Acai ‘Free Trial Offer’ Scams Leave a Sour Taste

The acai berry has been labeled as the world’s newest superfood thanks to the fruit’s nutritional values. Antioxidants, fiber, fatty acids, amino acids - you name it, the acai berry has it. Sounds great, but you won’t find acai berries in your local grocery store - not unless you live in Brazil. As a result, the only way to get an acai fix is through acai berry supplements and products such as juices and jams, which has led to a rise in cases of acai "free trial offer" scams.

The acai berry is native of the Brazilian rainforest. The fruit spoils within a day of being harvested and so cannot be exported in its natural form. This has led to a large number of websites going online offering acai berry products. While many of the companies touting these products are run by honest, reputable businesspeople, there are numerous online tricksters out to swindle the public out of their money.

The con artists put up and take down dozens of websites every day, luring shoppers in with "risk-free" trial offers of acai berry products. While these deals may sound good in theory, the kicker comes when customers try to cancel their orders before the free trials expire. For a start, the trial periods last only 10 to 14 days from the date of ordering - not the date of a delivery.

The more serious problem comes when buyers try to phone the companies in question. Disgruntled shoppers have complained of being left on hold for more than an hour before being cut off. With no way to contact the scammers, people find themselves with deliveries of products they did not intend to order and credit card bills they did not want.

Why so much fuss about a small, black, round berry that you can’t even find growing in the United States? The acai berry has been linked to weight loss, better sleep, increased energy levels, enhanced libido, anti-aging and more. Acai berries contain more antioxidants than any other fruit on the planet.

You may have seen acai berry products in your local health-food store. Acai berry juice, for example, is especially popular. However, the products you can buy over the counter are usually inferior to those available online. Sales of acai berry products mean big business, coming close to $15 million last year - and the figure is increasing.

With acai berry products such a hot trend, it pays to be vigilant in the quest for eternal youth, trim figures and general well being. Know more about acai "free trial offer" scams.