Ab Energizer - A Hoax, A Scam, A Rip-Off, A Dupe, A Sham....
Written: Jan 19 '02 (Updated Jul 19 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Couldn't Tell You
Cons: See The Pros
The Bottom Line: Hey, if they were reputable, I wouldn't be here
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| cletta1201's Full Review: AB Energizer |
*I know there is some debate as to the helpfulness of this review. My argument (I think it's solid) is that I can not tell you how this product fits, feels or works because I never received it. I think it's important to let people know what kind of company they're dealing with.
My boyfriend is a complete and total sucker. He’s one of those people you have to constantly watch because he’ll be sitting around watching infomercials and QVC and suddenly I’ve got a 100 lb. Deep fryer in my house or something. One day, while unsupervised, my boyfriend ordered the ab energizer. If you are familiar with this product or it’s infomercial you will know that it is another lazy contraption made for Americans who increasingly grow lazier everyday and who now feel that instead of doing a good old-fashioned sit-up that you can strap on a belt that will stimulate your muscles into a six pack of steel that will make the ladies swoon and the men drool.
In late October, my boyfriend placed a telephone order for the Ab Energizer and paid using his visa. The transaction went through, and he was told that due to overwhelming demand he would be receiving his ab energizer within 4 to 6 weeks. A long time to be waiting, in 4 to 6 weeks he could have had abs of steel, but hey, maybe it would be worth the wait. Perhaps this would be the best $72.90 he had ever spent. Or maybe not.
At the end of November, my boyfriend asked if I would call to see why his miracle machine had not yet arrived. I called the number I was originally given, and the representative that I spoke with told me that she could not specifically track the order but after I gave her the date on which the order was placed she assured me that the ab energizer would be shipped the first week in December. Fine, man this thing better be great. The last week in December and still no ab energizer. I phone the only number I have and inquire as to why it has not arrived, the gentleman I spoke with this time informed me that he couldn’t even tell me when it had shipped but gave me the number to the actual company as they were just a telephone center who placed orders and had no control or information.
Ok, the ab people want to play hardball, huh? I dial up the number ready to give my angry consumer speech, I’m greeted by a general message about how busy they are due to the holidays and when they are open. I’m told that on Mondays and Tuesdays their busiest days, my wait on hold could exceed 20 minutes. HOLY COW…this thing must be great. I push 1 for the ab energizer department (they sell lots of stuff), and the phone begins to ring. And then it rings and rings and rings. Not once did I get a voice prompt that all operators were busy nor did I receive any indication that anyone would ever come to the phone. I waited on hold for 15 minutes with the phone ringing and never got anyone.
Two more days go by, I call the company direct, still no answer so I decided to call the order center and ask for another number, I get no luck. I tell them my concern, they say I can write them a letter and give me the address. I call the company direct again at 9:30 am (they open at 6:30 am pst) no answer and wait on hold for 35 minutes (I have a speakerphone and I watched Regis and Kelly).
I decide to email them at the address they give over the phone, I write them a scathing email and tell them I expect response in 48 hours. 2 weeks later, I haven’t heard from them.
This week, I’ve decided to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in California where the company, Genesis Intermedia is located (you have to file in the state the place is located).
While you may think this review isn’t really all that helpful, I wanted to make you as another consumer aware of the things that are going within this “company” If and when the ab energizer arrives, I’ll come back and rate it again, for now it gets the big thumbs down.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 25, 2002
My friend has recently gotten a job where she writes form letters for disgruntled consumers who buy as seen on tv products. I have been informed that those who DO purchase this peice of equipment and return within the 30 days will simply be returning it to a PO BOX, which will cause the ABENERGIZER to be returned to you, therefore voiding your 30 days. I am also told that the phone numbers given are NEVER answered (as has been the case in my instance) and that the ABENERGIZER people also own (through a parent company) many of the ab belts you see on televison. I suggest for anyone reading this who has been frauded to contact their local chapter of the Better Business Bureaus, because if more people don't speak out, they too will lose money. Also, if you must buy this product, make sure to buy with a credit card, so that if it does not arrive, like my product, you can report fraud and receive a refund.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
cletta1201
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Cletta The Great
Location: Northern Virginia
Reviews written: 309
Trusted by: 262 members
About Me:
Unlike Madtheory, you can call mine a comeback.
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