Before Your Next Yard Sale

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,552021,00.html?test=faces

New Government Policy Imposes Strict Standards on Garage Sales Nationwide

Americans who slap $1 pricetags on their used possessions at garage sales or bazaar events risk being slapped with fines of up to $15 million, thanks to a new government campaign.

The "Resale Round-up," launched by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, enforces new limits on lead in children's products and makes it illegal to sell any items that don't meet those limits or have been recalled for any other reason.

The strict standards were set in the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act after a series of high-profile recalls of Chinese-made toys.

The standards were originally interpreted to apply only to new products, but now the CPSC says they apply to used items as well.

"Those who resell recalled children's products are not only breaking the law, they are putting children's lives at risk,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Resale stores should make safety their business and check for recalled products and hazards to children."

In order to comply, stores, flea markets, charities and individuals selling used goods — in person or online — are expected to consult the commission's 24-page Handbook for Resale Stores and Product Resellers (pdf) and its Web site for a breakdown of what they can't sell.

Violators caught selling anything on the enormous list face fines of up to $100,000 per infraction and up to $15 million for a related series of infractions.

OH jeees..I heard about this.

It's a big 'deal' for crafters, not because they use 'foriegn' products, but now the crafters that make children oriented crafts have to be inspected or some such shit. They were way up in arms about it. I don't know all the details....but..well..I don't have much 'child' stuff that sells anyway...but ..jeees

Ya know, I think this is a perfect example of people not taking the blame for their own mistakes. Frankly, you should be inspecting the stuff you give your children and not just assuming because you got it from the nice old lady down the street's yardsale that it's safe to use. Seriously, whatever happened to caveat emptor? How about you get what you pay for? Sure that carseat might be a steal at 5 bucks, but you don't know what it's been through. I can see fining resale stores for not being more careful, but charging individuals $100K for selling something they didn't know was defective? That's a little bit ridiculous.

I agree Leashi!

I did some looking at the site listed above..about 'recalls'..and MANY MANY of the recalls were due to lack of parental supervision..buying for the wrong age..AND lack of parents paying damned attention and leaving their child unattended for far too long. Just simply pure lack of common sense if you ask me!......it's nuts.