room.
After just one treatment I realised that this was not going to help me in any way and I cancelled my standing order, only to be told that I had "bound myself" to Miruji Health & Wellbeing.
They have so far avoided taking me to court so that I can put my case before a judge, but instead I am being harassed and threatened by their debt collectors.
I am delighted that you and other people have also challenged this company and that you have won your case.
Oh dear, poor you. Have you thought of suing them in the County Court? I am no expert, but I did once take a case myself (for a holiday disaster) to the Small Claims Court and won. It was very straightforward and you are given step by step advice on what to do.
I've been looking for other complaints on the web, so happy to see I'm not the only one. I tried to cancel my membership after a couple of trys after which my back started hurting. Provided a dr's letter but they refused to get back to me to cancel. Harlands, the financial services harassed me for payments but after several months of arguing, they have agreed to cancel the agreement as miruji have not responded to me or them! Some company. I have now received a letter from Shropshire council asking me to inform them of the issues I have faced as they are investigating the company after several complaints. They made it sound so amazing and the offer was only available after one free 15 minute trial, which was very relaxing after a long day at work. It's not worth it, other than a relaxing massage, which you can do for a lot cheaper without having to pay a membership. As for losing weight, nonsense!
Denfar, further to my comment mentioned on Mary's other blog (there seems to be 3 going at the same time) as you didn't pay any money at all I'm not sure whether the small claims court is right in your case.
The forms can be obtained from libraries or the county court in Kingston (not the Crown court) and they will tell you whether you can go down this route.
Not nice to be threatened by debt collectors but I bet they won't take you to court. If you stand your ground they may eventually give up.
Perhaps you will keep us posted?
Hi Chelsea Blue,
You are right, I haven't suffered any financial loss so I can't take them to County Court. I can only defend myself if they take me to court themselves.
The company acting on Miruji's behalf is Credit Resolution Services in Haywards Heath, and they have got as far as sending me a County Court claims form which they have completed and getting ready to send off, in an effort to pressure me into paying.
However, I responded with a list of requests for documentation - including a request for the contract I actually signed, which I'm entitled to see, and they have so far been unable to come up with it.
Will keep you posted.
I have also received a questionnaire from Shropshire council.
Let's hope enough people complain to get this company brought to account.
I have noticed that new advertisements are now appearing in the Kingston Guardian, and that they are now claiming the therapies used are a combination of Neuro Linguistic Programming and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
So far as I'm concerned, both these claims are nonsense. The tapes I heard were no more than relaxation tapes, and they certainly don't resemble any other NLP sessions I've heard before - such as by Paul McKenna or by the founder of NLP, Richard Bandler.
I'm registering a new complaint with the ASA as I doubt very much if MR Sharrock can substantiate these claims either.
Yes, there was a four page wrap around to this week's local Guardian.
I agree with Denfar that the claims about NLP and CBT are very suspect, and I'm pleased you've lodged a new complaint.
Beyond that, the new ad omitted all the claims that the ASA had ruled on, so it is a bit of a victory. But it seems they will find any way they can to use spurious medical claims to endorse their product, which is nothing more than a massage chair with relaxation tapes.
Interesting that they are offering a trial for £6 (not a bad price for a massage chair session) instead of the usual price of £48 (which is ridiculous)
Thank goodness I have finally discovered this site and other people sharing my anger, upset and frustration with Miruji. I am just about at my wits end with this excuse for a 'spa'. All of my experiences are shared in the comments above, from the trial evening where I was bombarded qith aggressive tactics, cornering me into a making a decision there & then because I was unable to think about it. To join, I had to sign up that night, or not at all. The evening was all very relaxing, and at the point that I (stupidly) gave in and signed the agreement, I was under the impression that I was joining some type of spa where I could relax on a pretend beach, be relaxed & reinvigorated on a massage chair etc. On arrival I was told that I could not use anything else other than the chair, unless I wanted to upgrade my membership. Alarm bells started ringing. I was then told that before my chair sessions started I neede my 'weigh in' and was alarmed to discover that I was on a 2 stone weight loss programme when I had not even mentioned any desire to lose weight.
