Better Homes and Gardens chairs

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jun 13, 2013 · , sent to the company Jul 3, 2013 · , published by CPSC Jul 25, 2013

   The product, in the report: patio set- 4 piece set

   The consumer stated that there were name plates attached the lower back of each chair and they were coming off from the chair. The consumer stated that the metal plates were coming off and the sharp prongs (1/2” long) were facing up. The consumer stated that she almost stepped on the plate. The consumer stated that she could off stepped onto the metal prongs and they could have been inserted into her foot.

   The consumer stated that no one was injured. She stated that this poses a laceration hazard and should be investigated. The consumer stated that she contacted the retailer and they informed her that they would notify upper management.

   Model

   Azalea Ridge Conversation Set

   UPC

   Unknown

   Serial number

   Unknown

   Bought from

   Walmart, Arkansas

   Bought

   Apr 30, 2013, about then

   Where

   Hot Springs, Arkansas: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Better Homes and Gardens, made or sold by Better Homes and Gardens

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

2. Hurt, no treatment

   Made Jun 8, 2012 · , sent to the company Jun 18, 2012 · , published by CPSC Jul 10, 2012

   The product, in the report: Patio chairs.

   In August 2009 I purchased 2 sets of Better Homes and Gardens Mika Ridge 3-Piece Bistro Sets at a cost of $650 from Wal-Mart. Each set consists of two rocker-swivel aluminum framed cushioned chairs and a 30” round glass top table. I use the chairs on my raised outdoor deck. They are always moved inside in the fall and winter and still look almost new. Two weeks ago, while sitting in one of the chairs on my deck, I leaned slightly sideways to pick up a can of [REDACTED] I was drinking and had set on the deck along side the chair. Without any warning whatsoever, the aluminum frame broke and I fell sideways onto my right shoulder. I am 69 years old. I was pinned between the seat of the chair and the railing of my deck. The arm of the chair was beneath my right side and I was laying on it so could not easily move. My shoulder hurt badly further restricting my efforts. It took five minutes to finally and painfully push myself to a position where I was able to get on my hands and knees and stand up. After examining the broken chair, I found that the four aluminum supports had broken at the central column. I examined the other chair sitting next to the one that failed. Three of the four supports on that chair were already visibly failing and one already had a very visible crack. The other two chairs get almost no use, mostly staying inside the house. Consequently there is no evidence of failure on those two chairs. I called the phone number [REDACTED] listed on the literature I received with the Bistro sets as the number I should call if I had problems with the product and spoke to [REDACTED]. After several phone calls back an forth, and sending them an email they requested containing my receipt and several photos of the broken and failing chairs, I was told the chairs only had a one year warranty and there was nothing they could do. They further stated that due to some business transaction they were only responsible for claims years 2010 and later. They gave me a number to call to contact the “original” company, Huayue at [REDACTED]. I called that number, talked to [REDACTED]. She said the company was out of business but offered to send me 4 new bases but I would have to pay the shipping and handling but I have to wait until Monday before I get the quote for that. She also told me there was a weight limit for the chairs, 250lbs. I do weigh 250lbs. I told her I saw no such warning in any of the information listed before I made the purchase. She said there is no warning because if there was, nobody would buy the chairs. Wal-Mart still sells this exact same product but the price is now $399 per set. I looked at the customer reviews on Wal Mart’s web site and there was another complaint about the frames breaking after two years of use, as mine did . I had already submitted a review after I bought the chairs in 2009 so when I tried to submit another review warning potential buyers about the undocumented weight limit and the fact that the frames could collapse without warning, the web site would not permit this because I had already posted a review. If I could not post a warning review, I strongly suspect other people with frame failures were also prevented from do so because they had left a previous post after purchase.

   I do not know if this qualifies for further investigation and subsequent recall, but I shudder to think that if the frame had failed when I leaned backwards instead of sideways, I could have suffered a concussion, cracked my skull, or been knocked unconscious. Remember, these things are still being sold every day and there are multiple examples of the exact same failure point.

   Model

   Better Homes and Gardens Mika Ridge 3-Pc Bistro Set

   Bought from

   Wal Mart

   Bought

   Aug 1, 2009

   Where

   Deal Island, Maryland: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 69, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Better Homes and Gardens Mika Ridge 3-Pc Bistro Set, made or sold by Better Homes and Gardens

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources