I came across this today while "reading" my morning news online: http://www.keyetv.com/content/news/topnews/story/New-bill-may-restrict-reselling-of-children-s/ZMR2JtdJAE2rZ-yH7b-9oA.cspx
Ironically, the featured consignment shop is the same store I've frequented for years as a means to save money on clothing, namely higher-end and brand names for the girls. I've shopped here since the girls were 9, 7 and 5. Believe it or not, the sweaters the girls are wearing in our "Christmas photo" were purchased from that store (paid about $21 for all three) that very day and despite the time of year, anyone close to me knows I feel there's no reason NOT to be frugal.
I would estimate all totalled, I've probably spent somewhere in the area of $4000 here over the years. The money I've saved? Given that clothing at Polka Dot Pony is priced about 15-25% (75-85% OFF!) of what you'd normally spend (often the store tags are still attached), this would mean I'd have to have spent $20,000 for the girls to dress as they have the past 6 years by buying retail. If and when this is enforced, I think of the store owners of this shop. This store, like so many others nationwide, has been their livelihood, creates at least 8 jobs locally, and is paying to put their own kids through college. As a whole, it is for the greater good as it saves parents money when purchasing, puts money back in parents pockets on drop-offs and donates the rest of the items to those in need! This "testing" will drive up the price of clothing entirely and very well may drive this thriving business out of business on February 10th or when the fines rack up so high that they're unable to stay afloat.
The article goes on to say that this will also affect the sale of toys, retailers who sell toys and clothing as well as GARAGE SALES, Craigslist, and Ebay! Are they insane??? Raising children is pricey enough and now everything they touch must be shipped to a locale, tested and evaluated. Gone are the days of paying more because the cost of cotton has risen, now everything will have been tested AFTER it comes into our country and BEFORE we buy it, thus passing on the cost to the consumer. I have an idea! Make our clothes and toys here in the US, quit outsourcing and leave these decisions up to the parents. Granted, we as parents don't have the easy ability to test things for hazardous chemicals for the safety for our children, however most of us CAN READ! Check the label/logo/bottom of product and see where it's made. If the country of origin is a country where there's a history of lead or phthalates, decide whether you should buy it or not. This would also be a good time to veto or stand up and strike out against these importers and DO NOT BUY what the retailers sell if they're from those countries. If we don't buy them, retailers won't buy them, makers can't sell them. Granted, this will create a domino effect of businesses collapsing who don't look out for their customers and consumers, but it's a fine time to get back to basics and keep things in the US (Hey!!! Just imagine the jobs that will be re-created right here in our own country!!!).
Now the environmental concern: Landfills. Where on earth will all these clothes, toys and other products end up that cannot be sold? Keep in mind effective February 10th it will be POINTLESS to donate your children's items to Goodwill. They can't sell them either! Garage sales will be a thing of the past too. I'm surprised Ebay didn't step up to fight this bill, they'll lose millions in a matter of days due to lost transaction fees on sales of these items. Unless they're literally given away (are Americans this kind to one another anymore?), you could literally be fined. FINED. For trying to recover a part of the expenditures you spend to clothe and entertain your family. Surely, a new bill won't be far behind fining those who give away potentially lead and phthalates-laced pajamas, t-shirts and Tonka trucks. Bye-bye freedom, bye-bye. The landfills are already a problem nationwide. Now, their load has increased by tons daily. Timmy outgrew his blue jeans and no one to pass them down to? Toss them out...go ahead, stick them in the trash right on top of the broken egg shells and this morning's coffee grounds. Do it again tomorrow when his toys are broken beyond repair or he's too big for Spongebob anymore. Your daughter's Barbies? If they didn't make the cut to be stored away for years until she can bring them out again and reminisce, Barbie and her meticulously painted make-up and perfectly coiffed hair has never had it so bad. Storing them in the attic? That eyeliner could have lead in it! You could be harboring the next radiation bomb in your own home right next to the fake Christmas tree! By the way, most Christmas trees have warning labels on the boxes indicating that they and the Christmas lights contain lead...a welcome sight every joyous holiday season.
The bottom line here is the government stepping in and creating absolute chaos and turmoil in an already tumultuous economy while simultaneously removing our freedoms and adding to the landfills. Rather than step in and STOP these unsafe items making it into our country, they're putting it--they like to call it "protection"--right back on us, the American people to be penalized and FINED for something they should have never allowed to come into our country in the first place. The news report indicates BOTH representatives from Texas voted for this bill. I'm apalled, ashamed and worried greatly about where our country is headed if this concern EVER made it so high on a bill to actually become a law. What about the other grave hazards to society that are still not enforced? The cost this law is going to create in every household nationwide could very well equal the cost of that household's health insurance. Granted, the clothes and toys have been deemed safe, but the increase could be equal to something far more reaslistic. I have a difficult time believing that these testing agencies don't have their hands in a government cookie jar and that these brilliant people we voted into office didn't think this and the incredible domino effect through that is about to transpire. I graciously look forward to meeting whatever local Tackleberry who I see trying to enforce this law.
I'm surprised ANY of us survived childhood. I want my metal playground slide and uncovered swing chains back. Good bye, freedom...good bye.
