Mira-Cool and Cool Surge: Too good to be true?

It seems that once a company (this one being Fridge Electric) gets a "Don't Buy!" rating from Consumer Reports (for their Cool Surge evaporative cooler) they just figure they have to wait a summer and release it under a new name: Mira-Cool. The Consumer Reports article on the air cooling unit opens with:

The Cool Surge might sound appealing when you consider the roughly 500 watts needed to run even a small air conditioner. Ohio-based Fridge Electric LLC, which markets the Cool Surge, has even offered a two-for-one deal in full-page ads in The New York Times and other newspapers. But our tests show that when it comes to cooling a room, the Cool Surge is likely to disappoint you at any price.

I first started researching the Mira-Cool product when I saw their full-page ad in USA Today. I guess they decided to change the name of the unit after Consumer Reports suggested that nobody buy it. From what I can tell, there is no difference between the Cool Surge and the Mira-Cool.

Their ad in USA Today starts off incredibly misleading with the title, "Public set to get free air cooling units" and goes on to say, "A new miracle air cooler is actually being given away free to the first 11,337 readers.." Well, after further reading I discovered that it was really a buy 1 (at $298) get 1 free, but you still had to pay for shipping on both units! But why who cares if you get both of them free if they don't work as advertised?

Any company that says this in their FAQ has to be joking:

Q: Can I leave it on when I'm not home?

A: It's recommended that you don't because when you get home, the MIRA-COOL can quickly blast out ice cooled air.

Unfortunately I don't think Mira-Cool and Fridge Electric is kidding even though their claims are a joke. Whenever you read something that seems too good to be true...it probably is. There are hundreds of companies out there trying to take advantage of the public's ignorance on energy issues. Keep reading Mapawatt Blog (and keep your eyes peeled for other energy scams) and don't get taken advantage of!

P.S. : If you want to see the Mira-Cool product for yourself (and at your own risk) go to www.mira-cool.com and enter claim code MC1008.

Tags:

air conditioner scam

cool surge

fridge electric

mira cool review

mira-cool

mira-cool scam

miracle air cooler

miracle air cooler scam

ny times air conditioner

ripoff report

Comments

ckmapawatt Fri, 03/11/2011 - 01:17

aijha, so it seems you're a customer rep for companies that practice questionable marketing tactics: http://coincollector.org/archives/003358.html

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/06/2011 - 17:49

wow, what scam . was ready to order one of the units , but decided to try & research weight & dimensions . could not find any info on unit or company. checked bbb results & very glad i did. many thanks to all who posted their info about this co. saved me alot of frustations & money. thanks everyone . hollis .

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/07/2011 - 13:27

The same company apparently sells Heat Surge heaters with fireplace mantles made by Amish craftsmen. One ad said 17,247 would heaters would be given away. The catch is you pay for the mantle and for shipping. The heater itself is made in China. According to a newspaper review, you could buy a portable heater with similar capabilities at a store for a fraction of the price. The ad listed the company address at 8000 Freedom Ave. in North Canton, Ohio, but "Heat Surge, LLC" is listed on the internet with 3939 Everhard Rd. NW in Canton as the address. The BBB has logged 388 complaints to date against the company.

ckmapawatt Mon, 02/07/2011 - 17:33

You're right Jim. Here's my blog post on them : <a href="http://mapawatt.com/2010/12/08/amish-heater-review/" rel="nofollow">Amish Heater Review</a>. The only thing made by the "Amish" is the mantle. Like you said, the heater is made in China. And I question the mantle portion as well. I think it's silly to market a device that uses electricity as Amish...

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/31/2011 - 14:57

This product is very good product and will produce the correct results. If you are hot it will make room cold. It is no cost to you it is free like the ad says. It cost penny a day and it is free no cost to you. You can order ten of them and it is free no cost to you.

ckmapawatt Thu, 03/31/2011 - 15:00

Rodney, I believe your information is false. Please prove to me that it is free and not a buy one get one free deal. Also, explain why Consumer Reports is coming up with different results than you are? Do you work for this company?

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/31/2011 - 15:11

So sorry. Meant to say it is scam and do not buy you will be mad and sorry.

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/08/2011 - 16:32

Well spread the freaking word around... get on Facebook, chat rooms, post this article and one's like it : http://registercitizen.com/articles/2010/07/03/news/doc4c3012ed6c413872706161.txt Call you local radio and TV stations and ask if they have heard of this scam.... My friends Brother is a Truck Driver for a well known Delivery Service, he's told me he has delivered over 40 of these units today alone. Many of them too Seniors' that don't have the funds too handle this. This S.O.B. needs a class action lawsuit shoved down his throat.

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 04/09/2011 - 17:01

I canceled my order 18005048105 in about five minutes...good luck. be sure you have your order #

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 06/04/2011 - 19:37

I actually purchased bogo to include S&H for a total of 196. I actually am pretty satisfied with the units as they also have a heater mode too. Don't get me wrong, they aren't no refrigerated air units, but they do a fairly decent job. They are just mini, portable, swamp air conditioners.

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