Goji Scam - Is the Price Right?

Is the Goji scam the reason commercially produced Goji products are suddenly available at hugely discounted prices over the Internet?

Yes. The problem with Goji products, juice supplements in particular, is that they were generally marketed under dubious MLM/pyramiding schemes. Multilevel marketing companies have been the subjects of close scrutiny by the US Federal Trade Commission.

The dubious marketing practices of companies offering Goji products, at what many deemed exorbitant prices, focused the spotlight on the Goji (or Lycium barbarum) itself and how true the hype about Lycium berries was.

Goji Scam - Natural vs. Commercial

A particular hot button issue was if expensive Goji products were worth the price because they gave consumers added nutritional benefits. Or were fresh Lycium berries capable of providing the same benefits at a fraction of the price?

Those who do not mind paying extra for processed Lycium berries or Goji cite the following advantages:

• It is more portable and can be taken anywhere, even as a sports drink.
• It typically has added nutrients aside from those found in fresh berries.
• It is easier to take in larger doses.

But according to fresh Lycium berry aficionados, fresh berries give about the same amount of benefits and nutrients. Furthermore, those who prefer organically grown berries argue that fresh Goji:

• tastes much better;
• costs much less; and
• consumers can be certain they are ingesting only sulfur-free produce (bright red-orange berries indicate sulphur).

One good thing happened as a result of the scam: Goji juice products are now available at as much as 70% off their pre-scam prices – which makes many consumers wonder: If a company can cut prices by THAT much, does it mean that the products were grossly overpriced in the first place?

Yes, most probably were – as many products sold under MLM are. Multilevel marketing allows profit to be spread across many levels, and that profit has to come from somewhere. So, a huge markup is tacked onto the manufacturer's tag price.

Although MLM products, such as Goji juice, may be beneficial, the general opinion now is that consumers are better off going straight to the source to be able to avail themselves of much cheaper products; or they could opt for organically grown Goji instead.

To compare prices:

Commercial Goji products = $8 (down from $20) for 16 oz. (Generally, NOT pure Goji juice.) via manufacturers/online stores
Organic Goji produce = $6 to $10 PER POUND via herbal grocers (Some of the swankier – or more opportunistic – grocers may sell them for as much as $20 per pound. But it would still be cheaper than the same amount for a few ounces!)

More than the issue of pricing, the Goji scam should have really focused more on the potential side effects of Goji (e.g., certain allergic skin reactions have been observed, particularly in people who are also allergic to tomatoes) that were concealed from the public by people who were more concerned about making a fast buck.

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