Jed’s Comments
I got a new Scooba and it doesn’t work. On the first use, the “Check Tank” light repeatedly came on 3-4 seconds after pressing “Clean.” After I followed all of the instructions in the manual, I found a few more suggestions on the web site. Incredibly, they suggested using “a turkey baster to unstick the valve.” Yes, a high tech piece of robotic instrumentation requires a turkey baster (or a drinking straw, if you’re so inclined) to get started. So I did it, and it worked - and the robot cleaned for all of six minutes. Then it stopped, again with the “Check Tank” light on. $300 in mechanical & electrical engineering that is inoperable because of a $1 valve.
I’m done. This robot is more trouble than it saves.
Oh - and if you call iRobot Customer Support, expect to wait at least 15 minutes for an operator.
You’re kidding, right? It doesn’t work at startup. They tell you one thing to try to fix it yourself. You complain about how SIMPLE the solution is. Then, when it becomes clear that the problem is more serious, you just give up?? What kind of lame, defeatist attitude is that? Hey, Pal, take the thing, put it in the box, attach the sticker they give you, get the return authorization number from Irobot, call UPS to pick it up and let the manufacturer replace or fix it. Obviously, there are Scoobas that do work and when they work they work well. You got a dud. It happens. They’ll fix it. So quitcherbitchin because your issue isn’t really relevant to the rest of us, and Irobot does, I think, an extraordinary job of making it easy for you to get them to repair their technology. Also, why would anybody CALL customer service when you have the Internet?
Comment by wjc — December 15, 2006 @ 12:57 pm
I’m with you Jed. Right out of the box - runs 6 minutes and quits. Check tank. I follow ALL the troubleshooting directions AND go online which has 2 options which are both located in the manual. Call customer support, wait 15 minutes on hold and then you have the option of leaving a message. You can also email a question. The operator says your request is going to submitted and you should hear back in 48-72 hours!?! This product might be a good one but the “out-of-the-box” start up problems and poor access to customer support, make the product more time-consuming than if I mopped the floors myself - several times over. I’ll let you know if I get a reply.
Comment by Diana — December 26, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
The instructions clearly state that you have to prime the pump the first time.
See the pump in the box- that is to provide suction to PRIME THE PUMP.
I have one- its great-
I think the problems are largely “operator” error.
It’s NOT a BRAIN, its a floor mop.
Comment by Mountain Mama — June 19, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
The instructions on mine do not state that the pump must be primed. don’t assume that’s the case for everyone. It depends on the date when yours was manufactured.
Comment by robin — July 5, 2007 @ 5:00 pm