We've partnered up with some awesome boutiques for Cyber Monday! Here are some awesome deals you'll want to take advantage of!
Cyber Monday Deals and Sales 2009
Gifts for Baby and Kids
Something About Baby:
Deal: 10% off all items in the boutique.
Coupon Code: Use code SAB10. Offer expires 12/31/09
http://www.somethingaboutbaby.com
Dreamscapes Baby: Designer baby products.
Deal: 20% off
Coupon Code: Use Coupon Code: cyber
http://www.dreamscapesbaby.com
Heavenly Hold: Baby carriers, nursing pads and more:
Deal: 10% off
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: code: NEWBABY
http://www.heavenlyhold.com
Milos Creations: Adorable Costumes for baby girls, boys, toddler girls and boys , big kids and adults.
Deal: Free shipping on orders over $100.00,and FREE embroidered name personalization of costumes.
See Cyber Monday link
for full details.
Coupon Code: Use code FREESHIP09 at checkout
http://www.miloscreations.com
Shop Baby Tree:
Deal: Store wide sale on baby products. Save up to 40% off.
Coupon Code: No coupon code needed.
http://www.shopbabytree.com
The Pitter Patter Boutique: Baby Travel Gear, Gifts for Mom and more.
Deal: 15% Discount
Coupon Code: Enter Coupon Code: CyberSave
http://thepitterpatterboutique.com/
The Crafty Moms: Girls hair accessories, binky clips, diaper wipes cases and more.
Deal: Free Shipping all day.
Coupon Code: No coupon code needed
http://www.thecraftymoms.blogspot.com/
I am the Princess: Princess and girly items for baby girls, little girls and big girls.
Deal: 15% off everything including sale items.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: cybermondayseog
http://www.iamtheprincess.com
Itzy Ritzy:
Deal:Celebrate Cyber Monday with 15% OFF celebrity loved baby gear at www.ItzyRitzy.com
Coupon Code: MONDAY
http://www.itzyritzy.com
Katey Jades Baby Boutique: Christmas Clothing for kids, personalized gifts, baby products and more.
Deal: 20% off
Coupon Code: hol20
http://www.kateyjadesbabyboutique.com
Lollipop Book Club: Children's book of the club month:
Deal: $10 off any 12-month package
Coupon Code:Please use Coupon Code: sale10off
http://www.lollipopbookclub.com/
Che Demis Boutique: Upscale and Baby boutique.
Deal: 10% off
Coupon Code: GIFT4U
http://chedemisboutique.com
Abby N Kay: Designer Baby Products: Diaper bags, crib bedding and more:
Deal: Free Shipping Use Code: FreeShip plus 10% off all Ride On Toys from Warehouse 36. No
coupon code need for the ride on toys.
http://www.abbykayboutique.com/
Merrimack Valley Diapers: Cloth Diapers and Accessories:
Deal: Good for $5 off a purchase of $50 or more plus free shipping.
Coupon Code: Please use Coupon Code CyberMonday
http://www.merrimackvalleydiapers.com
Snotty Booty Diapers:
Deal: Free shipping on any order, plus a $5 gift certificate for each $50 spent. These offers will be in addition to any product markdowns in the store.
Coupon Code: Use Code: cmonday
http://www.snootybootydiapers.com
Shabby Bebe: Designer Children's products
Deal: 15% off your order of $50 or more use coupon code: shabby15 and 10% off your order if less then $50 Please use code shabby10
http://www.shabbybebe.com/
Teacups and Mudpies: Trendy children's clothing, baby girl and baby boy clothing and more.
Deal: Free shipping on all purchases.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: CYBER09
http://www.teacupsandmudpies.com/
Corn Bag Critters: A natural, earth-friendly, and non-toxic way to help children and adults soothe pain.
Deal: 20% off:
Coupon Code: Use coupon code: holi21109
http://www.cornbagcritters.com
Born Fabulous:
Deal: We will do free shipping on all orders.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code:FREESHIP
http://www.bornfabulousboutique.com
Laughing Ladybugs Boutique: Couture Girls Clothing:
Deal: 10% off the entire store.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: CYBER10
http://www.laughingladybugsboutique.com
Clothing, Hand Bags and Accessories for Men or Women
Get Dolled Up Boutique: Personalized and Monogrammed handbags, diaper bags, garment bags and more.
Deal: 15% off plus Free Shipping.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: 15OFF
Http://www.getdolledupboutique.com
QT Sunglasses: Designer Inspired Sunglasses:
Deal: FREE SHIPPING and 20% off on all orders. Free Shipping for US and Canada orders only.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code:Cyber09
http://www.qtsunglasses.net
Hair Accessories
Little Miss Julia: Hair bows, barrettes and more.
Deal:15% off everything
Coupon Code: Use coupon code: Promo20
My Bonita Boutique: Crochet Headbands, Flower Headbands, Hair Bows and More.
Deal: 25% off all items.
Coupon Code: Please sure coupon code: cyber25
http://www.mybonitaboutique.com
Pop Tots Boutique: Fabulous hair accessories for girls and beanie hats:
Deal: Free shipping
Coupon Code: Please Use code: Cyber Monday
http://www.poptotsboutique.com/
Gifts
Nanny Deprived: Gifts for Moms.
Deal: Free Shipping.
Coupon Code: Use coupon code: FREESHIP
http://www.nannydeprived.com
Lone Star graphics: Custom Vinyl Decals, Custom Shirts, Hats and More!
Deal: 20% off any order of $20 or more
Coupon code: cyber20
http://www.lonestargraphics.biz
Label Creations: Personalized Address Labels, Canning Labels, Tic-Tac Labels, Bag Tags, Checkbook
Covers, Canning Labels, Bookplates, Favor tags, Note Cards, Hang Tags for Crafters & Events
Deal: 20 % off and Free Shipping for US only.
Coupon Code: Use DISCOUNT COUPON: LC1115
http://www.labelcreations.com
Sassy Sparkle: Personalized Rhinestone Clothing:
Deal: 15% off any order
Coupon Code: cyber09
http://www.sassysparkle.com
Home and Garden
Melt Ur Scentz: Have you melted your Scentsy today? Free Shipping - email me @
melturscentz.com with your order and Freeship in subject line.
Http:www.melturscentz.com
Jewelry
TLC Silver Jewelry:
Deal: 20% off Jewelry and Holders. Valid Cyber Monday only.
