Message from ebay 'product safety concerns with the item you purchased' Streetwize Axle Stands

[mikebug1960]

Today I recieved the following message from ebay.

Hello 

We take product safety very seriously. We’re reaching out to you because an item you purchased may have been recalled or pose a safety hazard. We recommend that you stop using this product. If you have questions about the item(s), please reach out to the seller or the manufacturer. Item details are listed below. 

Item details: 350699420556 - Pair Adjustable Steel 2 Tonne Car Maintenance, Service & Repair Jack Axle Stands
The axle stands are branded Streetwize.
Any comments would be welcome especially from anyone who has bought the same item and recieved the same message. 
I've used them twice but as you can imagine I'm not that keen on using them again as I don't fancy bench pressing my car.
I have messaged both the seller and Streetwize UK. I'll post any replies up here.

[gellery]

I received similar warning today for rocwood 3 ton axle stands. Have contacted seller. Await news.

[dch2112011]

Over the last couple of years there have been several axle stand recalls due to safety concerns, product failures and accidents. Streetwize do not appear to have been recalled but many have and this may be a general warning based on the shift against this type of stand due to safety concerns.

Sealey, harbor freight, stanfred, argos, RAC to name a few.

The reason seems to be where a shift in weight could cause retaining pins to work free - tipping and overloading was another issue. 

Best advice with all of these stands is to only use on  front or rear axles not both, chock with wood blocks under car when working so if the vehicle comes off the stands it will not crush you. Bear in mind this has always been the sensible advice since their conception.  Keep your phone handy when underneath.

Rocking while working under car  which is common can cause a vehicle to come off the stand by tipping or failure. 

[awatch]

I've just had the same message so contacted the seller, they say the message was sent out accidentally dbut I questioned if they accidentally sent the merssage how come they accidentally marked the listing as "This listing has been removed for a policy violation"?

Was hoping to change all discs & pads this weekend as well as a caliper and anti-rollbar bushes on my L2H2 Remault Master.

Now on the hunt for loads of stirdy wood as a back-up.

Also waiting for a confirmation from the seller saying their product is Safe!

[papso22]

These 'recall' messages come from ebay, not sellers.

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

"Also waiting for a confirmation from the seller saying their product is Safe!"

Wouldn't mean a whole lot as seller could just state what you want to hear.

Confirmation from the manufacturer is what you would need.

Sent from my Galaxy Ripple.

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

One problem is that many items offered for sale are just rebranded/rebadged so you can never quite tell who actually made them or even if they are just substandard copies.

Sent from my Snickers which may contain nuts 😋

[mikebug1960]

To date I have not heard from the seller, but the manufacturer has replied very promptly.

As well as stating the problem I also sent them pictures of my axle stands and the retail box in which they came for ID purposes.

Reply from Streetwize:

'Please be assured our Axle stands are Notified body tested and conform to all the safety and health requirements.

We do not have a product recall on these items and have not been requested to recall our stock by the UK authorities.

Ebay do appear to put all stock on hold regardless of Supplier and product code, we have written to them supplying Test Certificate and have lodged an appeal to get these back on sale.

We actually do not know why Ebay have sent this email to yourself– but perhaps they have had an issue with a similar product from another supplier and applied this to all Axle stands .

Hope the above allays any concerns you may have.'

[gellery]

I got a response from the manufacturer and they have advised the recall only applied to Australia. The seller responded shortly after with the same details. I had queried with ebay why the same axle stands were still on sale as part of a kit with a jack. They confirmed the seller was not breaching their rules. So slightly confused as to why item is pulled as a single listing but not as part of a kit.  My best guess is Australia needs specific safety instructions on a permanent label on the axle stands which it does not have.  Not sure why UK customers received recall notice. 

[mikebug1960]

Reply recieved from the ebay vendor I bought the axle stands from:

'Thanks for your message, We have now had confirmation that this has all been resolved and the items are perfectly safe. Ebay have also been informed of this. We do have the documents to confirm that the items are safe if you would like to see these please let us know.'

Message recieved from Streetwize:

Just wanted to let you know that our stock has now been put back on sale at Ebay

I just received a message in both accounts that the appeal for both part numbers has been approved, and the axle stands are live for sale again.

[dch2112011]

Just a  thought, no matter what the manufaturers say  given the number  of problems with this type of stand - do you not think that commen sense should make you beware when using them ?

[mikebug1960]

When working on my car whilst it's on any axle stands I always chock it up on wooden chocks as insurance. I think most people who work on their cars at home do that. I don't trust my car jack, trolley jack or axle stands with my life hence the timber stands under my car.

[preemph]

I got the same message from ebay regarding the Rockwood 3 ton axle stands, the seller also said the recall only applies to Australia not the UK, but they could say anything.

I got these as a safety pair to use as backup to my primary stands, It's unlikely i'll ever use these now, it will be in my mind they may fail.

Since getting the message i've watch some youtube videos on the recalled harborfrieght axle stands in the USA, the problem with the american ones first call teeth on the ratchet could slip out then the second recall the welded seams slpit under load.

The new stands they now sell have a strap welded below the bottom of the welded seams to stop them splitting and the safety bolt that goes through the ratchet teeth like that on the Rockwood axle stands.

I've been using concrete breeze blocks with wood on the top as extra safety when working under the car, i'll stick with this method in future.

[gellery]

Many thanks. I'm always super careful when car is on stands. Normally have
backup set setup plus wheels under the car to reduce the height of fall.

[muzza*]

I have received a similar message supposedly from ebay. I suspect it is a scam message because:

1. The language in the email is unprofessional and poorly written.

2. The actual product is not mentioned.

3. The ebay logo looks like it has been copy-pasted badly.

Delete the message and don't click on any of the links.

[ianrc2000]

Lucky you, I got a similar message today, something missing, the product that could potentially kill me, loops.

Must try better eBay.

M

[tressygirl]

Others too,  have received similar 'warning emails',  and no further explanation to which item is involved,  very frustrating.

All I can suggest if you have made several purchases recently, and not sure to which this refers to, is to contact eBay Customer Services,  for them to explain further.

The easiest and quickest way to contact Customer Services is through this link, for a Call Back .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid

On weekdays lines open between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Weekends lines open between 9 a.m. to 6p.m.

If they cannot provide more information all you're left with,  is to contact the manfacturer's of recent purchases,  ask if their product you purchased has been recalled for safety reasons.

@ianrc2000