Hoverboards are no longer for sale at Overstock.com or welcome on Delta flights.
The online retailer announced it would stop selling hoverboards on its website — effective immediately. Overstock explained Wednesday in a press release that the removal was a precaution taken in response to recent news about the self-balancing scooters.
On Thursday, Delta announced it wouldn’t allow hoverboards on flights because of safety concerns related to the devices’ lithium-ion batteries.
Delta said it decided that certain hoverboard makers don’t disclose adequate information about the size or power of the batteries inside the devices. Federal rules limit the types of batteries allowed on planes because of the risk of combustion.
Concerns have been raised that certain hoverboard models could overheat, explode or catch fire because of a faulty plug.
“Customer safety is always our top priority,” said Overstock.com General Counsel and Senior Vice President Mitch Edwards.
The moves by Overstock and Delta are the latest setback for the scooters, which rely on wheels and don’t actually hover.
In October, British authorities declared the scooters illegal to ride in public and nearly 90% of those imported since mid-October have been seized. The New York Police Department followed suit a month later.
Overstock also said it had reached out to customers who had purchased the scooters and offered to refund their money.
“We will continue to take every measure as this situation unfolds,” Edwards said.
