Please be sure to read my DISCLAIMER

NOTE: I've seen his name listed as "Don Lapre" (apparently correct), "Don Lepre", "Don Lupre" and "Don Lapree" and there are probably other versions of his name, including capitalizing the "P" in his last name. It's also listed as "Donald Lapre" in legal papers.

Don and "The Greatest Vitamin in the World" (or "GVW" - the abbreviation for the product used in FAQ on at least some of the sites) have the distinction of being linked from TWO Divisions of this section - Health-Related and Business Opportunity - because not only is he selling the vitamin, he offers to make you an "independent advertiser" for the product, thereby making you lots and lots of money (so he claims.)

Now, Don's been around "forever", despite his boyish looks (and he could use a shave or let the beard GROW!), and has already been sued several times. From my memory, he started out with classified ads in newspapers, that for a price would tell you how to make big bucks. From what I understand, many of the concepts worked back in the '80s, but wouldn't work in today's world; much of the package contained ads about other "services" offered by Don's crew; and most of the information offered is/was freely available at libraries and on the internet.) And I've seen that he's filed bankruptcy a couple of times on other sites.

For example, from Mazu Publishing New Window:

In other words, anything Don Lapre before the GVW (and Torica LLC) is NOT being sold by Don, but by others. We still may not like his tactics, but we can't continue to blame him for things others are doing with his name. NOTE*: A little more research, and it appears that Torica LLC (Don's company) is now doing pretty much the same thing (small ads) with websites sold to customers, though not all of the ads may be for companies owned by Torica/Don..

The Infomercial
Paid for by Torica LLC.

Two pretty girls (Tylene Megley and Veronica ???) appear to be in a family room or "rec room", discussing the business. It starts out with "So let me get this straight..." and she mentions the basic dollar amounts Don promises. The other says, "Yes", and expands on how much can be made. They cut to testimonials, a "Formulation Team Member", back to the girls, where the first, apparently STILL doesn't get it, and the second patiently explains, A quick take of Don, more testimonials, more of the girls, more Don, an enthusiastic couple who finish each others' lines, more testimonials, and about half-way through, the whole thing repeats, though not necessarily in the same order.

Veronica, seems to be trying to understand the business. Tylene apparently KNOWS it, inside and out. (*She should. Her husband (James Megley New Window) is the Director of Operations, and she's the Director of Marketing for Optimal Health Systems New Window, founded by Doug Grant New Window, who formulated GVW for Don.) Both are showing major amounts of cleavage - I'm sure this was planned to draw in the men - DUH! - and smile prettily almost the whole time. Veronica, apparently, understands what's been told to her, but doesn't quite "get it" - She repeats what Tylene has said, as a leading question (including the numbers), and Tylene answers almost repeating the question (including the numbers). This happens EVERY time they appear.

The infomercial is more for the business of selling the "Greatest Vitamin in the World" (the "Revenue Program") rather than for the virtues of the vitamin. This probably has to do with the fact that the FDA and FTC have come down on Don because of the (implied and explicit) claims that the GVW can help mitigate major diseases. (Besides, the business, itself, will make more money for Don and his crew than simply selling the vitamin!) In fact, the second version (that I have seen) with only Tylene talking directly to the camera, only mentions the vitamins in passing (even MORESO than the prior one).

Oh... and the repetition in the infomercial is extremely annoying, especially if you see it more than once. Of course it means it's more unforgettable, but GEEZE!) And has ANYONE seen a single 30-second to one-minute COMMERCIAL for "The Greatest Vitamin in the World" on television? I haven't. All I've seen are the infomercial trying to sell me on selling it. Hmmm...

See the infomercial here (from the GVW website listed below). It uses Windows Media Player. Be aware that it's about 1/2-hour long.

*12/31/2006 Update

There's a new infomercial with Tylene Megley who enters, sits down, speaks directly to the camera, and tries to convince you to call the 800 number. There you are supposed to find out in seven (7) minutes how the program works. One site I read New Window said they DID call the number, and listened to a recorded message for over an HOUR. Apparently, Don figures that if you listen longer than seven minutes, you really want to find out what he has to offer.

