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vincent007 · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 5

My first V2 arrived last week, and it was DOA. I sent it back! The second one arrived today, this one worked for about a hour, then the right hand stopped opening and closing. This one is going back as well. I'm not impressed with the quality control so far. My original Robosapien has been great. Also, Roboraptor is fine as well. But even though, in the brief time he worked, I like the function of V2, I'm weary of his ability to hold up. IMHO Evil or Very Mad

Vinny

roschler · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 220

Vincent,

Sorry to hear about your V2 troubles! The only thing I can think of is trying out one of the Sharper Image model which have been getting less complaints (I have one). They're more expensive though. Crying or Very sad

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Robert Oschler
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vincent007 · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 5

These two WERE from Sharper Image.... Confused

roschler · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 220

vincent007,

My RSV2 is from Sharper Image and has been working fine so far, but I haven't really put it through it's paces yet. There have been other people on the Robosapien.tk forum complaining about the Sharper Image V2 though. I'm nervous now and glad I bought the extended warranty.
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Robert Oschler
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vincent007 · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 5

When I spoke with WoW Wee they said they had quality control issues with the first batch of V2's and those unfortunately were the ones sent to Sharper Image Crying or Very sad

roschler · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 220

Vincent007,

They admitted that? They should have a "recall" policy or something I would think. I wish there was a reliable way for looking at my RSV2 and knowing for sure if it was in the first batch or not.
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Robert Oschler
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vincent007 · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 5

I was surprised they said that.But then again I was very pissed about two V2's that were defective. They also said I could wait till the new year, by then the units should be fine. I also thought that was odd, but the pesron sounded sincere and was very understanding. The third V2, which I purchased from Best Buy, is fine...so far Wink

I just like the grey V2 better, oh well.

D · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 4

I think there must be a problem with the Robosapien V2s. We opened ours on Christmas and on New Year's Day, it stopped working. We replaced some batteries (correctly) and when we turned it back on, smoke came out of the handle on its back and where the neck connects to the torso ! We haven't turned it back on... Like some others I've read about, I'm also frustrated that www.wowwee.com and www.robosapienv2online.com have been inactive since Jan. 1. I can't get through to them on the phone either -- you get sent to someone's voice mail and, if you try to go to the operator, you're told one isn't available. Btw, this isn't a Sharper Image model.

roschler · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 220

D,

That is definitely a bad unit! Can you get the retailer that sold it to you to exchange it?
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Robert Oschler
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D · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 4

roschler,

I bought it from HobbyTron.com and their website says "If you receive a defective item simply call the manufacturer for help." So I'm trying to reach WowWee to see if they can resolve the problem first -- the only issue, of course, is that I haven't been able to reach anyone at WowWee. WowWee's websites seem to be defunct since at least Jan. 1 (when I first tried to look up a customer support email address for them) and no one's called me back regarding the voice mail I left. Hmm, a product that smokes its circuit boards after a couple of hours of play, defunct websites, and no response to voice messages...I don't believe this bodes well for WowWee.

Do you know the customer support email address for WowWee?

roschler · Site Admin Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 220

D,

I've got a message into a friend that has that information. I'll post it when I hear back from them.
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Robert Oschler
Forum Administrator

D · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 4

roschler,

Thank you.

It's really frustrating because their websites are still down and when you call the Consumer Hotline on the back of the Robosapien User's Manual, there's no mention that the number you have reached is with WowWee. You get Mary <something>'s voice mail at extension 234 -- that's all it says, not something like "Welcome to WowWee" or "You have reached WowWee". Then their voice mail system is a little screwy -- you have to hit # after you record your message and then you're given a list of options -- but don't hang up yet just because you're done leaving your message, because the _LAST OPTION_ is to hit # to send the message you just recorded. Maybe I don't make enough voice mail calls or maybe I'm just voice mail challenged, but twice now I've had to call back because I just automatically hung up after I left my message. Heck, the first time I called, I didn't even hear the instructions to hit the first # because I was trying to tell a child distraught over the dead Robosapien to be quiet so I could hear on the phone!

I'm going to call HobbyTron.com to see if they can help because who knows when WowWee will reappear on the planet.

D · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 4

Yippee !! HobbyTron.com is sending me an RMA and they're taking my smoked Robosapien V2 off my hands. They couldn't reach WowWee either -- weird of a company to disappear just after Christmas...But kudos to HobbyTron.com !