Possible blood found on Pumpkin's wheel

[Piebald]

Thanks for the update Leila. Those agencies can be frustrating so keep up the fight. You see why people go to the more radical organizations like PETA. I wouldn't let them off the hook by trying to say it's not a consumer issue-- it is a consumer issue- the wheels are not fit for purpose at best, and perhaps cruel under some kind of animal welfare legislation at worst.
I don't trust reviews on websites controlled by the seller-- I have had some rather mild criticisms removed. Did you copy them on your complaining letter? If not, write one directly to them. It is harder to ignore an actual piece of paper.
Good luck! Glad the cork lining is working out!

[racinghamster]

The term `beating a dead horse` springs to mind but these fights always land on deaf ears and passing the buck, it`s typical. If those bloodied feet had been that of a young child, the product would have been recalled immediately. It`s shameful. Animal welfare legislation? It`s not worth the paper it`s written on if it can`t be used in law.

Item - Faulty and causes injury (fact)
Legal - If there are regulations that can be matched with the above, that`s where factual evidence comes in. Every company has terms and conditions and have to meet certain criteria. If they havn`t, then they are liable. Zooplus are selling a product that is factually flawed and they have been made well aware of that, yet they choose to ignore this and sell the product anyway?

It`s all about evidence and where the law stand regarding selling regulations and safety.

On a happier note Leila, you have done a grand job! Glad the cork liner is working for Pumpkin! Although you shouldn`t have had to go to the extra expense of making the wheel safe if it was sold as a lined version only. x

[cypher]

Thanks for letting us know, it's frustrating but you've really done a good job here.
I find it really appalling that zooplus haven't posted your review or replied to your email about it. I never rely on reviews too much but it does make you wonder just how much of a guide they can be on that site now.
I'm really glad you got the cork fixed to the wheel ok & Pumpkin now has a nice soft comfortable run whenever she likes!

[Leila0420]

Thanks everyone. To be honest I'm not hopeful that there'll be a satisfying ending to Pumpkin's wheel issue, I mean people have been highlighting the dangers of cotton fluff bedding for years now and it's still available... If I cant get any further with any consumer ombudsman then at the least I would like to be able to post a comment on zooplus advising other owners to check for splinters and unfinished wood before using it. I only sent that complaint last Friday so I think it'll take a few days. I think I might take Piebald's advice and send them a written letter too.

However it turns out at the end of the day at least Pumpkin is happy And if this thread has made any other owners more cautious about their wheels then that's one giant added bonus!

[racinghamster]

I would`nt but one now because these wheels need work before they can be used and if they had a plastic liner, it would make all the difference. Cork is good, but over time, the wheel will smell. Not for me. x

[Pebbles82]

Yay! You beat me to it with the Cork. I got as far as sanding mine before we went on holiday but Charlie seems to like the Wobust wheel now. Does your hammy pee in the wheel Leila? Charlie doesn't but he might one day. If you wanted to waterproof the cork I saw another German post where they glued the plastic track from a wodent wheel on top of the cork. Would love to see a photo.

I think the Ombudsman only deals with financial recompense - it used to be Trade Descriptions people that used to deal with products not being as advertised or fit for purpose. But they may say it's made in Germany so out of their jurisdiction - although technically if it is for sale in Britain they should have some authority over the product.

Local Trading Standards seem to be the people who deal with it. I notice it says "fitness for purpose" in the bit below.

Trade Descriptions Act - Summary

But even if they did act I guess al they could do would be ban a product rather than tell them to make it better.

[Leila0420]

Thank you for the link Serendipity (and welcome back, I hope you had a lovely holiday ). I might look into that... Although I do feel that since so many people on here rate the wooden wheels it would just be improvement that they need not an outright ban...

I'm planning on posting what I did to the wheel on the DIY section but keep putting it off (there are so many photos and I want my guide to be well done lol). Pumpkin used to pee on her wheel but she seems to have grown out of it. Because of this I actually haven't plastikoted the cork yet but I presumed that would make it waterproof? The plastic track from the wodent wheel could work but then you have to buy both wheels which could be expensive right? Although it does sounds like a good idea

[Pebbles82]

No you can just buy all the bits separately for wodent wheels. I don't know where you can do it in the Uk but rodipet in Germany sell all the spare parts - but then postage is about £7 from there. I was also wondering if plastikote would waterproof it - if cork is supposed to liquid resistant then it shouldn't soak through - but I don't know really. Glad Pumpkin is showing respect for the cork lol.

Here's the link to the wodent wheel tracks - a choice of 9 colours.

Laufband DUNKELBLAU für 27 cm Wodent Wheel (Laufräder)

Actually, I'm not sure if it would be deep enough - I think the WW track is about 7cm but the running track of the Wonderland wheel maybe 8 or 9cm - so maybe it was the wobust track trimmed down that they used - that just comes in 3 colours, light blue, dark blue and mauve - here:

http://www.rodipet.de/shop/laufraede...bustwheel.html

Looking forward to seeing the tutorial - I'm sure it will be worth waiting for!