It’s time for the Friday Review! I hope everyone had a FANTASTIC week.
About a month ago, Green Gear looked at an $18 Klean Kanteen, which if you aren’t aware is the Eco-chic product out there. They can be seen at Vegan Stores and Trader Joes everywhere! Last week I went downtown and counted 17 of them, no joke.
My review of the green “standard” wasn’t kind. I gave it 1 out of 5 Gears. Other than offering a green benefit, i found it lacking in every other category. It was too expensive, it had a sweating problem, and if you wanted to “improve” its poor state you had to pay for a better lid or a carrier. Shame on them!
Fast Forward to about a week ago (huh?), I get an email from Trish over at EcoCanteen.org. They’re little company looking to eliminate the use of plastic bottles by selling stainless bottles at a great price. They’re sold in a very “as seen on TV” way… they even have a shamwow like ad on the website. Check it out.
They sent over some of their products for testing and I’ve been using it for a week. Despite my earlier hate of the Klean Kanteen, I can fully recommend the EcoCanteen. Why? Am I a Trend Hater? Well yes!, but No, that’s not why.
First. The Eco Canteen is less than $10 before shipping and handling. For that price you get the Full Size Canteen. Not the little baby one. Other than a painted exterior enamel that is put on the Klean Kanteen the Eco Canteen is stainless with the ecocanteen logo? Now, since it’s just about the same product and made of the same material (food grade stainless steel) it still sweats. But you know what? Eco Canteen includes a free neoprene tote. Yes that’s right. Included IN THE PRICE (you pay S&H) you get something that the other kanteen wants to charge you for.
In addition each screwtop includes a carabiner so you can attach it to your bag… A small little feature that is very thoughtful.. Why not do it?
So if I’m comparing the two, which I am, the Eco Canteen is as expensive, has more features, and keeps plastic bottles for taking a 700 year dirt nap in our landfills.
Here is the Video Review.
Update 5/12/2009: In addition to the numerous comments below as well as on the youtube video page, I’ve received many emails directly telling me of less than pleasant experiences with the people who sell ecocanteen. People have also voiced concern over what they feel are excessive shipping and handling expenses. First, the review above is of the product only. These were sent to me and I had no dealing with the customer service of ecocanteen. Since I have not had personal experience I will not render a judgement on that aspect of the customer experience, as that would be unfair. I cannot verify the statements in the comments to be fact. Similarly, I cannot repudiate these experiences. But, I can recommend that you take them into consideration in your own way, using them as you would in other similar situations. On the issue of price, I am at fault for claiming that this product is cheaper to the consumer, it is my understanding now that the total cost (product plus shipping and handling) is roughly 18-20. This represents a price in line with klean kanteen, but more than no name store brands. As it stands today, the ecocanteen is not a “bargain.” When I upgrade to my next series of criteria and rescore all my reviews I will likely reduce ecocanteen one gear (the price one). I do this with all products at the same time but wanted to indicate here sooner as this page sees more hits. Also, as a general statement to the producer and consumer of this product. This product is a “green” product being sold through the “as seen on TV” ethos. This means that in the “as seen on TV” world rules, expectations, and pricing is different. In that set of rules it is okay to make money off of shipping because that is just what happens. To the “green” consumer, authenticity, and communicated practices are highly important. The two are not in concert. If ecocanteen wants to have “green cred” they’ll need to accomidate, in some ways, the expecatations of this culture… Similarly, green consumers will have to be more atune to buying products in unfamiliar marketplaces (TV). That is all, longer of an “update” than a review. Thanks for visiting Green Gear and go check out my other reviews… they’re good!
RATING: 4 out of 5 Gears for Variable Eco Benefit, Value, Quality / Design, and Being the best Stainless Steel Waterbottle I’ve seen.
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Mr. Green Gear
I work for a media company that handles some of Ecocanteen’s advertising. Your observations of typical TV buyer vs. Green Buyer is very astute and something that we have discussed often.
Bonus offers with additional shipping or handling charges are used for just about every TV offer, including Ped Egg, Slap Chop, Snuggie, HD Sunglasses and thousands more. Most charge between $6.99 and $9.99. EC charges $4.95 processing for their tote. Much of this goes towards the added cost of bringing the totes to the order fulfillment center, inventory costs, pick and pack cost, added shipping and box expenses and added customer service costs.
