PUBLIC PRODUCT-SAFETY AND QUALITY COMPLAINT – RYOBI SOUTH AFRICA – TWO RYOBI GG-100 GLUE GUNS, SAME SKU, TWO FAILURES

PUBLIC PRODUCT-SAFETY AND QUALITY COMPLAINT – RYOBI SOUTH AFRICA – TWO RYOBI GG-100 GLUE GUNS, SAME SKU, TWO FAILURES

RYOBI South Africa, this is now more than a dispute about a R134 or R169 glue gun.

I purchased two RYOBI GG-100 80W glue guns from Builders Warehouse Gezina, 352 Steve Biko Road, Pretoria.

Both are the exact same model.

Both carry barcode/SKU ***.

Both failed.

The first was purchased on 29 March 2026 for R134 after discount. It worked for approximately three and a half to four months and then developed an electrical fault. When plugged in, it began tripping the electricity. Builders' own faulty-product ticket dated 20 September 2026 records the fault as: “it trips power and it is not working.” The unit is identified under Repair Ref REP-B1R4EFMHU88 and serial number ***.

The second RYOBI GG-100 was purchased on 17 September 2026 for R169. It failed within days. Builders accepted that unit back and the receipt records that it was refunded.

Two units.

The same RYOBI model.

The same SKU.

Purchased approximately five and a half months apart.

Two failures.

One of them developing an electrical fault which trips the power supply.

That deserves a proper technical answer from RYOBI South Africa.

I am not claiming, without technical evidence, that every GG-100 in South Africa is defective. What I am saying is that my documented experience with two examples of this exact product is unacceptable, and the repeat failure is sufficient reason for RYOBI to investigate whether there is a component, batch, wiring, insulation, heating-element or other quality-control problem associated with these units.

RYOBI South Africa has already been formally notified. The receipts and Builders documentation have been supp****.

There is also a separate retail dispute underway with Builders and Massmart because both products fall within the six-month period contemplated by the Consumer Protection Act, yet the two identical defective units were treated differently.

I subsequently spoke to Stefan Haywood from Builders. The call is recorded. His explanation was that the favourable treatment of one of these defective units amounted to a “sign of good faith.”

That explanation may be something Builders and Massmart need to account for, but RYOBI has a different question to answer.

Why did two examples of the same RYOBI GG-100 fail within such a short period, and why did one develop an electrical fault that caused the power supply to trip?

That is not a customer-service question. That is a product-quality and potentially product-safety question.

I also want to make it absolutely clear that Assistant Manager Rafa at Builders Warehouse Gezina has been consistently helpful and professional. My complaint is not with him. The problem goes beyond the conduct of one helpful store employee.

The evidence exists. The dates exist. The model number exists. The SKU exists. The serial number of the older unit exists. The recorded fault exists. The second refunded unit exists in the retailer's transaction records.

RYOBI South Africa should investigate this product, preserve and examine the returned unit, identify its production or batch information, determine whether similar complaints involving GG-100 units have been received and provide a proper technical response.

Until that happens, based on my own experience with two units of this exact model, I cannot recommend this product to anybody.

My warning to consumers is therefore direct: do not buy the RYOBI GG-100 80W glue gun, SKU ***, until RYOBI South Africa provides a credible explanation for these failures and demonstrates that any underlying quality or electrical-safety issue has been addressed.

This is precisely why consumers must speak publicly. Companies sell products publicly. Consumers are equally entitled to document and discuss their experiences with those products publicly when they have the evidence to support what they say.

RYOBI South Africa now has the opportunity to investigate this properly and respond with facts.