Defective Products Archive
Comfy UGG boots may lead to foot problems
March 15th, 2010. By AbiK
Remember when UGG’s first hit American shores? And you saw people like Pamela Anderson (Lee or Not-to-Lee?) wearing them in LA—even on the beach? And you were wondering why the heck someone needed boots that looked like they belonged in an igloo in 80-degree heat? And you’re still wondering—except now you realize they’re “like slippers you can wear anywhere!”—and people do wear them anywhere.
Because OMG they’re so comfortable! And fashion be damned—if Pamela, Miley, Reese, Jessica, Megan and Eva wear them (thank you coolspotters.com)—well, that’s the only testimonial anyone needs, right?
So here’s a testimonial that appeared in the Telegraph (UK) today that wasn’t exactly too fashion-friendly—it’s some commentary from Dr. Ian Drysdale on the ever-popular UGG boots and it ought to give some parents pause when considering whether to succumb to the wear-’em-to-school-cause-they’re-cool trend for their daughters. Dr. Drysdale, by the way, is head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Here’s the Telegraph headline:
Ugg-style boots “damage feet due to lack of support”
It seems that UK podiatrists and chiropadists believe that UGG’s and there omnipresent knock-offs are leading to a rise in the number of people having pain in their feet and knees.
According to Dr. Drysdale, because the foot does not get the proper support on the inside, it will lead to more ankle, knee, hip and back problems. He goes on to say, “These boots are not designed for outside wear. Just because something becomes a trend or fashionable doesn’t mean it’s good or right.”
Amen (non-religiously, of course) to that.
What it comes down to is that this style of UGG boot is basically a glorified slipper—like someone took some classic
Cuomo’s Helping Hand to NY for Toyota Recall
February 24th, 2010. By AbiK
This just in…been affected by the Toyota recall mess and live in New York? NY State Attorney General Cuomo’s got your back—at least when it comes to making the process of getting your car repaired a bit easier.
According to nypost.com this morning, Toyota has agreed to guarantee New Yorkers who’ve been thrown into the recall mess the following:
- Pick up of the vehicle at the owner’s home
- Return the vehicle after it’s been repaired
- Pay for out-of-pocket transportation costs
- Offer drivers free rental cars during repairs
That’s good news especially considering the number of emails and comments we’ve received from Toyota drivers who are concerned about driving their cars–even to the dealership–until the repairs are made. Cuomo, himself, gave a nod to this very issue in his prepared statement:
“It is unacceptable that New York consumers should face additional burdens when dealing with a safety problem that is Toyota’s responsibility,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement obtained by the AP before a scheduled noon announcement. “New Yorkers who own recalled vehicles understandably may be reluctant to drive their cars and assume the risk of harm to themselves and others on the road.”
If you’re in NY and you’ve got a recalled Toyota sitting in your drive, there’s also a website that’s been set up to provide further information: nytoyotahelp.com.
Jillian Michaels: The Real Reveal
February 18th, 2010. By AbiK
[Remember this little tidbit as you read this: Jillian Michaels' father was a personal injury lawyer. Got it?]
So I’m trolling the net for some background on personal trainer and weight-loss-guru-turned-PR-quandry, Jillian Michaels. Most of the buzz is about her diet pills and the—surprise!—contention that no, perhaps they really don’t work weight loss wonders and are now the focus of a lawsuit…or two…or three.
But I’m over the Maximum Strength Calorie Control diet pill thing. Deceptive advertising? Looking like it. Lack of integrity? Uh, yeah. Potentially putting greed ahead of realistically attainable results at the expense of the emotional and physical struggles of her weight-challenged following? Well, that’s for others—and Jillian—to figure out.
As with a number of marketing efforts that rely on celebrity or boastful claims, what’s out there in print may undoubtedly come back to haunt you. So let’s take a little gander and look at some recent quotes from Jillian—her recent Ladies’ Home Journal interview is a good place to start—and it’s only from last month. Are you still remembering what I asked you to remember at the beginning? Then these quotes really need no explanation. Read on:
Jillian Michaels LHJ quote #1:
“There was this time when my parents were going through some s— and I was sparring with my instructor, and he kept kicking me. I thought he’d stop if I cried, but the more I cried, the harder he kicked. And he was like, ‘I don’t give a f—, if you don’t fight your way out of this corner I will kill you.’ And so I fought my way out of the corner.”
And this, Michaels believes, is the approach that’s necessary for people who have been making excuses for
Your Toyota Recall Stories…Got one? Share it!
February 13th, 2010. By AbiK
Here’s what some of our readers have been experiencing with their Toyota’s and the Toyota Recall. Got a Toyota story? Share it!
From Mervin…
I have a 2010 toyoto corolla I bought it in august 2009 it is the worst money I ever spent . I have had it to the dealer about 12 times with problems . The car will just stop running and will take 45 minutes to an hour before I can gey it to start again . This happens two or three times a week if any body out there has such problems please contact me . Thank you.
From Jim…
I have 1999 Toyota Sienna that my wife and i both encountered the same problem. Once we press the gas pedal, it was stuck and wouldn’t come back, you need to repeatly press couple of times so it then can be released. We thought it is the structure defect, has more metal contact so it is not easy to return.
Now we are a little bit scared if the Sienna has the same behavior like other recalled cars, what are we going to do?
Besides, the sliding door handles are too easy to broke. We changed the handle, and it still gives us the feeling “will be broke” again.
From C.R….
With all information Toyota kept secret, who knows which cars are really affected? My niece died last month in a Toyota Yaris in a mainly residential neighborhood. No skid marks at the scene. It does make you wonder and worry for anyone driving a Toyota right now and the fix they are proposing seems rediculous. I wouln’t trust it.
Car Recalls: Technocrats and Bureaucrats Need to put Safety First
February 12th, 2010. By Hunter West
(Source: A.S. Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, EE 249, UC Berkeley, Fall 2002.)
If the recall troubles of Toyota and now Honda are knocking you out of your comfort zone, better get used to it. As cars become more complicated and sophisticated, recalls are going to be a fact of life.
In other words, the more automakers do, the more they have to ‘undo.’
Tacked onto an MSNBC story about the recent Honda expanded recall for airbags was a comment from Yoshihiko Tabei, chief analyst at Kazaka Securities.
“While the way automakers handle recalls is important, I think people should be careful not to overreact to every single recall,” he said. “Rather, my concern for the auto industry is their earnings for the next financial year, given the absence of the boost they enjoyed from government incentives this year.”
Other automotive analysts agree that automakers regularly trigger recalls, although some have suggested the media reaction to the Toyota case has been overblown. That latter statement may, or may not be true depending upon one’s perspective. In the Toyota case, the story for decades has been that the Japanese automakers had it
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