The recall process is kind of annoying, but it seems fair if it works. They gave me the option of a $30 Amazon gift card (which is more than I paid for it), or a replacement/updated charger.
They insist you take two photos, and one of them has to include the serial number. The serial number is incredibly small, and it’s very low contrast on the black version of the charger. Getting a photo that actually shows the number was nearly impossible. They also require that you affirm you will “safely dispose of the device” per their instructions.
I’m still waiting to hear if they approve my request, but it’s only been a day.
Edit: it’s been 7 days since I filed the recall, and they finally acknowledged that they received the request. It seems like they’re kind of swamped with requests. As a result, “the earliest estimated shipping date is September 2025”. I opted for the replacement charger; I’m not sure if the Amazon gift card option would have been faster.
They’ve clarified that their disposal instructions are just “Stop using it. Store it safely. Don’t throw it in the garbage. Take it to a facility that accepts lithium batteries.” I don’t find those instructions particularly helpful, but Best Buy has accepted used power bricks in the past, if that’s an option for you. I just walked in and said “You guys take these, right?”, and an employee said yes, and took it from me. Couldn’t have been much easier!
This is a fairly well-written and nuanced take that mostly aligns with my experiences.
I think this is one of the bigger parts of the issue. There seem to be two types of responses when men open up. One is to shut them down for one reason or another, and the other one is the manosphere saying “yes, that is a problem, and I have a solution”. That option is obviously going to be more appealing.
We need a third option of commiseration for problems without simple solutions. Guys need a space to vent about these issues, without it being seen as an effort to take those opportunities away from others. Of course, we need to pick our forum. Not every space is a place to vent frustrations, which is probably why you get rebuked.
So how do we develop the third option? Well, open up to your male friends. Ask them how they’re doing, and actually listen for an answer. If they just give you “I’m good, how about you?”, that’s your moment. It’s probably going to feel unnatural, and you might not get the response you’re looking for. If you’re worried about how it will be received, maybe start small. Explain something you’re concerned about. You can acknowledge solutions offered, but try not to focus on them. If you get shut down among your friends, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate that friend group.