Fisher Price toy - would you complain

Welshlassie

We bought my 6 and half month old DS this toy http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3486463/Trail/searchtext>FISHER+PRICE+BATH.htm
last week. Into the bath he went with it and within a few minutes he was happily chewing on one of the toys (as I'm assuming all 6 month old babies do with any toy) a few minutes later he started screaming for me to realise he had it trapped in his mouth. After managing to get it out, we realised that he had got his gums trapped between the "wings" and the head of the toy that the child in the photo is holding. This toy is made of hard plastic and the wing tips are actually quite sharp if rounded off.

(To give you some idea of the size of the gap I could just about get my index finger in between the head and wing tip and the toy stayed put on my finger).

Would you complain to Fisher Price? I have always thought of them as a very good company (recent problems aside) and although I check all toys before giving them to my baby, didn't think it would cause a problem as I expect these companies to fully test toys before launching them.

Your thoughts much appreciated.

morg_monster

I would definitely write to them and tell them about the incident. Just don't go in with all guns blazing (though you may feel like it!). Maybe phrase the letter as "I thought you would want to know about a possible danger with this toy..." and say how you feel that they are a reputable company and you've always been very happy with other products from them up to this point. IE giving them a chance to apologise and explain. Maybe put in a photo of the toy and write on it to show what happened - might be easier than a purely written explanation. Then sign off with an "I look forward to hearing from you about this matter".
I think if they get the feeling from your letter of "I want to be sure this doesn't happen to another baby" rather than "I'm really angry, what the hell are you going to do about it / what are you going to give to make up for it?" they'll be much easier to deal with!
But do definitely tell them about it.

BTW - is your sig a Mog reference?! love those books!

whatatwit

The toy is advertised as having 'teethable textures' and is suitable for your age of baby.
I would complain, but as morg, suggests, word it in a way of concern rather than anger and you should get a better response.

Agutka

I've been a walking disaster zone recently. Getting my own fingers caught in baby toys, cutting my fingers on items in shops. Recently the poppers broke on my baby's dungarees leaving stupidly sharp nails pointed at his nether regions (brand new from Zara these were).

Of course I don't complain, so I urge you to do it, if only on behalf of other mums out there who are too chicken to do it.

Actually I got my mum to take the dungarees back, but they weren't even sorry - she just got to exchange them for other pieces...

hannahsmummy1

I was just going to say what whatatwit says- i noticed too that it says teethable features, so you would have thought that babies putting the toy in their mouth would be common, you should definately make them aware of whats happened.

mrcow

Fisher Price have an excellent customer services departement.

Don't bother writing, just call them firstly on 01628 500303 and see how you get on.

Janiebabes

Not only would I complain to Fisher Price, but also trading standards IMMEDIATELY as this might happen to another child too, better safe than sorry.

If FP don't want to listen, try Watchdog... think it might need national attention if these items are breakable even if they are chewable!

Janie xxx

alm721

On a slightly different tack but I complained to fisher price about at bouncy chair I bought which had a bar over the top that played music. Its music started going odd and when we took out the batteries the compartment was all rusty. (We only had had it 2 months). I wrote to them am was a little dissapointed that they did'nt reply. However, as I was thinking about emailing to ask for a response I recieved a new one through the post. There was no letter or anything but the chair did cost about £45 so I really did'nt expect them to just replace it. Only posting to let you know that I think their reponse was good and would definiatly tell them.

bloomin_freezing

Ues, always worth informing companies of problems.

Welshlassie

Well I sent them a letter and the following day they called me. The lady who called was lovely and showed real concern that my DS was ok. She then went on to say that if I returned the item they would send it off for additional testing. In replacement of it they would send me another of the toys from the range I purchased free of charge (twice the price of what we paid).

I am very happy with the result and fisher price have gone up in my estimates again.

caleo

Hi

I have had a good response for them too. We have a Take Along Swing, and the seat seemed to stretch (not sure why, because my baby is not huge)!!. Anyway, I emailed them, and a replacement cover was received a few days later.

It is nice to hear of comapnies taking problems seriously.

Hope you are keeping well!!

Caleo