January 11, 2009

Consignment shops and people who sell homemade products online in the Charlottesville area---and across the country---feared they would be forced out of business by a product safety law released in August 2008.

A new exemption helps thrift stores, but not online sellers.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act requires everyone selling children's products like toys, shoes, and clothing to test them for lead by February 10, 2009.

"It was so shocking. I thought this can't be true and something has to be done about this," said Heather Taylor, a Fluvanna County woman who makes homemade baby products like diaper cakes, towels, and stuffed animals.

Taylor sells her homemade baby items through the online site Etsy.com. She says the cost of lead testing would put her out of business.

"To have to send it away to get tested, $500 for a lead test to make sure it's OK, people just aren't going to be able to pay that price," explained Taylor.

Consignment shops like The Goodie Bag in Palmyra, depend on being able to re-sell toys.

"It literally meant I would have to close my doors," said Kamille Shifflett, the owner of The Goodie Bag since January 2007.

Leading to public outcry among consignment store owners who see their business as vital to the community.

"It would be really sad for those parents who can bring their stuff here," said Shifflett. "I mean our greatest joy at the end of the month is writing out those checks."

An amendment was made to the strict policy Thursday, January 8. Now sellers of used children's products don't have to certify that toys and clothes meet the new lead limits. But the new amendment doesn't exempt people who sell home-made products out of their home or on E-Bay.

"I realized it affected clothing and the dyes. I do a lot of custom embroidery too, and let alone the fact that if the product that I purchased to embroider has already been tested, I'd have to re-test it again having embroidered it," said Dana Griffin. She sells homemade baby clothing, and although she thinks the idea of lead testing is a good one, she doesn't see how it can be accomplished without hurting small businesses.

"I don't even understand if I'm allowed to give these things as baby gifts to people, but I've got baby gifts for the rest of time if that's the case," said Taylor.

The consignment store owner CBS19 talked to said most second-hand stores pay close attention to the latest toy recalls. Shifflett says when they get a new toy they check to see if it's been recalled right away before they sell it.

If you want to see what products to look out for check out this link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's web site.