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Updated by user Jun 27, 2013

Got a call from Visalus corporate offering profuse apologies for all the roadblocks to a refund and some kind of technical difficulty that had their consumer voice mail full and unable to accept messages for almost a month. They offered me a full refund if I pulled this negative review and they also said, after I forwarded them all communications between Randi Lynn Kroll and myself that her district manager would be notified so Ms.

Kroll could receive some re-training on customer service. Too bad I can't delete this posting...

Original review posted by user Sep 30, 2012

I met Randi Lynn Kroll at a church craft fair where she was selling this weight loss shake. I've been wanting to lose the 20 lbs.

I gained in nursing school so I figured I would give it a try. While on the shakes, I lost a few inches, but overall was tired and very hungry. I was on my Honeymoon on my 35th birthday when I was notified by my doctor that some lab work I had done for a pre-natal screening showed that I was in kidney failure! I immediately contacted Randi and she told me that was not possible, however, after being off the shakes for two weeks and getting re-tested, my kidney function had gone back to almost normal.

I asked for arefund on the shakes I had just gotten but not opened. The company did not respond to my emails and their voicemail box was full. Randi offered to buy them off me but then stopped returning my calls when I tried to get a hold of her to meet up. Then, she blocked me on facebook after I continued to POLITELY ask for help.

This company had all the makings of a Pyramid scheme. Avoid them if you want your health to stay good!!

Monetary Loss: $200.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

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Guest

"we are sanctioned and regulated by the FTC and FDA"...since your product is a supplement it is NOT santiontioned by, nor even approved by the FDA. What that means, is that you, or anyone making a supplement, can make any claim you want about that supplement without fear that the FDA will make you prove it. No supplements are EVER approved by the FDA...ever...period.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Pulled that right off of your website.

Don't have a dog in the fight, if you want to use it, use it...just get your facts right.

Guest

They will not flat out refuse to give you a refund. Pretty rare that anyone would get kidney failure from Vi shakes.

If that's the case then all protein shakes would do the same if not worse. The quality in the shake is above all else. Which is why it is the most successful wellness shake in the industry. Not sure what the real reason is you got kidney failure but I fail to believe Vi is the reason.

Sorry, not buying it. Oh it's not a pyramid scheme because people actually get the product they purchase.

Not a pyramid scheme LOL.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-841107

Ummmm! Yes it is....I have been in the business.....It is a Scheme....LOL back at ya!

Guest

After being on Visalus shakes i too showed kidney failure on my blood work. My Dr took me off the shakes!

Guest

I tried to get a refund from the company and was flat out refused. I was totally misled about when I could get my refund. I was promised by my sponsor and upline that I had a 90 day guarantee. After 3 weeks, I called them and said I wanted out and asked for my refund. They spent a half hour trying to convince me to give it more time. After all, I had 90 days.

Well, after 90 days, I called Visalus (since my sponsor refused to help me) and asked for my refund. They told me that my package was on on a 30 day guarantee!!!

So I was lied to. My upline now refuses to talk to me. Visalus says "Too bad"

No matter how you slice it, THAT IS A SCAM. :(

Guest

As a nutrition coach being low in calories isn't always a good thing. Calories are good if eat the right ones. No nutritionist would ever say this product is good if they were armed with all ingredients. The protein is very low for 2 scoops. The mix equates to 46% protein which of course then means you are getting lots of fillers. There is 5g of fiber which is good but more fiber the more full feel. However, nothing should be keeping you from taking in some food every 2-3 hrs. as food is fuel if eating the right food. The sugar is low and as such is being replaced by artifical flavoring so it tastes good. In my opinion, sugar is way better for your body than artificial ingredients. The carbs are 7g which isn't high but then one should question what is the source when sugar is low which should lead you to the ingredient list. People need to look at ALL the nutrition facts and then the ingredient list to help understand. The ingredients in this shake are horrible to say the least and are linked to many health issues. I don't need to preach or put it all out here. Go look it up for yourself.

For me I do care what I am actually putting it my body - NOT just the numbers. The numbers are a start and then you got to understand where they derive from. The proof is there - Soy Protein Isolate - bad; don't get me wrong Soy can be good for you only if truely organic and fermented, ZINC OXIDE - Yes, this is in the shake! Ewwww! to name a few. There are many ingredients that if you go research are linked to many health issues.

Glad people are losing weight on it. You can with many shakes if replacing a meal but that doesn't mean it is that good for your body either.

I have many fitness, health and nutrition friends who would NEVER recommend this product And furthermore not one Nutritionist when I have taken the ingredients list in would say it should be part of my diet.

Good Luck and happy reading.

Have a fit day and wish everyone the best in their goals.

If want to follow me you can find me on Facebook - Amber Stroscheim OR www.beachbodycoach.com/rockinamber.

Guest

If you are looking for a credible health and Wellness product feel free to email me myfiero66@***.com. The products we offer are 100% organic, no preservatives, or additives. We offer products that no other company offers and you can actually make a living telling people how its changed your life, like it has for our family.

Guest

Funny how you can't find any articles from any notable magazine or website in field of medicine linking Visalus to kidney failure. Wouldn't you think that if this was the case and given the fact of how big Visalus is, that this would be all over the news?

And why do you have to keep stating that you have an advanced degree? That doesn't make you any more intelligent, maybe you cram well for a test. I have met plenty of college grads with "advanced" degrees that are absolute idiots. It could be that your body is touchy when it comes to soy, which could hurt your kidneys.

That's not just a Vi-shake, that's anything with soy. Lastly, why do most of nurses of meet seem so bitter? Not being mean, it is an overwhelming majority.

