"Bullet" Speed Skates

CPSC Recall #02-551 — August 6, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-551
Recall DateAugust 6, 2002
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 3,600
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

The skates were sold through the JCPenney website and its Christmas and Spring/Summer catalogs between November 2001 and February 2002. 

Product

"Bullet" Speed Skates

Description

PRODUCT: Skates -National Sporting Goods Corporation of Passaic, N.J. is voluntarily recalling about 3,600 men's and women's 100 Series Bullet speed skates. The recalled skates are model numbers 809-0205 and 809-0256, black or white, with the word "Bullet" written on the side. The skates were sold through the JCPenney website and its Christmas and Spring/Summer catalogs between November 2001 and February 2002. They were manufactured in China.PROBLEM: The wheel and axle assemble may break off during skating, resulting in injury to the skater.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: National Sporting Goods and JCPenney have received one report of a twisted ankle and several reports of wheels breaking off.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using the skates immediately and return them to the nearest JCPenney catalog desk for a free replacement. For more information, consumers may also call the JCPenney customer service at (888) 333- 6063, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day or visit the website at www.jcpenney.com. Consumers may also contact National Sporting Goods customer service at (800) 242-7476 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Hazard

The wheel and axle assemble may break off during skating, resulting in injury to the skater.

Incidents & Injuries

National Sporting Goods and JCPenney have received one report of a twisted ankle and several reports of wheels breaking off.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the skates immediately and return them to the nearest JCPenney catalog desk for a free replacement.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.