“Updated: I added 1 star when I figured out a way to address the issue (see * comment at end). This product comes with two hard plastic handle covers and a little card to show how to install them on the handles. The description says they are rubber and a video on here shows how they just pop on but that is false, at least in the package I received. The handle covers are a stiff plastic material and they do not easily snap onto the handles just by sliding on one edge and pressing the other edge as shown, and without them the handles cut into my hand while using it. My husband managed to force one on with some effort by prying one side open with a small screwdriver. I tried the other side and stopped because I had to apply so much force that I thought I would either damage the cover or injure myself with this process. My husband could probably get the other one on the same way but this is VERY annoying that the company probably substituted a very cheap part for a minor cost savings. * Update: if you run into this issue, an easy fix is to heat up the plastic handle covers a little before installing. I used a heat gun until the plastic was warm to the touch but a hair dryer would probably also work.”
Regarding your two points: First, using a hair dryer to warm it up is a good idea—well done. Second, we did not cut corners by switching to plastic; rubber products do tend to harden in the winter. We will discuss this with our supplier to see how we can improve the situation.