Will I Be Instigating A Riot? CPSIA Backlash

**many houseapes** · 01-05-2009, 07:50 PM

This is spinning off of Michelle's post about the CPSIA making it illegal to sell used children's clothing.

Will I be instigating a riot if I ask what measures can we take to get around this idiotic idea if it does indeed become law? Many of us here rely on used clothing for our children ,and in many cases, without that resource it is very difficult to survive economically.

What would you do as an individual to avoid having to pay for new clothing? I am not trying to stir up panic here, so please don't get me wrong....I am just wondering what would you do to brace your family for the impact that it will have on them?

The things that come to my mind right now is to stockup now - especially on jeans and shoes - we have until Feb 10th.#1. Hit the thrift stores first, b/c they will be effected first.#2. Go to garage sales more often...I am sure that there will still be people out there who will be selling kids clothes but not adding it in their ads. #3.Gather a "network' of trusted friends & relatives that you can trade clothing with. #4. Learn to sew...you can take an adult's (second hand)piece of clothing & fashion it to fit a child.

I am sure that since this story broke, all of us have been thinking of ways to survive this crazy idea. I've shared my ideas, what are yours?Please share

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-05-2009, 07:54 PM

For the last five years, we've gotten our clothes secondhand through my inlaws and DH's childhood friend. This past fall, we bought the kids new clothes for the year at clearance prices.

My solution to this mess, even though I'm not being affected by it?

Buy things on clearance. Store them for the future. I haven't had to pay full price on clothing for either of my kids and I don't plan on changing my spending habits any time soon.

**LastDragonfly** · 01-05-2009, 07:59 PM

I too have been wondering about this. Are personal garage sales affected too? OI. I'm so hacked about all this. It seems so unnecessary (sp) to even have this bill.

I want to know: who dreamed this up? who is going to enforce it? why do they think it is necessary. Does this mean that lead has been going INTO my kids clothes? How long? If so, how come no one has told me before?

I too believe you are correct in thinking we need to have a close network in place.

**MoonMommy** · 01-05-2009, 08:32 PM

How are they going to enforce garage sales? There are probably millions of them a year around the country. They barely have enough government workers to inspect the imported goods. LOL

I think people will have clothes swapping parties. They will invite all the moms they know of all different aged kids and everyone can put all the clothes out. Then, people take what they want. I have heard of these parties before, but never been to one, but if this law goes into affect, I think they will become more common.

**Nana2two** · 01-05-2009, 08:44 PM

Well the way i have been hearing it, is that even the retail stores, even walmart clothes will be going up

by 30% to start because of all the testing. So even if garage sales are still around, people are to A) hand the clothes down to people they know, or B)the prices will really hight to some can't afford the garage sale price.

**Michelle68** · 01-05-2009, 09:01 PM

Personally, I'm hoping that legislators will see the idiocy of this bill and will come to rethink this law. If that doesn't happen, as a few others have pointed out, I cannot possibly see how garage sales can be policed for the sales of children's clothing. Think of the manpower and total waste of tax payer dollars that would require. I worry more about thrift stores, resale shops and smaller businesses which would be affected.

IMO, the entire idea is a pretty stupid one, especially in this economy. For this to pass when the government is, supposedly, so worried about the recession and people getting by is simply ludicrous. This will put more hardship on people because it forces them to buy new clothes for their children which will be priced higher due to the required testing. I seriously doubt the validity of the concern that children's clothing contain enough lead to do harm to those wearing them. I believe this has more to do with government officials being in the pockets of those who are in line to make the most money from this law.

**nvmommyx6** · 01-05-2009, 09:07 PM

I'll say it sounds like a idiotic idea, however, ummm....I've not hear anything about it, is this a state law or federal or does anyone have a link?
Thanks

**ri*smom** · 01-05-2009, 09:14 PM

Okay, I have looked all through their (CPSA) website and have quickly glossed over the document (it's hella long), but I have not seen where used items fall under regulation. Maybe I'm a buffoon . . . I just can't believe that would be possible to outlaw used clothing. Does anyone know what Section this ruling falls under? Please direct me so I can have a full on freak out.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf

**Persimmon Lace** · 01-05-2009, 09:33 PM

They won't rethink anything if you don't write them!

Here's a site with good info.

www.handmadetoyalliance.org

This is going to affect all kinds of people!

**many houseapes** · 01-05-2009, 10:11 PM

In a way, I liken this to when they mandated that people had to have auto insurance - the cost of it has skyrocketed....just the same is going to happen when it is mandated that you have to buy new clothes for your children

**MamaTreadler** · 01-05-2009, 10:24 PM

I think I am in denial. I just cannot believe that this is actually going to happen. It just doesn't make any sense - and if I think about it too much it just ticks me off...

Surely something will happen to nix this before it can be enforced.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-05-2009, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by many houseapes

In a way, I liken this to when they mandated that people had to have auto insurance - the cost of it has skyrocketed....just the same is going to happen when it is mandated that you have to buy new clothes for your children

Here in Alberta, you need to have auto insurance before you get your license.

**Nishu** · 01-06-2009, 12:43 AM

I asked the woman that runs the consignment shop up here and she had no idea about it. Maybe it doesn't apply to used stuff and only hand made stuff? I wonder if the government is trying to destroy the small manufacturer.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 01-06-2009, 02:07 AM

Good LORD, we don't have enough bridge inspectors/police officers/teachers/nurses/etc. because we don't have the money to pay them. We are going to hire umpteen zillion new "inspectors" for the used clothing businesses in the country? Have they gone NUTS???

I will continue to get my DSs clothes the same way I have: used, Walmart, from friends. Try and STOP ME! Come see me at "the Big House", girls!

BTW, WHY don't we have an "in jail" icon? ROFLLL

**UUMomof3** · 01-06-2009, 07:52 AM

Like several other posters, I don't see how this can be enforced for the small time resellers like garage sales and clothing swaps. But the first I heard of it was the original thread. It seems to me that if all the resellers were going to be forced to comply, we'd have been seeing signs and posters and petitions long before now.

If I can't buy secondhand clothes for my kids it will require drastic action. It might push us out of "we can get out of debt with a lot of work and struggle" to "we need to consider bankruptcy". First and foremost, we all need to not panic and find out what the real life ramifications are. THEN we can organize.