[busterleroy]

Baby Cheapskate: Gov't Says, Sorry, No More Reselling Your Kids' Stuff

Seriously, this is ridiculous.

Beginning Feb. 10, you will no longer be able to sell or buy used clothing on EBay or anywhere else, unless you can prove the garments have been tested and found free of the offending chemicals.

Extra clothes? Can't even DONATE them. No church sales, Goodwill, etc.

aaaaggghhhh

[BrandyHagz]

From what I understand, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act does NOT impact mom's and dad's from selling their items on eBay.

As I understand it - this applies to licensed retail stores only - including Consigment/Thrift Stores.

[kzwief]

This makes absolutely no sense to me.

[busterleroy]

I am going to have to review the actual language, Baby Cheapskate's interpretation is that it does apply to folks like us who sell/shop on EBay.

[mhpro]

how does this impact a consignment shop? we buy & sell at these things all the time! they're my bread & butter for clothes.

with an economy this bad how could they take away such a great way to save money???

geesh.

[Slatond10]

Originally Posted by mhpro

how does this impact a consignment shop? we buy & sell at these things all the time! they're my bread & butter for clothes.

with an economy this bad how could they take away such a great way to save money???

geesh.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!.. I am a yard sale / thrift store junkie ( and goodwill). WHAT WILL I DO!?

[nannyisme2004]

This impacts my biz as well and there is no language that I can see in the new law that states, E-bay, Etsy, Goodwill, etc. will be exempt from the law.

[TheFoxx]

I think they are reading more into this than necessary. I'm sure if this were the case, we would have heard from Ebay by now.

[annaguat]

I sure hope not. I do not resell generally but I do buy tons of used clothes. Anna

[DeeVee]

Not sure about Ebay. But, I do know that consignment shops here are basically going to be forced out of business. There was a big article in the paper about it yesterday, and they interviewed shop owners. These are mom and pop stores, and a great way to pick up bargains and recycle gently used clothing and toys. But unless the shop owners test every single item in the store (which is of course impossible -- very costly tests on a pair of $2 used pants, for example) the shops are going to be gone. Very frustrating - where are we supposed to get stuff on a limited budget now?

[busterleroy]

New safety rules for children's clothes have stores in a fit - Los Angeles Times

Here is another article. This is absolutely ridiculous that Congress could pass this given the current economic climate. Is it 'green' to throw away literally tons of clothes because it isn't cost effective to have stores' inventory tested? Why not issue a warning for consumers about possible lead content in new and used clothing currently in stores and consignment shops, and ban the used of lead-based material in clothing produced after a certain date.

I will look around and post a link to see how your Member of Congress voted on this bill. Please please call them if you are opposed to such a radical ban. Better yet, forward a news story link to talk radio hosts in your area, letting them know how this will affect yor family.

[SKL]

Can they opt out by posting a disclaimer that the clothes haven't been tested and buyers purchase at their own risk?

This is just idiotic. How many of us have lived our whole lives in used clothes (I know I have)? What is the big risk? Can't people just be advised to wash the clothes before wearing?

Who benefits from this?? What lobbyists pushed it? Shame on somebody.

[havensd]

That's really disappointing if that applies to all of the children's consignment shops as well. More businesses that would be forced to close.

[crick]

I'm finding it all very confusing...maybe someone else has better luck interpreting their website and "laws"?

Frequently Asked Questions on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)

And seriously...how are they going to monitor this?? Good grief..military states at yard sales now?

[dilgra]

And seriously...how are they going to monitor this?? Good grief..military states at yard sales now?[/quote]

I wondered the same thing. I sold Tati's nice clothes last summer at my garage sale at consignment shop prices by advertising on craig's list. I made enough money to buy most of her fall/winter clothes and planned on doing the same thing this year! (this is the only way I can justify buying name brand stuff). I now have visions of being hauled away by the clothes police at my next garage sale. Their trunk will be full of my baby gap clothes and my daughter will be running after the police car screaming for her mommy!

and what about donations? not just the goodwill and salvation army thrift stores but there are many charities that rely on used clothes. I am thinking of womens shelters etc....where they may arrive with only the clothes on their backs! Is it ok to outfit them in "tainted" clothes if they didn't actually buy them

Seriously, this is absurd!!!