Goodbye to Goodwill and yardsale items?

[TNDadx4]

I didn't see this posted anywhere, but came across this information about a Federal program that comes into play on Feb 10, 2009 that effects all used children's clothes (under 13).

Being a parent of 4 kids, I love yard sales and thrift stores for clothes for the family.

Anyway, the article is here: (http://www.looktruenorth.com/limited-government/legislation/6360-used-clothing-and-other-hazards.html)

[bee_pipes]

Yeah, it seems pretty absurd. Our only hope is the law is enforced with the same diligence they exercise in protecting us from tainted food.

This will do more to expand the underground economy that already exists in this country.

I think you'll be okay TNDad, you'll just have to change the way you go about getting this stuff - there will still be a market and still be a supply.

If anything, this sort of stuff makes me glad I don't live in a large metropolitan area.

Regards,
Pat

[TNDadx4]

It does seem pretty impossible to enforce on an individual (yard sale) basis, however, I can see where companies like Goodwill will have to comply.

I agree that there will still be a market and I am also glad to be living in the country, too. :)

[mtwildflower]

What I don't understand is the idea that so much of it will have to go to the landfills. Um, if it's all so dangerous that we can't put it on our kids without the gov making "sure" it's "safe" then why is it okay to stick in a landfill?

[macgeoghagen]

Actually, I think the piece of legislation mentioned in the article will expose children to lead and things even worse. The majority of clothing in the US is made by foreign manufacturers. Most of the countries that manufacture clothing either have lax restrictions on poisons, or are strategic enemies of the US. If our government bans the resale of children's clothes, it will guarantee that consumers will buy new clothes with fresh poison in them.

The same thing that happened with poison toothpaste, poison dog food, and poison milk products can happen with clothing. Even with all our restrictions of domestic products, our government is determined to leave plenty of loopholes and vulnerabilities for foreigners to exploit.

[bassntrout]

Probably means more opportunity at yard sales if people can't give it to Goodwill . . .

[aprilconnett]

But supposedly, people can't sell them at yard sales, either. I don't have any kids, but I grew up wearing clothes from yard sales. Kids grow out of their clothes before they have a chance to wear them out. How crazy to regulate the sales of used children's clothing!!

[madmac]

Well I read it and read it again. I can't believe it. I don't have kids anymore but for those that do, in todays economy that law will break them. Anyway I see the logic to this plan. The clothing is safe when new. Six months later it doesn't fit your child, you put it in your yard sale but you are breaking the law cause all of a sudden this piece of clothing is unsafe. The same piece that was safe just six months earlier. Hey that's one way to stemulate spending. That will give the economy a real shot in the arm. China must be grinning from ear to ear about now. Once more government over steps their bounds. Makes me think about the depression and the folks that bought clothing for their families at the salvation army and goodwill. So what's next. Get a rope. >:(

[leera]

I looked up and read the actual Act that was passed.It's quite long.......

I think it's mostly going to be geared toward manufacturers and not people having a yard sale.
However it does say"manufacture,sell,offer for sale"
I think the "offer for sale" part is what will catch the resale shops and thift stores....

I did find it interesting that they slipped in a small section about new requirements for ATV's........

It would be nearly impossible for the gov. to enforce this policy on every yard sale and resale shop.

What it does say is that all items mentioned in the act must have a special seal,it included cribs,bouncers,car seats,crib pens(play pen?),high chairs,etc,etc,.....
basically anything that is meant for a child age 12 or under.

For apparel,the only part I read that mentioned clothing,said that it must be labeled with a special label stating something about toxic chemicals.

It give specific time frames for when manufacturers are supposed to be compliant on this new Act,but I found it interesting that there was no specific date for when the Act takes affect.Unless I over looked it.

[Michael32170]

Here is more information:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=85542

Take it with a grain of salt.

[tufhelp]

Here is a thought for the yard sale level of this debacle... Since the liberals have enacted themselves into a corner with specific conditions for testing, do a work around: The act seems geared to "selling", don't sell, give away with a "donation" or perhaps "free" children’s items with the purchase of a candy bar, coincidentally priced at the value of the item rather than the candy bar... Just a thought.

When I was in the Army stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky a few years ago (reads as decades…), a buddy of mine had an uncle coming through the area who was a carnie who worked let us say an "exotic" show girl presentation. The uncle invited my buddy and I to attend. It was a fairly tame as these shows go, but they also sold photos of the ladies to the public. Apparently in Kentucky at the time they could give them away with the purchase of another item, but they couldn't sell the photos. They used the candy bar ruse - $10.00 for a candy bar and “free” racy photos...

[GoodDaughter]

I had a simialr thought when I read this article.

Maybe a hand lettered sign reading something like 'These items are NOT intended for wearing. They are sold as SCRAP FABRIC ONLY and not intended for wearing'. Around here, I'd say most of the people (women) at garage sales can't read English anyway, and my Spanish IS pretty rusty. I mean, I could put something down in Spanish so the sign does have both languages on it, in case that became an issue. I could put "Este naranjas es no puede por las encantado". Whatever that means. ;)

[bee_pipes]

...hand lettered sign reading something like 'These items are NOT intended for wearing. They are sold as SCRAP FABRIC ONLY and not intended for wearing'...


