Phiten jewelry, Round 2
August 23, 2011
After some time, I received this response back from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).
Good morning, William.
I apologize for not getting a response back to you sooner.
I appreciate your thoughts regarding the Phiten products, and as such, have altered our product description on our website. I have also forwarded your comments on to our representative for the Phiten products and am interested to see what their company response will be.
Our online store’s function is to generate revenue to assist in DUC’s wetland conservation mission and we try to do our absolute best to raise money for our conservation efforts by offering fun, unique and interesting items for our members’ enjoyment. The titanium products, which we view quite simply as a fun camo accessory, were suggested to us by a Ducks supporter as a retail idea and we are pleased that they have been good sellers for us.
I thank you for sharing your comments and trust that this information will address your concerns. Thank you for your ongoing support of DUC and our wetland conservation mission. The valuable contributions and feedback received by supporters like you are the reason behind DUC’s success on the landscape.
Much appreciated,
___________________________
Elizabeth Wilson
National Manager Retail Programs
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (204) 467-3251
Fax: (204) 467-7305
http://www.ducks.ca/
Canada's Conservation Company
Success! The website description went from this:
"Phiten products work with your
body's energy system, helping to regulate and balance the flow of energy
throughout your body. Proper energy balance helps to alleviate
discomfort, speed recovery, and counteract fatigue. Tire less easily and
recover faster from intense physical activity! "
....to this:
Phiten's classic 22" Titanium Necklace in woodland green camo design is a great looking camo accessory! Phiten's philosophy is health, energy and well-being and Phiten products are worn by elite and professional athletes all over the world. For more information on Phiten's philosophy as to the benefits of their products, please visit their website at: www.phiten-canada.com
Although not a complete win, I'll take the little wins where I can get them. My response:
Hello Elizabeth,
Thank you for your thoughtful response, and I
appreciate the welcome change in the product description on your
website. As you might imagine, my preferred outcome would have been the
complete removal of these products, but I am guessing that DUC has a few
thousand of them in a warehouse that need to be sold; DUC is a business
that raises money for ecology, and I understand and support that. I am
delighted that DUC is no longer expressly repeating the preposterous
medical claims of these products, and it is my hope that eventually, DUC
will cease to offer them at all. As a scientist, it is a somewhat
jolting experience to read an excellent article in the Conservator
concerning the good, solid science that goes into the decision making
process for DUC projects, and then see this ridiculous "magic jewelry"
for sale on your website. It does DUC's scientific credibility a
disservice to associate with such foolish tripe. I would also hope that
in the future, the product line for the Store is scrutinized more fully,
to avoid any further involvement in these and other examples of
pseudoscientific quackery, if you'll pardon the expression. Any
scientist on your Board worth his or her salt would be invaluable in
this regard.
I am equally delighted that you have forwarded my comments on to
Phiten. If the representative has a rebuttal anchored in good, verified
scientific evidence, I would be absolutely shocked.
As a
grassroots supporter and promoter of scientific literacy, I am pleased
with this outcome, and will report it as such on my blog. I think your
decision is a step in the right direction for DUC, and I look forward to
continuing my support of DUC in their admirable work of wetlands
conservation.
Thank you again.
I think that went rather well. Science 1, Quackery 0.5
