The AC conductivity in the frequency range 5.0 Hz -10.0 kHz, the magnetic susceptibility in a field of 14.7 and 17.810 4 A/m, and differential thermal analysis at 78 K up to room temperature for bis-(ethanolammonium)Co 2 X 6 ,X = CI and Br are reported. The bromide dimer undergoes an order-disorder transition at 302 K and a displacive type ferroelectric transition at T ~ 220 K. The chloride dimer shows two transitions, the first being in a displacive ferroelectric one at T ~ 210 K showing critical slowing down. The second phase transition, occuring at 282 K, is found to be inactive in the electric measurements.