FRIDGE ELECTRIC LLC

Customer Complaints Summary

Read Complaints | Definitions | BBB Complaint Process | File a Complaint against FRIDGE ELECTRIC LLC
See Trends in Complaints on FRIDGE ELECTRIC LLC

• Government Actions

  BBB knows of no significant government actions involving FRIDGE ELECTRIC LLC .

  What government actions does BBB report on?

• Advertising Review

  Recently the BBB contacted Fridge Electric in regard to their Miracool Portable Air Cooler, after several inquires to the BBB generated concern about the company's advertising campaign in several states. The BBB asked the company to address the following concerns and the company voluntarily provided the following responses.
  
  Use of the word free-several inquiries indicated confusion as to what was being given away for free. The company responded by stating FTC and state regulations requires that terms of the offer being given away free be in a clear and conspicuous distance from the word free, and notes that the terms of the offer are directly under the main headline in the first sub-headline. While the main headline is intended to catch the eye and attention of the consumer the sub-headline clearly indicates that one air cooler is given out to those who purchase the first.  The company also states that removal of these terms will cause further confusion and that after the 48 hour deadline the second unit priced at $298 will no longer be given away for free.
  
  Comparison to air conditioner-inquiries indicate confusion as to the Miracool Air Cooler's primary function in relation to a standard air conditioning unit.   The company responded  by explaining that the product allows a consumer to fill the unit with cold water, turn it on and cool the air in the room surrounding the unit.  The company also maintains that they make no claims as to the function or efficiency of the air cooler  as compared to an air conditioning, but tries to educate the consumer about the Mira-cool air cooler  and in the ad it clearly states the Mira-cool portable air cooler is not an air conditioner.  However BBB inquiries have shown that the constant reference to the air conditioning unit  causes a misunderstanding among consumers that the unit would function in the same capacity.
   
  Sense of Urgency-inquiries have indicated that consumers are led to believe that they must purchase the product within a 48 hour deadline in order to receive the promotion advertised.  The BBB questioned the company as to the legitimacy of the deadline after several ads were sent to our office which advertised the same promotion in various locations.  The company responded by informing the BBB that a strict policy is enforced when running the promotion and that after the 48 hour deadline consumers are no longer allowed to receive the second unit for free. The special pricing of the air cooler is confined to the offer because of limited quantities available.  The company also adds its concern with consumer demand exceeding existing inventory so time limitations on consumer orders are necessary. Utilizing a deadline allows Fridge Electric  to plan staffing and resources to provide better service to consumers and that the product is offered periodically and not on a continuous basis, therefore could end at anytime. 
  
  Uses pennies a day/pennies an hour-BBB inquiries show consumer interest as to the savings claims advertised.  The BBB asked the company to substantiate this claim..company response tells us that the Miracool Portable air cooler for an entire 24 hour period, would cost the average consumer only 22 cents. The company uses the 2009/2010 Residential figure for the Average retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Consumers as published by the U. S. Energy Information Administration/Electric Power to calculate the average cost to run the Mira-cool Portable Air Cooler.  So the company maintains the claim "using only pennies a day" is clearly substantiated. 
  
  Uses 95% less electricity than an air conditioner. Again consumer inquiries show interest as to the savings claim advertised. The company based their calculation on the energy consumption of both products. The Miracool uses 80 watts of energy while most window air conditioner use 1465 watts. 
  
   
  
  
   

  What is BBB Advertising Review?