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1023040

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS: Jon Leibowitz, Chairman

William E. Kovacic

J. Thomas Rosch

Edith Ramirez

Julie Brill

 

)

)

In the Matter of )

)

Universal Computers and Electronics, Inc., )

d/b/a Appliancebestbuys.com, ) DOCKET NO. 

a corporation. )

)

 )

COMPLAINT

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”), having reason to believe that

Universal Computers and Electronics, Inc., d/b/a Appliancebestbuys.com (“Respondent”), a

corporation, has violated provisions of the Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy

Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Under the Energy

Policy and Conservation Act, 16 C.F.R. Part 305 (“Appliance Labeling Rule”), and it appearing

to the Commission that this proceeding is in the public interest, alleges:

1. Respondent Universal Computers and Electronics, Inc., d/b/a Appliancebestbuys.com is a

New York corporation with its principal office or place of business at 170-08 Jamaica Avenue,

Jamaica, NY 11432. Respondent maintains a website at www.appliancebestbuys.com, which

advertises, offers for sale, and sells a variety of products to retail customers, including

refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, and room air conditioners. 

2. The acts and practices of Respondent alleged in this complaint have been in or affecting

commerce, as “commerce” is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15

U.S.C. § 44.

THE APPLIANCE LABELING RULE

3. Pursuant to its authority under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”), 42

U.S.C. § 6294, the Commission promulgated the Appliance Labeling Rule. Among other things,

the Appliance Labeling Rule requires any “retailer” that advertises a “covered product” in a
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“catalog” to provide in that catalog either the EnergyGuide label for the product prepared in

accordance with the Appliance Labeling Rule or the following information: (a) the product’s

capacity; (b) the product’s estimated annual operating costs; and (c) a conspicuously placed

statement explaining that operating costs will depend on utility rates and use. 16 C.F.R.

§ 305.20(a). Failure to include the required information constitutes a violation of the Appliance

Labeling Rule. Id.

RESPONDENT’S VIOLATIONS OF THE APPLIANCE LABELING RULE

4. Respondent is a “retailer” as defined in the Appliance Labeling Rule. 16 C.F.R. 

§ 305.2(ff).

5. Respondent’s website, www.appliancebestbuys.com, consists of printed material

disseminated over the Internet, which for each covered product contains the terms of sale, retail

price, and instructions for ordering, from which a retail consumer can order the covered product. 

Thus, the webpages for each covered product are “catalogs” as defined in the Appliance

Labeling Rule. Id. § 305.2(h). 

6. Through its website, Respondent has advertised and continues to advertise refrigerators,

freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, and room air conditioners. These appliances are

“covered products” for purposes of the Appliance Labeling Rule. Id. § 305.3(a)-(f).

7. Respondent has failed to include in its catalogs the information disclosures required by

§ 305.14(a) for many of its covered products. Therefore, Respondent has violated and continues

to violate the Appliance Labeling Rule. Id. § 305.4(b)(5). 

8 EPCA authorizes the Commission to assess a civil penalty of not more than $110 for

each violation of the Appliance Labeling Rule. 42 U.S.C. § 6303(a); FTC Rules of Practice, 16

C.F.R. §§ 1.97-1.98. Each day during which a retailer advertises a covered product on an

Internet webpage but fails to provide the required information disclosures constitutes a violation

with respect to that product. 42 U.S.C. §§ 6303(a), 6302(a)(4), 6296(a).

9. WHEREFORE, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 6303(a) and the FTC Rules of Practice, 16

C.F.R. §§ 1.97-1.98, the Commission requests monetary civil penalties for each violation of the

Appliance Labeling Rule.

THEREFORE, the Federal Trade Commission this day of , , has

issued this complaint against Respondent.

By the Commission.

Donald S. Clark

Secretary

SEAL: