http://www.care2.com/greenliving/garage-sale-warning.html
Garage Sale Warning
Great finds for low prices have long made yard sales a win-win for sellers who want to unload no longer used items for a profit, and buyers looking for deep discounts on anything from trinkets to big-ticket furniture items.
Buyers and sellers both need to beware, however. Buyers: Hazardous items that have been recalled by manufacturers can unknowingly (and, unfortunately, knowingly) be sold at garage sales. These items pose serious health risks for consumers and should not be purchased. Sellers: In an effort to increase consumer safety, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is now enforcing a provision within its Resale Roundup initiative that targets toys and other products that are hazardous to children. This new provision makes it a federal crime to resell any products that have been recalled, going back well over ten years ago. This federal law applies not only to garage sales, but also to resale shops and online stores/auctions.
Exactly how the government would track down recalled item at the hundreds of yard sales held any given weekend is a good question. What’s more important is that both buyers and sellers become informed regarding recalled products in order to ensure the safety of consumers of all ages.
Below is a list of the top 11 recalled children’s products compiled by the CPSC:
- Playskool Travel-Lite Play Yards (portable cribs), Mar. 10, 1993
- Evenflo Happy Camper Play Yards (portable cribs), Jun. 25, 1997
- Baby Trend Home and Roam (portable cribs), Jan. 3, 1995
- Baby Express Portable Cribs and Play Yards, Feb. 28, 2001
- Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets, Mar. 31, 2006
- Easy-Bake Ovens, Jul. 19, 2007
- Polly Pocket dolls with magnets, Aug. 15, 2007, Nov. 21, 2006
- Simplicity Drop Side Cribs, July 2, 2009, Sept. 17, 2008, Sept. 21, 2007
- Simplicity Bassinets (includes bassinets with Graco or Winnie the Pooh motif), Sep. 11, 2008, Aug. 28, 2008 & Aug. 27, 2008
- Hill Sportswear hooded drawstring sweatshirts, Feb. 12, 2009
- Evenflo Envision high chairs, April 2, 2009
For photos of these items, go to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
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21 comments
add your comment »Never knew that much items were recalled. Thanks for the helpful information.
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It certainly PAYS to be informed
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Good reminder to check the items you're planning to sell.
If you are shopping for a particular type of item, it's easy to get the details of what's been recalled. For more general shopping, you could always use your cell phone to either check the CPSC lists or call a friend/family member to check online at home while you shop.
Most flea markets do charge a fee for a booth or table to cover their advertising and other costs. In my area, there are also "town wide" yard sales where you pay about $10 to be on the map or have a space at the central location.. The maps sell for $1-2 and raise funds for the sponsoring organization.
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Thanks a bunch!!!!
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I had no idea how many recalls that is just in the toys and baby items. If everyone is concerned for our children, why hasn't these recalls been on the news staions locally and national...Some of these 11 items I have never even heard of....Thak you for bring such informative info to my attention....
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Great informative information, thank you.
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I am having a garage sale in a few days and wanted to thank you for this information. I have only a few children's items but it will keep me alert as I continue to unpack and set up :)
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Obviously the government will have to rely on people's common sense in this matter. Those selling should be aware of any warnings/recalls concerning items they sell. If looking for children's furniture at flea markets and garage sales, prospective buyers should carry a list like the one you posted.
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Thanks for this information. We don't have garage sales in France like in the States but the villages offer what are called "vide-greniers" ("Empty your attic")and your recommendations should be considered in this case as well.
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Thank You for this post, I will tell my friends and family, Better safe than sorry.
God Bless,
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