Don, or someone, has apparently figured that infomercials should be 30 minutes filled with: 30-60 seconds of the host talking, 10-20 seconds of testimonial, repeated for about 10-12 minutes (different info in each section), then a 30-60 second "regular" commercial for the product, followed by a repeat of the first half in a different order. This is pretty much the way the original and this infomercial work. They've re-edited the testimonials, and they all appear with different background, sometimes stating an "updated" income. Names are named, though (not just first name and last initial, as in the first one: Tava Reed, Fred Kelly, Derwin King ("All I do is get up outta bed, pass out some cards, go to my mailbox and cash the checks."), Walter Olkewicz, Tim and Shauna Rodgers, Charles Mills, De'nee Grant, Norman Hardgrove, Jocelyn Killiam, Bryan McDaniel,

Something else to think about... Many 800 numbers have been tied to 900 numbers (think about the Psychic Hotline and Phone Sex lines). The main call is free, but then somewhere in there, you get switched over to a 900 number, which pays the receiver of the call for the minutes used. The site I read that did call the number did not state they were charged anything for the call, but BE CAREFUL!

*01/16/2007 Update

Now, that was fast. I just saw a new version of the infomercial I mentioned in my last update (the one with Tylene Megley, updated 12/31/2006).

The NEW version is Don Lapre talking directly to the camera, much as in that one. The graphics are pretty much the same, and a lot of what he's saying is EXACTLY the same as in the Megley version, too.

However, he does make a few more statements, about how some of the people in the GVW program have made so much money. They've apparently added more items (than the GVW, and they also a new bonus... If you earn five $1000 monthly bonus checks, you also earn a completely paid-for seven (7)-day vacation for you and one other person, up to twice-a-year. Most of the testimonials I heard are the same as in BOTH of the others, with "updated" amounts earned.

AND, he says, "Most of the people who are watching this show will not call." He also switches back and forth from "less than seven (7)" to ten (10) minutes... "My bet is if you give us 10 minutes, you'll join the program." It sounds like he's added even more "programs" with which you can make money.

$1000 bonus checks, $5000 monthly bonus checks, $500 monthly bonus checks, paid 7-day vacations twice a year... Where does all this money come from?

Because of all the other problems I've seen about Don and the GVW, I, personally, don't want to even call to find out.

The Product

The Greatest Vitamin in the World was formulated by "nutritionist" Doug Grant, ostensibly at the behest of Don Lapre. It's "all- natural" ingredients mean that it can skip FDA review and approval before it's sold. If there are problems or complaints reported to them afterward, then they can (and will) check things out. You can find out more about the ingredients, and the vitamin, itself, at the websites, below.

From AsSeenOnTVNetwork.com, The "Official Site of The Greatest Vitamin in the World" New Window:

So, a 30-day supply "includes 270 capsules" ... Uh ... That means I have to take NINE (9) pills a day to meet the minimum daily ... Oh yeah ... Being "natural", there's no government "recommended minimum daily requirement". Even so ... NINE (9) PILLS A DAY? Come on. If Don had REALLY had his "scientists" formulate the GREATEST vitamin in the world, it would only be ONE pill! And therefore, the 270 pill supply would be for 90 days! Sound better?

And from the FAQ on one of the websites (one of MANY) (see below):

"That number CHANGES ... "??? You mean when I order it again, it may be a different formulation? What if something in THAT formula is bad for me? What if I'm ALLERGIC to something you've added to the vitamin, later, that wasn't in the vitamin when I started taking it? This part just sounds DANGEROUS to me, "natural" or not. (Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac are "natural". Nightshade and Hemlock (poisons) are "natural". Mushrooms are "natural". (So are peanuts and shellfish, and MANY people are FATALLY allergic to them!) NOTE: I would not imply, nor would I presume that anyone would knowingly put poison in a vitamin. The point is that the ingredients CHANGE. When other products change ingredients, they 1) let you know; and 2) usually change the name, or add "NEW" or "IMPROVED" to the label. But how can you improve on the "Greatest"?

