Products > Dodgy Technology

"mini air conditioner" scam (fake endorsement)

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NiHaoMike:

Them resorting to creating a fake endorsement (making it look like a popular Youtube STEM show is endorsing it) really puts them in the dodgy category.

Deodand2014:
BigClive covered a similar set up about a year ago. In the case he covered you had the sellers of a 'power saver' gadget taking footage from a documentary and adding their own text overlay to claim that the person pictured was some kind of 'energy genius' that 'big oil' was trying to supress.

MrMobodies:
I was looking for remote controlled energy saving plugs on ebay and I have been seeing the crap in the video above all over the search results.

I reported all of them under Prohibited and restricted items -> Other Prohibited and restricted items ->  Product safety / Recalled items.

Days later I had offers appear for them and some are still there.



These things are on recall notice in the UK:

https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-report-power-factor-saver-plug-in-energy-saving-device-sd001-2204-0023


--- Quote ---Product Recall: Power Factor Saver plug-in energy saving device (SD001) (2204-0023)
Product Recall for Power Factor Saver - SD001 presenting a serious risk of fire and electric shock.

Summary
Product: Power Factor Saver - SD001

Hazard: The product presents a serious risk of electric shock and fire as it does not bear a plug compliant with BS1363; is fitted with a large unmarked capacitor increasing the risk of short-circuiting; and has no fuse or other protection.

Corrective action: The listings have been removed from the online marketplaces (eBay, AliExpress and Wish). The authority are requiring the recall of the product from end users.
Product information
Type   Electrical appliances and equipment - Plug-in energy-saving device
eBay item number   402795079034
Country of Origin   China
Product description   Black and gold energy saving plug in device.
Product Report and Image   Link to product image and PDF
Hazard
The product presents a serious risk of electric shock and fire as it does not bear a plug compliant with BS1363. The plug pins were all the same length, and the earth pin is insulated and too short to operate the shutter. The live and neutral pins were also too long, and the product has weak plug pins that are liable to break off in the socket-outlet. The product is fitted with a large, unmarked capacitor which is fitted across the mains. Such capacitors are required to be approved and be of the X2 type, yet the capacitors fitted across the mains were not of the approved type which means there is a higher risk of these devices short-circuiting. The product also lacked a fuse or other protection which means that it relies on the building circuit breaker for protection. The product also claimed to have lightning or spike protection, but testing confirmed it had no components that would perform any such function.

The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.

Corrective action
The listings have been removed from the online marketplaces (eBay, AliExpress and Wish). The authority are requiring the recall of the product from end users.

We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.

Additional information
PSD case number: 2204-0023

Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards

Published 28 April 2022
--- End quote ---

AVGresponding:
Sadly I don't think either ebay or the government actually give a shit. Naturally it's all about money; ebay don't want to lose any (revenue from sellers), and the government don't want to spend any (on enforcement).

Haenk:
These recalls (like RAPEX in EU) are for this shown device only. So even if it has the same functionality (haha), even the same manufacturer - if it is a different model, it is not covered by the recall. So nobody (ebay) will cancel the listing.
Amazon might request a CE or compliance certificate from the seller, but I never got them to do so...

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