Have you noticed any differences when shopping today?

[SkyviewClay]

I know that there are many businesses closing due to this mess, but take a look on-line, Etsy and elsewhere. It appears to be business as usual for most.

[Former_Member]

I did a search yesterday afternoon of "baby" just to see what would happen and came up with 187,562 results and today, it is 187,181.
Granted, it doesn't cover everything effected and it includes a lot of things that aren't but, it looks like business as usual.

[Former_Member]

I am seeing reports of bikes being pulled from shelves:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/dirt-bikes/
I am wondering if we will have problems getting our 1st grader a new bike that he so badly needs this spring.

Honestly this is absurd. I was reading the posting on a small dealership that is not only refusing to sell ATVs and motorbikes for kids, but also refusing to issue part replacements for existing ones:
http://www.twheels.com/
And the thought that I kept returning to is that of all the bazillion safety issues that come to mind when dealing with motorized bikes for kids, LEAD was never one that would have topped my "reasons for not buying my 3rd grader a motorcycle."

[Former_Member]

laughing - good point, lead is the least of my concerns with motorcycles for children...had a good chuckle with that one. I think new guidance article...crap, don't have the link...even mentions bicycles are not included.

[Former_Member]

here's the link...there's a whole other forum on this too. http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/sbguide.pdf

ah, motorized bikes are the issue...sorry, I was thinking just a plain ole bicycle...just call me confused which is what this law pretty much has made me - confused 24/7.

[SkyviewClay]

Where are priorities these days? The more I read, the more ridiculous it all gets.

[Former_Member]

I've noticed a few changes to some of my favorite children's shops...some changed what they used for a supply and a couple have now changed the wording to reflect that the item is for teens.
By the way, Posh, I love your new avatar!

[SkyviewClay]

thanks CountingBunnies! :)

[Former_Member]

I so see a Prohibition type situation coming up. We'll be making caves in limestone and holing away to knit baby caps and carve wooden toys, then barter them before we slink off into the night.

Or the Burger Meister Meister Burger from the Rankin Bass Christmas show and how he banned toys...

[Former_Member]

Thanks laurasloft: I went looking for the bicycle exemption and am not finding it in the doc! Where should I be looking?

[Former_Member]

I particularly love the advice they give to home-crafters who are making donation items - particularly when imagining what sort of fund-raising auction items we might be seeing at the school fund-raiser this year.
"Avoid making and donating children’s products with soft vinyl or plastic, buttons or zipper pulls..."
I am suddenly having images of old-school days when kids would be sewn into their long-underwear for the winter.

[comfyhome]

I visited a local kids consignment shop last week because she was doing half off and dollar days in order to get rid of everything to close. Looks like she'll be selling adult clothing and housewares for the remainder of her lease. So not right!

And I was denied sale of a toy at WalMart on Saturday evening... register beeped and spit out some piece of paper for the cashier to attach for CS, he said he was very sorry but couldn't sell it to me... he didn't know why but thought it had something to do with safety... didn't know about the CPSIA.

[MomNMiaDesigns]

Business as usual as far as I can tell. I've even noticed a few who said they were going to close are now remaining open. (My shop is closed just for this week, totally unrelated to CPSIA though)

[comfyhome]

I wonder what might happen with the huge mommy sale that I'm on the waiting list for? It's set for March...

[MaynardMillinery]

I was researching 'hair bows' on here this morning, 31 pages, 95% clips for babies. I thought then that not many people must have stopped/slowed down production.

[Former_Member]

I clicked on the Children's category on Jan 30. There were 165563 items for sale.

There are 166599 items at this moment.

So, there are 1000 more items than there were 10 days ago.

[SkyviewClay]

Do you think they could at least place us all in the same facility...The Esty Community Correctional Center! LOL

I wonder who will be the first scapegoat?

[chichiboulie]

actually, if we all COULD go to the Etsy Community Correctional Center, I may just volunteer for incarceration! :D

[MomNMiaDesigns]

lol chichiboulie!

[Former_Member]

Crafting jail! Woohoo!

[Former_Member]

I called my JoAnn's fabric shop today to ask about the CSPIA and certificates of comformity especially on notions (snaps) - the manager had no clue what I was even talking about! I guess all their kids items are the same - the $1 bins with stuff especially for kids - no change.

[Former_Member]

laughingstarfish - I think it's under Question 11; it's concerning the phthlates ban, who knows about lead. This is so darn confusing. This is a total pooch screw.

Count me in on the crafter's jail..

[Superflykidz]

I went to Hobby Lobby today and there were no empty shelves!

[knitwit4ever]

I went to Kroger and watched as two stockers busily filled shelves with Easter-related toys. When I asked about CPSIA compliane, I got totally blank looks. Finally one said, "Well, if they weren't, they wouldn't send them to us would they?" Of course they wouldn't. Right!

[NotMyTreeStore]

I've noticed no difference anywhere. In fact, I was thinking just this morning about catalog shopping. In the one I was looking at, they had children's clothing and jewelry - the same stuff I've seen people here wonder about. I'm looking at a catalog from a major retailer right now, and everything on these two pages is made from polyester, plastic and/or polypropylene. As the manufacturer and retailer of the products, this company would be responsible for testing, I assume. Apparently they're not worried about these materials. Good for them.