Coupon Code: Use coupon code: Checkout
http://www.tlcsilverjewelry.com
Caribbean Jewelz: Handmade Artisan Jewelry:
Deal: 25% off total purchase.
Coupon Code: Use coupon code: cyber60
http://www.caribbeanjewelz.com/
Pendora Pendants: Glass Tile Pendants:
Deal: 25% off all items.
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: cybermonday.
http://www.pendorapendants.com/
Organic Products:
Tidbit Couture: Organic cloth diapers and Baby products.
Deal: Free Shipping. Plus, additional sales will be offered throughout website.
Coupon Code: Please use code: FREESHIP
Http://www.tidbit-couture.com
Krave Natural: Earth Friendly products for Home, Baby and Body:
Deal: Free site wide shipping and there will also be additional savings on items throughout the
store.
Coupon Code: FREESHIP
http://www.kravenatural.com
Pet Products
Punk Luxury Dog Carriers : Buy luxury dog collars, high end dog carriers and a Christmas costume
or two for your dog.
Deal: Free Shipping for US buyers all day long.
Coupon Code: No coupon code needed
Http://badasspetz.com
Photo and Greeting Cards
Fun and Sassy Designs: Modern Photo Cards and Personalized Gifts for Adults and Kids:
Deal: Free Shipping on Orders over $50 + $15 off Orders of $99 or more through 11/30 at midnight EST
Coupon Code: Use Code: CYBER15
http://funandsassydesigns.com
Bunny Prints: Personalized Photo Cards for Birthday and Baby Shower plus matching birthday
clothing.
Deal: 10% off
Coupon Code: cyber09
Http://www.bunnyprints.com
Photo Card Designs: Photo Cards for Weddings, Birthdays , Baby Showers and more.
Deal: Good for one day only- 5% off .
Coupon Code: Please Use Code: cybermonday
http://photocarddesigns.com
Pitter Patter Creations: Trendy birth announcements, birthday invitations, baptism invitations and more!
Deal: Receive free shipping for orders over $30.
Only one promotional code may be used per order and cannot be combined. May not be used on
previous orders.
Coupon Code: Use coupon code: FREESHIP09
http://www.pitterpattercreations.com
Lemon Tree Cards:
Deal: 15% discount expiring 12/25/09
Coupon Code: Please use coupon code: LEMONADE
http://lemontreecards.com
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals!!!
It's that time again! Turkey is being cooked and pies are being baked. The smell of fresh pumpkins have been wafting throughout my house. I love this time of year!
With the rush for Christmas shopping coming up, we wanted to make sure everyone knew of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!
Black Friday SALE: All Twinkling Tees will be marked down 30-40% off from November 25th til November 30th! Now is the time to get a personalized bling tee for your kids or a mom you know!
Cyber Monday ONLY: 20% off all items in the store using the coupon code CYBER! Just enter it in the coupon code box on the home page NOT in the code box at checkout. If you enter codes at checkout, they WILL NOT WORK.
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe shopping season!
With thanks for a successful year,
Amber
With the rush for Christmas shopping coming up, we wanted to make sure everyone knew of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!
Black Friday SALE: All Twinkling Tees will be marked down 30-40% off from November 25th til November 30th! Now is the time to get a personalized bling tee for your kids or a mom you know!
Cyber Monday ONLY: 20% off all items in the store using the coupon code CYBER! Just enter it in the coupon code box on the home page NOT in the code box at checkout. If you enter codes at checkout, they WILL NOT WORK.
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe shopping season!
With thanks for a successful year,
Amber
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Blog Hop Winner
Congratulations Susan F.! You are the winner of our MySEO Gal's Blog Hop!
Thanks to everyone who participated!
Amber
Thanks to everyone who participated!
Amber
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Our First Blog Hop!
We are participating in My SEO Gal's Blog Hop starting October 5th!!
For entries:
* Follow our blog and leave a separate comment.
* Follow our blog on Facebook's Networked Blogs, leave a separate comment.
* For an extra entry Tell all your Facebook friends about our giveaway
and leave a separate comment.
* Tweet about our giveaway and leave a separate comment.
* Post about our giveaway on your own blog, leave us a separate
comment with your blog url.
* Fan our biz page on Facebook and leave a separate comment.
*Check out our site and tell us your favorite item in a separate comment.
Please leave us a way to contact you in at least one of your comments.
The blog hop ends on October 21st!
Winner will be chosen at random and announced on October 22nd!
Friday, August 7, 2009
It's Back to School Time!!!
I can't believe it! Summer is almost over and fall is heading our way. I swear summer just started. I've been working on so many new things for the boutique and yet I feel like I haven't gotten enough done. There are too many distractions in the summer...like the pool, the park, going to movies...
Now that we're counting down the end of summer, I wanted to feature some awesome back to school items!
Twinkling Tees has the most beautiful bling tees for your new Kindergartener or Preschooler! Rhinestone tees that declare Preschool Rocks and Kindergarten Rocks are the talk of the town!
If you live in Texas, backpacks were added to the Tax Free Weekend! So, if you live in Texas like we do, take advantage of online shopping and beat the crowds and save on taxes!
So many great things are coming to the boutique that it's hard to list them all. Hopefully I will be blogging much more often now that I will be forced to be on a real schedule. ;)
Dreaming of an endless summer,
Now that we're counting down the end of summer, I wanted to feature some awesome back to school items!
This is perhaps the coolest backpack I have ever seen for boys! Fleurville's eco-friendly People Pak in Pirate Camo will guarantee your son goes to school in style!
Lunchboxes! Why not change it up a bit this year and buy a personalized lunchbox? No more getting your child's box confused with another child's just because of mass marketed licensed apparel. :)
These boxes are created by a mom for moms and we carry several different styles from ballerinas to pirates!
These boxes are created by a mom for moms and we carry several different styles from ballerinas to pirates!Twinkling Tees has the most beautiful bling tees for your new Kindergartener or Preschooler! Rhinestone tees that declare Preschool Rocks and Kindergarten Rocks are the talk of the town!
So many great things are coming to the boutique that it's hard to list them all. Hopefully I will be blogging much more often now that I will be forced to be on a real schedule. ;)
Dreaming of an endless summer,
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Now purchase through our blog!
