“Ladies, gentlemen, young, old, today I come offering a remedy that has never been seen before; a surprise, something new, good, unique and innovative, a recipe that offers healing from the evils of our city. This medicine prevents tiredness, fatigue and drowsiness, cleans the digestive tract from the throat down to the intestines, and provides vitamins, minerals and proteins that strengthens the immune system, calms the nervous system, relieves depression, and cures all the symptoms that the arrival of the new millennium has afflicted upon us such as ulcers, constipation, colds, sclerosis, stroke, gallbladder, liver, and kidney problems, anemia and of course those pesky bunions…Take it, take it today in this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Anyone who has lived in Mexico City can identify this long tirade, the flowery speech of the mercolicos, known vendors who sell remedies filled with promises of multiple benefits with minimal functionality, if not completely are useless.

Trying to sell any product or service providing unspecific benefits that it doesn’t have is risky, if not a complete scam. It is a common practice in street markets and fairs, however does it happen in the formal market? More often than you would think.