Feds swarming garage sales and church bazaars?
posted at 4:37 pm on August 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
When our founders created the federal government, I’m pretty sure they didn’t anticipate having its power reach into their carriage houses. Thanks to a particularly asinine piece of legislation called the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act, though, we now have federal inspectors threatening to start investigating yard sales and church bazaars. They say they’re just going to focus on thrift stores and Craigslist … for now:
If you’re planning a garage sale or organizing a church bazaar, you’d best beware: You could be breaking a new federal law. As part of a campaign called Resale Roundup, the federal government is cracking down on the secondhand sales of dangerous and defective products.
The initiative, which targets toys and other products for children, enforces a new provision that makes it a crime to resell anything that’s been recalled by its manufacturer. …
The crackdown affects sellers ranging from major thrift-store operators such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army to everyday Americans cleaning out their attics for yard sales, church bazaars or — increasingly — digital hawking on eBay, Craigslist and other Web sites.
Secondhand sellers now must keep abreast of recalls for thousands of products, some of them stretching back more than a decade, to stay within the bounds of the law.
And I’m sure that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison would be especially proud of this report from McClatchy:
Staffers for the federal agency are fanning out across the country to conduct training seminars on the regulations at dozens of thrift shops.
Yes, because when America was founded by men like John and Samuel Adams, George Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, it was to ensure that we could send federal inspectors “fanning out across the country” to stop people from reselling their old junk.
What did we ever do before the CPSIA protected the US through its throngs of federal nannies? How did we ever survive garage sales in the past 233 years? Oh, yes: we used our common sense as consumers. Gee, those were the good old days, weren’t they, when our government treated us as though we had a lick of intelligence and maturity?
I’m not the only one waxing nostalgic, either:
“Many toys have small pieces that could be dangerous,” she said. “My son played with army men, Lego blocks, all kinds of things with little parts. A toddler can put anything in his mouth. Parents need to have common sense. Ultimately, the parent needs to really evaluate and be watchful of what the child is playing with. We as consumers have to be careful. It really comes back to us.”
Nonsense, Nancy! We’re not qualified to make our own decisions and exercise our own discretion any more. We need CPSIA federal inspectors to get between us and those dangerous thrift stores, Craigslist entries, and church bazaars.
It’s the era of Hope and Change! We’re all idiots! And that’s why the government is here to help.










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Hey… how much does Garage Sale Inspector pay?
CC
CapedConservative on August 21, 2009 at 4:39 PM
idiots, they have a bigger problem with Counterfeit goods and Fraud coming out of China and how to deal with that legally
jp on August 21, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Oh Oh Oh….can I be Garage Sale Czar????? Pretty-pretty please with gum drops on top!
WashJeff on August 21, 2009 at 4:40 PM
IT”S FOR THE CHILDREN!!
Doctor Zhivago on August 21, 2009 at 4:40 PM
The Bazaar Czar
ICBM on August 21, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Funnel it through garage sales and then it can be watched over.
WashJeff on August 21, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Whiskey “revenuers” have always been around, but they just made sure the Feds got a slice, not to cease production.
Chris_Balsz on August 21, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Well, not everybody…more like 52% of the country.
AUINSC on August 21, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Lego-my-legos?
WashJeff on August 21, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Man am I glad I already bought my Presto Fry Daddy at Goodwill. Maybe the most dangerous product ever made, but the tasty fried sensations…..Ummm Fry Daddy!!
KZnextzone on August 21, 2009 at 4:42 PM
The Bazaar Presidency
faraway on August 21, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Check out overlawyerd.com to see how epically stupid and overreaching this law is.
Shtetl G on August 21, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Not only that, but the law covers toys and books with lead in the paint. So — there goes the antiques and collectibles markets! How can a seller determine if a buyer is buying for a collection, or for their kids?
starboardhelm on August 21, 2009 at 4:44 PM
ROFLMAO!!!
Could this government be more absurd? Good lord!!!
capejasmine on August 21, 2009 at 4:45 PM
My neighborhood recently held a block wide yard sale, and the organizer told each household they hade to pay a $10 permit fee to the township to participate. I asked “What services or what use is my money going for ?” All I got was a blank stare, and all they got from me was nothing.
Jerome Horwitz on August 21, 2009 at 4:45 PM
I am fairly sure that they would not recognize America as it is today. Government needs to stay out of our lives!
farright on August 21, 2009 at 4:45 PM
So are they going to draw guns and yell out “drop the Barbie ma’am and step away from the table”.
sherry on August 21, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Where will I find some Lawn Darts?
faraway on August 21, 2009 at 4:46 PM
The government is interfering with garage sales, and yet they want us to believe that they don’t want to come between me and my doctor?
DrStock on August 21, 2009 at 4:46 PM
If toys are outlawed, only outlaws will have toys.
starboardhelm on August 21, 2009 at 4:47 PM
this is killing me.
Why is it that I can find awesome fishing stuff at garage sales (lead snap weights) and now they are going to take it away from me and I have to go to walmart or some other places and pay 100 times more… for the same damn thing!
