COMBAT’s barrage of contacts brings pressure in case of ab fat-burning belt

Ab Energizer of California gave our COMBAT mediation volunteer a workout when she worked on behalf of Maine consumer, Ms. P of Kenduskeag.

After seeing an ad that promised sleeker, toned abs like those sported by the svelte models on TV, Ms. P’s saga began. Rather than picking up the dumbbells, she picked up the telephone and ordered an Ab Energizer Ab Belt. The holidays were coming up and Ms. P meant business, so she quickly sent a check, pledging that by Thanksgiving no one would be likely to mistake her for a stuffed turkey.

The California company quickly cashed the check, but almost two months after Ms. P mailed her money, no ab belt had arrived, so she called the company’s customer service staff. Ab Energizer promised to put a rush on the order, but 12 days and a turkey dinner later, the only things the letter carrier had delivered were Christmas cards. Another call to customer service resulted in assurances that the item was mailed two days earlier.

But three weeks later the only thing hanging around Ms. P’s middle was a canceled check. So she called again. “Not to worry,” said Ab Energizer. “We’ll place priority shipping on your order at no extra charge and it will be on your doorstep in a week.”

Not to be fooled a fifth time, Ms. P contacted Northeast COMBAT. Already a member, she handed the reins over to one of our volunteers. Our caseworker informed Ab Energizer that it was in violation of a Federal Trade Commission regulation that says goods must be shipped within the time specified in the advertisements, or within 30 days if not otherwise specified. Otherwise, the customer should be offered a full refund. Ab Energizer failed to respond to COMBAT’s letter.

So our caseworker wrote again, telling Ab Energizer who would be bearing down on it since it had failed to respond to COMBAT.

We interpreted the lack of response to our second letter as a distinct “Go for it!”

OK, Ab Energizer, you asked for it … the “COMBAT blitz.”

True to our promise, COMBAT immediately contacted the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs, the federal postal inspector in charge at Pasadena, Calif., Los Angeles’ Better Business Bureau, California’s attorney general, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the Federal Trade Commission, the Van Nuys, Calif., Chamber of Commerce, and the WB television network on which Ab Energizer ran its ad.

The letters stated that we in Maine were concerned that a company within their jurisdiction might have been taking advantage of consumers and, particularly, we would appreciate them working actively on the behalf of Ms. P so that she would receive her product or a refund.

Within a week, we received a fax from the company stating that Ms. P should receive her Ab Belt within 10 days.

And she did, just in time for summer. We also received a call from the Mid Valley (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce inquiring as to whether Ab Energizer had complied, proving that our California contacts had indeed assisted us with Ms. P’s case. Each agency received a letter of thanks from COMBAT, praising their successful efforts.

Rarely does it take such an extensive team effort to reach a satisfactory conclusion when dealing with a legitimate business.

However, the tactics of Ab Energizer were hardly legitimate. Therefore, it does happen on occasion that our COMBAT volunteers are put to the test.

But the jokes are on the shady businesses out there because after 31 years, COMBAT has friends and relationships with agencies in all 50 states ready to help us on behalf of Maine consumers. And we don’t give up!

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.