Consumers considering the purchase of Hearthware Inc.’s NuWave Oven, usually sold through infomercials, should consider an alert from the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona.
Chicago-based Hearthware has accrued 1,291 complaints from consumers in all 50 states that were filed with the BBB — 331 of them in the past 12 months. Several of the complaints were filed by Tucson consumers.
Most of the complaints say consumers were charged for “free” products or for large shipping and processing fees associated with products they thought were free.
Other complaint topics include “faulty product, difficulty in returning or receiving a refund, misleading advertising practices and difficulty in contacting the company with emails and phone calls unanswered,” said Kim States, president of the local BBB.
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To help avoid problems when buying items advertised on infomercials, the BBB recommends consumers take time to consider the purchase instead of getting caught up in urgent sales pitches, such as “order now before prices increase.” It also suggests researching the company and product at www.bbb.org to check its rating.
If the business cannot supply confirmations and tracking numbers, the BBB said, consumers should be suspicious.
An understanding of the fine print, such as return policies, exchange options and privacy policies should be had before making the purchase.
If buyers receive products that are damaged, disappointing or arrive late, the seller should be notified immediately, the BBB said.
