Shaping up is hard to do. And many ads that make big claims about the number of calories you'll burn also may be deceptive. These may not be typical. Celebrity endorsements don't necessarily mean the equipment is right for you, either. Get the total cost of the product before you buy.
Total cost includes sales tax, shipping and handling, delivery, and set-up fees.
Get the details on warranties, guarantees, and return policies. Check out the company's customer service and support, too, in case you need replacement parts. Try any toll-free numbers to see whether help really is accessible. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies U.S. and abroad.