The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Elliot Kaye praised Amazon in a statement on Wednesday, saying that he is “pleased that at least one leading retailer is erring on the side of caution.” Amazon still hasn’t made an official statement on hoverboard refunds, but Kaye refers hoverboard owners to the company’s contact page to request a refund.
The refund announcement comes a few weeks after Amazon banned most hoverboards from its store, citing issues with noncompliant plugs and poor safety oversight. Some brands are still available for purchase, like Powerboard and Leray, and we’re not sure if refunds are available for hoverboards still available for purchase.
In the CPSC statement, Kaye said that he expects other retailers to stop selling hoverboards until the commission has finished its investigation into the new technology. He also said that a UL mark is not a certification of the product’s safety, since there is no certification for hoverboards currently and these marks can be easily counterfeit.
Hoverboards have gone from the new cool thing on the block to a banned commodity on the streets, airplanes, and online stores in less than a year. In the U.K., police enforced a broad hoverboard ban on pavements and roads, effectively removing the tech from public view. Even with the dismal outlook for hoverboards, it might not be the end for the tech if manufacturers listen to the CPSC and improve their products with new safety features.
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