DOHA: Popular toyshops and commercial outlets in Doha have stopped selling hoverboards over safety concerns. Some shops, however, are still selling them, even increasing their varieties to attract more customers.
The hoverboard is a battery-powered two-wheeler device that navigated by pressure from the user’s feet and weight distribution. Also known as smart wheel, balance wheel or smart scooter, the device became popular overnight when it hit the local market last year.
With growing demands, hoverboards became available at toyshops, major outlets and shopping complexes across the country. When the local and international media raised questions on the safety of hoverboards, some popular toyshops and commercial complexes withdrew the products as a precaution to save their names in case of any untoward incident.
Media reports suggest that the battery of hoverboard is not safe and it could explode. Some airlines have banned the product onboard. Another safety issue is that it is very difficult for the users to balance posing great risk on their bodies.
The Peninsula tried to approach to the local authorities concerned for their comments on the safety of hoverboards available in the market but to no avail.
Demand for hoverboards high among kids
“We pulled hoverboards off our shelves six month ago,” a salesman at a famous toyshop in Al Saad told this daily.
“We did not receive any circular from the local authority to withdraw the products. It was our own initiative to pull them off shelves when parents and guardians of children raised concerns over the safety of the products,” he said.
Some major shopping complexes were spotted posting notices at their entrance banning the use of hoverboard inside their premises.
“We have a variety of hoverboards, all made in China. Their price ranges from QR390 to QR690,” said a salesman of a famous shopping centre at Freej bin Imran.
“The device has pretty good demand but I cannot give the exact figure. We sell some units daily and sales increase during weekends,” he said.
The salesman added: “There is no warranty for electronic devices such as hoverboards. Once the customer leaves the shop the warranty is over. The products are not bad though they are made in China. We receive very few complaints all related to breakdown — most of them caused by mishandling but none of them related to battery explosion.”
“The device has a manual which users must follow for their own and others’ safety,” said the salesman.
The hoverboards are also spotted on the shelves of a famous shopping complex in Al Dafna being sold for QR399. A sales notice reads the device could be replaced within one week, however the warranty for repair is a month from the date of purchase.
“My daughter has been asking me to buy a hoverboard since she saw one of her friends use one but I was so reluctant because I thought that she was too little and underweight for this device,” said a European woman.
It was the woman who took a test ride of the device, not her daughter, for safety concerns.
“My son has been asking for a hoverboard for a long time. I kept rejecting his request on the grounds that the product was not available in the local market and he was not of the right age for using it,” said a father.
“I am worried about safety. I do not think my son will wear safety helmet on every ride. Then what will happen when he forgets or purposely does not wear it?” he added.
“I think this device makes children lazy,” said a mother of two.
