Does this sound right?

[LoveSomeGear]

I knew testing was expensive - and I INFALLY got a quote from one lab in St. Louis ....

PRICE PER NECKALCE SAMPLE
Lead: 75/each sample
Use/Abuse: 100/each sample
Pthalate: 350/each sample
Breakaway Force: 100/each sample

BPA: 450/each sample

My supplier already has testing on the silicone bead for lead, phthalate & bpa... they've given me the lab report. Can I skip and just get the use/abuse & break away?

I was expecting around 500 but not over 1000. I only sell the necklace for 4.95

What would you do?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/170876184/chewing-necklace-chewelry-beads-teething?ref=shop_home_active...

[Former_Member]

Unfortunately, teethers and teething necklaces must be tested as final products. We can't rely on supplier certs.

They are asking that price for each sample? I'd double check. If they are, shop around. UL Labs has a flat price per test, regardless of sample number. The tests are also very close in price, if I remember correctly.

As for the number of tests, yeah, that sounds right. Honestly, if this is a product that you sell a lot of, you might well want to consider going ahead. You will probably want to raise the cost of your necklace to help offset the cost of the testing. I think that $4.95 is on the low end.

[Former_Member]

No wonder everything is manufactured elsewhere. I don't understand how a compliant tested bead placed onto a strand of cord can now be incompliant in composition? Makes no sense to me - some of these regulations. The lab even asked me why I wanted it retested.

[Former_Member]

Better yet.... If I had the manufacturer of the beads make me a necklace custom - just as the one I sell, there would be no reason for me to foo the $1000 to test it as they've already tested all the components they use? Obviously I could not sell it on Etsy...

Hope I don't sound rude - just brainstorming as I want to provide a reasonably priced necklace for these parents. Not the $30 ones my competitors sell.

[Former_Member]

It is a pain! That's why my teethers are 100% natural. I only had to do one test.

[Former_Member]

I actually got in touch with someone at sgs and he thinks that I don't have to have that much tested since I have the actual lab reports from the manufacturer dated June 2014. I sent him copies of all the certificates I have & he's going to get back to me tomorrow :)

Which one test did you have to have for your teethers?