Ab Energizer, Abenergizer, Genesis Intermedia, Family Products

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Subsequent to my last report regarding this product on http://www.ripoffreport.com/ .....

On Saturday Jan. 27, I went down to the address that is listed for returns of the product in the City of Bell, Calif. (5317 Lindbergh Ln. Bell, CA 90201) The main office (customer service) was closed but the warehouse was wide open so I walked right in. I found boxes and boxes stacked in the warehouse, pretty much the warehouse was full. The boxes were all marked, "Ab Energizer, Made in China" and presumably contained multiples of the unit. I met the warehouse foreman but I didn't inquire at that time about the prolonged delay in delivery or the phone or email non-response. I figured these were issues for customer service although I guess he might have had some info for me. Anyway, I planned to come back during the office hours the following week.

In the meantime, I began to make some inquiries of the consumer protection division in my Department as well as do some more research on the Internet.

Here are some of the findings.

--Our Department has not received any complaints thus far regarding these issues or company(ies).

--The former parent company of the Ab Energizer products, Genesis Intermedia, went out of business on Sept. 28, 2001, in a cloud of scandal and shareholder lawsuits and in part to the dot.com plunge. You can find more info on Genesis Intermedia by doing a search at www.Google.com. Most of the complaints pertain to the "30 Minute Money System, " another GI product.

On January 1, 2002, another company, Family Product, bought the business and is handling all customer service issues. The company can be contacted at:

Family Products
5805 Sepulveda Blvd., 5th Floor
Van Nuys, CA 91411
Ph: (818) 902-4100 (a working Customer Service Number!)
Fx: (818) 902-4167

I suspect that this corporate transition is in large part what has led to the shipping delay and appalling customer service issues.

Now back to my story...

I had intended to visit on Friday, Feb. 1, on my day off and get some answers. However, perhaps due to coincidence or not, my shipment arrived yesterday Wed. Jan. 30 (I ordered on Nov. 15, 2001) via Priority Mail and included all items ordered and even an extra stimulator unit. I am not sure if this was an accidental freebie or meant to be a replacement should one not work.

Personal Product Note: I tried the belt last night and I was very surprised to find that in fact the units do make the muscles contract as advertised. I, am not particularly large however, so I believe that if a person is very overweight, of a larger girth or has a large layer of fat, the electro-stimulation may not penetrate deep enough to reach the muscles on some people. Some larger people may also have difficulty getting the placement correct. I suppose the long term affectiveness of the product will depend upon the individual circumstances. And of course, the degree to which your abdominal muscles will present is dependent upon reducing the overlaying layer of fat--which means the old standbys of regular exercise and a healthy diet. I have to say however, that I am optimistic about the long-term benefits for me based on how sore my abs feel today--like they really got a workout.

At this point, if you have ordered the product, I suggest that you remain patient or contact Family Products above regarding the status of your order.

If after some time you still have a problem with this company, feel free to file a complaint with our office, Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs (213) 974-1452.

Sincerely,

Eduardo Jr., Esq.

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