We are currently beta testing a new feature that lets you purchase directly on our blog! You may use Google checkout to purchase items. Currently there is a scrollbar issue, so to see more items, simply use your tab key to scroll. Only items without sizes or options are listed as we are testing the cart.
Feel free to comment and let me know what you think of the new feature!
PS. The cart works best in Fire Fox.
Feel free to comment and let me know what you think of the new feature!
PS. The cart works best in Fire Fox.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
One Lovely Blog Award
Thanks to Cales at MarieLynn Boutique Blog for the One Lovely Blog Award! Here are the rules:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the blogger's to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
So, here are some great blogs I am now awarding!
1. Nanny Deprived Blog
2. TLC Jewelry Blog
3. Milo's Creation Blog
4. Extraordinary Ornaments
5. Chasing Snails Blog
6. Boutique Graphics Blog
7. "Scent"sational Scentsy
8. Your Perfect Party Shop
9. My SEO Gal's Blog
10. QT Blog Creations
11. Perk U Later Blog
12. The Crafty Moms Blog
13. My Simple Indulgence Blog
14. Little Miss Julia Blog
15. Brea's Baby Boutique Blog
Congrats everyone!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Memorial Weekend Sale!
We're having a Memorial Weekend Sale!
Get 20% off certain items including diaper bags, designer clothing, baby accessories and more! No need to use a coupon! But hurry, sale ends midnight 5-25 CST!
Get 20% off certain items including diaper bags, designer clothing, baby accessories and more! No need to use a coupon! But hurry, sale ends midnight 5-25 CST!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Top 10 Picks!
I just wanted to take a minute to put on here that we have a Top 10 Picks page at the boutique! Since we don't have a feature to let customers review products, we decided to make a page that shows what the top 10 best sellers were for the prior month! Note: these are not items I list just because, they truly are the Top 10 items we sold. It's just a new way for you to see what's hot at the boutique! Check it out now at TOP 10 PICKS
If you have suggestions for the boutique, you can always let us know! We love to hear feedback, both good and bad from our wonderful friends and customers. After all, you mean a lot to us.
Amber
If you have suggestions for the boutique, you can always let us know! We love to hear feedback, both good and bad from our wonderful friends and customers. After all, you mean a lot to us.
Amber
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Baby Shower Favors!
The idea hit me one day: why not be able to shop for baby shower supplies and sign up for a gift registry, all in one place? I want to make shopping for your children as easy as possible, and this is one more thing to take away an extra step!
Now you can find great and unique baby shower favors right at the boutique!
Here are a few of our favorites!
We are adding more favors every day! Check with us to see what else we are offering!
Now you can find great and unique baby shower favors right at the boutique!
Here are a few of our favorites!
We are adding more favors every day! Check with us to see what else we are offering!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Belly Bandit-Hollywood's Celebrity Secret!
As soon as we started carrying the Belly Bandits, they seemed to be the hottest selling item at the boutique! Apparently, Hollywood moms like Halle Berry and Jessica Alba knew about this little secret before the rest of us and swear how well they work. It's no wonder why they look so fabulous after having a baby.
Then one day we received an email from the "Banditas" at Belly Bandit to tune into the Raechel Ray Show and the Ellen show because well, Belly Bandits were being featured on both shows on the same day!
And they've exploded on the scene ever since!
What are Belly Bandits?
The Belly Bandit™ wrap is an abdominal compression binder designed to help you get your body back to its former fabulousness post childbirth. Not only does the Belly Bandit™ help reduce uncomfortable uterine swelling, it aids in decreasing bloating caused by water retention, and gives additional support for Mommy’s weary legs & back. For you breastfeeding moms, there’s a bonus… the Belly Bandit™ will help you with your posture during feedings, and may help to reduce the all too common back & shoulder pain associated with breastfeeding.
Ultimately, the Belly Bandit™ wrap will aid in getting you back to your pre-pregnancy hotness faster than ever!
Stretch marks – urgh! Although everybody knows what can cause them ie: stomach growth and the stretching of skin, we really have never thought about the post period and what may be another factor. The excess skin that is pulled and stretched after birth may continue to cause unslightly markings by “hanging around”. Greater support of this loose skin may actually decrease tension which in turn may decrease stretch marks in the post period.
Who knew it could be so easy?
Smart women around the world that’s who! The binding of a woman’s abdomen post delivery has been used therapeutically for centuries all over the globe. Increased and constant pressure against the abdominal area has many benefits. It has been known to help flatten the belly and re-define the waistline while helping you keep your back straight minimizing associated pain and fatigue.
This is simply a breathable and comfy exclusively tailored abdominal wrap to assist your body in regaining its former beauty and shape. The Belly Bandit™ wrap provides strong support to help relieve discomfort and give you that extra boost of confidence you deserve after childbirth. Our smooth lightweight construction is designed to be worn comfortably under all of your clothes and our tagless design won’t irritate your skin.
…We may be biased, but we actually think it’s kinda cute.
Belly Bandits come in Original, Couture, and Bamboo!
Come check them out at the boutique and look as fabulous as the stars!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Nano Baby
For me, going to the Dallas Market is like surrounding me in brownies...too much eye candy and delicious stuff and of course I want it all! I was thankful that I came across the Nano Baby line. It was the guitar tee and oat plaid shorts that caught my attention. The shirt was so incredibly soft and comfy looking and yet, the guitars fit right in with the boutique! Needless to say, the day I received my package of the summer line was like getting a surprise birthday gift in the mail!
Check out the styles of the new Spring collection:
See more of Nano at the boutique!
Check out the styles of the new Spring collection:
See more of Nano at the boutique!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Toy Wrangler!
If at any time I find a product that makes me go, "Where were these when my son was a baby?!" then I know I hit gold! In this case, the Toy Wrangler is the item I personally know that every mom can benefit from.
What does it do?
Keep toys off the floor and within baby's reach! The simple yet ingenious design allows you to use just one or all three colorful bungees to keep baby happy while you eat or shop. Durable plastic removable rings make it easy to interchange all of baby's favorite toys, big and small. A wraparound soft cotton cover protects baby from dirt and grime during play while the versatile, lightweight design makes it easy to fold and take it with you wherever you go. Also available is the Mini Toywrangler™.
No more searching on the floor while shopping,
in the car or out to eat.
How perfect is that? I just got one in the other day and it's awesome! It's exactly as pictured and it is so well created.
