Generators Direct - Hurricane Protection Technologies Ripped me off for $390.16.ordered generator on 8/2/07 which i never got and no refund keep getting lies and the run-a-round saying not in stk they cashed my chk on 8/10/07.called and e-mailed them a numbers of times,but no word from them,I want a refund.last week i got a genetartor from pep-boys Miami Florida

China has become a major manufacturer of portable generators. The majority of the smaller 3,000 watt class units are using Honda GX200 CLONE engines and are actually fairly reliable units. Unfortunately, anyone who wants to purchase a container of generators from China can - if they have the money. The Chinese company will even print a custom name for the buyer. These rip-off companies will collect customer orders and money until they have enough to have a container shipped from China. At that time they "may" actually deliver the product to the customer. The warrantys are useless as they require sending the generator back to the factory (China). Additionally, there is no real customer support or parts inventory. Most small engine repair shops will not even touch the product for service.

Stay away from any internet sales of generators! If you need a small generator for home back-up power use consider purchasing directly from a known brick and mortar store. Chinese generators made by Champion Power Equipment and sold thru Tractor Supply, the CSK auto Group, Cabellas, NAPA, Lowes and some Home Depot stores are excellent buys with real warranties. Also consider WEN PowerPro thru some big box stores or PepBoys auto. Avoid Chinese clones from Big Lots and off of e-Bay. The Chinese gensets first mentioned above will keep a freezer, fridge, some lights and possibly even a small water well pump running in an outage. I ran one for 14 days in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel. ALWAYS put the genny outside, away from open windows. Use heavy extension cords to appliances and refuel ONLY when completely cool. If you follow warnings and directions, they can be safe.

I commend you for doing a little bit of foreward thinking, like getting a generator but. For $390, you probably won't get much of one. It sounds like this company preys on those type of people. IF you do some research, I suspect you can probably spend your $390 on a few essentials and be vastly better prepared. Go to some of the federal and state gov. sites. They have plenty of information about what you can do and get, to prepare for emergencies.

I looked into buying a generator and found that unless you go all out and spend five or ten thousand dollars, buying a couple a hundred dollar generator isn't gonna help you for more then a few hours and can actually be dangerous. Every year, a few people die from running an unvented generator and even more either burn down their houses or cause electrical fires cause they overload their puny generators.

In Jan. we were without power for 4 days in 19 to 21 degree snow, sleet and freezing rain. Had a wood burning stove, plenty of wood, battery powered lights, TV, radio, plenty of dry and canned goods/food and water. Snug as a bug. A regular gasoline generator would have only powered a few lights, maybe the fridge, maybe the TV. I have about 10 frozen gallons of water, like blocks of ice. I put a couple in the fridge to keep the food cool, left a couple in the freezer above the fridge and the rest in the freezer in the pantry. They kept everything frozen for the 4 days.

Had some reps. who were in NY city during the last blackout. They said that some store were selling a gallon of water for $5 frickin dollars. What a rip. I've got enough food and water to last my wife and I over a month without having to come out and go into town. This countryboy can survive. Good luck