Last month, I bought a light-up, animated skull from one of the vendors on Main Street at the MK--the ones who push the little carts/trolleys with light-up swords, spinning toys, etc. I paid cash, tossed the item into my luggage when I got back to the hotel, and didn't try it out till I got home.

Turns out that the thing doesn't work. (For reference, here's a link to it on the manufacturer's Web site: http://www.cyi.net/index.php?option=cyi-004&op1=cm-004j_p_q_-_191)

Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed? I contacted the manufacturer and am waiting to hear back, but I wonder whether I would have better luck reaching out to someone at Disney (?). The item cost $15; I paid cash and didn't get a receipt, which I didn't think anything of at the time.

Well, I'd call Disney directly and see what they can do. Without a receipt, you probably won't have many options, but maybe they'll allow you to send it back for a new one if you can prove you were in the park around a certain time frame. Don't expect much and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised. It never hurts to ask, nicely of course.

Dumb question but did you remove the little plastic tab and/or change the battery?

I've had this happen with similar toys and have had no problem exchanging for the same item, but I've only done this in person.

I assume that Disney will extend you the same courtesy but you have to pay for shipping (which may make the whole thing not worth it for you)

HTH

Jenn - Good call on checking whether the tab needs to be still be removed to activate the battery. If it still truly doesn't work, I would write a letter to Disney with specific details about when/where you bought it and for how much and that it doesn't work at all and end it back to Disney. For the few dollars it will cost Disney to send you a new one, I would expect they would rather do that than to leave a Disney fan with an unsatisfied product.

Years ago, the rubber sole on my DH's Timberland boots came separated from the right boot. Although he had the boots for a few years by that point, he'd only ever worn them a few times (we had a few mild winters in a row) and it was clear from the condition of the boots that they were in "almost new" condition. We wrote a letter and sent it along with the boots back to Timberland (also without any receipt). Within a couple of weeks, we received a brand new pair of the same boots in his size. True manufacturing defects are easily spotted versus wear and tear or a product that has been misused or abused.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

We had a Pal Mickey that stopped working after two days. We took it to the big store at EPCOT. A nice gentleman CM tried new batteries but it didn't work, so he gave us a new one, no questions asked. :cool:

We were kind of sad since we had two full days of bonding with the old Pal Mickey.