Complain about a product or service

Hasbro/Playskool

Jennifer of Gause TX (02/08/08)
We owned the Easy Bake oven that was recalled. First, they sent us a new part, but then we had to send the entire oven back. It took several weeks to get the mailer in which to return the toy, and then it was a while before we received a gift card for their website to order a new oven. For approximately 6 weeks the item was not available for purchase. I understand that they had to pull all the toys off the shelves and make new ones, but it is not fair to make us wait so long to receive a replacement. I kept checking the internet and calling the phone # I was given, and the oven continued to be unavailable for purchase. I called and complained that it wasn't very fair for us to be without the toy when we did nothing wrong. They just said it's not available and did not know when it would be. I did this several times and then I called the customer service for Hasbro Toys. I was told that they had to hurry up and make the toys to be on the shelves for Christmas, and that is why it wasn't available for me to order on the website.

So basically, they were worried about making money and not about replacing toys that people had already purchased but had to be recalled. I looked on the internet today, and the item was available. When I tried to order it, I discovered that the amount I was given (gift card) was not enough to purchase the toy. Not only have I been without the toy, but now I am supposed to pay more money for something I've already paid for. The oven is more expensive on the website than I've seen it for in the store. If I could have just gone to the store, I wouldn't have to pay shipping (which costs more than the 7.00 they gave me to cover shipping costs). I think they should have had to send us a new toy directly rather than making us order it from the website.

It will cost me money to replace a toy that was defective. I know it's only a few dollars, but I should not have to go through all of this and pay money for a product that was already paid for and being used.

Kelli of Revelstoke, OTHER November 27, 2007

Kelli of Revelstoke OTHER (11/27/07)
My daughter was playing with her Spiderman Bump & Go Car (#69174 - Hasbro). All of a sudden I heard my daughter screaming. While playing she put the car up on top of her head, and the motor underneath started to entangle her hair. The car was stuck with the motor taking in more and more of her hair. I turned the off switch and slowly pulled it up to see it had pulled the hair right out of her scalp, an area the size of a quarter.

My daughter is traumatized. I checked the toy and was shocked to see it said hair entanglement may occur. If this is the case, then why is it still on the market? It however does not say HAIR LOSS may occur. Her doctor has said she has a 50/50 chance that it may or may not grow back because it was pulled from the roots.

Monica of Lewisville, TX November 16, 2007

Monica of Lewisville TX (11/16/07)
When the Easybake oven was recalled Hasbro issued refunds in the form of gift cards that could only be used on thier website, HasbroToyShop.com. I placed an order on November 4, 2007,totaling 33.13 and applied the gift card (32.00), where I owed the difference 1.13. Hasbro charged my account ten days later the full amount. When I called to complain I was informed they were allowed to hold the full amount of the purchase until the items shipped.

I have a problem with a company that produces a product that harms children, issues a recall, then only provides a refund in the form of a gift card for more of their products without allowing the consumer to have any say. In addition by charging my account the full amount, they have not only been paid and retained the money for the recalled EasyBake oven that they now possess, but the same amount for new replacement items. In essense they have been paid twice.

When do we as consumer finally have the rights to stop this? I am not only boycotting Hasbro and their affiliates, I am informing my friends, family members and other concerned consumers.

We have the right to demand safe products, our money back and not to be hassled in the process.

As a result of this unauthorized charge, I have incurred 68.00 additional charges from the bank. Currently I am out 133.12.

Murat of Istanbul, OTHER March 12, 2006

Murat of Istanbul (03/12/06)
This is to report an unsafe toy which may cause small injuries to children. We have had the Playskool Drop n Pop Shape Sorter for a few months. This morning I just realized that when the lever is pushed down, if you fail to push it all the way down to lock it in place, the lever pushes back up and your finger may be trapped between the lever and the side of the toaster. It may be painful even for an adult. Little fingers may be trapped more easily and may hurt more. This is even more of a problem with our twins (or any two kids) trying to play with it together.

Lynette of Wakefield, MA March 10, 2006

Lynette of Wakefield MA (03/10/06)
My daughter was using her playskool sit n spin and got her leg pinched in between the base and the pole. The pinch was bleeding.

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