If your little one is somewhat past this stage, as my wonderful son is nearing the age of "Mommy, sit chair" and no longer in a high chair, the Mini ToyWrangler is the perfect accessory! Yes, my son still thinks throwing cups in the car is hilarious. Hitting me in the head with them isn't. Throwing toys while we're shopping is apparently pretty fun too. Not anymore though!
My son actually has that exact cup in the photo. The Toy Wranglers are proof that moms are the best inventors of products for moms. And that with a few savvy items up our sleeve, we can outwit our toddlers in ways we never knew was possible!
Who knew?
ToyWranglers are now available at the boutique! www.dreamscapesbaby.com
Dreaming up More Great Finds!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Custom Bedding Put On Hold
Well, I've had to do it. I've had to put the custom bedding on hold for now. It's temporary, but much needed. I have some custom bedding projects already in the works but no new clients for right now. If you want to inquire about availability, just send us an email to daretodream@dreamscapesbaby.com!
Why the hold?
Time. Mostly time. We're doing so many wonderful things at the boutique that is very time consuming. What's in the works?
Pre-made bedding for one. It takes a lot of work to begin your own line of something. Bedding is no different. We have to have labels made. Find the perfect fabrics. Put it together. Get pictures taken. Add them to the website etc etc and that in itself takes probably 3 weeks for one bedding set! But, we have had such a demand for baby bedding that getting a set together for sale is completely worth the work. Currently, we added one set so far that is perfect for a boy or a girl!
This set is called Black and White Elegance. You can see why!
Why the hold?
Time. Mostly time. We're doing so many wonderful things at the boutique that is very time consuming. What's in the works?
Pre-made bedding for one. It takes a lot of work to begin your own line of something. Bedding is no different. We have to have labels made. Find the perfect fabrics. Put it together. Get pictures taken. Add them to the website etc etc and that in itself takes probably 3 weeks for one bedding set! But, we have had such a demand for baby bedding that getting a set together for sale is completely worth the work. Currently, we added one set so far that is perfect for a boy or a girl!
This set is called Black and White Elegance. You can see why!
This set includes:
Black and White Floral Scroll Bumper Pad with Black Satin ties
White with Black Polka Dot Crib Sheet
Black and White Diagonal Stripes/Houndstooth Crib Skirt
Flannel Houndstooth Baby Blanket
Black and White Floral Scroll Bumper Pad with Black Satin ties
White with Black Polka Dot Crib Sheet
Black and White Diagonal Stripes/Houndstooth Crib Skirt
Flannel Houndstooth Baby Blanket
We even have a white with black polka dot/white flannel pillow you can add for only $15! Not to mention matching burp cloths, bibs etc. In this case, we will gladly make custom items to match this set i.e. high chair cover, bib, burp cloth, car seat cover, curtains, nap mat etc. We can do it all!
We are so excited about getting this set together. It's been a long undertaking to say the least! I already have another set in the works that is girls only. I can't wait! Course, I got into this because of the lack of boy bedding, so believe me, I will be doing a LOT of boys bedding in the near future.
This is just one of the exciting things we have coming. We've expanded our clothing line and maternity items. We now carry the entire line of BabyLegs. We're adding more rock theme baby gifts.
I am also taking a class on Dreamweaver. Expect some awesome website changes in the somewhat near future! Taking control of the website content/design is very important to me. I want to make sure the boutique is easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye at the same time. If you have suggestions, send them to us! We love to hear your thoughts!
I'm also organizing my work days into something more manageable. Expect to see more blog posts on a regular basis! I'm shooting for 3 times a week. We shall see. I know it won't be easy!
Thankfully I always have something to say!
:)
Thanks to our faithful readers,
We are so excited about getting this set together. It's been a long undertaking to say the least! I already have another set in the works that is girls only. I can't wait! Course, I got into this because of the lack of boy bedding, so believe me, I will be doing a LOT of boys bedding in the near future.
This is just one of the exciting things we have coming. We've expanded our clothing line and maternity items. We now carry the entire line of BabyLegs. We're adding more rock theme baby gifts.
I am also taking a class on Dreamweaver. Expect some awesome website changes in the somewhat near future! Taking control of the website content/design is very important to me. I want to make sure the boutique is easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye at the same time. If you have suggestions, send them to us! We love to hear your thoughts!
I'm also organizing my work days into something more manageable. Expect to see more blog posts on a regular basis! I'm shooting for 3 times a week. We shall see. I know it won't be easy!
Thankfully I always have something to say!
:)
Thanks to our faithful readers,
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
ALL Fall/Winter 08 Appaman is ON SALE!!!
For those of you in the northeast and eastern seaboard, my heart goes out to you! Living in the DFW metroplex, we haven't seen a drop of snow this year. It may sound odd, but I'm used to seeing at least a little bit of snow and not having any really makes for a lousy winter! Of course, to everyone else, I'm sure that sounds like bragging.
To help you warm up, our entire line of fall/winter Appaman has gone on sale! You can still get these great designer duds for affordable prices. Most stores are already stocked full of shorts and swimsuits. Not here! We're realistic about what season others are living in!
Grab 'em while they're hot...or warm...or just plain cheap!
Appaman Fall Winter Sale
To help you warm up, our entire line of fall/winter Appaman has gone on sale! You can still get these great designer duds for affordable prices. Most stores are already stocked full of shorts and swimsuits. Not here! We're realistic about what season others are living in!
Grab 'em while they're hot...or warm...or just plain cheap!
Appaman Fall Winter Sale
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The CPSIA and How it Affects Dreamscapes Baby Boutique
I haven't blogged about this yet, because I wanted to gather all the facts before I made a statement. However, I think it's time.
If you haven't yet seen all the mom blogs, Etsy, and other handmade craft forums you may not yet understand what the CPSIA is and how it affects small businesses. Or, you may be hearing conflicting opinions and miscommunications. Either way, here is how the current legislation is going to affect not only Dreamscapes Baby Boutique and Two Crowns Bedding, but also other small businesses.
First of all, you may think the law only applies to large scale manufacturers. In fact, it applies to every manufacturer of items intended for use by children under 12. Well, of course it needs to apply to the manufacturer, but what IS a manufacturer? Under the currently defined term, manufacturer is anyone who creates a new item from other materials. This means that while you are aware that Mattel is a manufacturer, you may not realize that your neighbor down the street who makes baby blankets is also a manufacturer. Someone can buy a onesie from Target and add a fabric applique and they become a manufacturer. Which means they are required to abide by testing statutes like everyone else.
Is this a bad thing? No. Anyone and everyone that makes an item should be under the law and abide by the law. The problem lies with how the testing procedures work. If a onesie has already been tested by the manufacturer, and the fabric and thread being used to apply the applique has been tested for lead, and everything is negative for lead...you would think the item would be in compliance. That isn't how this law is written though. As it stands, the finished item would have to be tested again to prove it's negative for lead. Testing costs hundreds of dollars for one item and that item can be destroyed in the process. Now what has started out as onesie being sold for $20, is now going to cost $1,000. Unless the item is being made in bulk, each different onesie with each different applique will have to be tested. Considering the profit margins are slim for a boutique onesie without testing, no small business will able to afford the testing and still make a profit.
The same can be said for a baby cap made from yarn. If the yarn was tested negative for lead, (which yarn doesn't contain lead, the average person can figure that out) if you make a hat and a baby blanket from the same yarn both items will have to be tested by themselves. The redundancy is astounding and ridiculous!
Now you can see why companies are up in arms. On top of the cost for testing and having to test the finished product after each piece has already been tested, the testing labs are backlogged and testing itself is expensive.
The problem with lead in toys really came to a head in 2008. Dubbed the Year of the Recall, many toys manufactured in China and other Asian countries were imported to the US. These items contained harmful levels of lead and in at least one case, a child died from ingesting a lead coated item. Congress decided to act swiftly to protect Americans and passed the CPSIA with only opposition from Ron Paul. (Thanks Ron Paul btw!) Here is where the madness starts. First of all, the act was passed without thought. Many consumer advocates were pushing this as "feel good legislation" and had the public backing it. It wasn't until businesses looked into the actual law that things got messy.
What else is the problem with the law? To start, there are already laws in place and standards for lead levels but manufacturers haven't reinforced them. That's how items are able to come into the US that contain unsafe lead levels. But, instead of enforcing the laws already in place, making manufacturers accountable, and putting more strict import laws into place, they came up with a law that threatens to put all small businesses out of business and puts the consumers back into the hands of the people that caused the mess to begin with! Whew!
You know all those wonderful WAHMs on Etsy, eBay, and own small online boutiques? A lot of them are closing because of this law. Quotes for testing are so high, these companies can't afford it. Items that are one of a kind (OOAK) will be impossible to make. No more handmade movement. No more supporting small American businesses. No more quality, unique toys for children. Just more mass manufactured items by Mattel sold in big box stores.
Great isn't it?
So how does this affect Dreamscapes Baby Boutique? In several ways! First, many of the brands we carry are from great moms and dads that saw a need in the market and created a product. They may be WAHMs. They may have their business just to make a little extra income. They may rely on it. Either way, they are not a large enough business to absord the testing costs. Which means fewer products for you to choose from. Less unique and individual items for your baby! Second, we at Dreamscapes Baby Boutique offer custom nursery bedding and baby items that are unique to you. All items are 100% custom made to order. Our custom nursery bedding is OOAK. Every design is made for the individual person based on their wants and nothing is duplicated in any way. Because of testing costs and redundant testing procedures, we will no longer be able to offer these services. Custom bedding is why I chose to go into this business. If you've read the About Us page, you know that not finding what I want is the reason I made it a mission to create the best for others so they CAN have what they want, what they dream. I also try to make everything affordable. We like to think we create top notch luxury items at Wal Mart prices!
So, less to choose from. No custom OOAK items. We had planned on creating a line of clothing also but that will have to wait. We simply cannot afford the testing costs.
Just, don't think this only applies to us that sell baby products. It applies to EVERYTHING made for children 12 and under. There are no exemptions. Thrift stores and consignment shops will be held liable if they sell anything that ends up containing lead. Fines are exorbitant and there can even be jail time. Books are included in this and the American Library Association has been sending out press releases on how this affects the resale of books and our libraries in general. Those beautiful Swarovski crystal encrusted tees and pacifiers will be gone unless exempt because they are made from lead. Lead that cannot be leached into the human body even if ingested but still lead.
So should small business be exempt? No. I don't believe it's in the best interest to have small businesses be exempt. Attempting to determine exactly what a small business is wouldn't be easy and gets us nowhere. However, there needs to be changes to exempt materials. It's my opinion that textiles should be exempt. It is also my belief that textiles contain miniscule amounts of lead or none at all. The latest recall involving children's pjs were recalled due to the screenprinting inks and were also made in Vietnam. Import laws would have kept these items from ever being sold and then recalled again.
What should happen? The requirements for testing need to be amended. Testing finished products when the materials used to make the products should not have to be tested again. Materials that are not known to contain lead should not be included in the testing. There are many other things could change, and need to be changed, but this is all I am addressing at the moment.
Thanks for your support of my business and if you love what we do, make sure to contact your Congressman and let your voice be heard. We are not involved in a small interest lobbying campaign against safer laws for children. We are simply small business owners intent at staying in business while being legal at the same time. Congress needs to own up to their mistake and listen to our voices.
If you haven't yet seen all the mom blogs, Etsy, and other handmade craft forums you may not yet understand what the CPSIA is and how it affects small businesses. Or, you may be hearing conflicting opinions and miscommunications. Either way, here is how the current legislation is going to affect not only Dreamscapes Baby Boutique and Two Crowns Bedding, but also other small businesses.
First of all, you may think the law only applies to large scale manufacturers. In fact, it applies to every manufacturer of items intended for use by children under 12. Well, of course it needs to apply to the manufacturer, but what IS a manufacturer? Under the currently defined term, manufacturer is anyone who creates a new item from other materials. This means that while you are aware that Mattel is a manufacturer, you may not realize that your neighbor down the street who makes baby blankets is also a manufacturer. Someone can buy a onesie from Target and add a fabric applique and they become a manufacturer. Which means they are required to abide by testing statutes like everyone else.
