While it’s virtually impossible to find any of the lead-infected recalled toys in any “traditional” retail establishment like Toys ‘R’ Us, KB Toys, Target or Wal-Mart, we all know that today’s savvy consumer uses many other shopping opportunities when it comes to getting the best deal. Unfortunately, many of these may not be nearly as careful when it comes to monitoring recalls.
According to a November 12 article on Yahoo! Finance (biz.yahoo.com), recalled products were easily purchased online through sites including eBay, iOffer.com, Alibaba.com, and Made-in-China.com. (The story adds that eBay bars auctions of items the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified as hazardous and recalled, and that the site does a great job of thwarting recalled-item auctions, according to Frederick Felman, the chief marketing officer of the brand consultant company MarkMonitor.) The good news is that the CPSC is reaching out to any and every site they can, asking the products not be sold. The bad news is that there are a whole lot of toy-selling sites on the Internet.
In addition, shopping venues like flea markets and second-hand shops – not to mention your neighborhood garage sales – are probably selling the items every day. It is probably not out of any nefarious intent, but rather just because they have so much stuff to sell and aren’t aware that they are selling recalled items. I doubt many of these shop owners have the time to go over every product to see if it has been recalled.
As elaborated upon in my “Lead to the Source” article on SafeToys.com, there is also a lead concern about toys passed down through generations. These often end up at antique stores, garage sales and flea markets, and may be bought for young children out of nostalgia or the desire to build a collection. I’d guess the thought that lead may be in any of these items almost never occurs to any of the people selling them.
The simplest way to be sure these items don’t end up as gifts is to do your own detective work. Make a printout of the dangerous items and take it with you whenever – and wherever – you shop. I know the list is long and ever growing, but if you’re in doubt, pick something else. And keep your receipt. If something turns out to be recalled, return it.
The fact is that these lead recalls are going to keep coming and the government, big business, private sellers and the guy down the street can only do so much. This is up to you.
November 27, 2007
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