thrift stores checking for lead

[daswitzer]

Amen to that Brother! 

[valleythriftshopper]

I've read the articles about the bill and found it odd that the child died a "few" years ago.  Did anyone else see that?   

I believe that was the kid who swallowed the charm off the Reebok sneaker that was made of 100% lead (made in China. of course). 

I don't want to seem obtuse, and I don't want to get into an argument over it, but I doubt very much, unless they were dangling lead sinkers (used in fishing) from their sneakers were they "100% lead."

This is typical of our current state of affairs with the government kowtowing to the safety nannies (descendants of Ralph Nader and that ilk) and killing a cockroach with a low-yield nuclear weapon. 

I'm sure that there are some (maybe very old) plates, stemware, and tableware that have some lead in it.  Someone may eat off these at an elegant affair.  Maybe we should disallow re-selling vintage and/or antique dishes if they don't explicitly say "lead free?"

This is bad legislation, plain and simple.

SYNT
BFN

I saw a news story about this incident, I think the Mom sued Reebok, so I am sure you can google the case, but that is what they said in the new story 100% lead, here is the actual lab result which showed 99% lead.  http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/lead/topics/braceletrecall.html

The child ingested the charm, became ill very quickly & died before they could even figure out what happened to him.  I am not surprised by anything that comes out of China.  I guess the charm wasn't on the sneaker but on a bonus charm braclet included with children's shoes. 

[valleythriftshopper]

Have you heard the phrase "A Slow Boat To China?"  If it gets to the point where no one can resell toys and kid's clothes, lets ship a few million tons of this Chinese junk back where it came from and THEN maybe American businesses will get back on their feet and men and women won't be losing their jobs on a daily basis.   I'm working myself up into a real dither folks!

Actually U.S. companies do export toxic stuff back to China sometimes in the form of discarded electronics (not legally).  Here's a good 60 minutes story about it 
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4586903n%3fsource=search_video

[daswitzer]

Watched the video and all I can say is, "What a mess we are in, but it is the children who are suffering." 
I'm only hoping that this "lead poisoning bill" is what I have read, ONLY FOR PRODUCTS THAT WILL BE MANUFACTURED THIS YEAR AND IN THE FUTURE.  If not, it could affect all resale in the future, down to ebay and rummage sales.  Hoping for the best.

[SplashsMom]

 Has nothing to do with thrifting, but in the town I live in, we are only allowed three pets, but ha ha ha, I have five and they'll have to drag me to jail over this one.  Fortunately, our mayor's wife is an animal rescuer also and our mayor will never enforce this law in our town as long as he is in office.  They have adopted 5 dogs themselves.   As far as I know, we DON'T live in a Communist country!

Just wanted to mention that when I lived in IL and fostered animals for Humane Society I WAS evicted from the city, from an owned home, not on basis of conditions or animal health, but strictly number.
And I had even licensed them all for several years before they "politely" asked me to leave.  Was not until they got a new computer system that they cared.
I was told there are no exception for foster pets.
The same city however does not have any breed bans

[SplashsMom]

OK-  back on topic. I ran out for supplies before the next cold spell hits and as the car passed S.A. I saw a sign announcing they would no longer accept any childrens products.
So stuffed animals were 6 for $1, clothing was half off, as were all games and toys. They had not heard books had restrictions as well.
After I made my purchase I said that thrift stores were now exempted from some of the regulations. They said they had only posted the sign an hour ago. How could it not be true?

Next stop was public library. In main lobby was a huge table of free childrens books. All in very used condition but I can't help but think there is a connection there as well.

[Tammy]

Today the paper came out with a notice that "Federal law requiring lead testing for kids' items won't apply to second-hand shops".  Bet alot of shop owners are breathing a sigh of relief. 

[foutchie]

what about handcrafters?  does it apply to them, or only big manufacturers, do you know?

[SplashsMom]

could one label their handmade products "not intended" for 12 and under and be safe?

[daswitzer]

I just hope that thrift stores will find out the truth and not panic and do like the thrift store mentioned earlier and sell everything really cheap and then not accept anymore kid products.  I collect certain toys and kid's books and I will be hugely disappointed if more of this happens.  I guess that time will tell, but lets all hope for the best.  Who would have ever thought that ANYTHING like this would be happening?!!!??? 

[SplashsMom]

Last night on the news out of Green Bay there were two stories about businesses going out of business because of the new regulations.
So much for economic stimulus.
Maybe they will discover it is not as bad as they believe but any way one looks at it this has to hit someones bottom line.

[daswitzer]

Went to my favorite thrift store today.  Was a little nervous about walking in, because I thought that they may be pitching all the toys and kid's stuff.  This is a mission's run shop, not a big chain.  There are only two of them in existence.  All of the ladies and gentlemen that work there are volunteers and all of the money goes to missionaries.  Everything is a quarter or less....I've talked about his before on here.  Anyway, not a word was mentioned about the lead issue.  Either these older people haven't heard about it yet, or they didn't make a big deal about it.  I'm thinking that they didn't hear anything about it, because these are the type of small-town people who talk about EVERYTHING that relates to ANYTHING.  If they had the least inkling that somebody might come in and fine them for selling something they aren't supposed to be selling, they'd close down tomorrow.  They don't HAVE to be there, they aren't paid anything, so they aren't going to stick their necks out.  I will be concerned about this issue until it all gets straightened out.   Has anybody else heard anything on the news??

[valleythriftshopper]

Went to my favorite thrift store today.  Was a little nervous about walking in, because I thought that they may be pitching all the toys and kid's stuff.  This is a mission's run shop, not a big chain.  There are only two of them in existence.  All of the ladies and gentlemen that work there are volunteers and all of the money goes to missionaries.  Everything is a quarter or less....I've talked about his before on here.  Anyway, not a word was mentioned about the lead issue.  Either these older people haven't heard about it yet, or they didn't make a big deal about it.  I'm thinking that they didn't hear anything about it, because these are the type of small-town people who talk about EVERYTHING that relates to ANYTHING.  If they had the least inkling that somebody might come in and fine them for selling something they aren't supposed to be selling, they'd close down tomorrow.  They don't HAVE to be there, they aren't paid anything, so they aren't going to stick their necks out.  I will be concerned about this issue until it all gets straightened out.   Has anybody else heard anything on the news??

I haven't heard about this new lead issue except here & none of the thrifts in my area have stopped carrying any children's items.  The Salvation Army probably wouldn't unless directed to do so by the regional manager. 

I am facinated by this quarter store of yours, please do post any finds from it!

[Good Buddy]

There is NO LEAD ISSUE.......basically.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has clarified their new law as it pertains to resellers.

CPSC Clarifies Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February
Guidance Intended for Resellers of Children’s Products, Thrift and Consignment Stores

The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

If a reseller knowing sells a product that has a recall or has a high lead content, they can be fined.

All's well with buying children's products in thrift stores.

Thank God!

[daswitzer]

Thanks for clarifying the issue.   I feel so relieved!!!