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Customers of a car cleaning products company that claims to be “viral in New Zealand” say they have run out of money and are waiting for orders that they worry will never arrive.
The company, which claims its “100% green and vegan” foam spray could remove any stain, had more than 2,000 likes on Facebook but dozens of customer complaints.
Over the past month, some customers reported that their accounts were locked and comments removed when they tried to contact Car Wash Elephant to get an update on their orders.
Car Wash Elephant foam cleaners sell for $ 14.50 each, which the company claims is $ 54 off.
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A spokesperson for the Trade Commission said it had received nine complaints about Auckland-based Car Wash Elephant in the past six months. He had looked at five but decided not to investigate, but did not say why.
One customer, Lucinda Byrnes, said she had been waiting more than a month for $ 80 worth of products and that her comments on the company’s social media pages requesting an update had been deleted.
“There is no communication, nor have they sent the products owed. It’s really disappointing, ”Byrnes said.
“What kind of business eliminates negative comments and blocks, instead of finding a solution?”
SCREENSHOT
Car Wash Elephant is reportedly removing feedback from customers who have not received its products.
On its website, the company said deliveries would arrive within four days of purchase.
Another customer posted on Instagram that he was blocked by the company on Facebook and that he had also been waiting a month for their products.
The company’s listed address was 3 Porters Avenue, Mt Eden, which was a storage facility.
A sales representative for Kennards Self Storage said the owner used the service to store bottles more than a year ago.
She said the owner had stopped using the storage since then, but had not changed the business address, and as a result, Kennards Self Storage received numerous complaints from customers.
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Sandra and Peter, the “founders” of the car wash elephant, appear to be stock photo models.
On its website, Car Wash Elephant said it would offer a full refund if customers were not satisfied with its products within 30 days of purchase.
The website also had a picture of its founders “Sandra and Peter”, which was a photo from a library of stock images.
The Kennards Self Storage facility worker did not reveal the owner’s name for privacy reasons, but confirmed that it was neither Sandra nor Peter.
The company’s website made other claims, including that it appeared on Stuff, which was not true.
Screenshot
Stock image models known as the founders of Car Wash Elephant.
The phone number listed on your website is invalid.
Car Wash Elephant has been contacted for comment via email and their Facebook page.
Jessica Wilson, head of research at Consumer NZ, said that when shopping online, it’s important to know who you’re dealing with before handing over money.
She said that a website with a co.nz domain does not necessarily mean it is locally based.
Supplied
Jessica Wilson said that people should know who they are dealing with.
“Don’t get carried away by reviews on the merchant’s own website or on social media pages. Reviews are easy to fake. Do your own search online to find out if there have been complaints about the website, ”Wilson said.
“If you buy online, pay by credit or debit card. If the products do not appear, you can request a chargeback (a refund to your card) from your bank. “
Traders operating in our market must comply with the Fair Trade Act, Wilson said.
SCREENSHOT
Car Wash Elephant foam cleaners sell for $ 14.50, discounted to $ 54.
“That means they cannot mislead consumers about their products. If you think a merchant has misled you about the availability of goods or is tampering with online reviews, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission.
“Any merchant who breaks the law risks a fine of up to $ 600,000.”
