Two women have fired up at the Fitbit company after they’ve been burnt and suffered “deep tissue pain” from the fitness device.
Connie Tzouvelekas from Sydney asked for a refund for her Fitbit Charge HR (which retails for $199.95) when it left a burn mark on her skin, but was refused after she said she wouldn’t destroy the device.
Fitbit allegedly responded to the requested refund, saying it would “require a proof of destruction” first. She refused and instead contacted leading consumer group Choice.
Fitbit told The Weekly: “We are aware of Ms. Tzouvelekas’ concern – we have taken and will continue to take any further steps required to address these concerns (noting that a full refund has also been offered).”
“It’s not the money,” Connie said. “It’s such a new technology – and I don’t want to sound hysterical – be we don’t know what kind of health effects there are here.”
Connie’s burn after wearing the Fitbit
An Adelaide woman, Emma Schouten, said her Fitbit Charge HR caused her “unbearable pain” in a Facebook post to their page.
She wants a recall, after writing on their Facebook: “I believe my product to be faulty and dangerous.”
Fitbit has denied a customer would be told to destroy the device, but have admitted to “a very limited number of users reporting skin irritation”, which allows it meet “stringent standards” for new products.
According to a new report by Telsyte, Fitbits account for nearly half of the country’s “wearable technology” market.
A large number of people have labelled them ‘Unfitbit’ and ‘Shitbit’ because of their issues with battery, band breakages and software.
Fitbit told The Weekly in response: “We are unable to consider and respond to reference to “similar complaints” on the internet without further specific information.”
They continued: “Fitbit strives to offer very high levels of customer satisfaction and as such, has a very proactive policy on repair and/or replacement.”
Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey told Daily Telegraph: “Obviously a product that markets itself for use during fitness needs to be durable and fit for purpose.”
“If you have a problem with your Fitbit, exercise your consumer rights and seek a remedy.”
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