I still attended once or twice thinking at least the massage from the chair can do no harm, but the level of service was far below what I would deem acceptable. People in shoes running up & down wooden stairs, people talking & laughing loudly, doors opening & slamming, phones ringing etc, none of which contributes to a very relaxing experience.
In a nutshell, I felt that I had been misled, misinformed and coerced into signing up to membership of something that I did not in fact want. Then on visiting the place, what I had actually signed up to in no way resembled what I was led to expect. When I asked to discuss this with the owner he made short shrift and was unavailable.
I then sent the letters expressing my upset and anger and requested that my membership be cancelled. Meanwhile I cancelled my own direct debit.
Since then I have had letters from Harlands Group demanding outtanding monies plus admin charges, and STILL I have no resolution to the issues. The owner of Miruji is just downright refusing to cancel my membership and said that from now on it is in the hands of the Harlands debt recovery team because I must complete the 12 month minimum contract.
I feel like screaming because it is all so wrong. The organisation is a complete sham. I have also contacted Watchdog urging them to investigate them as rogue traders, as well as Trading Standards.
They cannot be allowed to coerce, mislead and mistreat people like this.
On your recommendation I will also now submit something to the ASA. Interestingly their adverts in Shropshire boast 'As Seen on Dragons Den, TV'. What they don't say is that their massage chair was laughed out of Dragon's Den as nonsense; yet more evidence of misleading advertising.
My own mother approaching 70 years old, has moved miles away, and is also nursing a husband with cancer and yet they are also refusing to cancel her membership too. Same situation.
To say I am furious with this organisation is an understatement and they need to be brought down.
Barrie - what a dreadful experience, and all happening after the ASA ruling. Do let us know how you get on with the ASA, Trading Standards and others.
One other avenue I've thought of is the Money problem pages in national newspapers like the Guardian (on Saturdays) and the Observer. In particular they had a campaign about health clubs who tied people in to long contracts even when they had lost their jobs or moved away. This sounds very similar to the position your mother is in.
I have also been waiting for this site Miruji talked both myself and my husband into signing up in the same dim lit room, however we did not realise that we were signing up with a company beside miruji, this Harlands a direct debit company and they are now pursuing me for money adding ridiculous amounts of charges making the debt grow. My husband has a bad back and was advised that if he signed up to the sit and slim program he would loose weight and in time would help his back, after a few weeks my husbands back became worse and when he asked questions he was told then it was probably best if he didn't use the chair just sit on the beach. My husband decided that it was not worth the money to have only half the benefits so canceled his membership. He has since had to have chiropractic treatment costing considerable amounts of money. I myself was told that if I signed up and hadn't lost the 3 stone with in the 3 months I would get 3 months free this statement has now been denied. They call themselves MIRUJI Health & wellbeing I have never felt so stressed out in all my as do now due to their bully boy tactics and debt collection persuit.
One other avenue is to ask for advice from the Citizen's Advice Bureau. They can certainly help with issues of debt and with improper sales techniques.
See: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm
I would also like to say that although they talk you into minimum contract it states in the paperwork that you have to cancel the DD in writing to Harlands and not Miruji after the 12 month period they will continue to take your money.
It really angers me that Miruji hides behind this DD company and will not help you all they are interested in is your money.
Yes I agree, and feel equally angry and frustrated. I am also more stressed & anxious than I have ever been as a result of dealing with this.
When the owner confirmed to me yesterday that he would not cancel the membership as I had agreed to a 12 month contract that could not be cancelled for any reason, I asked him to advise therefore exactly when I would be freed. He said, as you state, only after completing 12 months of membership, then a request in writing one month after the last payment - otherwise they continue to take money.
He said from here on, ensure you only liaise with Harlands regarding the money owed!
Wants absolutely nothing to do me.
Like I say, I was misled, misinformed and coerced into something that turned out had no resemblance to what I was led to expect. I am however finding it impossible to get my membership cancelled and nullified. I refuse to pay money for a year for something that I don't even want or need, and particularly after the way I was treated and led into such nonsense.
