Comments on: Power Wheels Hummer of a Humdinger! http://www.consumersafety.com/power-wheels-hummer-of-a-humdinger/ Consumer News And Reviews Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:05:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Michael http://www.consumersafety.com/power-wheels-hummer-of-a-humdinger/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Michael Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:12:54 +0000 http://www.consumersafety.com/power-wheels-hummer-of-a-humdinger/#comment-64 Checking in here again on the Power Wheels. I have learned a few things. 1) Fisher Price is a Mattel company. So, I had to call Mattel. They hooked me up with a local independent service center in Garland, Texas. I was responsible for getting my product to them. They were extremely friendly and accommodating by meeting me on a Sunday even though they were a M-F, 8-5 operation. 2) My unit is called a Jeep Hurricane and not a Hummer. But my kids simply call it their big truck. 3) The service center fixed my unit without charge to me since it was still within the 1 year warranty period. I did not even have to show my receipt since the production date stickers vouched for my assertion. 4) With the toy fixed and back home and the battery having charged all day, it was time for the kids to drive. They went about 1 centimeter before the truck halted. The battery was D-O-A dead! The batteries have only a 6 month warranty, and last only about 6 months in my experience. 5) I bought a lawnmower battery at Wal-Mart to replace the original dry-cell battery. The lawnmower battery is a wet cell full of battery acid. It is larger and deserves some special consideration. My friend uses one of these with his kids' Barbie 4-wheeler and has great results. I'll try to check back in later after I have finished the conversion. Checking in here again on the Power Wheels. I have learned a few things.

1) Fisher Price is a Mattel company. So, I had to call Mattel. They hooked me up with a local independent service center in Garland, Texas. I was responsible for getting my product to them. They were extremely friendly and accommodating by meeting me on a Sunday even though they were a M-F, 8-5 operation.

2) My unit is called a Jeep Hurricane and not a Hummer. But my kids simply call it their big truck.

3) The service center fixed my unit without charge to me since it was still within the 1 year warranty period. I did not even have to show my receipt since the production date stickers vouched for my assertion.

4) With the toy fixed and back home and the battery having charged all day, it was time for the kids to drive. They went about 1 centimeter before the truck halted. The battery was D-O-A dead! The batteries have only a 6 month warranty, and last only about 6 months in my experience.

5) I bought a lawnmower battery at Wal-Mart to replace the original dry-cell battery. The lawnmower battery is a wet cell full of battery acid. It is larger and deserves some special consideration. My friend uses one of these with his kids’ Barbie 4-wheeler and has great results. I’ll try to check back in later after I have finished the conversion.

]]> By: Michael http://www.consumersafety.com/power-wheels-hummer-of-a-humdinger/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Michael Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:25:27 +0000 http://www.consumersafety.com/power-wheels-hummer-of-a-humdinger/#comment-33 Well, Iiiiii'mmm baaaaack! - 8 months later. Unfortunately the Power Wheels toy is not doing so well. The front wheels are splayed out and the vehicle can hardly be steered since the left and right front tires are trying to go separate directions. My original assumption was that the retailer would support the manufacturer's 1 year warranty at the store. But, that is wrong. Toys "R" Us tells me they have a 45 day return policy and that is it unless you purchased a buyer protection plan from them. (Why should I have to "protect" during the first year if the retailer and the manufacturer are my allies? Maybe I need to be protected from them). So now I am off to take it up with Fisher Price directly. By the way, did you know that Sam's Club has a 100% member satisfaction policy for buyers with their receipts, and there is no time limit, regardless of whether you purchased a service agreement? They do not loudly proclaim this policy since there are a lot of cads who would abuse it. But from my own experience as well as my inside sources, it is true. Also, I have had good CS experience with Target in the past. Take notice Toys "R" Us! Well, Iiiiii’mmm baaaaack! – 8 months later. Unfortunately the Power Wheels toy is not doing so well. The front wheels are splayed out and the vehicle can hardly be steered since the left and right front tires are trying to go separate directions.

My original assumption was that the retailer would support the manufacturer’s 1 year warranty at the store. But, that is wrong. Toys “R” Us tells me they have a 45 day return policy and that is it unless you purchased a buyer protection plan from them. (Why should I have to “protect” during the first year if the retailer and the manufacturer are my allies? Maybe I need to be protected from them).

So now I am off to take it up with Fisher Price directly.

By the way, did you know that Sam’s Club has a 100% member satisfaction policy for buyers with their receipts, and there is no time limit, regardless of whether you purchased a service agreement? They do not loudly proclaim this policy since there are a lot of cads who would abuse it. But from my own experience as well as my inside sources, it is true. Also, I have had good CS experience with Target in the past. Take notice Toys “R” Us!

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