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Deceptive Ad Claims For Gas Saving Devices Can Cost You Plenty!
This current scam is aimed at taking advantage of consumers overwhelming need to lower their gas costs. These scam artists are trying to convince you that a fuel saving device installed on your vehicle will somehow miraculously cut your gasoline usage 20 to 30 percent or even higher. The Federal Trade Commission has done thorough testing of gas saving devices. From this extensive research comes this advice. The Federal Trade Commission warns drivers to be extremely wary of any gasoline saving claims for additives or devices. The test and research results to date show that there has not been any fuel saving device that significantly increases fuel economy in any way! There are a few popular ads and claims used in gas saving device advertising strategy. Here are a few to watch out for: Be extremely skeptical of this kind of advertising scam: the ad claims "This gas saving device increases gas economy by 20 percent." In general gas saving device advertising claims savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has tested or evaluated more than 100 supposed gas-saving devices and additives and to this day has not found any one of them that significantly increases gas mileage. In fact, some of these alleged "gasoline-saving" products actually might damage your engine or cause an increase of fuel exhaust emissions. That could even cause your car to fail emissions test that are required in many states. Another deceptive advertising method used are ones that are based on great and glowing testimonials from satisfied consumers and drivers. An example: "After putting your product on my vehicle, I saw that I started getting an extra 6 miles per gallon of gas." Don't rely on some amateur drivers claim to justify spending your money. These advertisements use glowing testimonials by satisfied drivers as their proof that their device works. No consumer has the equipment or the ability to test for precise changes in gasoline mileage after installing a fuel saving device. Even if the consumer had the right equipment the conditions and the environment in which they could test the product could not be adequately controlled. Different variables affect gasoline mileage. These include road conditions, weather conditions, traffic conditions, and the condition of the vehicle. For example in one deceptive advertising case that was researched, a driver wrote a letter praising a "gasoline saving" device. Of course this consumer forgot to mention that when he had the aforementioned device installed, he also had his car completely tuned up. The increase in fuel economy that was attributed to the "gasoline saving" device in the letter was most certainly a result of the tune up and not the device. The device advertisement did not mention this, so other drivers and consumers would never know it was the tune up not the device that accounted for any increase in fuel economy. You have now read of a few of the deceptive methods that companies selling gasoline saving products use to convince you to buy their product. Unfortunately there are many other deceptive methods used. Those companies are taking advantage of high gasoline costs which require drivers to seek any way to lower their gasoline costs. Don't become a victim of these deceptive practices. Don't forget, if it sounds too good to be true, it is! Buyer beware! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Scott Siegel has written a 143 page book of automotive industry insider secrets on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage. |
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