The shipping cost of $5.95 for the adult bottle and $4.95 for a kids bottle are also much less than normal TV products. Even if you ordered a 27 oz bottle from Klean Kanteen, you will pay $8.37.
I don’t want to disparage Klean Kanteen, because they are a great company. Like EC, they could have sold inexpensive BPA lined aluminum and stainless steel bottles and made a larger profit margin. Like EC, they pay much more for better quality and a rounded bottom that makes the botttle easier to clean and resistant to accidental drops.
I do disagree with comments that EC is not a better bargain than KK. If you ordered a 27 oz adult bottle, tote and caribeaner from Klean Kanteen’s website, here is what you would pay:
27 oz bottle $17.95
caribeaner 2.99
tote 12.00
shipping 8.37
Total $41.31
With EC, you get all this for $20.89. That’s half the cost of KK.
Now KK has a really cool caribeaner, but its tote doesn’t compare to EC’s. Plus their tote doesn’t have a strap. If you want that, you have to pay and additional $5.50, which brings your total up to $46.81.
If customers don’t care about the tote or the convenience of having the product shipped to them, then they can purchase ecocanteen at retailers like CVS, for $10.
EC’s goal is to reduce plastic waste, not make a profit. They make a high quality product affordable. KK and other bottles have had to drop their prices to compete. The consumer has benefited and so has the environment. Each stainless steel bottle sold, eliminates an estimated 200 disposable bottles a year. EC puts its money into educating the public through its ads. The company is yet to make a profit and the President doesn’t even take a salary. They have helped fuel the demand for KK and dozens of other bottles. They don’t care who people buy reusable bottles from as long as they buy one. The most important thing is that more people quit using disposables.
Another concern is that people use healthy bottles. The Sigg fiasco caused some people to doubt the benefit of reusable bottles. EC warned consumers about Sigg over a year before the BPA story broke. There are still a large number of aluminum bottles lined with BPA epoxy paint. Some stainless steel bottles with sharp threads are coated with suspect epoxies as well. EC is evaluating several of these and will publish the results on http://stopdrinkingplastic.org/
Your website has been helpful for the company to see and has helped spur several improvements. While some complaints are not valid, others are, and are taken very seriously. The company went through a growth spurt this past July and August that overwhelmed their customer service department. Since then, they increased their staffing. They directed their order fulfillment company to ship as late in the day as possible, in order to give customers, who change their minds, more time to cancel. They use a fullment company that serves a large number of the TV products advertised. EC was the first company that ever made this request to them. Plus if an order is canceled before being shipped, EC gives a full credit, where most companies still charge the full shipping and handling charges. EC eats the order taking and transcription charges.
If the product is shipped or the customer wants to return it within 30 days, a 15% fee is charged. This is far less than the standard full shipping and processing charges. Plus it doesn’t even cover the order processing cost, much less the shipping and cost of a product that cannot be resold.
Their primary website now gives the shipping and processing charges in six different places on a very short page. Most companies only give it once or twice.
I can also confirm that EC does not advertise directly with your site. Google places these ads where it picks up phrases like “stainless steel water bottles”.
I would encourage anyone with customer service questions to call 888-229-9543 during the business hours posted on their site.
My husband and I have been using our Eco-Canteens, purchased from the EC website, for many months now. We are more than satisfied with them. The neck is nice and wide so we can get ice-cubes inside, and they hold up when smashed accidentally, and never seem to leak. The nifty cover hangs safely from my powerchair, and the pull-open tab works marvelously for disabled fingers.
I would have no trouble ordering from them again. I found their customer service representative very pleasant, and the products arrived very quicky. In all, to us, it has been a great product backed by excellent service and fast shipping.
DO NOT DEAL WITH THESE ECO CAN SCUMMY CROOKS!
Very Sleazy, misleading , order charge format. It is deceiving and probably illegal.
The total price is swiftly passed by and remains hidden. I went to buy about a $9.99 bottle, bought three and the total price of about $60.00 sped by, I rec’d three bottles with bags and was charged over $90 on my credit card. You don’t get a chance to review your order and Whamo, it’s done. You are taken. Then you get over charged after deliver and find out you have been scammed.
Uncle Joe.
I agree with Uncle Joe! He sums it up exactly and it sounds like Mr. Green Gear also agrees him. We’ve only used bottles that are high quality in not only their product but their service as well. My research has shown that 2 of the best companies out their are Klean Kanteen and FOF Bottles. We’ve dealt with both — both are excellent!
