People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of the product. Sellers are reporting the scam (with proof the return label is on a tiny envelope) but get stuck in an endless appeals process. Good luck getting eBay on the phone to help. I’d steer clear for now.
Recall alert: 4 people have died using this Kickstarter electric skateboard
When a manufacturer releases a product to the public, they’re responsible for any defects or overlooked issues. These could be minor, causing an inconvenience, or dangerous to consumer health and safety. The problem could affect a few thousand units or millions.
This year we saw an unusually high number of vehicle recalls. We combed through six months of recall reports we put together this year and came up with a massive list of 5 million vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Lexus, Toyota, Volkswagen and more. Tap or click here to see if your car has been recalled.
The troubles go beyond four-wheeled vehicles. A popular one-wheeled electric skateboard, the Onewheel GT, faces recall after reports of deaths and multiple injuries. Though the manufacturer recalled just one model, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to stop using all Onewheel models immediately.
NOTE: If you know anybody using a Onewheel electric skateboard, please pass along this article.
The first recall
Onewheel launched in 2014 after a successful Kickstarter campaign by Future Motion. Multiple models of self-balancing electric skateboards have been introduced over the years, and the line has sold hundreds of thousands of units.
Earlier this year, Future Motion issued a voluntary recall for the Onewheel GT in cooperation with the CPSC. The board continued to operate after the rider dismounted. The front footpad can fail to disengage when the rider steps off the board, causing it to continue moving rather than stopping for a safe dismount.
Of the 20,000 units sold, the company received 813 reports of this problem, causing 11 minor injuries. The affected models were manufactured before June 2022. The recall involved replacing the footpad, and design changes were implemented to prevent the issue from reoccurring.
To check if your model is affected, locate the serial number on the bottom of the right rail on your Onewheel GT. Enter that serial number in the field on the recall page at recall.onewheel.com.
You’ll receive a free replacement front footpad with installation instructions if eligible. There’s also a repair video on YouTube.
RELATED: Prescription recall: Check your medicine cabinet for these drugs
That’s not enough for the CPSC
Check your fridge! Dog food recalled due to salmonella risk
Any pet owner only wants the best for their furry friends, but if you feed them this dog food, you risk their health. A voluntary recall has been issued due to potential salmonella contamination.
While healthy people with a salmonella infection might experience mild symptoms, it can be deadly for animals. Dogs with salmonella infection may be lethargic and show other signs, including diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
Every last bit
I hate waste and wasting money. These items help you get every last little drop of the stuff you paid for.
- For bottles: This bottle-emptying kit ($9.86) has a base cap and three adapters you can use to replace the top on your bottle. Get every last drop of shampoo, dish soap or ketchup.
- For jars: These skinny spatulas ($4.99) are made of food-grade silicone so you can use them to get the last of your swanky eye cream or fancy truffle hot sauce.
- For tubes: A good-lookin’ and good-workin’ squeezer ($12.97) to get the last bit of toothpaste, sunscreen and any other tube-based product.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Deal or no deal? CamelCamelCamel is an awesome tool if you shop on Amazon. It tracks prices, shows you a product’s price history and lets you set price-drop alerts for something you have your eye on.
Amazon's big "disappointment"
What happens if you buy a faulty product from a third-party seller on Amazon? You might think you’re out of luck, but not anymore. Amazon’s typical ‘not our problem’ stance just got a serious challenge.
Speaking of Temu and Shein: Their cheap wares are for sale on Etsy, a site meant for vintage and handmade goods. Sellers are breaking the rules by listing mass-produced items, sometimes at 10 times the original price. Don’t get duped: Do a reverse image search to see if the same product pops up elsewhere.
The first UPC code was scanned 50 years ago today. Was the product a … A.) Can of soup, B.) Bottle of soda, C.) Bag of chips or D.) Pack of gum?
$14.2 billion
Total Amazon Prime Day 2024 sales across both days. This year’s sales beat those in 2023 by 11% … and almost beat the national GDP of the Bahamas. Top product categories? Electronics and back-to-school gear. That’s a lot of erasers.
Do you know a kid obsessed with Roblox?
Roblox is adding paid billboard ads within the game, making it the largest playground for product pushing. Do you think kids have selective vision when their game is covered in ads?
🐓 Not the nuggets! Perdue Foods recalled 167,000 pounds of frozen nuggets and chicken tenders that might contain thin strands of metal. Check your freezer for any with a best-by date of March 23, 2025. Full list of product names here.
Social media is overrun with pics and videos of celebs: These product endorsements are mostly AI-generated scams. Recently impersonated? Jennifer Lopez pushing skincare, Tom Hanks promoting a dental plan and MrBeast hawking iPhones. Don’t fall for it. Look for reviews, don’t buy directly from social media, and stick to well-known brands.
Are you still using QuickBooks? Discover why thousands are switching to NetSuite’s superior, all-in-one solution. Don’t settle for less. Experience real-time insights and streamlined processes, and make decisions based on data, not your gut. Take a free product tour right now!
Tell me more: The ProductFrom website is the perfect match if you ever wonder, “How do I know if a product is from China?” or “Where did this come from?” Their database contains 112,000 products, so there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Do the math: On Amazon, go to a favorite product and you’ll see how many times you’ve bought it — and when you click, you’ll see how much you paid before. This is worth doing now and then to see if your favorite hair conditioner has doubled in price — like mine did!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
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