GO Vita Batemans Bay, the main stockist of Power Balance bands, has removed the controversial product from their shelves pending new packaging.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In December, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ordered Power Balance Australia to refund all customers who felt misled by Power Balance’s claimed benefits of the bands on their packaging and website that they improve balance, strength and flexibility, and work positively with the body’s natural energy field.
As there was no scientific evidence to support the claims, Power Balance was ruled to be in breach of the Trade Practices Act.
Go Vita is considering whether or not to resume selling the bands when they are repackaged.
The ACCC’s ruling has not necessarily changed Go Vita proprietor Bev Dunne’s mind about the bands.
“We go on the results and feedback from our customers,” she said.
“We’ve sold lots and lots of them, and despite them having a money-back guarantee we have had very few returned.”
Ms Dunne said that customers had reported many benefits from the bands.
“We have had customers report that their travel sickness has been cured by their band,” she said.
“This is just one of those products that people have difficulty getting their heads around.”
Power Balance Australia is apologetic for the unsubstantiated claims it made about its product but isn’t conceding defeat in the battle of the bands.
“The statements we made through advertising and online were made without a clear understanding of the level of proof required to substantiate them, and we now know we were at fault,” company spokeswoman Jaselyn O’Sullivan said.
“We apologise to the public and our customers. We based our claims of the number of testimonials from customers who have tried and like what Power Balance does for them.
“We continue to receive testimonials from customers outlining how Power Balance has benefited them personally, which is why we continue to stand behind our product.”
Due to their sales success, US business news service CNBC named Power Balance bands the Sports Product Of The Year for 2010.