Misleading: Tommie Copper 1/13/24 “Compression”

Quse · ‎09-05-2014

I just watched Shawn present this TSV with the Tommie Copper rep and I am disgusted by what I just saw. A woman called in and said she bought these for her father as his feet are swollen, to help in physical therapy. She implied that she bought a size larger so her father could get them on, and Shawn listened very empathetically while the Tommie Copper rep was right there. These are NOT medical grade compression stockings and I am furious that it's being implied.

I am a certified compression garment fitter and these ARE NOT medical grade compression garments (they don't state that they are, BUT, that phone call implied to others that these socks will help with edema. They won't)

They shouldn't even be allowed to say "compression socks" as they are basically just tight fitting socks, nothing more.

How deceptive and disgusting.

Franklinbell · ‎01-04-2015

@Quse @Hi! I have a question. What qualifies a sock to be a compression sock? I'm just curious! Thank you!

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

At midnight last night, Shawn did say they were not medical compression socks.

However, it should be said during all presentations.

Quse · ‎09-05-2014

I don't know what qualifies a sock to be able to be called a "compression sock".

To be a qualified MEDICAL grade compression garment, the compression has to have a compression rating in milimeters of mercury (mmHg). It's more compicated than I can explain here. The strength of the compression is meaured this way. Also, depending on what you want the compression for (bed or walking), you would need to know if the garment has graduated compression, meaning, varying degrees of compression to help facilitate lymphatic movement, etc..

A common misconception is that if a compression garment is difficulty to get on, you can just size up. That's incorrect. Compression has to be gaged to what you want the garment to do.

As I stated, Tommie Copper isn't claiming these socks are medical grade and can be used for edema, but taking calls and acting as if these are anything more than tight fitting socks can serious harm someone with edema. You can actually make the situation worse by trying to "help" edema with an ill fitting "compression" garment, sock or otherwise.

Quse · ‎09-05-2014

@Foxxee wrote:
At midnight last night, Shawn did say they were not medical compression socks.

However, it should be said during all presentations.

Well, at least that's something. My heart goes out to the woman who called in though, thinking these socks would help her father. They might actually make his siutation worse, unfortunately

Glitter51 · ‎08-23-2010

the hosts and vendors will do and say ( in this case) not say anything to sell an item. It's shameful. If not Shawn, but the vendor should have reiterated that the socks were not medical grade. Shame on you QVC for allowing this to happen.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Quse. QVC can not be and is not responsible for claims and comments made by callers. Over the years, we've heard a lot worse than that.

I use non-medical compression socks when I fly because my feet and legs really swell. They do the job just fine. That's all I ask. I know the difference.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

@Franklinbell All I know is that I had 3 joint replacements done (2 hips, 1 knee). In EACH CASE (3 different surgeons) I had to wear COMPRESSION SOCKS for 6 WKS after surgery. The ONLY time I could remove them was at night and that's when I washed them.

I was SO THRILLED to get those socks OFF of me after the 6 weeks, I swore I'd never, ever, in 1 million yrs, wear compression socks again!

That the TSV is NOT a medical grade compression sock leads me to believe they are more comfortable than what I had to endure!

However, I am still hesitant to try them after my experiences witih medical grade compression socks

Spoiler

qbetzforreal · ‎08-28-2010

There are non-medical compression socks and stockings. My doctor has recommended a brand to wear when flying.

I don't think QVC has made the claim that TSV is medical.

Quse · ‎09-05-2014

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Quse. QVC can not be and is not responsible for claims and comments made by callers. Over the years, we've heard a lot worse than that.

I use non-medical compression socks when I fly because my feet and legs really swell. They do the job just fine. That's all I ask. I know the difference.

There's responsibility to advertise a product accurately. Justifying "less bad" representations by citing that QVC has done worse is a weak point. It should have been stressed to the caller that these are not medical grade and should not be used in that manner...even if the sale gets lost.

Maybe you know the difference, many don't. Improperly fitted garments that cut off circulation can, and do, lead to bigger issues. I've had to deal with patients who have fallen victim to just this sort of thing.

FYI Tommie Copper had a class action lawsuit for deceptive advertising of its copper infused compression garments and settled in the millions. I realize that companies often settle such things rather than taking larger losses, but you'd think they'd be a little more wary at the slightest hint of impropriety.