Salvation Army pulling toys made in China

[ChrisMiss]

My husband told me yesterday that he heard the SA was pulling all their toys from the shelves because of the made in China liability.  I didn't find anything on that but I did find this article from the local paper.  http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/nov/27/toy-recalls-keep-salvation-army-busy/?news-breaking

If I had any of the recalled toys I would toss it, not donate it for some other childs endangerment.

[Vintage Soul]

^^^Same here, but obviously not everyone is as thoughtful and considerate of other's wellbeing as you. More's the pity.

Of course, many may have been donated prior to the discovery of the issues, or out of plain ignorance (at least I hope).

[adapt]

saw this in every small town thrift store i was in during the last four days, army or not.

[tsmanager]

As the manager of a non profit thrift store. I've tried not taking toys since I started in this store in '04. The customers I get let their kids play with them while in the store and then just throw them on the floor when they get ready to leave. Now with the recalls in China, I have a very firm excuse for not taking toys. You wouldn't believe how many people, empty the contents of their childs toys box into a trash bag and then bring it to us and then claim $500. This is the reason while the IRS is cracking down on donations.
Of course they still sneak it in. I just throw it out. I have no recourse. And people are really appalled that I won't take "little susie's" easy bake oven
Sorry just wanted to rant.
Thanks for thrifting it keeps my job alive.
Mary in VA

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Hi Mary--It does amaze me how many parents let their kids play with toys while they (the parents) shop, as though the toy section is really a playland for the kids.  It is not, or course, and the toy area is not supervised, kids could get hurt, kidnapped, etc.

While thrifting recently, I saw ladies in there 1. shopping; 2.talking with each other as they shopped; and 3. not watching their kids, one of whom had a flag with point on the end and was waving it around with vibrant energy.  It seems someone had to gently tip off the mom (grandmom?) to control her little tyke's exurberance before the child or a customer (or both) got hurt. I feel sorry for the kids. I hated shopping as a child.

OTOH, there was a mom and wee one who came in and since all the stuffed animals were 1/2 price, her child was in heaven!

[Tammy]

Neither of our Salvation Army stores ever have hardly any toy items out and I do belive it's because of the kids that are playing and making such a mess of everything.  Drives me nuts!  Actually now that I think of it, the Goodwills always have a huge bin of stuffed animals but the SA's (at least 1 of the 2) will maybe only put out 10 or so stuffed animals. 

[ChrisMiss]

I don't think it's just at the thrift stores that parents aren't watching their kids very well.  I see it at Wal-Mart frequently that the kids are playing with the toys and there are no parents around them.  Yesterday while we were grocery shopping this one kid in the shopping cart was throwing things out of the cart.  My husband heard it, looked over and here's all this stuff hitting the floor.  The mother was totally oblivious to what the kid was doing and she was right there.