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ARTICLE · 04 OCTOBER 2017

FTC Handicaps Golf Product Marketers For Negative Option Offers

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a settlement with four individuals and six separate but interlocking companies.

United StatesConsumer Protection
Alan Friel
Alan Friel
Linda Goldstein
Linda Goldstein
Holly Melton
Holly Melton
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Companies settle with Commission after alleged negative option mulligans

Front Nine

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a settlement with four individuals and six separate but interlocking companies. The agency alleged that the group participated in a number of negative option and continuity sales schemes.

The defendants operated a number of websites that sold golfing gear and kitchen products, sites with names like "Gourmet Cooking Rewards" and "Golf Online Academy." They promoted these websites through television infomercials and mass email campaigns. Customers were assured of a 100 percent money back guarantee on all their products, as well as 30- to 60-day trial periods, and that their trial offers were risk-free.

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