Is this a bad thing? No. Anyone and everyone that makes an item should be under the law and abide by the law. The problem lies with how the testing procedures work. If a onesie has already been tested by the manufacturer, and the fabric and thread being used to apply the applique has been tested for lead, and everything is negative for lead...you would think the item would be in compliance. That isn't how this law is written though. As it stands, the finished item would have to be tested again to prove it's negative for lead. Testing costs hundreds of dollars for one item and that item can be destroyed in the process. Now what has started out as onesie being sold for $20, is now going to cost $1,000. Unless the item is being made in bulk, each different onesie with each different applique will have to be tested. Considering the profit margins are slim for a boutique onesie without testing, no small business will able to afford the testing and still make a profit.
The same can be said for a baby cap made from yarn. If the yarn was tested negative for lead, (which yarn doesn't contain lead, the average person can figure that out) if you make a hat and a baby blanket from the same yarn both items will have to be tested by themselves. The redundancy is astounding and ridiculous!
Now you can see why companies are up in arms. On top of the cost for testing and having to test the finished product after each piece has already been tested, the testing labs are backlogged and testing itself is expensive.
The problem with lead in toys really came to a head in 2008. Dubbed the Year of the Recall, many toys manufactured in China and other Asian countries were imported to the US. These items contained harmful levels of lead and in at least one case, a child died from ingesting a lead coated item. Congress decided to act swiftly to protect Americans and passed the CPSIA with only opposition from Ron Paul. (Thanks Ron Paul btw!) Here is where the madness starts. First of all, the act was passed without thought. Many consumer advocates were pushing this as "feel good legislation" and had the public backing it. It wasn't until businesses looked into the actual law that things got messy.
What else is the problem with the law? To start, there are already laws in place and standards for lead levels but manufacturers haven't reinforced them. That's how items are able to come into the US that contain unsafe lead levels. But, instead of enforcing the laws already in place, making manufacturers accountable, and putting more strict import laws into place, they came up with a law that threatens to put all small businesses out of business and puts the consumers back into the hands of the people that caused the mess to begin with! Whew!
You know all those wonderful WAHMs on Etsy, eBay, and own small online boutiques? A lot of them are closing because of this law. Quotes for testing are so high, these companies can't afford it. Items that are one of a kind (OOAK) will be impossible to make. No more handmade movement. No more supporting small American businesses. No more quality, unique toys for children. Just more mass manufactured items by Mattel sold in big box stores.
Great isn't it?
So how does this affect Dreamscapes Baby Boutique? In several ways! First, many of the brands we carry are from great moms and dads that saw a need in the market and created a product. They may be WAHMs. They may have their business just to make a little extra income. They may rely on it. Either way, they are not a large enough business to absord the testing costs. Which means fewer products for you to choose from. Less unique and individual items for your baby! Second, we at Dreamscapes Baby Boutique offer custom nursery bedding and baby items that are unique to you. All items are 100% custom made to order. Our custom nursery bedding is OOAK. Every design is made for the individual person based on their wants and nothing is duplicated in any way. Because of testing costs and redundant testing procedures, we will no longer be able to offer these services. Custom bedding is why I chose to go into this business. If you've read the About Us page, you know that not finding what I want is the reason I made it a mission to create the best for others so they CAN have what they want, what they dream. I also try to make everything affordable. We like to think we create top notch luxury items at Wal Mart prices!
So, less to choose from. No custom OOAK items. We had planned on creating a line of clothing also but that will have to wait. We simply cannot afford the testing costs.
Just, don't think this only applies to us that sell baby products. It applies to EVERYTHING made for children 12 and under. There are no exemptions. Thrift stores and consignment shops will be held liable if they sell anything that ends up containing lead. Fines are exorbitant and there can even be jail time. Books are included in this and the American Library Association has been sending out press releases on how this affects the resale of books and our libraries in general. Those beautiful Swarovski crystal encrusted tees and pacifiers will be gone unless exempt because they are made from lead. Lead that cannot be leached into the human body even if ingested but still lead.
So should small business be exempt? No. I don't believe it's in the best interest to have small businesses be exempt. Attempting to determine exactly what a small business is wouldn't be easy and gets us nowhere. However, there needs to be changes to exempt materials. It's my opinion that textiles should be exempt. It is also my belief that textiles contain miniscule amounts of lead or none at all. The latest recall involving children's pjs were recalled due to the screenprinting inks and were also made in Vietnam. Import laws would have kept these items from ever being sold and then recalled again.
What should happen? The requirements for testing need to be amended. Testing finished products when the materials used to make the products should not have to be tested again. Materials that are not known to contain lead should not be included in the testing. There are many other things could change, and need to be changed, but this is all I am addressing at the moment.
Thanks for your support of my business and if you love what we do, make sure to contact your Congressman and let your voice be heard. We are not involved in a small interest lobbying campaign against safer laws for children. We are simply small business owners intent at staying in business while being legal at the same time. Congress needs to own up to their mistake and listen to our voices.
Latest on CPSIA from Forbes.com
Scrap The Consumer Product Safety Improvement ActWalter Olson, 01.16.09, 04:21 PM EST
Self-congratulation makes for bad law.
If someone you know volunteers at a thrift store or crochets baby hats for the crafts site Etsy or favors handmade wooden toys as a baby shower gift, you've probably been hearing the alarms about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Hailed almost universally on its passage last year--it passed the Senate 89 to three and the House by 424 to one, with Ron Paul the lone dissenter--CPSIA is now shaping up as a calamity for businesses and an epic failure of regulation, threatening to wipe out tens of thousands of small makers of children's items from coast to coast, and taking a particular toll on the handcrafted and creative, the small-production-run and sideline at-home business, not to mention struggling retailers. How could this have happened?
Congress passed CPSIA in a frenzy of self-congratulation following last year's overblown panic over Chinese toys with lead paint. Washington's consumer and environmentalist lobbies used the occasion to tack on some other long-sought legislative goals, including a ban on phthalates used to soften plastic.
The law's provisions were billed as stringent, something applauded by high-minded commentators as a way to force the Mattels and Fisher-Prices of the world to keep more careful watch on the supply chains of their Chinese factories.
Barbed with penalties that include felony prison time and fines of $100,000, the law goes into effect in stages; one key deadline is Feb. 10, when it becomes unlawful to ship goods for sale that have not been tested. Eventually, new kids' goods will all have to be subjected to more stringent "third-party" testing, and it will be unlawful to give away untested inventory even for free.
The first thing to note is that we're not just talking about toys here. With few exceptions, the law covers all products intended primarily for children under 12. That includes clothing, fabric and textile goods of all kinds: hats, shoes, diapers, hair bands, sports pennants, Scouting patches, local school-logo gear and so on.
