Companies argue, threaten legal action over claims Star Brite - Valvtect

[LuckyLady]

Companies argue, threaten legal action over claims
May, 26 2009, 12:00 AM

Star brite and ValvTect Marine Fuels, two companies that manufacturer fuel additives to combat problems associated with ethanol-blended gasoline, are at odds over marketing material each has distributed, which they say misleads the public about their respective products.

"There is a big conflict that's brewing and I'm sure it's going to become a legal issue," Jerry Nessenson, president of ValvTect, told Soundings Trade Only this morning.

"He's making claims that are blatantly not true," Star brite's vice president of marketing, Bill Lindsey, said this morning of Nessenson.

Earlier this month, Star brite CEO Peter Dornau sent a letter to Nessenson asking him to stop "your misleading and fraudulent ads that you have been running in national magazines comparing your product verses Star Tron." Dornau claims the ValvTect ads "are a fraud and misstate facts, use obsolete ASTM tests, quote ASTM tests that have nothing to do with fuel additives and are totally misleading."

Nessenson insists that both the test results and the marketing material outlining those results are "fair and accurate."

"The tests were done under ASTM protocol," he said, adding, "It was an independent lab that ran the test. We did not modify the tests or tell them how to run them.

"We believe it was fair and accurate marketing," Nessenson continued. "We don't say that Star Tron doesn't work; we merely posted the results."

Nessenson said this dispute started when Star brite began giving a PowerPoint presentation within the marine industry that claimed ValvTect Ethanol Gasoline Treatment contains alcohol, soap and emulsifiers. None of that is true, he says.

"We've demanded that Star brite remove any reference to ValvTect in that PowerPoint presentation," Nessenson said.

"We're prepared to seek an injunction to prevent any further distribution of that PowerPoint," he said.

Lindsey said Star brite also is considering legal action, and the company's attorneys advised him not to provide details of any potential legal action at this point.

[Billatstarbrite]

Jerry says we started it - sadly, Jerry is lying. ValvTect started all this by running an attack ad in Boat/US several months ago, making claims that didn't stand up to scrutiny. We asked them to either prove the claims or stop running the ad. They declined.

Then they sent out a press release to every marine magazine in the US and Canada. They cite an ASTM test that is used for paint (D1064) and was withdrawn in 2002. Then they said - oops - we meant E-1064. Big difference.
They also misinterpreted ASTM D1094 by saying it proved their product is better at retaining water. Retaining water in fuel is BAD.

They cite tests by Chyrsler, BMW and Ford. We have not been able to determine if there is such a test.

Bottom line: we have a lab running all the tests cited - those tests that actually exist, that is. We will publish the results. We don't see why anyone needs to run attack ads. Sell the product on its merits or be quiet.

[Fishin-N-Wishin]

I admire your response Bill. I know your product works and for me, if it isn't "broke" don't fix it!

[seapower]

I'm not an outboard guy. But I have 2 Honda 130's on the back of my boat. I just started using (take a guess) the Valve-Tech product within the last 4 trips out. I didn't have a problem but was trying to be pro-active with the ethanol complaint's that I've seen. I haven't noticed any difference in engine performance or fuel consumption. I have to admit I am VERY leary of fuel additive's in the first place. Any thought's or experience's appreciated. Please no he said, she said. Frank

[Billatstarbrite]

We are in the process of running a wide range of ASTM tests. We will make the data available on our website as soon as it's all compiled.

Bill

[Questsportfishing]

1 keep your balls pumped up. (in more ways than 1 ..hahaha)
2 change filters!
3 run your boat!
4 if you have a tank of fiberglass, you have an old tank and your getting crap in the filters ... change the tank! even aluminum...
5 repeat all above.. except for #4!

I am running Bills stuff when we fuel (...but not as much as the container says to... sorry Bill still leary of anything other than gas here still...!)

life...what a ride sometimes huh????!!!... crazy people ...

[seapower]

1. lead's to blindness and I need glasses already !!!
2. Filter's changed very regulary.
3. If I use it any more, I won't have any customer's (or wife, now there's something to think about).
4. Have a new aluminum tank.
I like you know that engine's are designed to run off of clean fuel, only. Whether that be diesel or gasoline. Additives aren't factored in when the engines are designed. But with the new "ethanol" factor, I don't want to risk damage. Like I said I want fact's from the manufacturer's of the products, not the sales pitch. Give me something I can use here, ValvTech, StarBright,etc..... Frabk

[Billatstarbrite]

I'll post test results as soon as I can.

[Fishin-N-Wishin]

Been using StarTron for a year and the filters were not falling apart like last years filters. It's just one item but its working for me.