CPSIA - Y2K all over again?

[MomentintheSun1]

I have seen threads all over the place about shops closing en masse, illegal toys, the cost of testing, etc, due to CPSIA.

I admit that I haven't read or really paid too much attention to the CPSIA thing. So have no idea how, or even if, I will be affected in this shop or my other shop, momentinthesun.etsy.com or affected as a Canadian.

But I'm wondering if all this will be akin to the Y2K hysteria. When Feb rolls around, will we actually see the huge impact that people are expecting or will this be a minor blip on the radar?

I don't know

[Former_Member]

I sure hope so!

[Former_Member]

This comparison has been made before. Here is the thread.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5977931

Of course there won't be a huge catastrophe. Because people will simply be selling ILLEGALLY.

[annemusingdesigns]

Yes, I really think so. Chicken Little, the sky is falling! World ends tomorrow..

The government has bigger prey in their sites than us little stores...

[Former_Member]

It's inevitable that some will be selling illegally because many just don't know about it still. I don't think it's the same as Y2K because 1) everyone knew about that and 2) you didn't risk any fines, etc.

I know a certain amount is hype, but honestly it's all this discussion that is getting people to act and do something about it to have the law clarified. Some may say it's hysteria, or "the sky is falling" attitude, but honestly, it's these folks who we'll have to thank if the law is changed and keeps everyone from innocently doing something illegal.

[Former_Member]

annemusingdesigns says:
Yes, I really think so. Chicken Little, the sky is falling! World ends tomorrow..
***********************************

For some of us, who will be essentially out of business, it does feel like the world is ending. My business is a big deal to me.

I'm getting more and more insulted by those who minimize the impact of this law just because other people have chosen to operate illegally after the deadline. As a result of that, the impact of the law wont' be felt as largely and people can minimize it's effects.

[MomentintheSun1]

Bugga, I'm not minimizing the impact for anyone or trying to insult anyone.

My OP is asking if the perceived "hype" will be valid or not. I'm sure to some it will be and to others, not so much.

I find business (small and corporate) an interesting subject for discussion. And wanted to hear opinions on how others view this particular discussion.

[Former_Member]

I think it all comes to down to our personal choices. Some have evaluated the law, realized the potential risk and have decided to close shop. Some of us have read the law, and decided that we are willing to take the risk of operating illegally. I will continue to operate under the philosophy of civil disobedience. I'm sure many Etsians will not agree, but again, it's up to each of us to determine what level of risk, if any, we are willing to accept.

[MomentintheSun1]

Why consider it civil disobedience, Lillipop?

[Former_Member]

Well, for me I am losing my business. I guess the sky is falling a little bit for me.

[Former_Member]

I guess I don't understand the question. Maybe it's because I don't find the comparison between Y2K and the CPSIA to be relevant. With Y2K, you had all the hysteria and then nothing happened. With the CPSIA, does anyone really think that February 10 will come and the big black hammer will fall on Etsy, with the CPSC combing through listings and threatening to take those not in compliance to jail? No.

What is going to happen is on February 10, most shops here on Etsy that sell children's products will not be able to sell legally. Regardless of whether the CPSC comes after anyone or not, the fact of the matter is that this law has rendered our businesses illegal. Many will go on business as usual because they just don't know about this. Or some will go on with the mentality of "they'll never come after me." But nonetheless, February 10 is very significant legally. Even though it will happen without a big band of compliance officers coming after little shops here on Etsy.

[Former_Member]

Losing my business is not a small blip on the radar. I am very concerned about the future of my business and my family.

[Former_Member]

I think the "hype" is what got this law written and passed in the first place. Something akin to pitchforks and torches and shouts of "Burn the witch". Throwing out the baby with the bathwater and all that. The ones who wrote the law will see no reason to change it until they go to the store to buy something for a loved baby/child of theirs and are unable to do so. Most folks only take action when it effects them personally.

[MomentintheSun1]

That's a good explanation of it. Thanks, Posies :)

[McCoyToys]

We are closely folling, it does "appear" that ammendments were presented that would exclude items made of "some materials". We are currently waiting word from our State Senator, & the NC REAL. We have always operated leagally & prefer to continue to do so....such hope we aren't forced to stop making our toys....we really don't want to sit down in a rocking chair!

[Former_Member]

A lot of the concern about it is caused by us not being able to get any real answers to our questions. There's a great deal of uncertainty, and that's causing a huge amount of stress.

[Former_Member]

Well, all the 'hype' is getting folks up and fighting. Writing to senators and lobbying for amendments. The lawmakers are considering some changes now.

So if all the work of all these people for change and clarification results in amendments that allow us to stay in business, it may appear that nothing happened. But it isn't nothing.

[Former_Member]

civil disobedience can be a great tool for change

[LuckyFindDesigns]

momentintime - i see your point and can't help but see the similarities with the Y2K bug as well.

For those of you that will be losing your business, why not just change direction? If you are like me, you have TONS of fabric around because of your business. Why not just make something else? I sell flannel blankets for 5yrs and under and have TONS of flannel that I now have to do something else with. I'm still working on just what that will be, but I certainly will NOT be letting a law stop my business.

[McCoyToys]

We are not going down without a "fight"!

[Former_Member]

I am going to try and sell off what I have and as of right now I am brainstorming on what else I can design and use my creativity for. I will hopefully be opening a second shop soon as a result of all of this so even if it turns out not to be such a HUGE mess as it appears I will always have a backup and not feel like the sky is falling. I have to bring in an income somehow and this is my only outlet. I still have tons of fabrics and supplies so it is up to me to take control of the situation and make things alright for myself and my family. I have spent so much time over all of this that I just finally decided enough was enough and I needed to focus my energy on a different avenue that could be just as prosperous if not more.
Yes it is VERY disheartening and discouraging. We have invested so much time and love into our businesses but look at it this way it is a brand new tomorrow and the sky is the limit! I know as a crafter we all have always wanted to focus on more than one thing but there is only enough time in the day so take this opportunity and do just that!
The sky might be falling for us but pick up an umbrella and put on your rain boots and splash in the puddles. Don't just sit in the house and fuss and mope and wish that the sun would come out because that is sooo much time lost. The sun ALWAYS comes back out so just make the most of the puddles! AS children we loved jumping in all the rain puddles! Why can't we as adults....

[Former_Member]

LuckyFindDesigns says:

For those of you that will be losing your business, why not just change direction? If you are like me, you have TONS of fabric around because of your business. Why not just make something else? I sell flannel blankets for 5yrs and under and have TONS of flannel that I now have to do something else with. I'm still working on just what that will be, but I certainly will NOT be letting a law stop my business.


Well for me, it's really not that easy. I spent a year developing the products I make and spend hundreds of hours after I actually opened shop promoting the products, branding my shop, creating a customer base... Not to mention that with thousands of wood doll forms lying around, it's not that easy to just turn around and make adult products with them.

But it's really besides the point. We should not HAVE to change direction. The law makes no sense in requiring all of the redundant testing it requires. Changing my shop to adult products WOULD be letting the law stop my business. My business is children's products.

[Former_Member]

Just read your post luckyfinds and exactly what I just stated! Lets get out there and jump in those puddles! Don't let them beat us down!!

[Former_Member]

Yes, what littlepink just said...

[Former_Member]

I guess I am looking at in a different way. For me, changing direction WOULD be letting this law beat me down. I don't want it to happen.