Bubble, Bubble, Toil ‘N Trouble: Samsung Washers In Hot Water

Samsung in hot water over energy savings claims on Bubble Washers.

Samsung has moved to make undertaking to ACCC following ‘concerns’ over potentially “misleading” claims on Bubble Washers.

Samsung claims that its Bubble Wash washing machines using cold water offered energy savings over conventional machines also using cool water, when this was not the case, were “likely to have been misleading,” the ACCC said.

The ACCC expressed concerns at the energy saving claims made in an instore Bubble Washer promo video, displayed at around 90 resellers between March – October 2011, were in breach of consumer law.

Samsung Australia has now provided the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission with a court enforceable undertaking, it confirmed today.

The stores where the promos appeared were mainly Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and Bing Lee.

There were two machines involved: Samsung 7.5kg Front Loader model WF0754W7V and its 8.5kg Front Loader model WF0854W8E.

For consumers who purchased either of these Samsung washing machines from the stores that displayed the demonstration kit and promo video during the period from 1 March to 31 October 2011, Samsung has undertaken to extend the manufacturer’s warranty from 2 – 5 years.

As part of the undertaking Samsung will write to affected consumers, offering an extension on manufacturer’s warranty and will also place a notification advising of the warranty extension on its website.

“Consumers’ purchasing decisions can be significantly influenced by energy savings claims both in terms of perceived environmental benefits and household costs savings,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.

“It is important for consumers not to be misled by manufacturers’ comparative advertising claims.”