Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

11 March 2007 We purchased a Stamina InTone Jogger, model 35-1655D, in December, 2006. The jogger is rated for up to 250 lbs. My husband weighs 170 lbs, I weigh 140, and we used the jogger for 20 minutes each, every other day. Two months after receiving the jogger, two of the springs that connect the mat to the frame snapped in two. We called Stamina, and they sent two replacements. After 30 minutes of use, two more springs snapped. We again called Stamina. This time, they sent 12 new springs. After 10 minutes of use, two more springs snapped. When we called Stamina, they didn't seem at all surprised that the springs had broken. That, plus the fact that they sent so many extra replacements, strongly suggests that this is not an uncommon complaint. Since the springs are presumably all alike, it stands to reason that they will continue to break until all the original ones have been replaced. I have no reason to believe the replacements will be any stronger. I am apprehensive about using the jogger now, fearing a sudden failure of many springs simultaneously that could cause injury to one of us. It should be noted that the springs are extremely difficult to install, requiring not only that the installers be quite strong but also the use of tools and equipment that the average consumer is not likely to have. Had the jogger not come already partially assembled, my husband and I would not have been able to assemble it ourselves, even with the help of the tools and equipment. In addition to the defective springs, the rubber caps that cover the legs of the jogger made black marks on our carpet which proved impossible to remove completely, and one of the legs (made of hollow tubing) has punched completely through its rubber cap. My carpet would have been the next victim, had I not placed a piece of scrap carpeting beneath the jogger's legs. We bought this product because the price was reasonable and because we believe rebounding to be an effective and safe form of aerobic exercise. If the product were durable, we would like it very much. Sadly, that is not the case. UPDATE 12 Nov 2007 We've now had our Stamina InTone Jogger for 11 months. My husband stopped using it altogether after the springs began to snap. Since then, the only user has been me, at 140 lbs and 65 years of age, rebounding for 20 minutes every other day. The 14 replacement springs sent by Stamina have all been used, and a phone call to Stamina's customer service department today yielded the following: They will not provide any more no-charge replacements (the warranty period is only 90 days). As more springs break (which they most assuredly will), Stamina will sell me replacements at $2.00 each, plus shipping. Do the math -- for the price of 25 or 30 new springs, I could buy a new jogger. We have determined that the reason the springs break is a design/construction defect: The springs hook into a punched hole in the steel frame of the jogger, and the sharp edges of those holes cut through the springs like a knife. Need I say that I will not be ordering more springs from Stamina? Instead, I am shopping for a new rebounder from a maker other than Stamina, one that will not start to disintegrate within a month after purchase. Interestingly, the customer service rep with whom we spoke today insisted that broken springs are all but unheard of with this product. Who among you believes I am the only owner whose jogger has this problem?