Before purchasing a weight loss product, keep in mind that offers that seem too good to be true... often are. Beware of claims of results that border on the miraculous.
False promises
A merchant who, for example, claims that you will lose 20 pounds in one month by using its weight loss products must fulfill that promise.
A merchant must also be prepared to justify its promotional information. Unless it is true, a merchant cannot claim, among other things, that:
- the effectiveness of its product has been scientifically proven;
- its use is approved by doctors.
Compliance of the product
The product you are sold must comply with:
- its description provided in your contract;
- what the merchant has told you;
- the information that appears on the packaging;
- advertisements of any type (poster, sign, website, TV commercial, salesperson, etc.
Recourse options
You can try to have the price lowered or your purchase cancelled if the merchant fails to respect your agreement. Here are the steps to follow:
- Try to reach an agreement with the merchant. The How to negotiate with a merchant page explains the procedure.
- If you are unable to come to an agreement, send the merchant a formal notice. The Sending a formal notice page explains the procedure.
- If the merchant does not reply to your demands, you can petition the court to rule on the issue. The Filing a complaint with the small claims court page provides details on this subject.
You can also contact the Office de la protection du consommateur to find out whether you can file a complaint.
Other examples of prohibited practices
Go to the page that covers prohibited advertising practices for more examples.
Last update : June 18, 2018
Were you unable to find an answer to your question? Please call us.
The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.
