SL
Samukelisiwe L
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2016
01 Nov 2023, 11:58
Stop misrepresenting "gifts" to get sign ups for IPS Health products (vitamins)
Not impressed by Platinum's recent marketing/collaboration with IPS Health & Wellness. I received a call to tell me that I would be receiving a gift package with vitamins, someone was going to contact me on Whatsapp to confirm couriering details. 3 weeks passed then I get a call from IPS, and apparently, the "gift" (courtesy of Platinum's voucher) is enabled by my signing up for IPS to bill me monthly for the vitamins (at a discounted rate of course, courtesy of being a Platinum customer). I wouldn't be upset if not for the fact that Platinum misrepresented right at the beginning even after I asked repeatedly if there was a cost implication for me, and the answer was "no, this is a gift". I am even considering cancelling my policy with them, I am no longer comfortable with Platinum's business practices.
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Replies (3)
Platinum Life's replyOfficial
01 Nov 2023, 12:16Dear Samukelisiwe,
Thank you so much for bringing this matter under our attention.
I am currently following up with IPS to get more information about what occurred,
Please note that I will be in touch with you directly to address this as soon as I have all the needed feedback on my side
Kind Regards
Simone Venter
Client Relationship Specialist & Client Care Supervisor
Thank you so much for bringing this matter under our attention.
I am currently following up with IPS to get more information about what occurred,
Please note that I will be in touch with you directly to address this as soon as I have all the needed feedback on my side
Kind Regards
Simone Venter
Client Relationship Specialist & Client Care Supervisor
Platinum Life's reply01 Nov 2023, 12:16
Official
Dear Samukelisiwe,
Thank you so much for bringing this matter under our attention.
I am currently following up with IPS to get more information about what occurred,
Please note that I will be in touch with you directly to address this as soon as I have all the needed feedback on my side
Kind Regards
Simone Venter
Client Relationship Specialist & Client Care Supervisor
Thank you so much for bringing this matter under our attention.
I am currently following up with IPS to get more information about what occurred,
Please note that I will be in touch with you directly to address this as soon as I have all the needed feedback on my side
Kind Regards
Simone Venter
Client Relationship Specialist & Client Care Supervisor
SL
Samukelisiwe L's updateReviewer Update
01 Nov 2023, 13:20Hi Simone,
Thank you for the feedback.
To clarify, the call with IPS made it clear that there would be a monthly subscription, the 'gift' element related to Platinum's voucher towards the vitamins which would be sent to me if I signed up with IPS. I am comfortable with this because they did not say anything along the lines of gifting the vitamins with no monthly commitment, they were clear about the monthly premium.
What I have an issue with is the fact that Platinum presented this as a gift to me and indicated that there was no cost implication down the road even when I asked about this from the initial call. Because of this, it seems as if Platinum is using its clients to promote the IPS products and presenting them as free gifts without explaining that the voucher is once-off and the client would be paying a monthly premium should they accept. This is misleading.
Thank you for the feedback.
To clarify, the call with IPS made it clear that there would be a monthly subscription, the 'gift' element related to Platinum's voucher towards the vitamins which would be sent to me if I signed up with IPS. I am comfortable with this because they did not say anything along the lines of gifting the vitamins with no monthly commitment, they were clear about the monthly premium.
What I have an issue with is the fact that Platinum presented this as a gift to me and indicated that there was no cost implication down the road even when I asked about this from the initial call. Because of this, it seems as if Platinum is using its clients to promote the IPS products and presenting them as free gifts without explaining that the voucher is once-off and the client would be paying a monthly premium should they accept. This is misleading.
SL
Samukelisiwe L's update01 Nov 2023, 13:20
Reviewer Update
Hi Simone,
Thank you for the feedback.
To clarify, the call with IPS made it clear that there would be a monthly subscription, the 'gift' element related to Platinum's voucher towards the vitamins which would be sent to me if I signed up with IPS. I am comfortable with this because they did not say anything along the lines of gifting the vitamins with no monthly commitment, they were clear about the monthly premium.
