Dangerous product - BBC Watchdog?

barneypooch

Hi All,

My first post, so I hope it's in the right place!

Was wondering what you guys think would be the best way to publicise this? All I can think of is BBC Watchdog.

I bought my mum a pair of wireless headphones from a big name brand. The first pair just broke for no reason. The new pair (for which I had to pay extra 'cos the originals were discontinued) were working fine until one night my mum smelled burning. Turned out there was a short circuit and the batteries had started to melt the casing.

Anyway, the manufacturers sent them to their engineers. Eventually they wrote back, telling me that they would be making three changes to the product. Without boring everyone, suffice to say that these three changes make it absolutely clear that there's a problem with the headphones.

The company offered me a refund and a replacement set of phones. I said I wasn't happy and that I thought they should issue a product recall for this fire hazard.

Needless to say they suddenly got VERY stroppy, trying to blame me, my mum, blah-blah. This is all absolute cr*p and they know it - because otherwise they wouldn't be going to such lengths to modify the product. The worst bit is that the thing that caused the short circuit is incredibly easy to do accidentally. I'm genuinely worried about other people.

So, where would you take this? As I said, all I can think of is "Watchdog". Anyone dealt with them? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for reading this!

shaun_from_Africa

You would be beter off contacting Trading Standards and pass your concerns on to them.
They do sometimes take action following reports from the public.

http://www.brent.gov.uk/pressreleases.nsf/News/LBB-1562

mo786uk

As above
If enough peopel highlgiht the problem then something will be done

I preusme you wont get in for this eyars watchdog anyway.

pendulum

What is the "thing" that can be done accidentally to cause this problem?

shaun_from_Africa

I would hazard a guess that the thing that can be done may involve the two battery charging terminals on the headphones getting shorted out.
Some of these rechageable wireless phones get put in a charging cradle when not in use and there are a couple or protruding pins that make a connection.
If these were shorted together and there was no protection in place then the rechargable battery could get extremely hot.

browneyedbazzi

Definitely contact trading standards - they will be able to purchase some of the headphones and have them checked out by an analyst. If they come back as having a fault that makes them unsafe then the wheels will be in motion for a recall.

barneypooch

Tx for suggetsions, guys.

The "thing" is this: the 'phones have a small hole where you put the charging pin. The batteries are in the 'phones themselves.

This pin is very flimsy, and it doesn't "click" into place or anything. If you accidentally don't push the pin in all the way, or move the 'phones and dislodge the pin, so it's only halfway in, it causes a short circuit.

The manufacturer claims the plastic can't possibly catch fire. Hmm. I can't prove that. But I do have photos that show just how badly the battery compartment had melted before my mum smelled it.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention the make and model.

barneypooch

Sorry, me again.

Do you think I should I contact my local TS or the one closest to the head office of the manufacturer?

That's in Guildford, btw

McKneff

Your local one will be fine.

browneyedbazzi

barneypooch wrote: »

Sorry, me again.

Do you think I should I contact my local TS or the one closest to the head office of the manufacturer?

That's in Guildford, btw

You have to contact your local trading standards (because most TS offences occur where the customer is, not where the trader is, and you've paid for your local TS so they have a duty to you!)- if necessary they will notify the TS team that is local to the manufacturer/importer and work with them.