I saw this deal over the weekend and have debated posting it because (shocker!) I have a very strong opinion about this whole thing. But, after receiving a few emails about it and seeing as the information is spreading anyway, I figured I would post it…WITH my opinion (shocker!).
So some people bought the Baby Einstein videos and assumed that they could plop their baby in front of the TV with these videos playing and they would automatically be turned in to the next Einstein, Mozart, or NameYourGenius. And then they were shocked when it didn’t happen. And they threaten to sue. And Disney settled. And now Disney has to give anyone who sends them a baby Einstein DVD $15.99 each (up to 4 DVDs to a maximum amount of $63.96) because…you know.. it’s Disney’s fault that a child can’t get in to Harvard by watching DVDs.
Ok – that may be the 100% non-biased accounting of what happened, but that sure is what it sounds like. Read the full story and judge for yourself. To me, it just seems like a whole bunch of “Let’s get all we can from the Big Bad Company”
Anyway – if you have any Baby Einstein DVDs in the house, you can send them to Disney by March 4, 2010 and get your choice of $15.99 per DVD, coupons, or an exchange for a book or music CD of your choice.
Get more details and instructions at the Baby Einstein settlement information page.
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Wow, people will sue for anything, huh? Doesn’t seem right.
Baby Einstein probably over-reached in its claims, but I agree that our society has gone overboard in the lawsuit department.
I can’t believe that’s for real!
I dont’ know what everyone is so upset about. My kids WILL get into an Ivy League school because they watched Baby Einstein. Maybe these other kids just didn’t watch enough of the vidoes! :)
I can’t believe this is for real and actually I feel sorry for companies like Disney because they are targets for this absurdity.
BRAVO! Loved what you wrote. I just heard about this tonight and it makes me sick how people will sue over the drop of a hat. I have 22 of these DVDs and my daughter loves them! It makes me wonder who/what is next… LeapFrog because they have educational dvds and electronic toys “that make your child smarter”… Ridiculous!
Disney has always had good products, my 2 boys love the dvd’s and my 7 year old neice still likes them.I don’t think that is fair to Disney.
Hmmm. After reading the links, I interpret this a bit differently. (Not that I agree with all the hub-bub either though.) I think it has less to do with parents not ending up with geniuses and wanting to sue and more about the fact that early childhood development guidelines recommend no TV for children under 2. Therefore, by selling these videos, Disney et al may be sending a mixed message to parents about TV viewing for kids under 2. Furthermore, the rebate says if you “are not satisfied” you can submit for this rebate. I would ONLY submit if this were the case. I think this “rebate” applies to a very slim group of the population and isn’t a freebie in the truest sense of the word. I sure wouldn’t submit for it. I think folks that submit for any such “rebate” relinquish their rights to sue. I think this is the company’s way to settle to avoid a lawsuit.
Does this offer also apply to VCRs?
Thanks.
Appreciated all of the comments.
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