Groove Recall - I have 2, need advice from ECF

[cat3]

Good Morning ECF,

I have 2 Grooves that I was about to ship back to the vendor I purchased them from. After being advised from others in the vaping community, I have decided NOT to ship the 2 Grooves back. In an effort to ship them safely I asked the vendor if I could soak them in salt water prior to shipping. He said no. Doing that would result in no credit being issued. He told me just pack it well.

My question is, are there other vendors asking customers to put these potentially dangerous mods in the mail? Any advice and help would be appreciated. I will be taking a loss on the purchase. Just not worth it to me to make Ecigs look dangerous and end result being ban of shipping mods.

Thank you,

Cathy

 

[Myrany]

I do not know for sure BUT I wonder if UPS or FedEx or whatever has a shipping system in place for Haz Mat stuff. Might be worth a phone call.

 

[RcRacerJJ]

I would just take it as a loss and soak them in salt water and safely dispose of them. Last thing we need to hear is that an e-cig burnt down a Fed-Ex truck! lol

 

[kiwivap]

I do not know for sure BUT I wonder if UPS or FedEx or whatever has a shipping system in place for Haz Mat stuff. Might be worth a phone call.

Hi cat - I bought one of these and was going to test it out. I didn't get to give it the work out I had intended (thankfully). I contacted my vendor who advised me I won't have to return it - he will refund me and I will take the Groove to a battery clinic where they can dispose of it.

Vendors do not need these returned "working". It is not necessary or practical. There's a video below which shows the problem with the metal Groove - and it highlights why its so risky. The battery becomes loose very easily and is punctured by the metal screws in the casing - a disaster waiting to happen:
Chrome Groove by Smoktech - RECALL - Potentially Dangerous - YouTube

I would hate to see one of these things go thermal on a plane or in a postal centre. Like this brand new Groove did after simply dropping 3 feet onto carpet:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/apv-discussion/427656-please-read.html

This is different to other recalls I have seen because the vulnerability of the battery makes it particularly susceptible to thermal venting - I think vendors need to allow people to at least soak the units in salt water or take them to a battery recycling/disposal centre.
From reading Smoktech's communications on this they aren't asking for vendors to return the Grooves to them - they are telling vendors to destroy them. So the vendors don't need them returned in order to get a credit from Smoktech. I'm not mailing mine anywhere. I'm also not going to take it apart - see video linked in this post.

 

[JimzDogz]

I would pack them in a tin along with bubble wrap. Then pack the tin inside a box filled with foam peanuts. Though this is a known issue with the Groove (compared to the number that have been sold) catastrophic failure is pretty rare. Caution is always a good idea anyway.

 

[kiwivap]

I would pack them in a tin along with bubble wrap. Then pack the tin inside a box filled with foam peanuts. Though this is a known issue with the Groove compared to the number that have been sold, catastrophic failure is pretty rare. Caution is always a good idea anyway.

Personally I wouldn't want to risk it at all. The rarity or otherwise isn't the issue - its the nature of the problem. It only takes one to really vent and explode and do damage - that could a) seriously injure some-one b) cause a huge problem for vaping.
If the problem was rare and not really an issue there would be no recall. A recall means it isn't just an isolated incident that's highly unlikely to happen again -it means its a real risk to users.

The cover on the Groove battery is really inadequate - did you watch the video:


See how easy it is - cover punctured and in contact with metal. Bad news.

 

[cat3]

Well I just got off the phone with my vendor. He will not allow me to soak it and if I don't return it I get no credit. I'm gonna have to take the loss. I don't want to potentially harm anyone. He said Smoketech said it is safe to ship them??? Smoke and Mirrors. I'm pretty upset. Out about $200.

 

[_more_]

Well I just got off the phone with my vendor. He will not allow me to soak it and if I don't return it I get no credit. I'm gonna have to take the loss. I don't want to potentially harm anyone. He said Smoketech said it is safe to ship them??? Smoke and Mirrors. I'm pretty upset. Out about $200.

I hope this never happens to me, but wanted to i say/suggest calling again or emailing because that is not right for a vendor to do that. I don't have a groove but if i did and was told to ship it without disabling the battery for a refund then i would tell them that you will report them to whoever you report someone.Or email/call smoketech and tell them what is going on with this vendor.

