I Will Never Buy Another Supplement From USP Labs
Never… not even for review purposes.
Why, pray tell? Because of this (click to enlarge):
This is a piece of USP Labs’ write up for PowerFULL – an alleged growth hormone secretagogue. Paul asked me to pen a review for it, so naturally, I read the company spiel in detail. And when I saw the CEO’s message, my jaw damn near hit the floor:
PowerFULL™ is another quality product from USPlabs. As with any natural product, this is critical. Otherwise, you might as well be swallowing dirt.
If you truly want to experience the awesome effects but don’t want to be a pin cushion or Bubba’s “girlfriend” in the slammer, I suggest you order now while supplies are in stock…
Best,
Jacob Geissler – CEO
Emphasis mine.
In case you’re unclear on the language, a “pin cushion” is a term of contempt applied to “a female who will take it in any hole,” or “a slut.” And, of course, being “Bubba’s ‘girlfriend’ in the slammer” is self-explanatory… we’re talkin’ prison rape.
Wow. Just wow.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such blatant homophobia used to sell a product before. What Geissler – in effect – is saying: “use our product to get big/strong, so other men won’t brutally rape or sexually humiliate you like a little b***h.”
This isn’t witty, funny or cute… not by a long shot. Rape – particularly prison rape – is a crime that leaves victims scarred and traumatized… and often without any recourse for justice. To use this imagery to sell a supplement – of all things – is about as low as it’s possible to go.
Even worse, the CEO actually signed his name to this vile and repulsive “buy now” pitch. Memo to Jacob Geissler: I’d just as soon swallow dirt than wallow in it… or finance its spread with my supplement dollars.
I don’t doubt that there are those who would say I’m overreacting – it’s just an ad, doncha know. But that’s the point: by trivializing human suffering and trauma, we become inured to it. So no, I’m not gonna overlook this or make excuses for it – it’s unnecessary and disgusting (not to mention, potentially triggering for actual victims of sexual assault).
November 15, 2010
I Will Never Buy Another Supplement From USP Labs – http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2010/1…
November 15, 2010
I Will Never Buy Another Supplement From USP Labs – http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2010/1…
November 15, 2010
I definitely am not up on urban slang, but is there a chance that he meant “pin cushion” in the way that I’ve heard it used: hypodermic drug user? As in, “If you truly want to experience the awesome effects, but don’t want to stick yourself with needles, and use substances that are illegal and may land you in prison…”
You’ve had to read a lot more USP marketing language than I, so you would know the company’s typical style and intent. (All of these over-the-top claims and allusions tend to blur together in my mind.)
Will you still review USP products?
November 15, 2010
Since the line appeared in the same sentence as the “Bubba’s ‘girlfriend’ in the slammer,” reference, I took it in the sexual sense – particularly since the two images are presented as “either/or” alternatives (i.e., be a pin cushion OR be raped in prison), rather than a chain of events (i.e., be a pin cushion AND end up in prison/be raped). But even granting that “pin cushion” may have been an allusion to AAS use, it’s still pretty over-the-top… is using PowerFULL really the only alternative to black market drugs? Not likely. And the majority of AAS users don’t end up in prison, in any event. Why even bring it up?
And why bring it up in that particular way? the “Bubba’s girlfriend” line is totally out-of-bounds, regardless of how he intended “pin cushion” to be read. As noted above, prison rape isn’t something to take lightly. “Buy our product right now, so you won’t use drugs, and risk going to prison and being brutally sexually assaulted,” isn’t a huge improvement over the above interpretation. Is that really the main reason why a rational person should avoid AAS?
When you sign your name to a public statement, you have an obligation to your company and customers, to be clear and unambiguous. Employing offensive imagery doesn’t show how cool, hip and with it you are… it’s playing with fire, particularly since slang is malleable. If he had wanted to say, “PowerFULL is a safe and convenient alternative to illegal, black market steroids,” than that’s precisely what he should have said. Leave any hint of sexual violation out of it.
For the record, I will continue reviewing the products, albeit without trialing them – at least until Geissler decides to get a clue and pulls that statement from the ad – it’s ugly, however you slice it. Yes, I don’t doubt it could be claimed that I’m now prejudiced against the company, but I have a responsibility to be as fair as possible in the reviews, and to weigh the evidence, pro and con. That’s why this is here, in the blog, since it’s my opinion/reaction – rather than coloring my review to reflect my (currently low) personal view of the company’s CEO.
November 16, 2010
I really don’t care how he meant it. It was uncalled for. It just seems like a classless statement, not one from a CEO of a “reputable” company.
November 17, 2010
Sounds like the folks over at USP Labs need to hire someone with a brain to be on their Board of Directors – this is ridiculous.
One point; I, like “Makster”, wasn’t aware what a pin cushion was and assumed they were referring to anabolic steroids use. Regardless, even if this ad is to be interpreted in the most “generous” way possible, it’s still pretty darn vile.
Additionally, the onus is on USP Labs to do their due diligence to ensure their advertising doesn’t cross boundaries they don’t intend to – in other words, if they honestly didn’t use the “pin cushion” term in the context presented here, they have revealed themselves to be lazy and incompetent. If they did, even worse.
Either way, it’s an epic FAIL.
June 26, 2011
“For the record, I will continue reviewing the products, albeit without trialing them”
So you’re just going to blindly write reviews of products you refuse to take after CLEARLY expressing your new found dislike of USP Labs? Your opinion, if it was anything before, certainly is not now.
I got a chuckle out of what Jacob wrote. I’m sorry you just have a stick shoved too far up your ass to NOT be offended by every little things you can find insult in.
June 26, 2011
It’s not difficult to comment on claims, and the science behind them (if any), without trialing the supplement in question (which is an “n=1” observation, anyway).
That you got a chuckle from a callous and inappropriate joke about prison rape pretty much tells me all that I need to know about you. Since you find this stuff funny, here’s an account that I’m sure you’ll find amusing: http://articles.latimes.com/1999/oct/20/news/mn-24240
I’m sorry that you’re such an insensitive, unfeeling troll, who thinks that making fun of a hideous and cruel violation of basic human rights is fodder for supplement ads.
November 4, 2011
Usp labs are the best products that actually work, so if names and slang hurt your feelings from a ad that muscle head guys (usplabs marketing team) made, than dont use the products, the products that actually work. They will be just fine with the amount of people buying their products, such as myself. Ever heard of talk the talk now walk the walk, well these products walk the walk and its not wasting your money like other products. jack3d is amazing and im looking forward to buying more products from these guys over at usplabs.
November 4, 2011
“The” products that actually work? LOL! Yes, Jack3d is a good supp, but hardly the only one out there.
And no, my personal feelings aren’t hurt at all. But I do care about handing my $$$ over to people who make flippant, crass jokes about a tragic abuse of human rights and dignity. This: http://www.rapeis.org/activism/prison/prison.html is no laughing matter.