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15,000 Hoverboards Seized As Unsafe In United Kingdom (nationaltradingstandards.uk)

Posted by timothy on from the pass-the-haggis-that-looks-safe dept.

puddingebola writes: National Trading Standards and trading standards services in Scotland have released figures that 15,000 of 17,000 hoverboards have been seized at ports of entry in the UK because of safety concerns. The boards were seized "due to a range of concerns, such as safety issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or the cut-off switch within the board, which often fails." Are we pushing hoverboard technology too far too quickly, or are there just a group of criminal sociopaths manufacturing unsafe devices at Christmastime and pumping them into the market? Mashable has a story summary with links to video of a man in Alabama with his hoverboard on fire. The government of New York City isn't so hot on hoverboards, either.

6 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. Not hoverboards by ickleberry · · Score: 5, Informative

    These are those silly two-wheeled "segway with no handle" contraptions that are all the fad this year. Bought in by the container load from the Pearl River Delta for half nothing and sold in shops for £499 a pop.

    1. Re:Not hoverboards by AmiMoJo · · Score: 5, Interesting

      They aren't being sold for 500 quid, they are being sold for half that direct to consumers on sites like Banggood, eBay and Deal Extreme.

      Consumers directly importing unsafe goods is a growing problem. Drones, hoverboards, chargers, batteries... While European shops have to abide by common safety standards, you can basically import anything you like and most of the time it won't be checked. The only reason hoverboards are is that they cost enough to be charged duty and VAT on.

      I wonder what will happen to all the consumers who bought these things. Most of these sellers make it clear that customs is your problem, and Trading Standards won't pay to return them. The best option is probably to claim on your credit card under section 75, unless you paid by PayPal in which case you are likely screwed.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  2. Re:Wait, what? by rodrigoandrade · · Score: 5, Funny

    2015, obviously.

  3. Re:Wait, what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    2015, the year they went to in Back to the Future 2.

    However, being this is reality, it should come as no shock that "hoverboard" is a marketing gimmick for shitty electric skateboards. The Daily Show covered this well.

    Learning that not only are they shitty electric skateboards but they're also poorly made, dangerous shitty electric skateboards comes as no shock.

  4. Re:Wait, what? by TWX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Learning that not only are they shitty electric skateboards but they're also poorly made, dangerous shitty electric skateboards comes as no shock.

    That depends on the failure mode...

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  5. Happy Fun Board by T.E.D. · · Score: 5, Funny
    You can kinda see their concern, if you read the disclaimer on its own marketing material:

    Yes, it's Happy Fun Board! The toy sensation that's sweeping the nation! Only 14.95 at participating stores! Get one today!

    Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Happy Fun Board.

    Caution: Happy Fun Board may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

    Happy Fun Board contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

    Do not use Happy Fun Board on concrete.

    Discontinue use of Happy Fun Board if any of the following occurs:

    • itching
    • vertigo
    • dizziness
    • tingling in extremities
    • loss of balance or coordination
    • slurred speech
    • temporary blindness
    • profuse sweating
    • or heart palpitations

    • If Happy Fun Board begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

      Happy Fun Board may stick to certain types of skin.

      When not in use, Happy Fun Board should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration. Failure to do so relieves the makers of Happy Fun Board, Wacky Products Incorporated, and its parent company, Global Chemical Unlimited, of any and all liability.

      Ingredients of Happy Fun Board include an unknown glowing green substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

      Happy Fun Board has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

      Do not taunt Happy Fun Board.

      Happy Fun Board comes with a lifetime warranty.

      Happy Fun Board! Accept no substitutes!