Bethlehem Lights Ready Shape Tree w/Never Fail Lights

A copy of the letter set forth below was mailed by QVC during the week of November 12, 2012 to all purchasers of QVC item numbers H191953 and H191954. Replacement bases will no longer be provided.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

November 14, 2012

Dear Valued Customer:

We are writing to you today as a follow up to our recent efforts to contact you about QVC item number H191953, the 6.5’ Bethlehem Lights Ready Shape Scottsdale Tree with Never Fail Lights, and QVC item number H191954, the 7.5’ Bethlehem Lights Ready Shape Scottsdale Tree with Never Fail Lights.  You previously purchased one of these trees from QVC.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), GKI/Bethlehem Lights, Inc. (“Bethlehem Lights”), the supplier of these products to QVC, is voluntarily recalling those bases or stands to these trees that incorporate a particular model of foot pedal switch, which is pictured below in red.  Customers have reported electrical failures associated with these foot pedal switches, including reports that the foot pedal switches on some trees melted and damaged carpeting and two customer reports of fire.

We know this is disappointing news to hear just before the holiday season.  In response to this issue, Bethlehem Lights has obtained a number of replacement bases that, it advises us, use a different foot pedal switch and will work with your tree.  These replacement bases will be available only while the supply lasts.  After the supply of replacement bases is exhausted, you will receive a full refund of your original purchase price for the product, tax (where applicable) and shipping and handling charges, in lieu of a replacement base.   As always, however, you may in any event request and obtain a full refund as described above.

Please find below on the left in red an illustration of the round foot pedal switch that is being recalled.  If you determine that your tree has the round Multiway foot pedal switch pictured on the left below in red, please STOP USING THIS TREE IMMEDIATELY and follow the recall instructions below.  Pictured on the right below, in green, is an illustration of the oval foot pedal switch that is not being recalled.  Trees that have the oval foot pedal switch pictured on the right below in green are not being recalled.

RECALLED FOOT PEDAL SWITCH		FOOT PEDAL SWITCH THAT IS NOT RECALLED
FRONT OF ROUND SWITCH	BACK OF ROUND	FRONT OF OVAL	BACK OF OVAL
Follow recall instructions below.		Bases with these switches are NOT being recalled.

As instructed below, please make your election to request a replacement base for your tree while the supply lasts, or, in the alternative, a full refund of your original purchase price, tax (where applicable) and shipping and handling charges.

IMPORTANT RECALL INSTRUCTIONS:

• If you determine that your tree has the defective, ROUND foot pedal switch pictured in red above with “Multiway” imprinted on the underside, please unplug it, even if it has been used without incident.  After you have unplugged the tree, you should cut the switch off the electrical cord anywhere above the foot pedal, in the approximate location shown in this following photo.  DO NOT CUT THE POWER CORD WHILE IT IS STILL PLUGGED IN. 

You should NOT cut or return the cord from any tree that has oval foot pedal switch that is pictured in green above.

• Complete the form below, indicating your preference for a replacement base, or, in the alternative, a refund, and return the form and the part of the power cord with the switch attached to QVC in the enclosed prepaid mailer.  If a replacement base is no longer is available, you will receive a full refund of your original purchase price for the product, tax (where applicable) and shipping and handling charges.  The tree itself should be disposed of if the base is not replaced.

• Please affix the enclosed prepaid label to the mailer, make sure that the switch and the completed form are in the envelope, and place the mailer in your mailbox or a USPS mailbox for return to QVC.

• Upon our receipt of the switch and the completed form, QVC will send you a replacement base if stock is available or issue a full refund of your original purchase price, tax (where applicable) and shipping and handling charges.  Because transit time varies, please allow up to approximately 10 calendar days from the date you send the return package for QVC to receive and process the mailer and to issue a full refund if requested.  Your replacement base, pending availability, will be shipped to you on an expedited basis (by Second Day Air) once your return mailer has been processed.  If you have opted to receive customer service emails from QVC, you will receive email confirmation both when your return mailer has been processed and when your replacement base has been shipped or your refund has been applied.

On behalf of QVC, we want to extend our sincere apologies to you for any inconvenience or concern this situation may cause you.  If you have any questions about this matter, please call QVC Customer Service at 800.367.9444 from 7am - 1am Eastern Time, seven days a week.

Thank you for your understanding and for shopping with QVC.

Sincerely,

The QVC Customer Care Team

IMPORTANT FOR REPLACEMENT BASE OR REFUND:

• Please indicate your preference for a replacement base or a full refund.  To ensure your replacement base or refund can be processed for this product recall, YOU MUST ENCLOSE THIS PAGE AND THE ENCLOSED PACKSLIP in the envelope provided and include the cut-off portion of the cord with the switch from the tree.  Mail the envelope promptly.
• Replacement base as available
• Refund to credit card/debit card used on the original order
• Refund to QVC customer account
• Allow up to 10 calendar days from the date you mail the envelope for the replacement base to be shipped to you or for your refund to be applied as indicated above.  Please allow an additional 2 business days to receive the base.  

6.5’ Bethlehem Lights Ready Shape Scottsdale Tree with Never Fail Lights, QVC item number H191953
7.5’ Bethlehem Lights Ready Shape Scottsdale Tree with Never Fail Lights, QVC item number H191954