Thanks for your comment!
Great article and website! I just wanted to let you know about Planet Zero Gravity’s Stainless Steel 1-liter wide mouth and 16 oz sports and water bottles. They are BPA Free, wide mouth and easy to clean. The 16-oz bottle design is unique and the bottles are made to fit in your car cup holder, kayak water holder, adjustable bike bottle rack and are easy to carry.
Planet Zero Gravity’s mission is to help reduce plastic pollution and to help people lead an active and healthy lifestyle. The owners are avid outdoor enthusiasts.
Stay hydrated with The Planet Zero Gravity Stainless Steel Water Bottles. Perfect for the trail, road, or office, they are made from food grade stainless steel. Why buy plastic water bottles that can be dangerous to your health, make your water taste terrible, pollute the environment and put a big dent in your wallet? Planet Zero Gravity’s bottles do not need an inside liner as aluminum bottles do because stainless steel has been safely used in the food industry for many years. They also have a wide mouth for easy cleaning – which allows you to add ice cubes or anything else you may put in your drink.
Planet Zero Gravity supports eco friendly living to help preserve our planet for the future generations. People and businesses need to give back to the earth if we are to put a stop to global warming and the increasing pollution that is occurring worldwide. Planet Zero Gravity is a member of 1% For The Planet. Please visit http://www.planetzerogravity.com for more information
I bought a SUBZERO botttle for 5 dollars at walgreens, everything was good until a day later the inside started smelling wierd and made the water taste funny. I had just finished washing it thoroughly so I know it is the bottle. Is subzero made from stainless steel?.
I bought a couple eco canteens with the squirt-top. It has a small, white rubber plug in the top that acts as a “carburetor” for air flow. Does anyone know where I can get replacement rubber plugs?
eco canteen sucks. I bought 8 of thr big bottles and 6 of the smaller bottles. first of all the shipping is a scam. they charge you indivually and they shipped all together. the shipping was as much as the bottles.
My biggest problem was they all leaked at the bottom edge after about 3 months. I called them several times and got no action at all.
Eco canteen sucks
Hello, I, too, thought to order these from their website, and when I clicked “Process Order” it took me to “do you want to buy more?” then I decided I did need two more, so I clicked yes and then it said something like, “Do you want stainless steel caps?” so I was thinking on that, and tried to click back to order one more canteen, and it wouldn’t let me, so I clicked the whole website out, and was intending on calling them instead and asking about the other cap, making my order that way, etc, and lo and behold I got a box of canteens the other day! I was thinking what????
I also had had a large credit from my bank I did not know what it was, and I did not receive an invoice in the box with amounts, just the items I ordered.
I was intending upon calling them today to see if I could order the other caps, when I came across this site. I am grateful for it, and I do want to let you know I also came across another website where you do NOT have to put your credit card info in first. I am not sure if it’s the same people/website or not, I don’t think so, anyway this is it:
http://ecocanteen.tv/Store/index.html
The only thing is, apparently you must order the quantity or more, that they have already put into the little boxes where you put how many you want. I tried to order one stainless steel lid to see how much it is, and they said I HAVE to order two.
I don’t know anymore about it, but it might be a better alternative to the other website, if it’s not the same. The thing I am wondering is, do these stainless steel caps fit the regular bottle? Because they say they already have one on the “Deluxe” model.
Anyway, thank you for this website and thank you for letting me share.
PS I meant to say my bank had a ‘debit’ not credit, and I checked just now and sure enough it was for the Eco Canteens, I paid $130.89 for six canteens plus 6 totes, which comes to $21.81 apiece. What does everyone think of that price, for that amount of canteens and totes? Also, has anyone ever bought the deluxe model OR just the stainless steel caps? I am wondering if the stainless steel caps are able to be interchanged with the non-deluxe canteens? I also think I saw a what do you call those, sports caps? The caps that have the pull spout on them. on a website somewhere, if I find it again I will let you know.
Wow, I looked at a few other review sites and I’m really glad I bought mine from CVS! $10 bucks, plus I had $2 in CVS bucks – so $8. I actually like mine a lot – the only thing that sucked is that I had to get rid of my bottle from GAIAM because it’s made from aluminum (don’t EVER buy anything aluminum! it leaches into the water). It terms of the metallic flavor that people are addressing, it’s not that bad. What I would suggest to lessen that is to clean the bottle regularly with baking soda and vinegar.
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