This topic is about a person experiencing persistent issues with Coloplast one-piece transparent drainable pouches. For over a year, each monthly shipment has arrived with multiple defects, such as holes, cuts, seam failures, and misaligned closures. Unfortunately, due to allergies, switching to another brand or model is not an option. Despite efforts to address the issue with Coloplast, the problem persists. Here are some insights and advice for dealing with this situation:
1. Check for external damage that might cause holes, such as pets' claws or folding the pouch tail. Other users report holes are rare, so it's important to rule out these possibilities.
2. Before using a pouch, test it by filling it with water. If you find a pinhole, you can temporarily cover it with clear tape until the next change.
3. Continue to report every defect to Coloplast, including photos and lot numbers, and return the faulty bags to ensure they are part of the company's quality-control process.
4. Ask your supplier or distributor to file complaints as well, as they may have more influence with the manufacturer.
5. Consider escalation tactics that have worked for others:
- Post publicly on Coloplast's social media pages to make the issue more visible.
- File a complaint with the U.S. FDA MedWatch program for medical-device defects.
- Although Coloplast LLC is not BBB-accredited, filing with the Better Business Bureau can sometimes prompt a response.
6. Connect with other users experiencing the same problem through forums or social media to submit a group complaint, as multiple reports can be more impactful.
7. If holes are mainly around seams or the tap area, note that some users of SenSura Mio high-output pouches have experienced similar issues. Include this detail when reporting.
8. When a shipment is unusable, keep at least one intact box to avoid running out, and return the rest marked as "defective."
9. If you must try alternatives despite allergies:
- Consider mixing a Coloplast wafer with another brand's pouch if your skin can tolerate the wafer.
- Test small quantities of Chinese-made "Mio click" compatible bags from AliExpress as a cost-effective experiment.
10. For temporary hole repairs, you can use household clear tape, Krazy Glue on dry plastic, or switch to amber Coloplast stock numbers, which some users find have stronger seams.
11. Keep detailed records of all defects, including dates, lot numbers, photos, and correspondence, as thorough documentation can support any future regulatory or legal actions.
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