Pocono News Section

I-Team: Free Gas Promotion Doesn't Deliver

I-Team: Free Gas Promotion Doesn't Deliver - Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 5:48PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 @ 05:48pm EST
CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP, COLUMBIA COUNTY --A "free gas" promotion has come under fire for failing to deliver. Consumer and I-Team reporter Jeff Chirico uncovering the complaints that may have helped put a company out of business.

Many stores and car dealerships used this promotion to lure shoppers. But the I-Team has found the Florida-based company, freebeegas. com never followed through on its promise. Remember this? Sky high gas prices! So the promise of 500 dollars worth of free gas cards convinced Ray Williams to buy a used van from a Montour County dealership.

Ray Williams says "I've got nine children. 3 of them drive, so that would be a help for everyone to have one in their back pocket." Ray of Elysburg followed the directions -- collecting a 100 dollars worth of gas receipts each month. “And send in receipts with voucher and I was supposed to get a 25 dollar gift card in the mail. And what did you get? So far nothing." No response, no gas cards.

Freebeegas. com just disappeared. “But Ray isn't alone. The I-Team found hundreds of complaints online from other customers. And it's hurting the retailers and dealerships who offered this promotion in the first place. "Not only are we out that, what we purchased these for but we're out of good faith with our customers and that hurts us more."

The I-Team has learned freebeegas. com was operated by Tidewater Marketing Global Consultants. The Florida Attorney General has filed an injunction that in effect shuts the company down.

“I'm disappointed in the way its being handled." Chances that ray will collect on the gas vouchers are slim. But the dealership who isn't legally responsible according to the free gas vouchers is offering an olive branch to upset customers. “Bring in coupon, we'll reimburse you the $5 activation fee plus give you a free detail on your car, inside and out."

You can file a complaint about FreeBeeGas with the Florida Attorney General by clicking on .

Attorney General's action against FreeBeeGas. com click on the link for .