What I have an issue with is the fact that Platinum presented this as a gift to me and indicated that there was no cost implication down the road even when I asked about this from the initial call. Because of this, it seems as if Platinum is using its clients to promote the IPS products and presenting them as free gifts without explaining that the voucher is once-off and the client would be paying a monthly premium should they accept. This is misleading.
Thank you for the feedback.
To clarify, the call with IPS made it clear that there would be a monthly subscription, the 'gift' element related to Platinum's voucher towards the vitamins which would be sent to me if I signed up with IPS. I am comfortable with this because they did not say anything along the lines of gifting the vitamins with no monthly commitment, they were clear about the monthly premium.
What I have an issue with is the fact that Platinum presented this as a gift to me and indicated that there was no cost implication down the road even when I asked about this from the initial call. Because of this, it seems as if Platinum is using its clients to promote the IPS products and presenting them as free gifts without explaining that the voucher is once-off and the client would be paying a monthly premium should they accept. This is misleading.
Platinum Life's replyOfficial
03 Nov 2023, 11:33Platinum Life does provide vouchers for our policy holders from our various sister companies. The vouchers are always cost and obligation free and a thank you from our side for your loyal business. After a voucher is sent out, the company may do a follow up call to see if you are interested in any of their products. There is no obligation linked to this and has no affect on your policy.
I did follow up with IPS to get more information about your recent experience with them and would like to provide some feedback. I was not able to reach you telephonically to discuss this.
You were contacted by IPS in October, as you received a voucher from them for a gift and a free health report. This is complimentary and the R350 voucher and gift is sent out via Whatsapp. In November, the team contacted you again to ask if you would be interested in taking out a subscription with them. This is a follow up that is done and you can decline the offer at any time.
I apologize if there was any misunderstanding or not enough clarity regarding these calls. The gift voucher is free and yours to use, even if you are not interested in a subscription with IPS.
I did follow up with IPS to get more information about your recent experience with them and would like to provide some feedback. I was not able to reach you telephonically to discuss this.
You were contacted by IPS in October, as you received a voucher from them for a gift and a free health report. This is complimentary and the R350 voucher and gift is sent out via Whatsapp. In November, the team contacted you again to ask if you would be interested in taking out a subscription with them. This is a follow up that is done and you can decline the offer at any time.
I apologize if there was any misunderstanding or not enough clarity regarding these calls. The gift voucher is free and yours to use, even if you are not interested in a subscription with IPS.
Platinum Life's reply03 Nov 2023, 11:33
Official
Platinum Life does provide vouchers for our policy holders from our various sister companies. The vouchers are always cost and obligation free and a thank you from our side for your loyal business. After a voucher is sent out, the company may do a follow up call to see if you are interested in any of their products. There is no obligation linked to this and has no affect on your policy.
I did follow up with IPS to get more information about your recent experience with them and would like to provide some feedback. I was not able to reach you telephonically to discuss this.
You were contacted by IPS in October, as you received a voucher from them for a gift and a free health report. This is complimentary and the R350 voucher and gift is sent out via Whatsapp. In November, the team contacted you again to ask if you would be interested in taking out a subscription with them. This is a follow up that is done and you can decline the offer at any time.
I apologize if there was any misunderstanding or not enough clarity regarding these calls. The gift voucher is free and yours to use, even if you are not interested in a subscription with IPS.
I did follow up with IPS to get more information about your recent experience with them and would like to provide some feedback. I was not able to reach you telephonically to discuss this.
You were contacted by IPS in October, as you received a voucher from them for a gift and a free health report. This is complimentary and the R350 voucher and gift is sent out via Whatsapp. In November, the team contacted you again to ask if you would be interested in taking out a subscription with them. This is a follow up that is done and you can decline the offer at any time.
I apologize if there was any misunderstanding or not enough clarity regarding these calls. The gift voucher is free and yours to use, even if you are not interested in a subscription with IPS.