L.G. caught out for fraud

[Fernbay]

I've been trying to tell you guys that LG is dodgy shit

Green fridge labelled a fraud
MELISSA SINGER
March 17, 2010


AN ELECTRONICS manufacturer with a history of making false environmental claims has been caught doctoring fridges to make them appear more energy efficient.

LG Electronics has agreed to compensate potentially thousands of consumers after two of its fridges - models L197NFS and P197WFS - were found to contain an illegal device that activates an energy-saving mode when it detects room conditions similar to those in a test laboratory.

The so-called circumvention device was discovered last month by the consumer advocacy group, Choice.

The device detects test conditions - typically 22 degrees - and activates the energy-saving mode, creating the impression of lower running costs and energy usage. The devices have been banned in Australia since 2007.

In reality the fridge, which has a 3.5 star energy rating, costs an extra $250 to run over 10 years and can severely affect food quality because the fridge can shut off when opened.

Choice's tests found the energy consumption of the fridge was 876 kilowatt hours a year, compared to the advertised 738kWh.

Yesterday, the chief executive of Choice, Nick Stace, said the fridge was an extreme example of a company making false or misleading environmental claims, known as ''greenwashing''.

''This fridge is both a potential danger to your food, your wallet and the environment,'' Mr Stace told the Choice National Consumer Congress at Luna Park.

LG Electronics has agreed to pay affected customers $331 to cover the unexpected increase in their power bills, but has not agreed to refund the purchase price of the fridge.

It is the third time LG Electronics has been caught making false claims about the environmental credentials of its products.

In 2008, it had to repay $3 million after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ruled it had inflated the energy-efficiency star rating of five models of air-conditioner.

The Herald understands the ACCC is investigating the latest matter. An ACCC deputy chairman, Peter Kell, would not comment on the investigation, but said consumer laws due to be introduced this year would give regulators greater powers to police claims.

He said the new legislation, the biggest overhaul of consumer law since the 1970s, would give the ACCC the power to force companies to substantiate environmental, health and other claims, as well as the power to enforce harsher penalties.

From April 1, a new star rating labelling system and energy rating calculation will be introduced for all fridges.

A spokeswoman for electrical retailer, The Good Guys, said it received a manufacturer's recall notice from LG for the L197NFS fridge on February 26.

She said the company would offer customers a full refund and would pursue the matter with LG Electronics.

LG Electronics failed to return calls from the Herald yesterday.

[enf]

Ditto Fernbay. I read this this morning and it just confirmed what I have always thought. LG stands for Lucky it Goes.

Cheers
enf

[Arbiter]

Lotsa Greenhouse

[iwacelect]

they should be done for thier power supply designs, one for the DAT-250 and the newer copies of that model, trying to get 1.8amps required by paralelling 2 7805's.....

first one will blow then the other, very lucky a house hasn't burnt down...

[ol' boy]

So thats where Brocky's Polarizer went

[Godzilla]

Ill have you all know in the cold of winter my LG products heat the house nicely, especially the Plasma's. LOL

[kcsoft]

lol @ lg

i used to sell their crap, i noticed how they keep the electronics repair businesses going.

[iwacelect]

lol @ lg

i used to sell their crap, i noticed how they keep the electronics repair businesses going.

mate you've gotta be kidding, under warranty they pay bugger-all, dont pay on all jobs done, if ever, then try to screw you over for money you DONT owe for parts cause thier accounting system is F^%*ing hopeless, all in all it's not fun having anything to do with them, supplier - repairer - end user all crap!

[Ramjet]

mate you've gotta be kidding, under warranty they pay bugger-all, dont pay on all jobs done, if ever, then try to screw you over for money you DONT owe for parts cause thier accounting system is F^%*ing hopeless, all in all it's not fun having anything to do with them, supplier - repairer - end user all crap!

Yet people keep buying the shit...

[Fernbay]

mate you've gotta be kidding, under warranty they pay bugger-all, dont pay on all jobs done, if ever, then try to screw you over for money you DONT owe for parts cause thier accounting system is F^%*ing hopeless, all in all it's not fun having anything to do with them, supplier - repairer - end user all crap!

That's right. That's how come I dropped them about 2 years ago now

Their 'genius' bean counters now have to replace plasma sets at Nelson Bay

[bss904]

LG are no different to politicians. They lie directly to you to help their own causes and bottom line.

[mtv]

I hope the ACCC goes though them big time.

$3M last time... wonder how much this time for a repeat offence.

They deserve everything they get!

[oyama]

Ill have you all know in the cold of winter my LG products heat the house nicely, especially the Plasma's. LOL

funny you should say that, my electricity bill has jumped dramatically, kids pay the xbox 360, watch fox etc.. not to mention the LG42Px5d has had 3 panels replaced since 2006 rubbish never will buy LG again.

[bigfella08]

Yet people keep buying the shit...

Because Most consumers just look at a price tag and dont research there purchase enough...

[iwacelect]

Because Most consumers just look at a price tag and dont research there purchase enough...

or they haven't heard of austech!.......YET!

all they gotta do is google the buggers and hay presto, a good cross section of customers reviews on thier LG purchase...

[bigfella08]

or they haven't heard of austech!.......YET!

all they gotta do is google the buggers and hay presto, a good cross section of customers reviews on thier LG purchase...

So True...Google is your friend.....

[enf]

As I said earlier, I don't touch LG. However, if you buy from stores that have a replacement policy, the issue of repair becomes moot.

All Myer stores operate this way. And no, I don't work for Myers.

Cheers
enf

[iwacelect]

here's more on this



now they're being forced to offer refunds or new fridge

[enf]

LG "Larceny's Good"

Cheers
enf

[mtv]

Gotta love this line...

Mr Brand denied suggestions that the inaccurate energy efficiency claims were a ploy to sell more units.

"I'm sure there's some out there who may have that view, but we take our product quality very, very seriously,"

Wow... imagine how bad their products would be if they weren't so dedicated to quality.... and here's me thinking they were bad enough already...