NSW Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin has issued a public warning about Supplemax Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based company selling treatment programs for sexual disorders.

Mr Griffin said that since October 2006, Fair Trading had received nearly 200 complaints or inquiries about the company.

“Supplemax has a history of complaints about misleading or deceptive conduct,” he said.

“The public should exercise caution when dealing with the company and should refrain from entering into contracts with Supplemax before they have read and understood the conditions and costs involved in those contracts.”

Supplemax offers treatment programs for male sexual disorders including erectile dysfunction, impotency and premature ejaculation. The company has also recently started offering female libido enhancement products. 

Supplemax advertises on radio, in various print media and on a company website. The company offers online services and then, following a large up-front payment, provides phone consultations with doctors, who prescribe medications that are then mailed to the consumer.

Mr Griffin said the key areas of concern raised by consumers about the company’s business practices included that the company has been:

• charging large payments to consumers’ credit cards after falsely representing that no charges will be applied
• falsely representing that credit card numbers were required for ‘identification purposes’ only
• failing to adequately disclose the terms and conditions of the contract being entered
• failing to provide refunds, having told consumers they will be entitled to one prior to signing up.

Mr Griffin said sexual disorders and problems were a sensitive issue for sufferers, who should not be exploited when seeking help.

“Supplemax customers seeking a refund have been told they are locked into a binding contract requiring them to undergo a range of treatment options until they find one that works for them or until they have exhausted all treatment options,” he said.

Mr Griffin said Fair Trading inspectors had requested Supplemax to change its business practices, however complaints were still being received from consumers.

“For this reason today I have issued a public warning statement under section 86A of the Fair Trading Act 1987 advising consumers to exercise caution in their dealings with Supplemax Pty Ltd,“ he said.

Anyone with complaints about Supplemax should contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

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