MCS Industries Inc mirrors or mirror glass

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Apr 13, 2018 · , sent to the company May 11, 2018 · , published by CPSC Jun 4, 2018

   The product, in the report: Mir Weathered Outer Division model mirror, light beige and cream colored, 29.5” x 41.25”

   I purchased a lightweight mirror from Bed Bath & Beyond, whose shoddy, weak materials caused the frame to literally crumble and break off where the hook brackets were attached by two screws. The mirror had been hanging above my bed for over a year, by a secure screw (see pic), anchored into the wall, and the mirror came crashing down at 3 a.m. on February 27th, landing behind my headboard, mirror intact.

   Luckily I survived. But, had my headboard not protected me, I may not be here today.

   I tried to file a claim with the company’s insurance company for damages to my wall and baseboard, no more than $400, but it was declined because the company had attached a label on the back of the mirror warning not to use picture-hanging wire.

   I have tried to attach some photographs that show how the material of the frame gave way, but this form has no way to attach photographs. The wire is still attached to the brackets, including the one that was dislodged from the frame with a chunk of the frame shoddy, weak, plaster-of-Paris-like material, though the picture wire is still attached, just fine. The wire was in no way compromised, as you would be able to see in the photographs.

   My handyman, who attached the wire and safely hung the mirror for me, apparently didn’t read the label--nor would I have expected him to because used common sense in hanging the mirror and hung it the way any handyman might. In fact, all of my artwork, even the last two prints, with glass, I had framed at two professional frame stores here in Wilmington, have brackets on the back side with similar u-shaped closed hooks, and picture wire attached to each hook. I have at least 10 pieces of artwork hanging in my home, including a 70-lb mirror that had belonged to my grandmother, all hung with wire. Yet this company, MCS Industries in Easton, PA, advises using a separate screw for each u-shaped closed hook--and a leveler. Totally difficult, awkward, and impractical. No one hangs artwork in this manner.

   I have researched proper hanging of framed art. It is industry standard to use picture hanging wire. Picture hanging kits come with wire.

   This company, MCS Industries of Easton, Pennsylvania, is bypassing a common, time-honored practice that most people would not think twice about, and it is insisting consumers use a different method, but only on the label on the backside of the frame, that many people may or may not read.

   Thus, if this company uses this similar weak material for all its frames, others like me are in danger of having their artwork fall onto their heads, on to their children, onto their pets, or what have you. It is a dangerous practice. Not to mention glass shards splattering when the frame hits the floor.

   I would like to file a formal complaint with the CPSC about this company. They are not using wood in their frames. They are using a composite like a plaster of Paris. I don’t know who regulates the picture-frame industry, but the ability of this company to put warning labels on the backs of their framed works advising unwary consumers not to use picture wire is not only dangerous but unethical. It’s just a way for them to cover their you know whats.

   I really appreciate your looking into this for me. I have tried to go through the Better Business Bureau, Bed Bath & Beyond, and the company’s insurance company, [REDACTED], but I have gotten nowhere. I don’t know where else to turn.

   Model

   Mir Weathered Outer Dimension

   UPC

   044021207789

   Bought from

   Bed, Bath, & Beyond

   Bought

   Feb 22, 2017, about then

   Where

   Wilmington, North Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 54, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   made or sold by MCS Industries Inc

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources