Don’t Buy BIKENDA Miniature Portable Solar Heater: False Claims & Advertising!
No, you can’t keep your home and surrounding warm with the BIKENDA Miniature Solar Heater. Just like Miqiko, this device is not a heater as claimed. It is actually a $1 solar car rotating air freshener that is not equipped to keep cold away. There’s no science behind this product, no research or study backing the claims. Are you curious about the Miqiko Portable Kinetic Heater? Here’s all you need to know.
What is BIKENDA Miniature Portable Solar Heater?
The websites selling this product claims it is a cutting-edge device built to tackle the difficulties brought on by severe cold weather. According to the production description, its primary role is defrosting the car and maintaining a warm ambiance in the home. It is also said to eliminate pests and mices ”the device can disrupt the molecular structure of pests without causing any harm to humans. This technology utilizes subtle molecular disruption to create a 800-1000 square feet disruptive environment that prevents pests from inhabiting the affected area”
Interestingly, this same product is sold with various names; TIMNAMY™ Mini Heater, AEXZR™ Miniature Portable Solar Heater and Oveallgo™ PROMAX Mini Portable Kinetic Heater.
Why You Should Not Buy BIKENDA Miniature Portable Solar Heater
Actually a Car Perfume
The device is not a portable heater as buyers are made to believe. It is just a mere rotating car perfume. As you can see from the image below, this exact product is available for sale on different websites as a Solar Car Rotating Perfume Diffuser. The scammers had simply given it another name in order to fool buyers.
Sold With Fake ‘Advanced Technology’ Claims
BIKENDA Portable Solar Heater is not backed by any scientific research or proof. The background story about Kinetic Technology is mere marketing strategy to attract buyers. Heat energy is different from Kinetic energy. Kinetic energy doesn’t “produce” heat, per se so it can’t warm the surrounding as claimed. That is why there’s no article or publication online about this so called ‘ground-breaking’ invention.
An Offshoot of a Car Defroster Scam
The BIKENDA Miniature Portable Solar Heater is an offshoot of the fake deicing tool ‘Heat Wolf Deicer‘ and ‘Bikenda Snow Removal that is also a car air freshener. It is sold by the same online stores that sold the fake car defroster which scammed lots of buyers. There’s a likelihood of more fake products this winter.
What To Do If You’ve Already Placed an Order for The Scam Solar Heater
Contact The Store and Ask for a Refund
If you’ve paid for this item you should contact the store and promptly ask for a refund, citing deceptive marketing. However, if the store refuses to grant your refund request, the next step to take is to call your bank.
Call Your Bank and Request for a Chargeback
Contact your bank to inform them about the fraudulent purchase. Through the chargeback system, you can get your money back from the transaction if you file a dispute claim. You could also request for a credit card freeze. That way, your bank would block any future transactions on your credit card, ensuring that scammers are unable to exploit it.
Update Your Passwords and Enable Two Factor Authentication
The second step you should take is updating your passwords. This should be done if you’ve used the same password you used on the store on other websites or applications. You should also go an extra step of enabling two-factor authentication. This would keep you protected from data breech.
Report the Scam
Report the scam to relevant authorities and organizations for deceptive marketing. This includes:
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you are in the United States, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
- Your Local Consumer Protection Agency: Contact your local consumer protection agency or the equivalent regulatory body in your country.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): File a complaint with the BBB if the online store is based in the United States.
How To Shop Smartly Online & Protect Yourself From Online Store Scam
Aside from the obvious too good to be true discount sale, here are other ways to identify a scam website;
Search for Reviews Online
Are there customer reviews online? (It is advised that you sit it out if there are no customer reviews of the store. However if you’re not patient enough to wait you can send a mail to us to verify if the store is legit)
Find Out If The Website Has SSL Encryption
find out if the website is secured with SSL encryption. (https and padlock symbols). If the padlock symbol doesn’t appear near the website’s URL, then it means your personal and financial information is at risk at the store.
Verify The Physical Address
Does The website provide return address? If Yes (Copy the address and paste on your browser. Google map would show if it is a real warehouse address or a residential address) If the address has also been used by other websites you’d see reviews in search results.
Check The Website’s Age
How old is the website? The domain age of a website tells a lot about a store’s legitimacy or transparency. Websites below 6 months old are often considered unsafe. You can find out a website’s age by checking on Who.is ( a free domain checker tool)
Read The Store’s Returns and Refund policy
If the policy isn’t available or if it isn’t clear, you should quit shopping.
Use Secure methods of Payment
When an online store’s payment methods lack the necessary encryption and security measures to protect customers’ sensitive financial information, it puts you – the shopper at risk of unauthorized transactions.
Easy Ways To Keep Your Car Warm This Winter
1. Switch Your Heating On
The first thing we recommend is to switch your engine on and put your heating on full, directing it towards your windscreen. Also, if your car is equipped with it, we suggest switching on the rear windscreen heater, which will allow the ice to melt more quickly.
2. Check Your Wipers
Make sure to thoroughly inspect your wipers to ensure they aren’t frozen. If they are, their motor could be damaged and their rubber could start ripping off if you use them. If this is the case, don’t put them on just yet, wait until they are thoroughly defrosted.
3. Sweep Off the Snow
If there is any visible or thick snow on your car, sweep it off with a soft brush before starting the de-icing process. While doing that, make sure your lights are clean and in working order.
4. Use an Ice Scraper
Grab your ice scraper (it’s always handy to keep one in your glove compartment, you never know), and start scraping your windscreen and windows. Make sure to use an actual ice scraper and not a sharp object, as this could permanently damage your windows and/or windscreen, potentially resulting in expensive repairs.
5. Make Sure Everything is Clear Before Setting Off
Wait until all the ice has been cleared and/or melted and you have clear visibility through all windows and mirrors before setting off. It’s important not to rush the defrosting process, which will roughly take 10 to 15 minutes as if you do, this could lead to unsafe driving. If you are usually in a rush in the morning, make sure to set your alarm a little earlier and take your time to de-ice your vehicle.
Conclusion
The BIKENDA Miniature Portable Solar Heater is misleading sold as a portable heater whereas it is a Car Air Freshener Diffuser. The claims made by the sellers is false and not backed with any proof. It cannot keep your car and surrounding warm. Don’t fall for the scam!
