LED Downlights - Free replacements because of Carbon Tax? Confusing Ad in the Age today ...

Lmini_wombat on 03/10/2012 - 20:58

I saw a very confusing half page Ad today in The Age offering 1500$ & 500$ Voucher (???) towards LED lights. It was on Page 5 in The AGE from the 03/10.

They pretty much say that you can get downlights worth 1500$ as part of the carbon tax incentive. The downlights they offer are high priced … around 59$ per light. But looks like you can get them free when you get approved. Lots of fine print.

The ad is not really easy to understand and in the fine print they mention a website http://www.actibagroup.org (and the website is as confusing as the ad :-).

Does anyone know about this offer? Is it legitimate?

General Discussion

Comments

  • RandomNinja on 03/10/2012 - 21:32

    Intrigued by offer, but I agree the website is very confusing and doesn't explain what it's about!

    Googling Actiba, gives me this site:
    http://thomasedison.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view…

    Further Google work gives me this government site link:
    http://www.esc.vic.gov.au/Energy/VEET-Guidelines-Amendment-D…

    The gov't site link does not give me confidence in whatever this Actiba scheme is…

    • saine on 04/10/2012 - 08:22

      Actually, the website sounds possibly maybe kind of legit to me:

      The ACTIBA scheme is a National and International initiative promoted as the Carbon Tax Incentive. It commenced on 1 September 2012 and is administered by the Australia Carbon Tax Incentive Business Assessment (ACTIBA). The scheme was established to reduce Carbon Emissions and be able to trade with Carbon Credits in the International Market place.

      The ACTIBA scheme is designed to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases, and encourage investment, employment and innovation in industries that supply energy efficiency goods and services.

      Under the scheme, accredited businesses can offer discounts and special offers on selected energy saving products and appliances installed at homes, businesses or other non-residential premises. The bigger the greenhouse gas reduction, the bigger the potential savings.

      • WalterPPK on 04/10/2012 - 09:53

        The deal is that they provide you with the LED downlights and fit them, and you sign papers saying that they've done that work. They get reimbursed under the ACTIBA scheme. Generally okay, but the two problems with it are:
        - These companies tend to exagerate on the forms exactly what has been done and what the costs are, thus pocketing the difference, and
        - You're only entitled to a certain allocation under ACTIBA, and by doing this you're pretty much signing that away and perhaps missing out on a rebate on another ACTIBA eligible project such as a solar install.

  • Davo1111 on 03/10/2012 - 21:41

    If it's too good to be true, then it probably is. I'm guessing it's a combination of both, government subsedies, and a voucher on overinflated prices.

    Having said that, a friend of mine used to work for a company that did 1 for 1 swaps of lightbulbs in peoples houses for energy efficient ones.

  • mini_wombat on 03/10/2012 - 21:54
    +1

    It looks like they use Thomas Edison website http://thomasedison.com.au as their supplier for the LEDs. It sounds like an great offer (you don't care that the LEDs are overpriced when you do not pay for them …). Might give it a try. The ad was 1/2 page. I should scan it and put it up here somewhere tomorrow.
    Just always sad to see that the Australian Government does not learn at all from all their failed incentive schemes … looks like there is now a way to sell overpriced LED lights …

    • Cheeper on 04/10/2012 - 22:45

      It is usually profitable for some people within the "arrangement".

  • Geewhizz on 05/10/2012 - 06:50

    Gong by some of the comments here it's not hard to see why there's always someone ready to set up a scam. Has anyone even contemplating taking up this offer had a good look at the website mentioned in the first post? The majority of the links go nowhere.

  • _Bruce_ on 05/10/2012 - 09:01

    I got spam in the mail trying to offer to 'install' a power saving switch. Looks like the same thing but there are lots of inconsistancies. Says supported by the Australian Government on the front, but on the back says Victorian government. Looks like they have to 'install' it so they can claim the costs back.

    I'm can't even tell if it is from the same sceme, the details were so bad. The problem with this sort of thing is the quick cash grab opportunists. As Geewhizz indicates, they are often quite incompetent, but it doesn't mean they are trying to scam /you/, just trying to cash in quickly.

    I'd be interested any any service that lets me get some normal bayonet LED lights through this fund.

    • tooblue on 24/04/2013 - 16:41

      They may not try to scam the customer but scamming the governemnt and ultimately it is out tax money.
      Sourcing LED downlights probably below $10 ea and claim $59 price from the government.

  • mini_wombat on 09/10/2012 - 22:44

    Ok .. looks like this was a scam - http://www.esc.vic.gov.au/Energy/VEET-Guidelines-Amendment-D…

    I believe it is just a way to sell overpriced LEDs :-(. The Ad was today again in the newspaper - but heavily modified. No more fine print - no Actiba website link.
    Just saying that you can buy the 59$ LEDs for 19.50$ …

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