Unless someone says otherwise that is the only solutions i can think of. 200 dollars is a lot of money!

Maybe you could claim that it combusted or started smoking and you had to soak them? There has to be a way to get your refund!

 

[balleronabudget]

That's pretty screwed up. He sold you a dangerous product, and I think he should take responsibility. Also, I do not seem to understand why when vendors screw people over people never mention their names. It seems reasonable for the vendor to be exposed. I am not talking about just this instance. I sure as hell don't want to order from that company.

Maybe you can try to get it to detonate in a safe manner "if it is possible".

 

[_more_]

Hopefully a mod will help with this thread!

 

[E_DeCastro]

I do not know for sure BUT I wonder if UPS or FedEx or whatever has a shipping system in place for Haz Mat stuff. Might be worth a phone call.

ups does it's 13 or 23 usd. it's how I get my ammo powder and primers shipped to me.

 

[cat3]

The vendor forcing the return of them is Madvapes. I'm too nervous to take them apart. There is a way to remove screws and snip wires but its not worth the risk for me.

 

[BostonVape]

well apparently that vendor cares about the safety of his fellow man lol..

 

[j0ker]

Let me see what I can find out. I don't think it's a good idea to ship these, as you have stated. I also don't think it's a good idea for you to take a loss. So give me some time and I'll report back to you.

 

[retird]

J0ker....... just my thoughts.....

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/madvapes/428277-groove-recall-3.html#post9841259

 

[joemikel]

Hoosier E-cig, my vendor, allowed me to send him the Groove without the battery. I disasembled it, cut the wires to the battery, removed it and sent the battery to my recycling point, and the rest was sent by mail to the vendor. A perfect solution for me.....

 

[kiwivap]

My vendor has refunded me the money today and I am going to take the Groove to a battery recycling/disposal centre.
I suggested yesterday on another thread that if people get a receipt slip from a battery disposal centre then that could be used as verification to a vendor.
Or let people soak them in saltwater and deactivate them that way perhaps.

 

[cat3]

Well my husband removed the screws, cut the wires and its now safe to ship. But it is completely insane that they are requiring vapers to send them back. Important Information on the Groove .....Not all vapers will take the time or are willing to open it up. I wouldn't open it. My husband did tho. Its a shame that they have not a care in the world of no matter how small the danger or chance of venting is, there is still a chance. I have posted Madvapes in the Ecig Vendors not Recommended group on Facebook.

 

[Racehorse]

Not all vapers will take the time or are willing to open it up. I wouldn't open it.

You buy and pay for the item, which turns out to be defective AND dangerous----- and now on top of that you have to perform surgery on it, then package it and make a trip to the post office?

Not to mention being dangerous to USPS and UPS personnel if not properly dissembled.

Sheesh. Time for vendor to "rethink" their policy here.

I am not trained in electronics, and have no idea exactly what procedures would render such an electronics item "safe" to USPS personnel and anyone else who will come into contact with the device.


Since it would be MY NAME and address that would be on the package, and the mailer would be responsible for it harming someone, here is what I would do:

Take to an electronics repair shop, where people have been trained to assemble/dissemble electronic devices and ask them them cut the wires, dissemble, etc. in a safe manner.........and then send the vendor the bill for that.


retird, your idea is wonderful. However, my disposal company charges me for everything and anything I bring to them for disposal. Also, many people work full time, which is also the hours the disposal places are open.

 

[retird]

A quick "google search" for my state shows that Radio Shack, Office Depot, Best Buy, and many others have a recycle program for electronics/batteries. I looked at Best Buys program and it said that 3 items per household could be recycled per day.....did not see anything about paying to recycle...and they are open past the normal 8-to-5

Taking the Groove to an electronics repair shop/assembly shop is another option.....My brother owns a company that makes electronics and techs are paid well, so the cost (if they even wanted to mess with it) may be more than the vendor/Smok are willing to pay?????....and the unit would need to be dropped off and picked up later after removal of the battery, thus 2 trips for the user prior to shipping back to the vendor....

.....just throwing this out there along with all the other discussion.....