I do not normally shop at Walmart due to the fact that they are nonunion. I live in Chicago which is a huge union town, and Bill prefers that I don't shop there. When I came across the story about the Toxic Flip Flops, I knew that I had to write about it. Kerry Stiles basically bought a pair of cheap flip flops from Walmart to wear. However, after wearing them, this is what her feet looked like:
This isn't the worst picture either. I picked a picture that wouldn't completely gross you out. Head over to her site to see more. I have to warn you — some of the pictures are pretty graphic. Obviously, it was pretty easy to figure out what she did that caused these burns. She tried to be nice and filed a report with Walmart. They treated her like dirt and basically told her that she had to contact the maker of the flip flops which of course is in China.
The amazing part of the story is that Walmart never removed the flip flops from the racks. According to Walmart, only ten people have complained. However, she has hundreds of people contact her with their stories. Several people have contacted lawyers. This is what her feet look like 7 months later:
Local news channels picked up on her story also, and Walmart still has these on their shelves! I am guessing she is going to have some permanent scarring from these if it still looks like this seven months later! I do hope that enough people join together in a class action suit to make Walmart do something. I hate it when the almighty dollar is more important the health of American public. You think these companies would learn.
Needless to say, I will NEVER buy a pair of flip flops from Walmart.
WoW! I buy all mine at walmart…shocked!
I am loving your header!! The whole layout looks great!
Thanks! And those shoes are pretty scary. Did you check out her other pictures?
YES!…ewwwww:(
It seriously doesn't surprise me that we're seeing something like this from Walmart. It's horrible though! I stumbled and posted a bulletin on Myspace to get the word out.
Thanks!
Oh that is just HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thankfully, there's no Walmart in Dubai! Not yet. 🙂
OMG….that is INSANE!! I always check out flip flops from Walmart. I even get some from the dollar store.
Now that I think of it…I remember getting a small rash last summer while on vacation that looked like this picture:
http://www.lamanaphotography.com/nellboth.jpg
I can't remember what flip flops it was because I changed everyday so it would match with my outfit, but I definitely had a rash like that.
I never even thought of it being the flip flops. I thought it was something in the water that stung me.
THIS IS HONESTLY CRAZY…I'M STILL IN SHOCK!!!
After looking at that picture, I wonder if you got exposed to whatever is on those flip flops.
I heard about this before and they said it was an alergic reaction to something in the plastic.
Wal Mart has an obscenely huge legal staff and is the defendant in the largest class action discrimination suit in history. I recently taught a class with one of the attorneys for the women suing and was appalled by what I heard. Their attitude is pretty much "Let 'em sue us" because they have so much money and power that they don't care. They treat their customers badly and their employees worse, not to mention the fact that they run locally owned businesses out of every town in which they build a store.
gosh, i hope she's ok now. those are nasty marks!
That's pretty scary. I will have to send to the flip flop queen (my wife). Also, not being from a union town, I had no idea WalMart was non-union – I just don't follow that market.
Best regards, Anthony
Fortunately, I don't shop @ Wally World, thank G-d for that. Their business practices in general are "dethpickable," by and large, and the Toxic Flip-Flops are a clear example further convincing me against trading there.
Instead, I prefer going to Shopko, a Midwestern discounter with a store closer to my apartment in Winona (where Wally World's location is on the other side of town).
Gross! Thanks for sharing this, I'll pass this on. Anyone interested in Green Cleaning Products go to http://www.greenmom.info and learn more about what you're using in your home and what you shouldn't be using. There are other options!
That's scary!
Saw My Starbucks' link to you and then read the original story. It's absolutely appalling! I'm going to mention it on my blog.
Holy Cow! That is absolutely amazing! I always get a bad taste in my mouth about Wal-Mart, but this is unreal! Thank you for sharing!
Why wouldn't someone take them off before they got to this point? If it hurts, take it off…everyone knows this. I think there is some responsibility on part of the user here as well as the seller. I wouldn't give anyone a dime n a court of law.
Big corporations like Walmart only care about PROFITS, not protection. Who cares if people are getting SICK from their products as long as they paid their $3 for 'em, right?!
Wow, those feet look like opposite tan lines! That's pretty scary though that a large corporation would do such a thing.
http://mythoughtsideasandramblings.com/wp-include…
🙁 It looks like China has struck again. Does anyone remember all of the recalls of Chinese merchandise? Dead pets from Chinese poisons, lead in toys, crayons, etc. It cannot be a 'coincidence' . Once is chance, twice is coincidence, three times carelessness, four…….I know that I'm not paranoid here. Add it all up.
wow that is crazy, i had no idea that this could happen after wearing cheap flip flops. maybe stick to better brands in the future.
Hi, I'm Laura and live in kansas. Back in june of 2007 I bought the flip flops also. My feet are still showing signs of the burns, after 3 yeras later. It looks like I have always wore flip flops and tan my feet wearing them! I didn't realize that so many people were burned by them. And I say burned not allergic because I have been allergic to other things and this incident was not like an allergic reaction at all. It was very painful and I had to get prescription from my Dr. to get rid of it. If there was or is a class action suit, I would definitely like to be a part of it. I liked my feet before this happened and now because of it, I'm too embarrassed to wear shoes that show the scars. Thanks for letting me vent! 😡
Wal-Mart makes people sick!