From a reader on 20 May 2003:

quote:

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First off I want to say thank you for your thorough and informative site.
Even without all of the information from you that it contains, the forums are an
incredible resource. Anyway, I went to Sharperimage.com because I became
interested in buying the Emjoi Optima (double rotary) epilator after reading
about it in the forums, and was really surprised to see that they also sell the
E-pen. Surprised because I always thought of Sharper Image as such a 'legit'
company/store, and obviously the E-pen isn't legit (or at least it hasn't been
proven to be, which is made worse by it's claims of permanent hair removal).
It's bad enough when a product description implies something without proof, but
E-pen outright promises permanent hair removal.
I noticed that your site said "If you see an ad claiming permanent hair
removal with a transcutaneous device, please contact me" so I just wanted to alert
you to the fact that if you go to sharperimage.com, click on women's grooming
under personal care, and go to E-pen, there it is "E-Pen Electrolysis System
for At-Home Permanent Hair Removal." I think it's safe to assume that if you
went to a Sharper Image store in person, the sales help would probably also
assert this claim.
Thanks again for your site. It is definitely giving me info and guidance.

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Yes, Sharper Image and the airplane in-flight catalog companies frequently feature hair removal scams. It's been a real source of frustration for me.

Want to send a message to Sharper Image and the E-Pen makers?

Go to your local Sharper Image store and buy one.

Go home, open the box. Close it.

Take it back to Sharper Image and say "Don't work. Gimme money back." Sharper Image processes the refund and sends the unit back to the manufacturer.

Repeat as often as you can.

If enough people do this, just once, Sharper Image will stop selling this scam. It costs them too much time and money to process the refunds.

Fight the power!