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**greeferweq** · 01-25-2009, 10:11 PM

I'm not sure when it began, but it seems that you can make almost any absurd claim in a TV ad without running afoul of the law. Caveat emptor in its purest form.

"Not available in stores" gives the impression that it's something special, and you'll save money by buying direct. In reality, it shields the company from direct complaints, for even if the product isn't completely worthless, the big money is made on "shipping and handling charges," and confusing instructions; where you think you are buying one and getting a second at half-price, when you are really ordering two and getting a second pair.

The impression given is that "shipping and handling" is charged by the shipping company, but "handling" is part of what UPS does when it charges you for "shipping." Someone found this out when he ordered three [you'd think he would have tried one first] of those electronic bug repellents [that don't work at all], and was charged $60 for delivery. He discovered the shipping charge was $7.50.

There may have been complaints from the carriers, because lately I hear "shipping and processing."

One of my favorite scams is the Amish Fireplace

The early newspaper ads for the product stated that "Amish man’s new miracle idea helps home heat bills hit rock bottom," giving the impression that an Amish guy invented a heater (

). There's a website called Amish Fireplaces Dot Com, but there's nothing there except a place to enter a claim code. All links point to another website, Heat Surge.

There is mention of an Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio, but nothing about a factory. And it's not as if you could contact the Amish factory manager and ask, "Is it real wood or freakin' particle board."

The truth is, no matter who is making the "wood mantles," the heater is a standard 1500 watt 5100 BTU resistive electric heater with a fan. You can get them at any appliance store for around 50 bucks, but if you want something from the "China coast" and "the humble and kindly Amish," it will set you back about $500.

The website pictures [some obviously PSed] say it all.

Is this an Amish guy, or the ex Surgeon General, who now hawks Life Alert bracelets.

Satisfied customers. LOL!

Consumer blogs:
http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2...-up-with-that/

http://www.k0lee.com/blog/2008/12/am...ater-scam.html

01-25-2009, 10:11 PM	#1
greeferweq Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 375 Senior Member	Scams, Shams, and Assorted Quackeries I'm not sure when it began, but it seems that you can make almost any absurd claim in a TV ad without running afoul of the law. Caveat emptor in its purest form. "Not available in stores" gives the impression that it's something special, and you'll save money by buying direct. In reality, it shields the company from direct complaints, for even if the product isn't completely worthless, the big money is made on "shipping and handling charges," and confusing instructions; where you think you are buying one and getting a second at half-price, when you are really ordering two and getting a second pair. The impression given is that "shipping and handling" is charged by the shipping company, but "handling" is part of what UPS does when it charges you for "shipping." Someone found this out when he ordered three [you'd think he would have tried one first] of those electronic bug repellents [that don't work at all], and was charged $60 for delivery. He discovered the shipping charge was $7.50. There may have been complaints from the carriers, because lately I hear "shipping and processing." One of my favorite scams is the Amish Fireplace The early newspaper ads for the product stated that "Amish man’s new miracle idea helps home heat bills hit rock bottom," giving the impression that an Amish guy invented a heater (). There's a website called Amish Fireplaces Dot Com, but there's nothing there except a place to enter a claim code. All links point to another website, Heat Surge. There is mention of an Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio, but nothing about a factory. And it's not as if you could contact the Amish factory manager and ask, "Is it real wood or freakin' particle board." The truth is, no matter who is making the "wood mantles," the heater is a standard 1500 watt 5100 BTU resistive electric heater with a fan. You can get them at any appliance store for around 50 bucks, but if you want something from the "China coast" and "the humble and kindly Amish," it will set you back about $500. The website pictures [some obviously PSed] say it all. Is this an Amish guy, or the ex Surgeon General, who now hawks Life Alert bracelets. Satisfied customers. LOL! Consumer blogs: http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2...-up-with-that/ http://www.k0lee.com/blog/2008/12/am...ater-scam.html
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