By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com
March 12, 2009
Six months ago, when gasoline prices were at their peak, everyone from furniture stores to timeshare salesmen found an offer of free gasoline was a sure-fire way to draw in consumers. But many consumers who endured a timeshare sales pitch are still waiting for their free fuel.
In many cases companies offered free vouchers from a company called freebeegas.com. Consumers writing to ConsumerAffairs.com say they followed directions but have received nothing.
I purchased furniture from Ashley furniture in the fall of '08, said Michael, of Barnegat, New Jersey. My approximately $5000.00 purchase was influenced on the $500.00 in gasoline rebate program. I sent in the first set of voucher for Freebee Gas. I did receive my first card, but for the incorrect station. No problem yet. I sent in the second set of vouchers and the mail came back to me undeliverable.
Joe, of Palm Bay, Florida, had a similar experience.
In June 2008, we were offered $300.00 worth of free gas if we participated in a Toyota demonstration at the Toyota dealer in Melbourne, he said. We were given some forms to send in for the free gas in which I was required to by gas at my choice of dealers and I selected Sams Club/Wal Mart. I faithfully did this starting in August, 2008 and so far through January, 2009. I have not as of today, received any cards for the free gas.
Joe said he took his problem to the Toyota dealer, who he says also tried to get results. He said he was told that all the gas cards would be delivered by February 15.
That has not happened, Joe told ConsumerAffairs.com. The Free Gas people have had their phones disconnected.
Consumer authorities in several states are reportedly looking into the complaints. The Indianapolis Better Business Bureau says during the summer FreeBeeGas.com fliers were plastered on car windshields throughout the state.
Last month, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum sued Tidewater Marketing Global Consultants, Inc., which operated Web sites including freegasredemption.com and FreeBeeGas.com. The lawsuit was filed under Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Civil penalties could include a $10,000 civil fine for each violation, and payment of attorneys fees and costs.
Consumers were asked to jump through seven different hoops by mail, the BBB said. This company has BBB's lowest rating because of unanswered and unresolved complaints.
Today, the Web site FreeBeeGas.com appears to have been abandoned. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are back down in the reasonable range in most parts of the country. But consumers who thought they were getting a deal last summer are still running on empty.