And paper goods: books, flash cards, board games, baseball cards, kits for home schoolers, party supplies and the like. And sporting equipment, outdoor gear, bikes, backpacks and telescopes. And furnishings for kids' rooms.
And videogame cartridges and audio books. And specialized assistive and therapeutic gear used by disabled and autistic kids.
Again with relatively few exceptions, makers of these goods can't rely only on materials known to be unproblematic (natural dyed yarn, local wood) or that come from reputable local suppliers, or even ones that are certified organic.
Instead they must put a sample item from each lot of goods through testing after complete assembly, and the testing must be applied to each component. For a given hand-knitted sweater, for example, one might have to pay not just, say, $150 for the first test, but added-on charges for each component beyond the first: a button or snap, yarn of a second color, a care label, maybe a ribbon or stitching--with each color of stitching thread having to be tested separately.
Suddenly the bill is more like $1,000--and that's just to test the one style and size. The same sweater in a larger size, or with a different button or clasp, would need a new round of tests--not just on the button or clasp, but on the whole garment. The maker of a kids' telescope (with no suspected problems) was quoted a $24,000 testing estimate, on a product with only $32,000 in annual sales.
Could it get worse? Yes, it could. Contrary to some reports, thrift and secondhand stores are not exempt from the law. Although (unlike creators of new goods) they aren't obliged to test the items they stock, they are exposed to liability and fines if any goods on their shelves (or a component button, bolt, binding, etc.) are found to test above the (very low) thresholds being phased in.
Nor does it get them off the hook to say an older product's noncompliance with the new standards wasn't something they knew or should have known about (let alone to say anyone was harmed; the whole controversy from start to finish has gone on with precious little showing of real-world harm to American kids from most of the goods being banned).
Thrift store managers, often volunteers themselves, have no way to guess whether every grommet or zipper on a kids' jacket or ink on an old jigsaw puzzle box or some plastic component of Mom's old roller skates would pass muster.
"The reality is that all this stuff will be dumped in the landfill," predicted Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops. Among the biggest losers if that happens: poorer parents who might start having to buy kids' winter coats new at $30 rather than used at $5 or $10.
And even worse: Since the law does not exempt books, children's' sections at libraries and bookstores will, at minimum, face price hikes on newly acquired titles and, at worse, may have to rethink older holdings.
After all, no one has the slightest idea how many future violations lie hidden in the stacks and few want to play a guessing game about how seriously officialdom will view illegality. "Either they take all the children's books off the shelves," Associate Executive Director Emily Sheketoff of the American Library Association told the Boston Phoenix, "or they ban children from the library."
Antique dolls? Old model-car collections? Musical instruments? Vintage bicycles? Some will go underground in private collectors' clubs, others will be tossed on the bonfires of the new Cultural Revolution.
A traditional attraction on the heritage festival circuit is the kids' dance or performance troupe in ethnic, pioneer or frontier garb, often handcrafted with the sort of ornate detail (beads, pendants, lace inserts, etc.) that will not be practical to test.
The same goes for Native American kids' cherished moccasins, buckskins and powwow gear. Making matters worse, many foreign producers of craft and small-batch toys and clothes, chary of liability under the law, are planning to exit the American market entirely, a step already taken by three German toymakers.
In recent weeks, as thousands of crafters and retailers began to compare notes and realize that they would soon be left with stocks of unsalable merchandise, forced out of business or both, the protests have begun to mount: alarm-raising at hundreds of blogs and forums, a torrent of Twitter discussion, YouTube videos, endangered-products lists, Facebook groups and so forth.
A group called Handmade Toy Alliance is calling attention to the law's burdens in that area. Booksellers are mobilizing. Yet prominent consumer groups have continued to defend even the law's more extreme applications, and their spokespersons are dismissive of public outrage. "I haven't heard a single legitimate concern yet," Public Citizen's David Arkush wrote last month.
The consumer groups--and the congressional offices of key CPSIA backers Bobby Rush, D-Ill., and Henry Waxman, D-Calif.--have blamed opposition to the law on "misinformation" and "confusion."
Defenders of the law point out, for example, that item-by-item enforcement at thrift shops is unlikely to be an enforcement priority any time soon for the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 100 field investigators.
The thing is, few librarians, eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) sellers or knitters want to be told that they're outlaws but at too small-fry a level to attract the authorities' attention. They want to be legal.
Besides, the law grants enforcement authority not only to the CPSC but to the 50 state attorneys general, which means anyone who ships nationally, small fry or not, is at the mercy of whomever turns out to be the least reasonable attorney general, a post for which there is always considerable competition.
As CPSIA opponents mobilize, the phrase "unintended consequences" is often heard. Part of the irony, after all, is that the Hasbros and Targets, with their standardization and economies of scale, can afford to adapt to such rules as part of their business plan, while the sorts of enterprises that initially looked to benefit most from the Chinese toy scare--local, organic and so forth--are also the ones who find it hardest to comply.
But the failure here runs deeper. This was not some enactment slipped through in the dead of night: It was one of the most highly publicized pieces of legislation to pass Congress last year.
And yet now it appears precious few lawmakers took the time to check what was in the bill, while precious few in the press (which ran countless let's-pass-a-law articles) cared to raise even the most basic questions about what the law was going to require.
Yes, something's being exposed as systematically defective here. But it's not the contents of our kids' toy chests. It's the way we make public policy.
Walter Olson is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and the author of The Rule of Lawyers and other books. He edits Overlawyered.com.
Self-congratulation makes for bad law.
If someone you know volunteers at a thrift store or crochets baby hats for the crafts site Etsy or favors handmade wooden toys as a baby shower gift, you've probably been hearing the alarms about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Hailed almost universally on its passage last year--it passed the Senate 89 to three and the House by 424 to one, with Ron Paul the lone dissenter--CPSIA is now shaping up as a calamity for businesses and an epic failure of regulation, threatening to wipe out tens of thousands of small makers of children's items from coast to coast, and taking a particular toll on the handcrafted and creative, the small-production-run and sideline at-home business, not to mention struggling retailers. How could this have happened?
Congress passed CPSIA in a frenzy of self-congratulation following last year's overblown panic over Chinese toys with lead paint. Washington's consumer and environmentalist lobbies used the occasion to tack on some other long-sought legislative goals, including a ban on phthalates used to soften plastic.
