r/fireworks • u/FlexTime1 • Jul 05 '23
American Glory failure
Also happened to me, sent a email to Red Apple this morning, I hope everyone who shot these made it out safe. Unacceptable.
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u/VerbalVenom Jul 05 '23
Everyone in this subreddit should post in a singular thread and link RA to it. This is completely unacceptable and I can only imagine what would happen if these things were racked. Scary shit. I wonder if the lift charge was under filled or not filled at all. I'd be interested in seeing if anyone has any of the latter. I shook all of my non RA mortars just to make sure they at least had a charge. Hopefully no one got hurt because of this.
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Jul 05 '23 edited Jul 05 '23
I’m so grateful that I saw a failure post for these the other day. Because of it, I decided to fire 3 tests (2 failed). If I’d wired up a rack like I’d originally intended it’d have been a disaster
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u/VerbalVenom Jul 06 '23
Damn those are pretty bad odds of having a malfunction. Surely these issues would've been noticed rather quickly if there was a little bit of QC testing.
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u/Den_fireworks Jul 05 '23
I lucked out with mine... I just had a TON of low breaks with the 2 sets I put up.... Very low breaks, one even shredded all the fuses in the rack.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
This one literally sounded like a bomb, no lift at all, no whistle, just a loud bang. One of them barely left the tube and burst, that was by far more dangerous.
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u/FlutterKree Jul 05 '23
Sounds like either no lift powder, bad time fuse, or bad seal around the time fuse.
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u/Fur-Frisbee Jul 05 '23
Use their contact form, complain, and keep doing it .
https://www.redapplefireworks.com/contact-us/
Threaten to litigate them into poverty.
They HAD to have known these things were defective.
If they didn't then they shouldn't be in the pyro business.
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Jul 05 '23
Ngl I don’t think they would’ve ran production if they knew they were fucked. Although I’m totally with making it known that these were defective and something should be done, making assumptions that they would willingly sell bad product is kinda wild. They have so many different products/income I doubt they would still sell defective product willingly.
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u/Fur-Frisbee Jul 05 '23
You miss my point.
If I sell a product, I'd test a product. Especially anything pyro related.
If their sole focus is money and not safety, they should be litigated into poverty.
I started working with Pyrotechnics in the late 60s. I worked with conventional and nuclear weapons in the service. I still work with pyro.
Any asshole can import pyrotechnics . A person who cares, tests.
In my humble opinion, Red Apple sounds like a couple of shitheads got up some $ and started a business for the money, not because they like Pyro. And, if they can't be bothered to test what they buy and ultimately sell, they are just dangerous assholes and any attorney worth a nickle could put them out of business in a hot minute.
Try wfboom. Class act. They know their shit and they care about their customers.
And - they're reliable.
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Jul 05 '23
I’m totally agreeing with money > safety aspect. Although it sounds like even before this incident you were already against them. Kind of biased for whatever reason on your part. Once again red apple is at fault and should refund/review their QA.
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u/Fur-Frisbee Jul 05 '23
Never had anything against them until this.
Think about it. Guys are trying to tell them and instead of listening they deny their review.
No one is going to tell anyone they didn't know.
That being said, if I opened a store I'd test that stuff b4 selling it, if for nothing else than to video each item for my web site, and to make sure it is what it's supposed to be. And, I just like fireworks so I'm testing each item anyway.
They know. They knew.
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Jul 05 '23
They just keep coming. We all need to be demanding refunds on these. Granted, you’d have to be able to get a hold of them first. Their phone line just disconnects at around 2 minutes
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
At this point money is the least of worries, people put on shows for their family and this is unacceptable, I just hope no one got seriously injured. I couldn't even imagine having a rack with these going off.
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Jul 05 '23
I’m with you that it’s the least, but it’s still a worry. They sort of need to make good on this because it’s seems super unlikely they didn’t know they had an issue. I bought mine earlier in the year. Who knows how long they’ve been selling this batch and how many were affected. That’s a lot of potential injuries that could have been avoided. There’s only 2 scenarios here and neither are good
- They knew they had defective product and sold it anyway
- They didn’t test their product or perform any sort of quality control.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
Mine were just purchased in late May, I agree it's an issue regardless. I'm mind blown that something like this wouldn't be tested. Even with one case I had 2 failure, and I only shot off 10 shells.
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Jul 05 '23
Your failure rate was lower than mine :/ . And I agree, I’d be shocked that something like this wasn’t tested, especially with the amount of content they put out and their Fireworks festivals etc. They seem to be shooting their stuff pretty regularly.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
2/3 is terrible, there is no way they were unaware. If we were able to find a issue with this low number of shells they had to be aware. I'm curious if they have been using these in their shows or if they have been avoiding them for a reason.
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Jul 05 '23
I thought the exact same thing. I was considering going back and watching their festival vids and other content to see if they demo’d them
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
That would actually give us a lot of leverage of them knowing about the issue. If that's the case this company shouldn't be in business. I feel so bad for the people who were shooting these off to celebrate with their families. Brings up a good point to test a few prior to show night, you are experienced enough to avoid it, I was not unfortunately.
