Please pardon my rant... My Own Learning Leap has fatal wiring problem and safety issues.
Our son received a My Own Learning Leap for Christmas. Now, this toy did have some potential. Parents can customize Leap to their child's learning level... from not knowing ABCs to knowing them, with the option of recording voices. This sounds like an ideal learning toy, right? WRONG.
Our son's My Own Learning Leap has a fatal problem... the wiring to the programming device is shot. Yes, shot. The design is such that parents can program Leap and then wind the wire up and tuck it inside behind his velco red shirt. The problem is that the wiring coating breaks down and chunks off, leaving exposed copper wiring. The wiring could short the device, let alone cut little kids' fingers or even their mouths if they decided to give it a gnaw.
I did alert LeapFrog via their toll free number and was met with nothing but apologies. Sincere? Not really. They were sorry that they do not stand behind their products... there is no repair for Leap I am afraid. They are sorry too that the wiring could injure my child... they are sorry that this pricey toy is in effect a heavy cuddle toy. Did I mention this was made in China? How in the world am I to know what kind of yuck was used in the wiring. What if my child ingested it?
Meanwhile, I have an immaculate looking Leap that was barely played with. He looks like I could have just taken him out of the box, trust me, a huge feat in my house. Now he is a $40 piece of junk.
I do not think that LeapFrog took my complaint very seriously. At first, I was refused a supervisor when I asked for one. Secondly, they didn't seem to question me about the wiring problem... only to tell me that they "apologize for my inconvenience". My inconvenience? Yes, it is inconvenient to stand behind your products... they should work, you know, and heaven forbid they should become a hazard to little kids.... yes, that is inconvenient. They do, however, support some of their products.... so caveat emptor, folks. You may end up buying a LeapFrog product that is a piece of junk or unsafe and find yourself on the receiving end of "I apologize for the inconvenience..." and meanwhile LeapFrog just says thanks for the money... SUCKER!
By the way, if you ever find a toy or product that is unsafe, you can file a complaint at the CPSC.
I did, by the way, mention to LeapFrog that I was planning to make this blog post. So when the LeapFrog bots come to this post and pick it up to read, I hope they take notice that they have made a consumer very angry and disappointed by their response to my issue.
4 comments:
P.S. I did follow through with a complaint to the CPSC. The toy was taken from our son so he no longer has the potential to injure himself. Parents in a similar situation are urged to report safety issues to the CPSC.
Update: The CPSC sent me a copy of my complaint and something I need to fill out with the company's address. Their letter indicated that they would contact the company if I wished, but that there was no guarantee of a response. Also, just because they accept your complaint of an unsafe product does not mean they will investigate. However, my complaint of shoddy and dangerous wiring is now on the record.
FYI...
I am having a host of problems with the suite of new Leapfrog products (TAG and Leapster2). The customer support has not at all been helpful and no help is on the horizon.
Seems like they are also censoring what gets posted on their forums. Only glowing reviews please.
I've escalated my issue today but don't expect any viable solutions forthcoming.
Thank you for validating my experience with customer service, but I am very sorry you are getting the old party line from CS too.
I can only suggest that you try these tactics:
1) Contact Good Housekeeping. They often have a feature where they help consumers with their problems.
2) Contact a higher authority. Write to the president of the company and express your dissatisfaction with their inability and refusal to stand behind their products.
3) Contact your local newspaper and see if they will feature your problem. Better yet, does your local TV station have a consumer reporter? Bad press around leading up to Christmas season is not a good thing.
4) Double check to see if there was a warranty. Did you mail in the warranty card?
5) How'd you find me? You likely searched for Leapster problems and found my post. Post online reviews of this product on sites so that consumers really know what they are getting before they purchase and do let them know how (un)helpful customer service at Leap Frog is. I will be updating my post with some nice photographs showing just how wrecked poor Leap is.
6) Ask Consumer Reports to investigate complaints associated with the toys in question.
That's what I have off the top of my head!
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