The Sharper Image may offer merchandise credit to 3.2 million customers under air purifier settlement

A proposed settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against The Sharper Image, maker of the Ionic Breeze air purifier. If approved by the judge, the settlement will entitle certain Sharper Image customers to merchandise credits and a substantial discount on an air purifier attachment part.

What you need to know - Conventional View

• A class-action lawsuit challenged The Sharper Image's claims about the "performance, effectiveness and safety" of Ionic Breeze air purifiers. A proposed settlement to this suit was filed January 16 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

• The settlement entitles anyone who purchased an Ionic Breeze purifier from the company after May 6, 1999, to a $19 merchandise credit on any Sharper Image product. Also provided is the opportunity to purchase an OzoneGuard add-on for $7 instead of the retail price of $39.95.

• Eligible customers must provide proof of purchase of the purifier in question. There is a limit of one merchandise credit per household, and the credit must be used within one year of the date of issue.

• According to The Shaper Image, the OzoneGuard "instantly converts ozone into oxygen." Consumer Reports questions this claim, calling the Ionic Breeze "ineffective," even with the add-on.

• The proposed settlement must be accepted by a judge before it can go into effect. The judge must hold a hearing before March 1 to decide on the settlement.

What you need to know - Alternative View

Statements and opinions by Mike Adams

• The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze air purifiers are, in my opinion, quality machines, but they are extremely expensive, and there are far less expensive products available that do essentially the same thing.