Wal-Mart Still Won’t Respond to Toxic Flip Flop Complaints

It’s already been almost a year since Kelly Stiles got chemically burned from a pair of $3 flip flops she bought at Wal-Mart, and the company STILL hasn’t responded. Kelly wasn’t the only one who got burned, either. After going public with her complaints, Kelly got dozens of responses from other people with identical burns. Despite the obvious problem, Wal-Mart has never responded to Kelly’s complaints. The company never recalled the flips flops, and never addressed the underlying issue of poor manufacturing.

1 Year Later: Feet Scarred From “Chemical Flip Flops,” Walmart Still Not Talking [Consumerist]

It’s been about a year since Kelly Stiles’ feet were (somehow) injured by a $3 pair of Walmart flip flops. In that time, Kelly says her feet haven’t fully healed and she still can’t wear sandals or flip flops. She says she still has pain where she was injured.

Walmart is saying nothing at all, although Stiles says that of the 200-350 people who contacted her after she posted photos of her “burns” on the internet, a few have “settled with Walmart for undisclosed amounts.” The retailer has pulled the flip flops in question from store shelves, but they do still sell shoes from “chemical flip flop” manufacturer.

Kelly told WCSC, “So far I have been contacted by no less than 200 hundred and I think no more than 350 people who have said you know I had the same thing happen.”

“We’re scared. We don’t know what we have been exposed to.”

If you’re new to this story and you have a strong stomach, you can check out this gallery of Kelly’s injured feet , or read about others who’ve shared her fate. Above is the most recent picture of Kelly’s feet that she has up on her site. It was taken 2-27-08. She bought the flip flops last April. Ouch! Get better, Kelly.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Wednesday, May 07, 2008

COMMENTS

Poem to MOM

My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.

‘Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that’s taught by Mr. Wright?
It’s all about the laws today,
The ‘Children’s Bill of Rights.’

It says I need not clean my room,
Don’t have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
Or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion,
And regardless what you say,
I don’t have to bow my head,
And I sure don’t have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
Ge t tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I’ll charge you with a crime.
I’ll back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.

Don’t you ever touch me,
My body’s only for my use,
Not for your hugs and kisses,
that’s just more child abuse.

Don’t preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That’s nothing more than mind control,
And it’s illegal too!

Mom, I have these children’s rights,
So you can’t influence me,
Or I’ll call Children’s Services Division,
Better known as C.S.D.’

Mom’s Reply and Thoughts

Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesso n
Made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn’t let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he’s messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store..
I told him, ‘Pick out all you want,
there’s shirts & pants galore.

I’ve called and checked with C.S.D ..
Who said they didn’t care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of those Nike Airs.

I’ve canceled that appointment
To take your driver’s test.
The C.S.D. Is unconcerned
So I’ll decide what’s best. ‘

I said ‘No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We’re having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine.’

He asked ‘Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?’
‘Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.
I also rented out yo ur room,
You’ll take the couch instead.
The C .S.D. Requires
Just a roof over your head.

Your clothing won’t be trendy now,
I’ll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.

I’m selling off your jet ski,
Dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the ‘Parents Bill of Rights’,
It’s in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of C.S.D..?’

a in
Wednesday, May 07 at 08:34 PM

big deal who cares

m att hew vantress in gresham,oregon
Thursday, May 08 at 04:34 AM

a: LOVE IT!

ddrb in
Thursday, May 08 at 10:39 AM

The soles of my feet
I swear they’re burnin’...
~ Bob Dylan

Ken V in Texas
Thursday, May 08 at 03:40 PM

FOUND ON THE INTERNET:

“Fungal and bacterial conditions can cause dry skin, redness, blisters, itching, and peeling. If not treated right away, an infection may be hard to cure. To prevent infections, keep your feet - especially the area between your toes - dirt free and dry.”

Seems to me wearing “flip flops” is not a good way to keep your feet “dirt free and dry.”

Thanks for recycling this useless story Alex Goldschmidt!

ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Thursday, May 08 at 09:32 PM

Screwedby,

“Seems to me wearing “flip flops” is not a good way to keep your feet “dirt free and dry.””

Wow, are you saying that this ‘flip flop’ thing may NOT be Wal-Mart’s fault?  Or, is Wal-Mart responsible for keeping your feet “dirt free and dry”?

RDS in
Friday, May 09 at 12:36 AM

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