"Success story" fibs and fluffs - Page 2

Lucky Star · 07-03-10, 11:37 AM

And you know, it's the same darn photo! If she's used different pics with different outfits, settings, hairstyles... I doubt I'd look closely enough to see it was the same woman anyway. But the exact same photo?? Seems like BB would buy the exclusive rights to use it promotionally. I'm not stupid (I hope!) but it just takes the whole "Gee look what Turbo Fire did for ME!" vibe out of it, kwim?

Mushie, I hope her career isn't at stake either!!

neatski · 07-03-10, 11:38 AM

Some unscrupulous companies allegedly pay people to write reviews for their workouts on sites like Collage and Amazon, too. I wouldn't be surprised if they directly contact some of these "success stories" and hire them to advertize their products. That's one of the reasons I find this site so helpful- so many people have been around for a while that I can trust the posts, and I know people give honest opinions.

Lucky Star · 07-03-10, 11:44 AM

Oh you'll get honest opinions here... sometimes brutally honest, lol.

suzy · 07-03-10, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neatski

Some unscrupulous companies allegedly pay people to write reviews for their workouts on sites like Collage and Amazon, too. I wouldn't be surprised if they directly contact some of these "success stories" and hire them to advertize their products. That's one of the reasons I find this site so helpful- so many people have been around for a while that I can trust the posts, and I know people give honest opinions.

It probably happens more than you think. I work as a freelance writer, and I have had more than one request (none from fitness instructors) to post reviews for products I've never used. I work through a freelance site, and I see jobs posted all the time asking for that. The site is pretty good about monitoring and closing those job postings, but it shows me that it must be a pretty common practice.

The FTC just made some strict rules about endorsing products that went into effect within the past year. I'm not sure they're enforcing it though.

I came to the conclusion a long time ago that any combination of diet and exercise will get results if you're consistent. It's just that it's easier for me to be consistent with some things than with others.

Mary09(b) · 07-03-10, 12:26 PM

Like those weight loss drug commercials on FitTV... The 'before' pic is a fitness model about 4 minutes post-partum, only they don't tell you that part.

saffron · 07-03-10, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary09(b)

Like those weight loss drug commercials on FitTV... The 'before' pic is a fitness model about 4 minutes post-partum, only they don't tell you that part.

ROTFL

On Rachel Cosgrove's site she got a "before" pic of a woman about 8 months pregnant

DEEDEE · 07-03-10, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saffron

ROTFL

On Rachel Cosgrove's site she got a "before" pic of a woman about 8 months pregnant

LOL! I bet that one dropped a lot of weight fast...say...over night.

Sophia · 07-03-10, 12:53 PM

My mom knew a girl (family friends' daughter) that was a model years ago. She was in one of those before and after pics and she had never been fat. They just put her into a baggy dress and drab makeup and shot the before and then did her up nicely and put on a more flattering outfit for after.

This type of stuff has been around forever. From using 20 year olds to push anti-wrinkle creams to adding fake eyelashes for mascara ads. One of the guys I work with is married to a makeup artist. He said that according to her, when they do magazine shoots and list the makeup used, they just make up the model with whatever they have/use and then pick the closest colors to list of whatever brand they're pushing.

counterclockwise · 07-03-10, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophia

This type of stuff has been around forever. From using 20 year olds to push anti-wrinkle creams to adding fake eyelashes for mascara ads.

Oh the false eyelashes on mascara ads drives me insane! They don't even try to make them look reasonable - they are so big that they look crazy!

steakhousegirl · 07-03-10, 01:46 PM

I agree..it's all about staging. Take a photo of me in the morning, no make-up, hair mussed and then give me a make-over. It would be incredible. Also baggy clothes vs. more fitted clothing.

I never believe the testamonials but I still love infomercials!

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07-03-10, 11:37 AM
Lucky Star VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: A helluva town	And you know, it's the same darn photo! If she's used different pics with different outfits, settings, hairstyles... I doubt I'd look closely enough to see it was the same woman anyway. But the exact same photo?? Seems like BB would buy the exclusive rights to use it promotionally. I'm not stupid (I hope!) but it just takes the whole "Gee look what Turbo Fire did for ME!" vibe out of it, kwim? Mushie, I hope her career isn't at stake either!! __________________ ~ Gina ~ "Remain cheerful, for nothing destructive can pierce through the solid wall of cheerfulness." ~Sri Chinmoy "We are so fortunate that we get to exercise!" ~Erin O'Brien

07-03-10, 11:38 AM
neatski Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, FL	Some unscrupulous companies allegedly pay people to write reviews for their workouts on sites like Collage and Amazon, too. I wouldn't be surprised if they directly contact some of these "success stories" and hire them to advertize their products. That's one of the reasons I find this site so helpful- so many people have been around for a while that I can trust the posts, and I know people give honest opinions.

07-03-10, 11:44 AM
Lucky Star VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: A helluva town	Oh you'll get honest opinions here... sometimes brutally honest, lol. __________________ ~ Gina ~ "Remain cheerful, for nothing destructive can pierce through the solid wall of cheerfulness." ~Sri Chinmoy "We are so fortunate that we get to exercise!" ~Erin O'Brien

07-03-10, 12:26 PM
Mary09(b) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona	Like those weight loss drug commercials on FitTV... The 'before' pic is a fitness model about 4 minutes post-partum, only they don't tell you that part.

07-03-10, 12:53 PM
Sophia Join Date: Aug 2003	My mom knew a girl (family friends' daughter) that was a model years ago. She was in one of those before and after pics and she had never been fat. They just put her into a baggy dress and drab makeup and shot the before and then did her up nicely and put on a more flattering outfit for after. This type of stuff has been around forever. From using 20 year olds to push anti-wrinkle creams to adding fake eyelashes for mascara ads. One of the guys I work with is married to a makeup artist. He said that according to her, when they do magazine shoots and list the makeup used, they just make up the model with whatever they have/use and then pick the closest colors to list of whatever brand they're pushing.

07-03-10, 01:46 PM
steakhousegirl Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Illinois	I agree..it's all about staging. Take a photo of me in the morning, no make-up, hair mussed and then give me a make-over. It would be incredible. Also baggy clothes vs. more fitted clothing. I never believe the testamonials but I still love infomercials! __________________ P90X Grad STS Grad Insanity Grad Turbo Fire Grad S90 Grad P90X2 Grad