He's mastered the bike and the scooter. But like many 10-year-olds, Jaxon Lane is anxious for his next challenge.
"I said, 'Can I get a hoverboard?' And, well, she said no," Jaxon said, about his mother.
"Because of the negative press of the hoverboards catching on fire, catching houses on fire," said mother Julie Lane, of Flower Mound.
His parents were leery, so if Jaxon really wanted a hoverboard he would have to buy it himself.
Jaxon saved $200 by pet sitting and selling items around the house he wasn't using anymore.
His parents helped him order a hoverboard online from Electric Empire USA, a Florida based company that says it is "committed to providing a quality product and the highest level of customer support."
They placed the order and within days, Jaxon was riding his brand new hoverboard. He was really getting the hang of it, but days later he says his board started to malfunction.
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"It just started to spin rapidly. I would be just riding around it would just shake and throw me off, and it really hurt. I got a couple of bruises from it," Jaxon said.
According to its website, the company's hoverboards come with a Samsung Certified safe battery and "offers a 90-Day Return period for any factory defects not caused by the end user."
So his parents shipped it back and were told a replacement would be shipped out "within 24 hours."
But nearly three months later Jaxon is still without a replacement hoverboard.
"I see the FedEx trucks going by and I always look at my front door and there's nothing there," he said.
The Lanes then asked or a refund, to no avail.
"Things like this do happen," explained Julie Lane.
"But for this company it's just taken too much time. At this point, I don't trust this company," Jaxon said.
After researching the company online and through social media, Julie Lane realized they weren't alone.
NBC 5 Responds tried to call Empire Electric USA and sent e-mails regarding the consumer's complaint, but there was no response.
The Florida Attorney General's Office has received two additional complaints and is interested in hearing from other consumers who have had problems with Electric Empire USA. But it has not launched an official investigation at this time.
"It's very upsetting. Very disappointed," Jaxon said.
But the Lanes aren't giving up on hoverboards just yet. Jaxon wants to give it one last try so he won't be left out this holiday season. But this time around his mother has a different plan.
"It is going to be from a different company that has a better reputation that is certified for its safety," said Julie Lane.
The hoverboard is still a hot ticket item this year, so if you plan on buying one here are Sam's Solutions:
- Check to see if the board is UL certified. You'll see a label on the hoverboard box. It means this company has stepped up to test and ensure the safety of these products.
- And if it's certified by another company, research the testing methods.
- Lastly, always ask about the company's refund policy.
