‘I’m waiting and I’m waiting’: Action 9 helps customer with recalled Fitbit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In March, Fitbit recalled about 1 million smartwatches because the batteries could overheat and cause burns.

Federal safety officials counted roughly 80 injuries, including two reports of third-degree burns.

With the recall, customers can return the device and get $299.

Stephen Bartels told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke he returned the watch like he was supposed to.

“I said I don’t want to take any chances. I don’t want to get burned,” Bartels said. “It said three to six weeks to get the refund, and I’m waiting and I’m waiting and I’m waiting.”

He told Stoogenke that he’s been waiting more than seven weeks.

“I sent you an email and you said you were going to send it out right away, and an hour later I got an email from Fitbit,” Bartels told Stoogenke. “Until you got involved in it, they weren’t doing anything.”

According to Bartels, Fitbit said it was looking into his refund. The company told Action 9 the same thing.

It still took a few more weeks, but Bartels said he finally got $299 roughly 12 weeks after he returned the watch.

Stoogenke has asked Fitbit multiple times since last month why it took so long to process the refund. The company did not respond in time for this report.

Action 9 has advice on product recalls:

— Keep good records of your purchase.

— Be persistent.

— If you can’t resolve it on your own, contact Action 9.

(Watch below: 1.69M Fitbit Ionic smartwatches recalled due to potential burn hazard)

Recall alert: 1.69M Fitbit Ionic smartwatches recalled due to potential burn hazard

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