I'm not casting any OTHER aspersions on the vitamins, themselves (NINE A DAY?). I have no idea whether the formulas are actually safe. (They use all "natural" ingredients, allowing them to side-step the FDA's safety checks), or whether they would perform as claimed or not ("I'm not gonna try it... YOU try it...", "I'M not gonna try it... YOU try it..."... Where's Mikey when we need him? )

The Business

Also from AsSeenOnTVNetwork.com, The "Official Site of The Greatest Vitamin in the World": New Window:

NOTE: Some other websites noting the discrepancies in the numbers, calculate them based on the $35 to get into the business, not the price of the VITAMIN.

Don claims that he will pay you $1000 for every 20 people who visit your site and "agree to TRY the vitamin". (Or $10/bottle that those 20 people buy - which works out to $200/month, if they continue buying.)

This doesn't make sense if you think about the numbers, alone: $39.95 (round to $40) times 20 people is $800. Even shipping and handling ($8.65 - round to $10) would only add another $200. This totals $1000, and remember, we rounded UP! And the vitamin, employees, taxes, shipping and handling charges, etc., cost SOMETHING!

Now the infomercial also claims they will give you $5000 BONUS check if you get 100 new people to try the vitamin. That's $5000 for the original "offer" ($1000 for each 20 people) PLUS a $5000 BONUS! (Totaling $10,000 for 100 people.)

And it gets WORSE (profit-wise): If you get people to JOIN (getting their own website) using your referral number, then for every 20 new people THEY get "just to TRY the vitamin", they will give THEM $1000 and YOU $500!

Where's Don's profit?

Where's this money coming from? (From what I understand, they then push you to buy mailing lists and other things which run into the thousands of dollars. I've also heard about unauthorized charges - well you DO purchase things, but you didn't SAY you wanted it - put on your Credit Card.) (See the Reviews and Warnings links below for more information.)

On July 01, 2006, I searched for "Torica LLC", and found a "Privacy Policy" page New Window that includes the following, which may explain where the money comes from:

To me, this means that if you join the business, and get others to join, you will ALL be subjected to phone calls, emails, and postal mail offering many other (EXPENSIVE - running in the thousands of dollars) products and services. And, since you (and they) actually purchased the program(s), the " DO NOT CALL" New Window list means nothing

From the FTC Consumer Alert: Q&A The National Do Not Call Registry, Question #29 New Window

They would technically be making a "customer service" call. (And now, we have the question of whether the "coaching" is actually worth "over $5000" ... )

Product Websites

Following are links to what appear to be "main" sites for the product. While the As Seen on TV Network pages state they are the "Official Site of The Greatest Vitamin in the World" New Window, the following were actually "first up", when I searched and named correctly. (Videos are included. Remember, folks... Infomercials are usually about 30 minutes long. Be aware of that if you wish to view the videos.):

• The Greatest Vitamin in the World New Window
  (greatest-vitamin-in-the-world.com/)
  Here you will find a video (it appears to possibly be the original infomercial for the GVW) where Don lists and describes many of the diseases he claims are caused by the food we eat (probable) and our use of "stripped down, synthetic vitamins". If you're familiar with the current (06/2006) version, where it's more for the business than the product itself (see above), you will see parts of the original, some recast (Doug Grant, who apparently headed the team who formulated the GVW has been replaced by a woman who, apparently, was on the team) saying EXACTLY the same thing as Doug did in the original. Another link shows the current infomercial (see above).
• The Greatest Vitamin in the World (2) New Window (dontforgettotakeyourvitamins.com/MCDANIEL19983/)
  This site appears to be an affiliate version - One of the websites Don and Torica LLC say they will set up for their "independent advertisers". It extols the virtues of the GVW, lists various diseases ingredients may help with, and includes a video, which appears to be a re-edited (again), short version of the current (06/2006) infomercial.