So this is an honest question....is it the hours, bosses, people you deal with? Maybe do something else.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-674895

so why no refund and now you spew hate..... this is *** *** promoters *** over priced over hyped product and *** company that lies!!

Guest

This is all so ridiculous. It is impossible that a simple protein shake could make you go into Kidney failure.

Protein shakes do not have that capability. I was 166 lbs. when I started the shakes, and was a complete non-believer when I started. One month later, 20 lbs gone.

Cholesterol levels are normal, blood pressure is down, amongst a hundred other health benefits. Sorry bout it, but you're not giving you're whole story.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-670681

You are a fool. I'm a REGISTERED NURSE with a Master's degree. I THINK I would know more about it than you.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-670681

Actually, high protein diets cause a massive strain on the renal system since the molecules are too large for the glomerulus and the renal calyses to filter, which is why in patients that already have renal failure, they are placed on very low protein diets. Open an accredited medical book before you open your mouth.

Guest

I've been on dialysis for 15 years. My ESRD has no comorbidity (that MDs know of). I received a kidney transplant 2 years ago. (It's my 3rd transplant, and before you think it, I assure everyone that I am extremely compliant as a patient and I don't do drugs, drink, or smoke). Amazingly, my first transplanted kidney is still with me, has not rejected, or atrophied. It just doesn't work. The second kidney, surgical error. (No, I didn't sue them).

That being said, I could have an underlying disease, but it remains a medical mystery 20 years later. So..on to Visalus. After finally getting to eat and drink normally after my 3rd transplant (if you know the renal failure diet, it's ***) I got fat. My pain in the butt friend begged me to try Vi. I had my transplant team look over the ingredients, my transplant dietician scoured it to make sure it was "safe" for me. The big "yes" factor came from it's low protein content (along with the levels of everything else in Vi.)

So, here's the deal. I abhor the marketing. The business itself disgusts me, but I like the product, and it is one that I am able to use. I will not sell it, or even try to. (YES, ViSalus..please just put it on a store shelf, and quit it...you ANNOY me!)

I've been doing well with the shakes..BUT..that is ME. Everyone is different. What is okay for me (that I know of right now) may be the exact opposite for someone else. If you're going to try it, please consult with a myriad of professional sources. Doctor, dietician (nutritionist), and trusted DOs along with eastern medicine. Put it all together and compare notes.

To the original poster, I'm sad to hear your kidneys failed. I cannot say why they did.

Next up..working on raw foods, that don't come out of a bag. (new to it, being cautious, and drinking ViSalus until I figure it out) GMOs scare me.

If every underlying disease, autoimmune issues and the like, were FULLY understood, detectable, and "cured" by one person or modality..I'd dare say he/she is God.

Guest

Sorry, had no kidney problems before starting OR after stopping the shakes. I get labs done annually because I actually am pretty responsible when it comes to my health.

I don't smoke, don't have high blood pressure and have no medical problems requiring medication. So that just blows your theory out of the water.

Guess I can understand why you don't want to post your name so everyone will know who the illiterate *** is. Oh, and I used Slim-fast without a problem and am back to my size 2's from high school.

Guest

If you had kidney failure it was long before you drank the shakes. I have seen how many lives it has changed.

If you would have drank shakes from any other company you probably would have gotten the same results you got with these. Sorry for your misfortune but also gotta be smart about your diet.

It is funny how this company gets called a "pyramid scheme" when people don't get their results, but if it worked for them then they love it better than anything. #smh

Guest

Just read what it is made of. Whey is terrible for your body.

Soy is now linked to so many problems it is crazy. I wish this stuff was good for you but how can it be? It has stuff in it you need to stay away from. Don't believe it?

That is ok go ahead and keep eating products instead of food!! Honestly you all need to eat greens, veggies and fruit. Also you should be eating Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes, Spriuilina, Wheatgrass, Free Range meat, Organic and Fair Trade choices. Eating something with Whey makes NO SENSE.

You all can do research before you take the hook.

Salesmen are salesmen don't forget that. Wish you all the best.

Guest

No where, NO WHERE, does the Scientific Team, or any materials (we are sanctioned and regulated by the FTC and FDA) will you find any directions telling you to drink 3 shakes a day. AS DIRECTED, does not apply.

You were told that for fat loss, you were to make 2 shakes, eat healthy snacks, and eat a well balanced, healthy meal, all the while increasing water intake for optimal health.

It's not some liquid fad-diet. Reading is not the enemy.

Guest

Hi, well actually first off I deleted you off of facebook because you threatened me. I gave you all the information you needed to call and told you I would even call for you, and instead of you being receptive to that I received a facebook message and text from you saying you would take me to authorities if I had not refunded your money.

You were on the shakes two months, we then had a 30 day money back guarantee. The entire time you were on the shakes you, from day one, complained how you didn't feel it would work so I honestly felt from the very beginning that you were looking for excuses.

We were all trying very hard to help you out, even my upline Ambassador, and you did not accept the help rather you posted here and started blogging about it. I am 110% customer service related and was very offended at the approach you took.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-627423

I'm offended that you try to make yourself sound like a freaking saint. I only stated that if I didn't get my refund that I would report you to the better business bureau, which I didn't even do. You might want to get checked for Dementia since I never doubted the product would work, just expressed concern about a food allergy since I didn't have an ingredient list on the sample you initially provided.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-627423

Just so you are aware, I DID call, but the mailbox was full. Since I couldn't get a person to answer the phone the multiple times I called, I couldn't get a return authorization number.

Your district manager, who is a truly nice lady, even tried to get somewhere on getting me a return authorization and even she got frustrated with the runaround and finally told me after trying for two weeks that when she got a hold of someone it was after the refund period. So suck a ***,, you self-rightous ***.

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