The law's provisions were billed as stringent, something applauded by high-minded commentators as a way to force the Mattels and Fisher-Prices of the world to keep more careful watch on the supply chains of their Chinese factories.
Barbed with penalties that include felony prison time and fines of $100,000, the law goes into effect in stages; one key deadline is Feb. 10, when it becomes unlawful to ship goods for sale that have not been tested. Eventually, new kids' goods will all have to be subjected to more stringent "third-party" testing, and it will be unlawful to give away untested inventory even for free.
The first thing to note is that we're not just talking about toys here. With few exceptions, the law covers all products intended primarily for children under 12. That includes clothing, fabric and textile goods of all kinds: hats, shoes, diapers, hair bands, sports pennants, Scouting patches, local school-logo gear and so on.
And paper goods: books, flash cards, board games, baseball cards, kits for home schoolers, party supplies and the like. And sporting equipment, outdoor gear, bikes, backpacks and telescopes. And furnishings for kids' rooms.
And videogame cartridges and audio books. And specialized assistive and therapeutic gear used by disabled and autistic kids.
Again with relatively few exceptions, makers of these goods can't rely only on materials known to be unproblematic (natural dyed yarn, local wood) or that come from reputable local suppliers, or even ones that are certified organic.
Instead they must put a sample item from each lot of goods through testing after complete assembly, and the testing must be applied to each component. For a given hand-knitted sweater, for example, one might have to pay not just, say, $150 for the first test, but added-on charges for each component beyond the first: a button or snap, yarn of a second color, a care label, maybe a ribbon or stitching--with each color of stitching thread having to be tested separately.
Suddenly the bill is more like $1,000--and that's just to test the one style and size. The same sweater in a larger size, or with a different button or clasp, would need a new round of tests--not just on the button or clasp, but on the whole garment. The maker of a kids' telescope (with no suspected problems) was quoted a $24,000 testing estimate, on a product with only $32,000 in annual sales.
Could it get worse? Yes, it could. Contrary to some reports, thrift and secondhand stores are not exempt from the law. Although (unlike creators of new goods) they aren't obliged to test the items they stock, they are exposed to liability and fines if any goods on their shelves (or a component button, bolt, binding, etc.) are found to test above the (very low) thresholds being phased in.
Nor does it get them off the hook to say an older product's noncompliance with the new standards wasn't something they knew or should have known about (let alone to say anyone was harmed; the whole controversy from start to finish has gone on with precious little showing of real-world harm to American kids from most of the goods being banned).
Thrift store managers, often volunteers themselves, have no way to guess whether every grommet or zipper on a kids' jacket or ink on an old jigsaw puzzle box or some plastic component of Mom's old roller skates would pass muster.
"The reality is that all this stuff will be dumped in the landfill," predicted Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops. Among the biggest losers if that happens: poorer parents who might start having to buy kids' winter coats new at $30 rather than used at $5 or $10.
And even worse: Since the law does not exempt books, children's' sections at libraries and bookstores will, at minimum, face price hikes on newly acquired titles and, at worse, may have to rethink older holdings.
After all, no one has the slightest idea how many future violations lie hidden in the stacks and few want to play a guessing game about how seriously officialdom will view illegality. "Either they take all the children's books off the shelves," Associate Executive Director Emily Sheketoff of the American Library Association told the Boston Phoenix, "or they ban children from the library."
Antique dolls? Old model-car collections? Musical instruments? Vintage bicycles? Some will go underground in private collectors' clubs, others will be tossed on the bonfires of the new Cultural Revolution.
A traditional attraction on the heritage festival circuit is the kids' dance or performance troupe in ethnic, pioneer or frontier garb, often handcrafted with the sort of ornate detail (beads, pendants, lace inserts, etc.) that will not be practical to test.
The same goes for Native American kids' cherished moccasins, buckskins and powwow gear. Making matters worse, many foreign producers of craft and small-batch toys and clothes, chary of liability under the law, are planning to exit the American market entirely, a step already taken by three German toymakers.
In recent weeks, as thousands of crafters and retailers began to compare notes and realize that they would soon be left with stocks of unsalable merchandise, forced out of business or both, the protests have begun to mount: alarm-raising at hundreds of blogs and forums, a torrent of Twitter discussion, YouTube videos, endangered-products lists, Facebook groups and so forth.
A group called Handmade Toy Alliance is calling attention to the law's burdens in that area. Booksellers are mobilizing. Yet prominent consumer groups have continued to defend even the law's more extreme applications, and their spokespersons are dismissive of public outrage. "I haven't heard a single legitimate concern yet," Public Citizen's David Arkush wrote last month.
The consumer groups--and the congressional offices of key CPSIA backers Bobby Rush, D-Ill., and Henry Waxman, D-Calif.--have blamed opposition to the law on "misinformation" and "confusion."
Defenders of the law point out, for example, that item-by-item enforcement at thrift shops is unlikely to be an enforcement priority any time soon for the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 100 field investigators.
The thing is, few librarians, eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) sellers or knitters want to be told that they're outlaws but at too small-fry a level to attract the authorities' attention. They want to be legal.
Besides, the law grants enforcement authority not only to the CPSC but to the 50 state attorneys general, which means anyone who ships nationally, small fry or not, is at the mercy of whomever turns out to be the least reasonable attorney general, a post for which there is always considerable competition.
As CPSIA opponents mobilize, the phrase "unintended consequences" is often heard. Part of the irony, after all, is that the Hasbros and Targets, with their standardization and economies of scale, can afford to adapt to such rules as part of their business plan, while the sorts of enterprises that initially looked to benefit most from the Chinese toy scare--local, organic and so forth--are also the ones who find it hardest to comply.
But the failure here runs deeper. This was not some enactment slipped through in the dead of night: It was one of the most highly publicized pieces of legislation to pass Congress last year.
And yet now it appears precious few lawmakers took the time to check what was in the bill, while precious few in the press (which ran countless let's-pass-a-law articles) cared to raise even the most basic questions about what the law was going to require.
Yes, something's being exposed as systematically defective here. But it's not the contents of our kids' toy chests. It's the way we make public policy.
Walter Olson is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and the author of The Rule of Lawyers and other books. He edits Overlawyered.com.
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