[News] Wal-Mart Flip-Flops Burn At Least 9 Customers Feet
 

I have the same EXACT condition that Kerry Stiles has, and Fox news did a story regarding the Sun and Sand flip flops last night filed by another lady here in Texas. I purchased the shoes at Walmart in July... I, unlike Kerry, wore the shoes a mere 2 hours.

A woman by the name of Ginger Edwards from Walmart headquarters in Bentonville called me initially back in July and wanted the shoes so they could test them and informed me that I was the 9th case reported, note that was in JULY. I emailed her pictures of my feet but I did not mail the shoes. I chose instead to use my better judgment and held on to the flip flops as EVERYONE at Walmart has given me the impression that they are completely apathetic to my problem. I or my son, visited Walmart daily after having complained IN PERSON after visiting the doctor the first time back in July and having showed them my feet, and the shoes remained on the shelf until last week!!

2 weeks ago, after my second visit to the doctor, I was contacted via telephone by a man named "Charles" from Walmart here in Mineral Wells and again, he seemed completely indifferent stating that I seemed to "have the situation under control". I went that day to show him my feet and the employees refused to give me his last name and would only page "a member of management".

I received a letter on Friday August 24 and they have referred me to a lady named Letty Lopez in Dallas. As I stated, I have pictures of my feet along with correspondences with the Foreign Trade Commission as well as doctor bills and prescriptions I can share with you.

I have been unable to wear "normal" shoes since July 14 and am still under a doctor's care!

Sincerely,

Juanita Locke
Mineral Wells, TX
So this is what Walmart means by "taking this report very seriously:...

Some independent body needs to test out the plastic on these flipflops and see what the hell is in them that is causing people's feet to react in this way. And someone needs to send these flipflops to the CPSC.

Consumerist readers, are there any of these Sun and Sand flipflops still on the shelves of your local Walmart? If so, can they be purchased or has the bar code been removed from Walmart's system?

UPDATE:

Cheryl in TN writes:
To answer your question, yes, they are on the shelf, at least at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Rockwood, Tenn., and as recently as last night. They're on a display near the cash registers and are marked "clearance," with a $1 price tag.

I actually pointed them out to my daughter, warning her not to touch them and telling her about the woman I read about on The Consumerist. I then wondered aloud what had happened in the original case. Thanks for your update.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/heal...est-295327.php

Oh my heavens. What next? Wonder if they were made in CHINA?

Ha ha thats what I was wondering too

Ouch that looks painful!! China again I bet,lol.

I think everything at Walmart's made in China. I'm sorry your feet are so sore. You might have to take them to small claims court to get any type of recovery.

Ouch! How can they let things like this go

I agree, I bet they were made in China!!

mineral wells is not far from me. my sister works at walmart i will ask her if they still have them

also is that a guy wearing womens flowered flip flops? just wondering.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/vide...ers-295235.php



walmart told her to contact the Chinese manufacturer

Maybe if people would stop trying to get a "good deal" from places like Walmart, and buying cheap, poorly made products these problems would GO AWAY!

that wont ever happen

Personally I LOVE a bargan. I bought two pair of rubber thongs at Wal-Mart for yard work and such. They are made in China as well, but I've not had any problems with them. I bought 2 bra and panty sets at an upscale store in Santa Barbara and paid over $200.00. After the very first washing (on delicate as always and useing All free) the panties got really tiny holes all over them. You just never know.................

And neither will defected dog food, treats, toys, etc.

OMG!! that is awful ... how can they sell them without warning people ....

Thanks returning mine to store
 

Strange. I wonder whats causing it?

I always get my flip-flops at Wal-Mart, but I didn't get there this year.

We normally by the Nike' slide on sandals and Reef flip flops (my daughters favorites), but we do buy "cheap" flip flops too. This year, we bought some at Wal-Mart and at Old Navy. We haven't had any problems with these....they are normally worn out in the yard or around the pool, etc.

This is horrible....maybe there are people allergic to something in the material? When I was younger, I could never wore "plastic" shoes, like flip flops and those jelly shoes. They would break my feet out in an allergic burn like rash. I didn't start wearing flip flops again until last year, but have worn the Nike' slide type sandals for several years.

Wanted to add: I have VERY sensitive skin.....I mean VERY. Some lotions, deodrants, clothing, etc will break me out...so I am surprised that I haven't had a reaction to the cheap flip flops from Wal-Mart and Target!

Is this really true about the flip-flops? I'm just wondering because it looks like a man's feet and ladies flip-flops in the picture AND if the flip-flops were burning his/her feet, why didn't he/she take them off?

I just don't like Walmart, period. I live in a smaller town, Walmart came in...and everything else in town is closing or has closed. It's really sad...but nobody can compete with them. Thanks for sharing the story...another reason not to shop at Walmart, I'll take what little money I have else where...thank you very much!!!

Me Too!!
 

I was wondering the same thing!!!

Sorry;)

Exactly! you get what you paid for.

Apparently the chemical reaction gets worse as time goes by whether or not you wear the shoes. She said that it didn't even hurt at first, just made red marks on her feet which is why she continued to wear the shoes. I hope Wal-mart takes this seriously and looks into what is going on. I would worry about this showing up in those clogs that they make for children.

Here you can see the full extent of the burns. WARNING - graphic pics

http://www.consumerist.com/photogallery/kerry.s-feet/

Here is her website
http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart.htm

that is awful!!

Looks painful...

OMG you have to read her story on the site with the pics how scary and gross