Excellent idea - just like the disclaimers in head shops: "these pipes and bongs are not intended for smoking illegal substances. They are sold as novelty idems and for smoking cherry flavored pipe tobacco"

Or raw milk being sold for "pet use" only.

Good thinking! You should sell the idea to Goodwill!

Regards,
Pat

[MNMOM]

This will hit the people hard that are trying to stretch their dollar's.

You find better clothes at yard sales and Goodwill for children than you can buy new at Wal-Mart.

What they should be doing is checking everything that comes into our ports instead of taking it out on someone that is trying to clothe their families.

This is the height of stupidity.

[madmac]

This will hit the people hard that are trying to stretch their dollar's.

You find better clothes at yard sales and Goodwill for children than you can buy new at Wal-Mart. *

What they should be doing is checking everything that comes into our ports instead of taking it out on someone that is trying to clothe their families.

This is the height of stupidity.

Exactly. It is the height of stupidity. So it's ok to buy new from China that is probably the biggest violator of poison food and lead products, let kids wear them for awhile but it is not ok to buy used. The folks that passed this bill should be sent to China to work in one of their God forsaken factories for a few months, maybe a lead smelter. ;D

[leera]

In a press release earlier tonight, it was stated that resale shops and thrift stores will not be required to comply with the lead and chemical testing.........

[TNDadx4]

In a press release earlier tonight, it was stated that resale shops and thrift stores will not be required to comply with the lead and chemical testing.........




I'd be interested to see that, if you have a link for it. It seems that all that I read points to the opposite.

[RocketMan]

Here's a link to a story from the local tv station.

http://www.wwmt.com/articles/law_1357728___article.html/children_clothing.html


"The Consumer Product Safety Committee said the law will not apply to re-sellers of clothing but some parents and consignment shop owners are still concerned."
"Many parents buy their children's clothing at consignment shops and this new law could threaten this type of stores."
"Federal regulators are looking twice at the law and are considering exemptions to keep certain stores open."

"Final revisions will not be approved until after Feb. 10 when the law takes effect."

[TNDadx4]

Now, I'm confused... Aren't consignment shops reselling clothes?

[leera]

Consignment shops often sell new items for other people,if that's the case,then the items would possibly fall under this new law.

It's not going to apply to used clothing,so they say....

[fwtxcitywoman]

Thrift Stores Exempt From New Lead-Testing Law
Federal regulators said Thursday that sellers of used children's products will not be required to certify the items meet new lead limits mandated by Congress.

Watch VideoFederal regulators say sellers of used children's products will not be required to conduct lead testing.

Thrift Stores Exempt From New Lead-Testing Law

The law, which goes into effect next month, requires domestic manufacturers and importers to test children's products for lead and phthalates. Products that exceed federally mandated limits are banned.

The law was initially interpreted to also apply to thrift stores and other resale shops, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday that resellers are not required to test products.

However, regulators also said resellers cannot sell items that exceed the lead limits mandated in the new law and should "therefore avoid products that are likely to have lead content" unless they have information indicating the products meet the limits. Resellers who sell products in violation of the new limits can face civil and/or criminal penalties.

Pam Willingham, who is getting ready for the largest children's consignment sale in Texas, the Just Between Friends semiannual sale in March, said she was relieved by the agency's move.

"Well, I thought, 'Oh, my goodness, we may have to close," she said.

She said it wasn't feasible for resales shops to conduct testing.

"When you're the manufacturer, you do lead testing on one of these for all 500," Willingham said. "Well, when you only have one of these, you'd have to test it individually, and that's not going to work for resale items."

[TNDadx4]

Hmmm... maybe this won't be as bad as was purported. When it first came out, everyone was saying that it would affect all businesses, etc. that sell used children's clothes. Our local news even said that!

Apparently, it's been cleared up a bit and that is good new.

Thanks!

[catrules]

Whew!

They just opened a huge Salvation Army here, and we have been getting some awesome deals, both for the kid and for the husband and I. When I first started reading the thread, I freaked a bit. I absolutely refuse to pay retail for kids clothing. At this age, sometimes he wears an outfit three times before he outgrows it.

[Saoirse]

This is an outrage.

[8kids4me]

Here is a good website with lots of details.

http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/ If you scroll down to the post "Cautious Optimism: Stay of Enforcement" you get more info about the latest on the stay.

[Kyhome]

I dunno folks I just back from visiting the local Salvation Army store and just today they have pulled all childrens stuff from the store and tossed into the dumpster. they have removed the racks everything. They said the new law will not allow them to continue with resell of anything in ragards to children. I wonder if they will now stop taking children donations as well? this new law really seems crazy to me to cover all the stuff already in the system.

[backlash]

Check this site for clarification.
[url=http://http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html[/url]

AC