[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by BrokenTrackBall

Well we went out to our local Big5 and bought a 75cm workout ball that was rated for 1000 lbs pressure on it, we inflated it about 8 in over the "recommended" maximum and it popped (into 2 pieces...) , so we still don't have any balls for testing

Edit (Update): Sigh... so we actually went back to the store and managed to replace the ball, claiming it was "defective", and that it broke when we sat down on it (into 2 pieces?). Surprisingly, this worked and since they were out of stock on the one we bought (on sale for 15$), we got a slightly different one (30$ value), and actually got a dollar back . Unfortunately, when we were testing our prototype lift mechanism, our new 75 cm ball hit an edge of the sheet metal we were using, and popped also. Hopefully, the people in the store wont recognize us when we go to return it again tomorrow...

You might consider the possibility that this post makes you and your team appear to be dishonest with regard to the purchase of an item from a store that you damaged and then returned stating that it was defective. If your team is responsible for the damage, then it is not the store's responsibility to replace it. If your team is planning on building a reputation within your community, your actions and a statement like 'hopefully the people in the store won't recognize us when we go to return it again tomorrow...' could impact any future partnership prospects in a negative way. I'd think about this very seriously as a team and as an individual.