Searching for "Torica LLC" (the company that pays for the infomercial for GVW):

• Lapre Marketing New Window
  Registered through Torica LLC (Don Lapre), Created in 08/2004, expires 08/2006.
  This appears to be a single-page site/ad. The described setup appears to be similar to other Torica LLC sites (see GVW & below.) There's not much explanation, but it asks for name, email address, phone number, income you'd like to achieve and state in which you live.
• Big Secrets New Window
  All appear registered through Torica LLC (Don Lapre) in 2005 or so.
  Some of the people doing "testimonials" are the same as in the GVW's. Ok... It appears Torica/Don have registered a number of these - xbigsecrets.com, where "x" is 3-?? (didn't look at them all). #5 & 6 (and probably more) contain "sample sites", displaying a number of "classified-ad" type, large internet banner ads for some of their services. Spot-checking reveals 9bigsecrets.com ADVERTISES 3bigsecrets.com (video). Bet most of the others do, too. All but the "sample sites" ask for information like name, phone #s, email address and state (which you SHOULD be able to get from the Area Code of the phone number).
  
  See "How it Works" New Window for ... how it works, and Torica LLC's Privacy Policy New Window (drawn from 11bigsecrets.com, but probably the same on all the Big Secrets sites. See comment in "The Business" section, above, about one of the paragraphs in these.)

Reviews and Warnings

This section lists the sites where I found "negative" comments about the people and company, and/or the product. Some of the the terms "sham", "scam", "scams", "flim-flam", "complain", "complaints", "rip", "rip-off", "fraud", "warning", similar words, and maybe just "review" were used to find other reviews listing problems.

 

• Quackwatch - Twenty-Five Ways to Spot Quacks and Vitamin Pushers New Window
• Quackwatch - Don Lapre New Window
  See this article for more on Don Lapre, Doug Grant, Joseph H. Diehl (who bought Lapre's assets and apparently licensed use of his name when Lapre went bankrupt in 1999/2000 and Don's complaint New Window against Diehl's companies' "practices" - Originally posted on Don's own, now gone, website), and their companies.
• CBS News - Consumer Alert - "Get-Rich-Quick Plan a Scam?" New Window
• InfomercialScams - Don Lapre New Window - Complaints & Defenses
• InfomercialScams - The Greatest Vitamin in the World New Window - Complaints & Defenses
• Central Indiana Better Business Bureau  New Window - February 2006 Hot Topics
  (#6 on 02/13/2006 - The Greatest Vitamin in the World)
• CorporateNarc - The Greatest Vitamin in the World New Window (While it doesn't appear to be trying to sell their own stuff, there are a LOT of Google ads and some small banner ads)
• ProgramCritique - Not Recommended - Don Lapre New Window
• RipOffReports (The Bad Business Bureau) - "Lapre" search results New Window (145 reports 07/2006) - Be aware, sometimes the site will not come up the first time. Try again or try later.
• SavingLivesAmerican - Re: Lapre's "Saving Lives Across America" New Window - Site owner claims being ripped off by Lapre's business. He/She shows a LOT of information about the product he/she purchased and supporting evidence about his being "ripped off", about Don, his businesses and his family. NOTE: Purporting to be a "consumer warning site", it is also an obvious "revenge site."
• BusinessPhilosophy - Beware of Don Lapre's Package New Window - Beginning of message board entries (includes a number of Don's products and a defense, stating Joseph Diehl is to blame, at least for some of the problems.)
• Yahoo Finance Group Messages re: Don Lapre New Window - Note that there are a number of "off-topic" threads.
• AlwaysReview - Don Lapre ($$) New Window
• BusinessStartups - Don Lapre & The Greatest Vitamin in the World ($$) New Window
• MyBusinessReviews - Don Lapre  ($$) New Window
• "Don Lapre followers beware! Give us 6 minutes of your time before you buy his package!" ($$) New Window (Read the page through the principles... The guy/girl is offering you a chance to sell stuff. It sounds kinda like Don's earlier "classified" ads in magazines/newspapers, only brought "up to date" for the web.)
• ProgramReview - Don Lapre - Making Money ($$) New Window
• OnlyReviews - Don Lapre ($$) New Window
• LifetimeProsperity - Don Lapre ($$) New Window

Just for Fun

Here's a video take-off of Don's style. I believe this is David Spade. The voice and hand-gestures are pretty damn close to the real thing. There are many versions and names for this video, including YouTube's version, "Whatever You Think This is Not a Scam" New Window (I've seen it listed as "Don Lepre's (or Lapre's) 'Ultimate Road to Success'" and others, on other sites.)

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