Many consumers try to buy products that are made in the U.S., but they don't always get what they're paying for. Take iSpring water filtration systems, for example.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took issue with iSpring's claims that its products are "Proudly Built in the USA," as its ads and promotional materials proclaimed. In fact, said the FTC's complaint, the products are either wholly imported or made with a significant amount of imported material.
“Supporting American manufacturing is important to many consumers. If a product is advertised or labelled as ‘made’ or ‘built’ in the USA, consumers rightly expect that to be the case when they part with their hard-earned money,” said Acting FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen. “This is an important issue for American business and their customers, and the FTC will remain vigilant in this area.”
The Georgia-based company has agreed to stop making the misleading unqualified claims.
iSpring markets its water filtration products to consumers on its website and through third parties that include Amazon, Overstock, and the websites of Sears, Home Depot, and Walmart.