Left Behind

Terry Goddard – Arizona Attorney General – as a victory on behalf of the people. The victory was against shady Acai dealers Central Coast Nutraceuticals, and should hopefully put a stop to the business practices that threatened to bring down the entire Acai industry.

CCN’s business model appeared to rely on scamming potential customers by offering them ‘free trials’ of Acai berry and other health products. This free trial quickly turned into a paid subscription, and customers were unable to cancel the charges. In addition, CCN were sending out products not ordered by customers and charging for these too.

All in all, CCN’s conduct towards customers was actively deceptive. Part of the settlement requires that CCN does not continue with these deceptive sales and advertising practices. The financial part of the settlement – a fine of $1,375,000 – hits CCN where it hurts. Whether the fine is large enough or not is a matter for further discussion, but at least it is several steps in the right direction. Hopefully this will instill some fear into those carrying on with similar business models. Rogue practices like this bring problems to the entire industry, and do a lot to harm legitimate Acai Juice and Acai health and diet food distributors.

If you want to be considered for a proportion of the $350,000 that has been set aside customer restitution, then you should file a complaint to the Arizona attorney general’s office by August 17, 2009. Customers are unlikely to receive all monies lost, but of course every little helps.