to be really irritated by the new weight watchers advert?

[eternalopt]

So they have a new system and declare proudly "we're so confident in our new approach, if you lose 10lbs in your first 8 weeks, we'll give you your money back"

This just doesn't work as a money back guarantee does it? Money back guarantees are supposed to work on the basis of "we're confident that this event is so unlikely, if it happens, we'll lose profit by giving you your money back".

I understand that ww can't say "if you don't lose 10lbs, we'll give you your money back", which would be the normal way to do it, as everyone would just carry on eating donuts! But switching it round doesn't work either. Just makes me think that you won't lose that much as they wouldn't want to lose all that money. Drives me nuts every time I see the advert.

[Helmetbymidnight]

Are you my dh? He called me in from 'the other room' to rant about this.
It's very unusual isn't it?

[eternalopt]

I feel better for writing it down, but the advert is on a loop on the on demand trashy TV I watch and I can't get away from it!

[StealthPolarBear]

I suppose what they're saying is they're so altruistic and will be so pleased with your success.
But I completely agree, it's not a guarantee. And does make you wonder how they expect to make any money if they expect such huge success

[wherethewildthingis]

I thought this too (as well as feeling massively annoyed by the whole premise that being thin will somehow make you a better, more worthwhile person). Of course if you think about it, what they are actually saying is that most people WON'T lose that amount of weight, so won't get a refund. Otherwise they would go out of business!

[vulgarbunting]

So glad it wasn't just me thinking this!

[msrisotto]

How bizarre! They're betting that you won't lose 10lbs in your first 8 weeks!!

[gaggiagirl]

Yes! Yes! I was thinking this myself and had a good long chat to myself in my head about it. Its like the bastards know you will fail. They must have statistics on this to be sure. Maybe 59% of new members drop out in the first month for instance.

[gaggiagirl]

Unless it has to be precisely 10lbs??? That would reduce the odds even more.

[VashtaNerada]

Yes I thought that too! They could at least pretend to believe in the product they're selling

[eternalopt]

"We have so much confidence in this approach" ... that we're going to promise the opposite!!!

[Birdsgottafly]

If you're very overweight, you probably would lose the 10lbs, but not in body fat and not if you only have a small amount to lose.

It was this sort of Ethos/Advice that stopped me from going.

I think WW is designed to keep you on a permanent cycle of Lose and Gain.

[Adarajames]

They probably expect to make a fortune on their full f artificial crap named products used by loads of people on ther diet, so the membership is actually a tiny part of the members spending

[Mookbark]

I agree totally. I also think it is bizarre and don't think whoever made the promise up understands what they are implying.

[alphacharlie]

Yes! I thought this too, although as adara said, I bet the joining and weekly fees make only a small percentage of their profit compared to named products they sell.

[Waypasttethersend]

It'll be insured as well, like a gamble, so if it's under redeemed the insurer wins, if over redeemed WW wins.

But that means it's playing statistics, so yes x % members drop out, x% won't lose, x% will lose but won't jump through the hoops to claim their money back.

It's stupid messaging though "join us to lose weight, we bet you won't!"

[PinguForPresident]

Birdsgottafly I don't agree that you could only lose 10lbs in 8 weeks if you have a lot to lose. I'm doing WW to lose the 1.5 stone that has crept on in the last few years. My starting weight gave me a BMI of just over 24, so still in the healthy range and definitely no lots to lose (I'm 5ft 9, and even at my starting weight, 11st 11lbs, I was a size 12 and people referred to me as slim). I've lost 6lbs in 10 days following the plan. I imagine I'll have the requisite 10lbs off in 3-4 weeks, tops

[megletthesecond]

I thought the same. When it ended I was sitting there like >>>> .

[Babynamelist]

It's actually a way to encourage people to join by

• overcoming doubts and thinking they could get their money back
• keep them motivated to stay with the plan
• become a longer term customer.

They would have profiled their customers and realised most people

• aim to lose more than 10lbs
• are lazy at cancelling subscriptions
• like the plan and maybe recommend it to others (this last point is speculation but WW will view this as a 'loss leader').

So, from a commercial perspective I'm afraid to say that YABU!

[Helmetbymidnight]

I imagine they think people who lose weight will be so grateful they'll say, "oh no guvnor, thank you!"

[frikadela01]

I can't stand the WW ad with Oprah Winfrey on. She still looks quiet overweight to my eyes. What happened to getting skinny celebs to advertise it.

[DyslexicScientist]

I don't get the outrange tbh, I just think meh more ww shit.

I'm more annoyed by the NHS giving £hundreds to people that loose weight. That is infiltrating

[DyslexicScientist]

Anyway it isn't as bad as dating sites that give you a bit more memebershio for "free" if you still haven't found love.

[eternalopt]

I'm not outraged, just irritated by the stupidity of the promise and the suggestion that it shows confidence in their product, when it implies the opposite!

If it said "and to help you out, we'll give you your money back" etc or "as an extra incentive", but they say "to show how confident we are", so it makes no sense. And I like sense.

[DyslexicScientist]

Meh sadly stupidity is endemic. They would of tested this add with the great unwashed.

Would a comma of sorted this out?

[emmamoo11]

I thought you were going to rant about how annoyingly perfect the woman is on the ad!!!! Running and nurturing to perfection whilst looking glam.
Tee hee!!