LG Australia has responded to allegations that they are misleading consumers over the energy performance of their refrigerators by offering owners a free fridge.They have also said that they are currently holding an internal investigation with all new refrigerators set to be tested in Australia.Apologising to consumers, the company said that they are set to give customers three courses of action.
Firstly customers will be offered a rebate of $331.20 (equates to $27.60 per annum). This amount has been calculated to reimburse customers for the refrigerator’s disparity in energy efficiency over a period of 12 years.
LG took immediate action by offering consumers a rebate which started on the 27th February. 1259 units of the two effected models were sold during this period. Over 500 consumers have been contacted directly by LG and of those, 214 have accepted the rebate offered to date.
LG is also aware that some consumers will have purchased the fridge on the basis of its efficiency credentials and are therefore offering consumers either a replacement fridge which meets the energy rating standards advertised or a full refund of the purchase value of the fridge.
LG will be contacting affected customers in order to inform them on how to claim the rebate or replacement or refund. Customers wishing to find out if their fridge is one of models affect should contact LG on 1800 506 154 to discuss how LG will work with them to resolve the issue. LG has also contacted retailers to explain the issue and to request that any unsold stock is returned.
LG will commit to sending out replacement fridges as soon as possible.
They claimed that they are committed to producing the highest quality products to its consumers and take seriously any claim that its products do not meet high standards.
According to the statement sent by the company to Smarthouse:
LG Australia sincerely apologises for its two fridge models (both models are two door side-by-side refrigerators) that have been advertised with incorrect energy rating as per the Australian Standard.
Two LG fridges (model numbers GC-L197NFS and GC-P197WFS) have recently been identified as being labelled with incorrect energy consumption and energy star rating based on the rules governing energy labelling which took place in October 2009.
LG recognises that there are customers who have purchased these fridges, which were on sale from 1st September to 31st December 2009, on the basis of its labelled energy consumption. As a result LG will be offering consumers one of three courses of action.
LG has updated the fridge model GC-L197NFS and it is now compliant with the labelled energy consumption and energy star rating. Furthermore, LG has withdrawn model number GC-P197WFS from the Australian market.
LG Electronics Australia will be conducting an internal investigation to ensure that all refrigerators are accurately registered to the new Australian energy usage standard and we continue to supply highest quality products to our consumers.
