Business & Tech
Mom Fights Back Against Stompeez
A woman finds she's not alone when an 'As Seen on T.V.' product goes wrong.
It was a simple Christmas wish. My 4-year-old daughter didn’t want some big ticket item, like a Barbie Dream House or fancy new bicycle. She wanted Santa to bring her something she saw on T.V. She fell in love with Stompeez, cute character-like slippers with eyes that pop open when you stomp. She couldn’t get the commercial out of her head and after all, they were just $19.99 (more like $30 after tax and shipping).
I got on it early and ordered a large pair of the “Unusual Unicorn” Stompeez on Nov. 22. The website indicated the slippers were in stock and I was hopeful that Santa would be leaving just what Addison wanted, under the tree. The week before Christmas, I called the company to check on my order. A representative told me my order wouldn't make it on time, as the company was still waiting for more inventory to come in. I was assured that the unicorns would be in the mail within a couple weeks.
Fast forward to Jan. 30 (and four phone calls later) and our Stompeez finally arrived. Addison hadn’t given up hope and spotted the UPS truck from her room. She watched the driver stop right in front of our house. She ran downstairs screaming with delight, only to be disappointed all over again. One of the slippers worked when she stomped, and one did absolutely nothing. The air pocket inside that makes the eyes pop open, had popped.
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"Reporter Heather" placed the next call to Stompeez. A manager admitted the company had no large slippers in stock and that there were "inventory problems." I couldn't help but wonder how many kids across the country had been let down. The manager told me I would have to return the defective slippers to get a new pair, but he said that process could take "a while." I asked for a complete refund on my order, but was offered $10 back and a free Stompeez blanket.
My friends and family know me as calm, cool and collected. That day, I was fuming. Don’t mess with a mother whose daughter has been disappointed not once, but twice.
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A quick Google search showed I was not alone. I discovered a Boycott Stompeez Facebook page and other online sites with hundreds of similar grievances from frustrated customers all over the country. Many of those people filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, resulting in an “F” rating for Stompeez.
I learned my lesson and promise to never order an As Seen on T.V. product again. I’ll stick to the stores next time and save me and my kids the heartache.