Also, their own terms & conditions on the rear of the pink agreement sheet state a clause 14 - where you are able to cancel if their level of service falls below what is deemend acceptable. I have even quoted this back to them on many occasions and he just doesn't respond. Same response - you agreed to the contract and you are unable to cancel it.
Unfortunately I tried CAB and they were unable to offer any really worthwhile advice. I have been insisting however that Trading Standards look into their practice, and I have had an email advising me that the Office of Fair Trading are looking into it - which gives me slight hope.
I am assured slightly even by this site, and joining forces with other aggrieved people.
One maybe two people could be wrong, but surely not this many cases of similar issues?!
Barrie, I am in total agreement with you and completely relate to your anger and frustration.
After 2 years I am STILL in battle with Harlands/Credit Resolution Services who seem to appoint themselves as Prosecutor, Judge and Jury in their correspondence. They really are bully boys just as much as Mr Sharrock himself - I wonder if he actually has shares in Harlands as well, they certainly come out of the same stable.
I'd be interested in knowing if they have actually taken anyone to County Court, because they have threatened me with it 3 times but not got there yet.
Please can you advise of the contact details for Watchdog? Perhaps if they receive a few similar complaints they will investigate and publicise this complete sham of a company.
Sorry about the delay in moderating comments. You'll see from elsewhere on this blog that I'm a volunteer Games Maker at the Paralympics so I'm not getting online very much at the moment.
Hi, I am so please someone else feels the same way as me about the sham of a company. I have had the exact same experience and am going through the exact same problems as you. I am currently trying to build a defence case ready for if he tries to take me and my mother to court for the fee's. I point blank refuse to pay him a penny after feeling we've brain washed and pressured into signing up to a membership we would never of taken if in a completely normal state of mind. The sales tactics are underhand and unethical and targeted at people when at their most vulnerable.
Please let me know if you find any evidence that could help to bring this company down and stop others suffering the same stress and upset caused by his absurd selling tactics.
Regards
Donna Titley
diddydoe11@gmail.com
I too have been duped into paying over £500 to sit in a chair with broken headphones and to listen to nothing more than how to picture a beach in my head!!!!!
I also have Harlands chasing me as i cancelled my direct debit.
Is it worth all of us working together and putting a collective case to watchdog and the OFT??
If anyone would like to contact me through the Email me form (at the top of the page), I can put you in touch with others so you can take some collective action.
Can anyone tell me if they know of anyone who has actually been taken to court over non payment yet? I am currently ignoring all letters from Harlands and it's now being handed over to a debt collection agency. I just want to know the likelihood of ending up in court over it, as it's not something I relish the thought of but don't want to back down either!
Thanks
Donna
Hi Donna
I am in a similar situation and would also be interested in finding out if anyone has yet been to Court.
Donna, please provide Mary withyour email address if you would like to hear from others in similar situations - I'm sure we can help each other.
kind regards,
Denise
I made a further complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about recent adverts which claim that the audio tapes offer a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Neuro Linguistic Programming.
All complete nonsense of course, and the ASA agrees with me!
For full details on the ruling, see:
http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2012/10/Alan-Sharrock/SHP_AD...
Brilliant - well done!
after stupidly signing up to the sit and slim programe..i have a doctors letter to cancel my membership.these chairs have given me terrible back ache..also i have a achillies heel injury.. being made worse by the chair...i have wrote to miruji..and phoned and been in person to ask to cancel...yet i am still waiting for a reply..i have contacted the voice coach..trading standerds and the direct debit company itself...what else can i do???
Hi i phoned alan yesterday only a month after i sent my letter..he had the cheek to say he knew nothing about my back problems..yet only a hour before i spoke to a woman called becky and she had recieved my letter...ive contacted watchdog and the Cab,,,
Hi , yes same happened to me but really its our own faults , but like every one elsa i thought great
this is really going to help, and when you are fighting depression you believe what he says , now i think what have i done , iv wrote to Harlands waiting for a reply,
Has any one gone to court? or hopeful has it gone quiet?
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