Open Letter to Budget Petrol, Petersham, NSW

Jason Brown, Dulwich Hill, NSW 2203

To who it may concern

I've been a regular customer at budget petrol since I moved to Dulwich Hill over two years ago. You've been my closest LPG station, and running a large 4WD on gas necessitates a regular fill, especially in weeks where I'm running a heavy commute. I estimate that I would spend at least $1000 to $1500 per year on gas alone at your station, not counting the times I've grabbed a few groceries, oil and fluids, spare bulbs and the like.

However, today I was disappointed to notice that you've started stocking Power Balance wristbands at a bargain knockdown price.

I'm afraid this means I have to find a new filling station.

You see, Power Balance is a scam product. It uses a con trick known as Applied Kinesiology1 to convince customers of its claims, but in actual properly controlled test shows no effect whatsoever

- Choice Magazine2, a respected consumer publication, awarded Power Balance a 2010 Shonky Award

- Today Tonight demonstrated their ineffectiveness3

- The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration demanded that Power Balance remove any and all claims from their advertising4

- Skeptical groups worldwide have condemned the wristbands for what they are: a con5.

And this is why I'll be driving a little further to get my gas fill, and why I'll be asking my readers in Sydney to do the same.

Should you choose to withdraw Power Balance from sale, I understand the manufacturers have a money-back guarantee, which I'm told they actually honour. You may then get my custom back, all of it. Simply email me on stopthatastronaut [at] gmail [dot] com and all will be well again.

If you remain unconvinced, email me and I'll come and give you an in-person demonstration, using one of your Power Balance wristbands and one of my $2 Placebo Bands, and we'll see which one actually works. Here's a hint: neither of them, though using Applied Kinesiology, I can make either of them look effective.

Thanks for the refills and goodbye,

Jason Brown

1. Applied Kinesiology: How it's Done. Skeptic Zone Podcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piu75P8sxTo

2. 2010 Choice Shonky Awards
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/shopping-and-legal/shopping/the-2010-shonky-awards/page/the-shonkiest-products.aspx

3. Today Tonight: Failed Power Balance Demonstration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd0Gb9EgkHA

4. TGA calls on Power Balance to withdraw claims and advertising: Vic Skeptics:
https://vicskeptics.wordpress.com/2010/11/16/tga-calls-on-power-balance-to-withdraw-claims-and-advertising/

5. Skepticator Search for "Power Balance"
http://skepticator.com/search/power%20balance

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