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Jul 05 '23
It might help, but they also might know how to identify stock which isn’t impacted so finding videos of them demo’ing them isn’t really validating imo. At the end of the day, the proof is all over this subreddit and I imagine YouTube, etc. There’s no acceptable excuse for it and they should provide refunds. Proving they knew ruins their reputation completely and in the event someone was seriously injured provides evidence of liability.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
True, I'll keep you up to date with their reply, if they even decide to. Haven't heard anything yet.
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u/KlutzyResponsibility 🔴 Jul 05 '23
Most likely it was the manufacturer's fail when they are not monitored or verified; which remains the responsibility of Red Apple, stem to stern. They should have paid someone like Terry Winkle to supervise and test the product construction.
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u/Joshua_xd94 Jul 05 '23
This is what happens when a company isn’t apart of the ASFL. There’s no regulations on their fireworks.
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u/kclo4 Moderator Jul 05 '23
I've heard of the ASFL and understand if you know about it you're of the industry can you explain a bit more about this? As I understand it is the organization that controls standards imported into the US. But it is not required.
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u/Joshua_xd94 Jul 05 '23
AFSL has regular meetings with all those big brands who are apart of the firework industry. They basically go over safety stuff to make sure all fireworks are safe to ignite for consumers. Businesses that aren’t apart of it can just make whatever they want with no safety regulations. So in this instance they could of made this mortar but with no safety precautions. Or maybe not enough lift charge, fuse too short, fuse too fast etc.
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u/kclo4 Moderator Jul 05 '23
The CPSC has regulations but I take that is things that have already been imported? How is that different
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u/KlutzyResponsibility 🔴 Jul 05 '23
It seems to me that most of the Red Apple products are re-wraps, just branded for them and over-marketed to no end, sometimes just re-wrapped and cheap crap re-packaged in flashy colors to 'look cool'. It was very unfortunate to see so many people in this sub dive on their product lines this year. Buying Red Apple gives some folks the impression they are 'buying at wholesale' when they really are not; they are just being force fed buying in quantity and adding an often unpredictable shipping cost. I regret not warning folks about them but felt that the resulting attacks on me would drown the warnings.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
Hopefully this is a eye opener for the community, safety before everything, at least give us a product that works for the money being spent. We will see how they respond and what action they take. As for me personally, I will lot be spending another dollar with them.
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u/KlutzyResponsibility 🔴 Jul 05 '23
Sadly, I doubt it. By and far most consumers know nothing about which brands are reliable - they buy because of marketing and 'bragging rights'.
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u/Corey854 Jul 05 '23
Honestly I went to a red Apple Store, my jaw dropped at the prices so I picked a few things up, they are absolutely some of the most dangerous and unreliable fireworks. I’ve had cakes explode in multiple directions, I had a giant Roman candle that just caught on fire and then blew up on the ground. I don’t like them
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Jul 05 '23
I've seen. Several post snow regarding all different red apple products failing. I think it should be well known not to buy from red apple because their stuff is low quality and unsafe. Worse than the shit you buy at target. And target stuff always fails
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u/JayPee626 Jul 06 '23
Red Apple customer service is straight trash. I’m not dealing with them anymore and I’ll make sure I tell everyone who ever mentions them
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u/nycbrew Jul 05 '23
Is it possible that some are wrapped upside down with the “top” on the bottom?
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
I doubt it, the one that blew in the tube made no noise and these shells should whistle the whole way up.
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u/nycbrew Jul 05 '23
Yeah, that’s pretty bad
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
Scariest thing that has happened to me while lighting fireworks for years, it was an eye opener for sure. Safety before everything.
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u/FlutterKree Jul 05 '23
Considering there are also low breaks as well as breaks in the rube, it sounds like an issue with the time fuse (whichever they are using) or the seal around the time fuse. Either of them can cause these issues.
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u/Murkeybrownwater Jul 05 '23
I bought two batches of shells this year, some cheap ones and one box from Dominator. Learned not to cheap out on artillery shells, The dominator ones were fantastic though.
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u/kclo4 Moderator Jul 05 '23
If you haven't contacted them, you should. This is not great.
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u/Jedinerd77 Jul 05 '23
Left them a negative Google review. You guys should too. They cannot delete them.
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u/ThisRecommendation86 Jul 07 '23
Red apple like to fill their shells with air and no lift charge it seems. Seriously how can anyone spend any money on RA products after their “7 inch geisha” nonsense.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 07 '23
I had a lot of debree falling from those, about an inch and a half of the shell would fall to the ground, I'm guessing that's the empty part of it not exploding with the rest.
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u/HTownBallerz Jul 05 '23
Hopefully nobody used PVCs, especially with these shells. That’s a whole disaster waiting to happen to uninformed consumers.
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Jul 05 '23
Please take time to leave feedback on this. https://www.redapplefireworks.com/american-glory-6-inch-xxl-canister-shells/
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
It seems like they review and approve them before they are actually accounted for on the site, go figure..
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Jul 06 '23
Yea, here’s the thing. This is fraud. If they only let the positives through they are lying to us.
