They’re the latest craze: Hoverboards. Little vehicles with two wheels that you stand on to whizz about. You’ve probably seen them. Most annoyingly, they are nothing like the devices in the Back to the Future films, not least because they don’t hover.
Amazon has instructed buyers of the items to dispose of them because there are concerns that their batteries and electrical components (especially the plugs and chargers) represent a safety and fire risk. Trading Standards are on the record saying they have seized 88% of the Hoverboards they have examined since October and London Fire Brigade note that at least 3 house fires have been caused by them.
According to reports we’ve received from sellers, Amazon started taking down listings of the so-called Hoverboards last week.
But in the past few days Amazon have been contacting buyers advising them to dispose of the items “as soon as possible.” Amazon have also said: “We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority.” Buyers have also been informed that they will get a full refund in the next few days.
What isn’t clear is where this leaves third party sellers of Hoverboards. Obviously they will be liable for the refunds and yet Amazon have instructed disposal of the goods. If you’ve been affected, do lets us know what arrangements Amazon is making.
14 Responses
Amazon tells the buyer to dispose of it. and refunds at the seller’s expense. Helping the consumer get a refund with no hassle of returning the product, brings Amazon more customers, while the seller won’t get the product back at all. Amazon will refer seller to the T&C, and tell the seller that the decision is final.
The customer will take the refund and still use their “free” hoverboard.
Sounds like a win win situation for the buyer irrespective
What about the ones that were sold on amazon which are genuinely safe. Will Amazon also tell customers to dispose of these and issue refunds? How will they determine which sellers has sold safe ones and which ones have sold dangerous ones. They should seek clarification from sellers first and give them a chance to provide the correct documentation. Refunding at the sellers expense without having the item returned is absurd.
Amazon or the seller should take responsibility for destruction not the buyer. These should have been recalled. Human nature will dictate that hoverboard owners will take the gamble, not destroy the hoverboard, and accept the free money.
It is scary to think that this is only coming to light in mass media due to the popularity of these boards, but I wonder how big the issue of sellers on marketplaces selling products that are not safe actually is.
I heard on a facebook forum that one seller had £115k taken from them by Amazon for refunds. I can’t say the figure was true but if it was I am glad i passed on these !
or keep the free money, and sell on second hand to make even more, thats if they dont accept the fire / safety risk and still use as others have said.
.
Can the seller of the ‘hoverboard carrying bags’ get a refund too…..
Quite usless now there are no boards themselves….
Our DHL guy was bitching about these things a few months ago – said we better not be selling them because they don’t want them on their planes. So no surprise here that things have gotten worse since.
Funny how Amazon, Argos, Tesco etc take the safety of it’s customers seriously but over on eBay there are loads of hoverboards available. I say no more…
They are going mental about this on the amazon forums.
Some people are going to get seriously stung on this one.
if you imported them you are liable. However if you bought them for resale from a third party then you should be able to get your money back from the wholesaler.(well if you have the goods to return too them lol)