Bob
Virginia Beach,#2Author of original report
Sat, March 27, 2004
Just an update. My card has been credited. I'm not sure which firm took care of it, but I'm grateful
Bob
Virginia Beach,#3Author of original report
Sat, March 13, 2004
What the BBB says about LIFEKEY
Original Business
Start Date: 1/1/1994
Type of Entity: Corporation
Principal: Steve Warshak, Owner
Local Phone Number: (513)792-5016
Fax Number: (513)792-5035
TOB Classification: Internet Shopping Services
Web Site URL(s): http://www.lifekeyinc.com
http://www.enzyte.com
The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.
Nature of Business
This firm offers dietary supplements.
Customer Experience
Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of complaints concerning contract disputes and guarantee or warranty issues. The company also has unanswered complaints. Specifically complaints state that customer credit cards are automatically billed for additional shipments of product without prior authorization. Some customers report that they responded to a free trial offer with a cost of $4.50 for shipping and handling prior to being charged for additional unauthorized shipments. Consumers who have complained to the BBB have received refunds for the unordered products.
The company responds to these concerns by stating that customers were notified at the time of the original order that Enzyte was a continued use product so with the order, each customer also receives free membership in the Established Customer Program. This program involves the automatic shipment of a new supply of Enzyte every sixty days with a lock-in discounted charge of $69.95 to the consumer's credit card as long as he/she is a member.
Company literature states that if a customer wishes to cancel or discontinue with this program, they may do so by contacting the Customer Care Center at 1-866-985-9040 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with no obligations. Customers may also cancel online at www.96shoes.com.
While the company informed the BBB in February 2003 that it was discontinuing the auto-ship program, the Bureau continued to receive consumer complaints indicating that the program was still operating. On October 8, 2003 the BBB received a letter from the company indicating that they have decided to reinstate the Established Customer Program for the Enzyte and Ogoplex brands. The letter also stated that the companies have made changes to the content of their websites and other forms of marketing to ensure that the terms of the Progam and its auto-ship aspect are more clearly and conspicuously disclosed.
Some consumers who ordered products by phone in response to radio and television advertising have reported that the autoship program was not disclosed to them at the time of purchase. The company has indicated to the BBB that the full details of the program are explained in the informational brochures that are included in all product shipments.
In other complaints, there is confusion about the guarantee for Enzyte. The company has responded to complaints regarding guarantee issues by stating that results of Enzyte usage may vary and that Enzyte does not come with a money-back guarantee but rather a guarantee of quality assurance.
The firm is currently promoting the Enzyte One-Year Challenge which is a 12-month money back guarantee. The guarantee states that consumers must participate in the Enzyte Established Customer Program for twelve consecutive months in order to be eligible for the guarantee and all twelve Enzyte bottles and proof of purchases must be returned in order to obtain the full refund.
When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.
Closed Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB since the firm's BBB file was opened in September of 2001: 691
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 12 months: 558
Complaints Concerned
Advertising Issues: 47
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 46; Company did not respond: 1
Sales Issues: 153
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 151; Company made good faith effort to
Resolve: 2
Delivery Issues: 17
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 17
Repair or Service Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1
Guarantee or Warranty Issues: 27
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 24; Delayed Resolution: 1; Company made good
faith effort to Resolve: 2
Product Quality Issues: 5
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 5
Refund or Exchange Issues: 71
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 69; Company made good faith effort to
Resolve: 2
Contract Issues: 133
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 129; Company made good faith effort to
Resolve: 4
Customer Service Issues: 6
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 6
Credit or Billing Issues: 231
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 229; Company made good faith effort to
Resolve: 2
Additional Business Names
Berkeley Premium Nutraceutical
Berkeley Premium Nutriceticals
Enzyte
Lifekey Healthcare, Inc..
Additional Telephone Numbers
(513) 791-0742
(513) 794-1222
(513) 985-9040
(800) 833-3887
(866) 543-3539
(866) 985-9040
(866) 985-9040
(877) 246-4361
(877) 436-9983.
Additional Addresses
10877 Millington Court, Cincinnati, OH 45242
4181 Crossgate Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45236-1215
PO Box 42635, Cincinnati, OH 45242-0635.
Company Management
Steve Warshak, Owner of LifeKey, has also been identified as the Owner of Boland Naturals, Inc., TCI Media, Inc., and Warner Healthcare, Inc. all based in Cincinati, Ohio. Chip Clarke, the Senior Vice President of LifeKey, has been identified as the Senior Vice President of TCI Media, Inc. Separate reports are available upon request.
Company Advertising
In September 2002, the Cincinnati BBB requested substantiation of the company's claims that the product Enzyte performs as described, by providing the following:
1. the results of all medical studies testing the performance of the product
2. a copy of the material safety data sheet listing all the ingredients
3. any registration information for the product as may be required by the Food & Drug Administration
In response, the company sent the BBB a statement in February 2003: Regarding your request for registration information for the product with the Food and Drug Administration, our product is categorized as an all-natural supplement and therefore does not require FDA approval. In October 2003, the firm submitted copies of studies and journal articles relating to the efficacy of the ingredients in Enzyte. The Bureau is reviewing these materials to determine if they substantiate the company's advertising claims.