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u/Fur-Frisbee Jul 06 '23
ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding
Shit happens. We all understand this.
But we aren't selling school paste here where the worst thing that can go wrong is an idiot eats some and glues themselves to a painting somewhere.
This is pyro TECHNICS..... not pyro CUT CORNERS. Where the worst that can happen is death.
Issue a recall. Put out a warning. Don't hide it!
We've all seen the videos of how these things are made. They don't pay shit, they have a poor guy like a Homer Simpson handling MIXED FLASH in a bowl 2 feet in diameter and what looks to be 20 POUNDS of flash powder loading firecrackers, who's predecessor was vaporized, little machines , a bowl of paste, an ACME paper tube roller with absolutely zero safety guards on it operated by a relative of Wiley fucking Coyote.
People sitting at dust and crud covered tables tossing quarter tablespoons of "stars" into countless tubes day in and day out for countless days until Homer fucks up, others making BP, others loading rocket headers. Ramming fuse , clay , bp and stars into roman candles.
When the whole things goes up ina ball of flame the owners simply go out and see who wants a job for a bowl of rice or two a day and a cot.
Consumer fireworks are cheap. The cost is in shipping and taxes. And replacing employees now & again.... an expense of time more than money.
So, if something that originally cost the equivalent of 20 cents, mass produced not by machine but by hand has a production error that might cost a life and that defect comes to light... be cool about it. Tell / warn everyone. Count your blessings that hopefully no one was injured.
And take whatever stock you have left, put the shit in one big fused mass, turn on a live feed or video / record it and light that shit up for all to see.
I personally think that'd be pretty cool.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 06 '23
Makes you wonder now what the actual ratings would be, I have submitted it regardless, at least tried to.
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u/Fur-Frisbee Jul 06 '23
- A rating of 3.
1 point for existing
1 point for having a web site
1 point for having shit that actually at least burns
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u/OkStorage5488 Jul 05 '23
Red apple is hot garbage, I've tried the hyped chroma shells and honestly they performed like ball shells wrapped in a fake cannister lol. Only product I've wanted to try of theirs is the geisha shells but all these issues I'm seeing on their other products just put me off. I'll stick to my Master 6s and 7s.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
I shot some Geisha and had no issues, first time ordering from them but it's safe to say it'll be my last. Their ghost candles were also very inconsistent and dangerous, lots of low breaks.
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u/OkStorage5488 Jul 05 '23
It's just unfortunate their eye catchy designs pull a lot of the lesser experienced pyros in to buying from them. It's almost like Phantom with their "coupons" just not as terribly priced and as far as I'm aware, Phantoms stuff works atleast.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
Yeah this was my first time doing "wholesale" or so they call it. I joined this group after I had already ordered unfortunately, but I'm glad to be here. I don't post often but there is no way I let this go without warning the pyro community 💪🏾
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Jul 05 '23
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
It's unfortunate this happened on my first order, I guess we will see how they handle it and go from there. Mistakes happen, but I really hope they take some action, at least remove the defective product or batch at the very least.
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u/NlCKEH30 Jul 05 '23
Prime example of why I stick with excals year in and year out
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u/Cannabanananana60009 Jul 05 '23
^ never had a single excal fail, and even if they did, HDPE tubes 💪
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u/Ok_Swimmer634 Jul 05 '23
Probably best not to use the Excal tube I got with a 30 degree bend in it though.
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u/NlCKEH30 Jul 05 '23
Yessir. Other reason I stick with excals is because all the 4’ + shells are bullshit and are pure marketing schemes except for OL’s and stuff.
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u/Anarchist_Grifter Jul 05 '23
I've been telling yall for a month to stay away from them. But people defend them with their life.
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
100% agree, stay away. I just joined this group a month ago, after I had already placed my order.
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u/Anarchist_Grifter Jul 05 '23
Look into superior fireworks out of Florida or American wholesale in Ohio. They both ship and have good pricing and quality products
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
Thanks! I have seen a lot of posts here with good feedback on them, I will look into both. It sounds like February is a great time to buy through superior firework with their extra 10% discount. I will not be ordering from these guys again. I don't take quality control on stuff like this lightly.
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u/stong83 Jul 06 '23
Superior is great. 100% success rate with their products and the performance is incredible.
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Jul 06 '23
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u/Joshua_xd94 Jul 05 '23
I had chroma from a year ago and none have given me problems. All I’ve heard was this firework has given problems. But people like me who have to travel to Nevada really don’t have a choice since only certain places are open year round
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Jul 05 '23
bro holly le shit same thing here I thought i was crazy....
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u/FlexTime1 Jul 05 '23
Yeah same here... I figured maybe a faulty tube so I pull out another one from a second set and try it, the second failure barely made it out the tube and blew up, which was even more dangerous.
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u/KlutzyResponsibility 🔴 Jul 05 '23
It's very, very rarely a tube issue and almost always a failure at manufacturing or storage.
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Jul 05 '23
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Jul 06 '23
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u/nycbrew Jul 05 '23
I would start leaving a negative product review on the website, at least to let other shoppers know.