Comments on: CPSIA: Splintering the cause serves no one

By: Audra

Audra — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:56:21 +0000

I am a small time bow/clippie maker.

I have a question.. How does the Government go about shutting down all of etsy??? I assume al the folks on etsy are small business that couldnt afford to test each and every creation. this makes me sad.

By: Deb Stahl

Deb Stahl — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:20:08 +0000

Thank you again for your information and your wise words. I’ve been emailing one of my suppliers (where I get a lot of my dyes and some of my garments), my Members of Congress, the CPSC, and I’m starting on local news outlets as of today. I return to this site time and again for reference, and links from this site have been popping up all over the Etsy forums as well as we struggle to get inromed, stay informed, and make sense of it all – and then make our voices heard.

Thanks again!
Deb Stahl

By: dan marshall

dan marshall — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:11:40 +0000

When we first started learning about this, we thought the problem with the CPSIA did have more to do with small vs. big and US vs. China, etc. In learning about the needs of the diverse vendors that support our toy and baby store, though, we’ve learned that it really has more to do with how many and how complex your product lines are. The longer your lines, the more you suffer under CPSIA, no matter how big you are or where your product is made.

That said, I think there is a need for multiple constituencies to speak with multiple voices. Even though we’re small, our livelihoods are at stake if we choose to ignore this law.

I think the one solution to this whole problem would be to throw out the idea of third party testing and replace it with product registration and random audits backed by meaningful and scaled penalties such as, say, $10 per faulty unit sold. I think that small change would save the day for everyone big and small.

The goal of our group, the Handmade Toy Alliance, is to give voice to the concerns of our small businesses, which seem to have been left out of consideration when the CPSIA was drafted. Sure, some of us employ Leprechauns, but I think we are united in saying that this law does little to protect children and a lot of damage to good toymakers. It is up to the folks in Congress to hear our voice, add it to what all the big companies are saying, and figure out something that works.

Dan, Peapods Natural Toys

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:45:11 +0000

THANK YOU for all you are doing! Please include stay at home bow makers if anyone goes to confront and represent us small business people

By: Jamie Lentzner

Jamie Lentzner — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:16:51 +0000

Darn I just hired a bunch of Leprechauns too! , sorry I could not help it!

By: Melissa McKeagney

Melissa McKeagney — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:28:24 +0000

I just emailed all of my representatives in congress regarding this issue. I am going to attempt to contact each and every congressman on that committee that I can, and whenever possible try to spread the word.

I can appreciate the thoughts behind the legislation, but certainly not the unintended consequences. Thanks so much Kathleen for all you are doing.

Melissa

By: Teresia

Teresia — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:17:48 +0000

This is truly devastating for me and my business. I am barely starting and have a lot invested in what I do. I guess I can sell until 2/10/2009? The economy is killing me not alone this now. I have written many letters. I have read everything and yes, I find the people with their organic cotton, chemical free quite funny. Laws are written in a general manner, that is the way it is. I guess I am a very pragmatic thinker. I never bought my kids those toys that started all of this!

I truly appreciate what you are doing Kathleen. Keep up the good work and I will continue to write and hopefully we will have answers before it is too late.
Teresia