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The Wheels Have Fallen Off the Latest Bandwagon

by Importexport
1 replies
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This bandwagon only had two wheels, but they are well and truly off. Many thousands of hoverboards have been confiscated by Customs officials in the US, the UK, and other countries.

The latest "hot seller" proved too hot for government authorities to allow them to pass through customs. Many have caught fire, some causing serious injury, and some causing house fires.

Over the past 6 months or so I have received PMs from numerous intending importers asking such things as "Where can I buy the cheapest hoverboards?" "How can I be sure they are safe?" "Do I need insurance before I sell hoverboards?" and lots of other questions.

My answer to them all was the same: Don't jump on this bandwagon, but if you are determined to follow the crowd, don't trust the safety certificates they display.

As it turned out a large number had fake certificates supposedly issued by respected testing authorities. Forgery of certificates is endemic in Asia. They should always be checked.

Walter Hay.
"If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
#bandwagon #fallen #latest #wheels
  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    You've got to admit though they are pretty cool...

    ...when they don't catch fire that is.

    My brother in law got one for his kid for Xmas and we were riding it around for ages.

    It was impressive as was the battery life on the model he got hold of.

    In Australia they were banned by various states from being used on roads well before Xmas.

    The writing was on the wall and after several fires you just knew a ban was coming.

    Some people always look though $$$$ vision glasses and jump in either too early or too late.

    My importing buddy and I were talking about them mid year but the costs were still too high and the risks too great to consider stocking them for Xmas.

    We had a good laugh about it when we met for a bbq on New Year's Eve.

    What is the saying..."Pioneers blaze the trail"

    They got burnt badly on that one.
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