Comments on: Heard in the slammer: “I used to make handmade toys”

By: Courtney

Courtney — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:29:49 +0000

CPSIA has forced Selecta to stop selling their toys in the US, so the legislation doesn’t only affect cottage industry. With so few high quality natural toymakers to choose from, this is a devastating blow for many parents. At least we still have Haba…for now.

http://momguru.com/content/cpsia-prompts-selecta-toys-exit-us-market

By: Even more CPSIA links

Even more CPSIA links — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:06:12 +0000

[...] Some history of CPSIA [...]

By: Save Handmade Toys From CPSIA – Turtle Cove Farm

Save Handmade Toys From CPSIA – Turtle Cove Farm — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:08:50 +0000

[...] 4040 (full language of the bill) An overview from Speaker Nancy PelosiA great article from Business is PersonalEtsy’s open letter to the [...]

By: Over-regulation of capitolism in America? | NeoConstant

Over-regulation of capitolism in America? | NeoConstant — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:22:43 +0000

[...] That would take action by Congress, however, because the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s general counsel has already determined that the law applies retroactively, said commission spokesman Scott Wolfson. Read the rest of the article here. Ok, well, where to begin? First of all, this is obviously too ham-fisted a measure. What is the point to checking items which have no potential for containing toxins whatsoever? Indeed, that’s a pointless venture. And a costly one at that, one which will be ill-afforded by anyone without deep pockets. This new regulation is way too broad in its scope, and needs to be pared down considerably to only include objects that have the potential to, you know, contain toxins. So right off the bat, this new proposal lacks the focus that it needs – and what happens if these widespread measures ‘gum up the works’ and backlog? The potential for disaster is, well, pretty disastrous in its scope. And potential market halting aside, just think of the potential damage to, well, capitalism. The essence of capitalism is the little guy, working his way up the ladder, playing the system, bartering and trading with all the other little guys, and making his way in the world. That’s the free market at its best, and ideas are sustained or they fail based on their merit or lack of. This new proposal has the potential to ensure that ideas are sustained only if their propogaters have deep enough pockets to ensure that their product stays in the market. The damage to the ‘little guy’, and to start-up companies because of this new regulation is going to be horrendous. Consider this example: [...]

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:26:20 +0000

Thank you for this very concise and well-written article. I am posting a link to it on our blog. It makes me really sad that although it was written nearly a month ago, it’s information is still current.
Hopefully by next month this time we are going about business.

By: Forging ahead despite the CPSIA | Business is Personal

Forging ahead despite the CPSIA | Business is Personal — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:58:12 +0000

[...] you don’t have any direct reason to care about dealing with the CPSIA (you should have an indirect reason to care), don’t worry – there are other posts this week that will help you with your business. I [...]

By: CPSIA - Is it really going to protect our children? | MiscellaneousFinds4u

CPSIA - Is it really going to protect our children? | MiscellaneousFinds4u — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:08:48 +0000

[...] Heard in the slammer: “I used to make handmade toys” [...]

By: Heard in the slammer: “I used to make handmade toys” | Auction Add-Ons

Heard in the slammer: “I used to make handmade toys” | Auction Add-Ons — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:01:04 +0000

[...] with permission from Rescue Marketing by MARK on DECEMBER 15, [...]

By: Liz Gumbinner

Liz Gumbinner — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:06:08 +0000

Terrific post Mark. Glad to have found it through momocrats - we added the link to the resource page on Cool Mom Picks as well. Let's keep fighting the good fight; headway is being made. Liz Gumbinners last blog post..Dear Santa, Call me back!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:13:22 +0000

Excellent summary of this law. I only found out about it yesterday, and have been researching non-stop for 24 hours! My question is this: what happens to all of my children’s name-brand clothing and toys that I would normally sell on ebay, at consignment stores, on Craig’s List, or at yard sales?
Thank you!

By: Handmade in Trouble? « Desert Homespun

Handmade in Trouble? « Desert Homespun — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:21:32 +0000

[...] I first read about it here and then here. There is some more info on the business impacts (not just on makers of handmade toys) here. [...]

By: ~denise

~denise — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:25:40 +0000

This goes beyond toys as well. Those of us in the cloth diapering whelm will be effected too. So many wonderful kids items will be put to a stop…only the big big companies, who brought in lead to begin with, will be able to continue forward in all this.
As this is currently written too it effects 2nd hand shops as well.
it is very very wide, vague, far reaching, and not well defined.
It is a sad shame.
I am still hoping as this law is defined there will be ways for us smaller unique businesses to remain.

When you contact various senators, many do not even know what they passed. They just give some save the children speal without commenting and/or realizing the impact on small biz.

Also when you call CPSC directly and get various reps…they tell you different things. In the Cloth Diapering whelm we have been told anything from they are exempt to they fall under at least 3 tests… changes when you talk to different reps w/in the cpsc.

You really should contact your senators and reps and let them know the impact on either your biz or any small biz you like.

By: News From the Hill » Blog Archive » Crazy World

News From the Hill » Blog Archive » Crazy World — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:46:21 +0000

[...] in them. This site sells cute kiddy things and is understandable upset about this news while this site is a business blog with a clear and succinct article on this [...]

By: Scibhneoir

Scibhneoir — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:03:00 +0000

wow - this is really crazy, there is a huge difference between protecting consumers from dodgy goods and shutting down an entire hand-crafting industry - the big boys win again? Scibhneoirs last blog post..Freely Given Music

By: Uncertainty « Sage Meadow Studio

Uncertainty « Sage Meadow Studio — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:44:38 +0000

[...] can read more here, here and here. Contact me [...]

By: Contact Your Congress at Luke & Colleen Hafen

Contact Your Congress at Luke & Colleen Hafen — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:12:38 +0000

[...] ebay provide a host of new, fresh ideas on homemade items you can buy. And then I came across this…and this and I thought to myself “Is this what my world is coming too?” Are [...]

By: The World has gone mad….again « Myheartsathome’s Weblog

The World has gone mad….again « Myheartsathome’s Weblog — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:04:36 +0000

[...] has [...]

By: Love Handmade? A Call to Action for All of Us | The Baby Gardner's Baby Bloggie

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:27:01 +0000

[...] This post by Business is Personal is the most thought-provoking article I’ve read on the issue. Check [...]

By: Training Time

Training Time — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:56:12 +0000

While I think that regulation is a necessary evil, it stinks when the little guy gets hurt or, in this case, forgotten. Great post on an issue many may not be aware of.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:43:32 +0000

Excellent, a tightly scripted read. Thank you for publicizing our effort!