AmazonBasics: Up in Smoke?
If you need something and you are anything like the majority of the population, you head over to Amazon to purchase it. In fact, many consumers don’t even bother looking anywhere else. Amazon is nothing if not a favorite one-stop-shop of the masses, and they’ve garnered a lot of consumer trust along the way. When Amazon missteps (and they have been known to), however, things can quickly go in a more dangerous direction. AmazonBasics is one such concern. If you or someone you love has been injured by a faulty consumer product, you need an experienced New York City personal injury lawyer on your side.
Blazing Example
A recent CNN report shares a telling example. A 20-year-old man was awakened when his desk chair burst into flames, and he was burned in the process of removing the chair from his Connecticut home. The door and door frame that he carried the chair through were also burned in the process. The fire marshal at the scene noticed that there was a white USB cord attached to the charred chair (that had been charging the victim’s phone when the flames erupted). Ultimately, it was determined that the USB cord – which was emblazoned with the familiar Amazon and that was sold by AmazonBasics – short-circuited, and the resulting heat set the chair’s upholstery ablaze.
AmazonBasics
AmazonBasics refers to one of the goliath’s popular lines that come from its one private label. AmazonBasics was launched back in 2009 and is all about providing budget-friendly versions of the following products:
- Electronic devices
- Household appliances
- Office accessories
- Home goods
The idea behind these basics is to create everyday consumer items of similar quality to those name brands that consumers frequently turn to and to provide them at a lower price point – much like Target and Costco have done.
Amazon heavily promotes AmazonBasics on its site, and many items in the lineup have become runaway bestsellers (with four-star and higher ratings in tow). The pandemic and the increasingly homebound nature of our lives has only increased such sales.
The Reviews
In the meantime, consumers have raised concerns about some of Amazon’s products. CNN shares that in addition to launching complaints to federal regulators, Consumers – since 2016 – have posted at least 1,500 reviews on Amazon’s own site that warn of products that explode, melt, smoke, catch on fire, or otherwise pose a threat. In other words, customers who’ve come to trust the Amazon brand are raising their collective voice in concern.
It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced New York City Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured by a faulty consumer product, the resourceful personal injury attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman in NYC are well-positioned to help. We have earned our impressive reputation as the City’s go-to personal injury firm over our more than six decades in the business, and we’re committed to applying the full force of this experience to every claim we take on. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 212-285-3300 for more information today.
