Analyze Product Ingredients for Consumer Fraud

[RaRaLew]

I just purchased 3 cleaning products on the Internet. The 3 products have different names and purport to be for 3 problems. The amount for each item differed with 2 costing $19.95 and 1 costing $29.95.

When the bottles of cleaning solutions arrived I noticed they appear to be identical. The bottles are identical, the only difference being the stuck-on labels with the 3 different names. The contents in the see-through bottles look identical. There are no ingredients listed on any bottle.

I wrote an email asking the company if the products were in fact the same solution. I also asked them to send me the ingredients for each cleaner. They sent a response saying only, "They are different products."

I sent another letter indicating that I would still analyze the products (frankly, an empty threat at the time), and I received a letter full of legalese, citing laws, etc. and saying they were forwarding my letter to the FBI. Now I definitely suspect fraud.

My question is this: Is there any way to analyze a product to detect fraud without breaking all those laws they cited in their email?

Thank you.

[annjd]

Based on what you say here, you could file suit against them (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to their behavior...

You may also report them to your state attorney general's office. They will take action if fraud appears to be involved.