Never has been easier to pay your bills online, watch Netflix or play some great games at mobile casinos. Many manufacturers are recently surfacing and this gives people a wide variety of gadget brands to choose from. And while they do provide a sense of convenience, risks may still exist with these products. You may come across any design or manufacturing defect that could bring harm instead of ease. If it happens on a bigger scale, companies may resort to a product recall.
One of the most controversial recalls in recent memory is the Samsung Note 7 fiasco. On September 2, 2016, Samsung ordered the recall for their flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note &, in 10 countries just a couple of weeks after its launch. Six days later, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) asked passengers to avoid using the particular phone on domestic flights. Several consumers came forward about the Samsung phone catching fire due to its potential battery flaw. Despite these reports, the company refused to pay for the damages. Read more about these Samsung Note 7 lawsuit settlements here.
It’s frustrating to have a faulty experience with a gadget. And this could be potentially easy to let go, especially if not much or no damage has been inflicted yet. But remember that you as a consumer have rights to a hazard-free experience with any product. So what do you do if it happens to you? Here are five steps you can take after a gadget recall.
Stop Usage
There might be times that your device is perfectly functioning, but you suddenly receive a notice of recall. When this happens, avoid using the gadget at any cost and keep it far from anyone to use. It goes the same if the company instructs to dispose of the item. You might be open to accepting the risk, but someone else might use or sell it without any knowledge.
Understand the Process and Your Rights
A recall notice should be comprehensive. It should contain the following details: the product, an explanation of the risk, the compensation for the recall, and the process you have to go through. The company should make this process as convenient to you as possible and cover any costs involved. The refund or replacement is dependent on the gadget’s problem. Not all cases call for a full refund or a replacement. A company can resort to repairing the product especially if it can be quickly and easily fixed.
Return the Item Right Away
Once you have received or come across the recall notice, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You will most likely get these through the mail, in the news, or their particular social media pages. If the recall asks for a return, do it as early as possible. It means you’ll get the remedy or fix sooner. Manufacturers can also potentially limit their liability based on your delay or absence of action.
Files a Case for Injuries
You can sue the company if you have experienced any type of damage and have solid proof. This covers personal injury and medical costs, property damage, lost wages during recovery, or the death of a relative or loved one. Talk to a lawyer adept with product liability to identify the best course of action. If no damage has been inflicted, you have no solid case for a lawsuit. Learn more about product liability and consumer rights on Schmidt and Clark.
Report Any Faulty Experience
If there is no recall for your product but you’re experiencing problems, it is still wise to report it. You can get a remedy if the gadget is still under warranty and you have been using it properly. If the problem is beyond a minor inconvenience and makes the experience unsafe, you should report it to a government agency. Recalls.gov is an avenue where you can do this. This site also lists down other listed items up for recall.
These manufacturing companies should not only produce gadgets with cutting-edge technology but are also safe and devoid of extra inconvenience. A final tip – if a product is newly released in the market, try to wait it out. Know the experience of other people. Assess if the device is worth your hard-earned money or just invest in something else.