UGH!!!! It’s for the FISH!
upinak on August 21, 2009 at 4:47 PM
good luck targeting craigslist. what a bunch of idiotic federal bafoons.
gatorboy on August 21, 2009 at 4:47 PM
And then they will check the tire pressure of all the cars at the garage sales to remind folks they really do need to be properly inflated…
ajacksonian on August 21, 2009 at 4:48 PM
They will have a Kelly Blue book upgrade with milage per car per year and fine them if people are selling it.
upinak on August 21, 2009 at 4:49 PM
will any aspect of society immune from these people?
rob verdi on August 21, 2009 at 4:49 PM
There was a time when people possessed common sense. And I think they still do. But government nowadays assumes that Americans are stupid and infantile creatures who need Uncle Sam to make their decisions for them. A product has small pieces that kids can choke on? Don’t give it to your three-year-old. Problem solved, and there’s no need for Washington to step in. Most people understand that.
In this new era of big government, we’re all considered idiots incapable of making common sense decisions regarding what products we buy and how we raise our children. It’s time for Americans to stand up and say, “No more. We’re not children and we’re not going to tolerate being treated as such.” The government is supposed to work for us, beholden to us — not the other way around.
amerpundit on August 21, 2009 at 4:50 PM
If some ACORN working POS comes into my yard to inspect even so much as a flower, they will learn how to run. Really fast. Like the man/dude in the news. And they better have good shoes. Like Michelle Obama. A$$holes. Nice way to demoralize even the poor who seek fundamental items at yard sales.
Hopenchange = NopeNoChange.
Key West Reader on August 21, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Great Video, Silent No More…deserves national attention
deedtrader on August 21, 2009 at 4:50 PM
No, they want total control.
farright on August 21, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Still LMAO
DrStock on August 21, 2009 at 4:51 PM
So we’re going to waste money, excuse me, invest in agents who go around to inspect yard sales?
El_Terrible on August 21, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Legal question: Let’s say the yard sale is on my property. What gives the federal government the authority to enter my private property without a warrant?
amerpundit on August 21, 2009 at 4:51 PM
This doesn’t even go into the part where all children’s books printed before 1985 must be destroyed because there might be lead in the ink. No, I’m not kidding.
I wouldn’t be so cheesed off if they could point to even ONE kid who got sick from lead in ink.
grahampowell on August 21, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I’d like to get all wee-weed up on that bit of legislation, and the people who wrote and passed it.
Daggett on August 21, 2009 at 4:51 PM
On the bright side, at least now we know what Afrolib’s new job is.
kingsjester on August 21, 2009 at 4:52 PM
You must respect my authoritah!
CMonster on August 21, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Post of the day, IMO.
Daggett on August 21, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Get off my lawn!
No shirt, no shoes, no problem, feel free to buy them at the garage sale. Just no bureaucrats.
CP on August 21, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every step you take
Obama wants to be controlling you
Every single day
Every word you say
Every night you stay
Obama wants to be controlling you
Oh, cant you see
He wants you to belong to the sheeple collective Obama we
To control all your life how his heart does ache
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every dollar you make
Every claim you stake
Obama wants to be controlling you
MB4 on August 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM
The real point of this is to get rid of children’s books written more than 25 years ago…you know, the ones that still carried truth in them, like the Chronicles of Narnia. This is just a first step toward getting rid of all books they don’t like…don’t want the people to have access to “subversive” thoughts like liberty or its Author….
Peggy Snow Cahill on August 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Cash for Barbies
faraway on August 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Hey Thomas…
Huh?
What the hell is a Garage?
I think it’s french for barn
portlandon on August 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I noticed a warning last weekend when I listed a couple of dolls on eBay. I didn’t realize the feds could come busting in to see what I was selling.
Doughboy on August 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM
LOL!
fbcmusicman on August 21, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Bureaucracies run amuck.
Won’t happen with healthcare, however.
With that program, they’ll always be responsive and responsible.
SteveMG on August 21, 2009 at 4:55 PM
At a time when individuals and churches need an extra financial boost more than ever, the feds put a stop to that. A tag sale is a great way to not only make a few extra bucks, but allows one to clean out the clutter…and recycle goods that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
Not to mention the benefits to the buyers as well, getting a bargain.
Nice job, dems. Making the populace even more reliant on you.
JetBoy on August 21, 2009 at 4:56 PM
What a nation of idiots we have become when the government is now responsible for doing the things that the citizens had done for years. Apparently we no longer raise responsible people capable of using common sense. What a sad commentary on this country. Too many people now expect a hand out and are not willing to take responsibility for their own lives. Believe that Russia for one, uses this method to try and stop black market activity. We should all start trying to find a new name for this country because it will soon not exist, except in some history book.
hillbilly on August 21, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Blame Congress.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on August 21, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Same as a government hemorrhoid inspector.
Wade on August 21, 2009 at 4:57 PM
So if a veteran Democrat politician sells his vote to the highest bidder, will that qualify as a second-hand sale?
I mean, it’s been sold so many times before.
Leave it to the worthless, corrupt and incompetent Democrat Party to spend billions to revoke freedom liberty. Idiots.
NoDonkey on August 21, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Obama just wants all the toys to himself!
Ingenue on August 21, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I’m still upset that I can’t find lawn darts any longer.
Maybe I’ll throw rocks into the air.
madmonkphotog on August 21, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Obama’s personal physician?
farright on August 21, 2009 at 4:59 PM
So many funny comments, I can’t keep quoting, so I’ll just say thank you all, for some much needed laughs. LOL
capejasmine on August 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM
burgermeister meisterburger?
JetBoy on August 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM
This POS is not about protecting consumers, it’s about making citizens into criminals. Now homeowners have to perform due deligence prior to selling their used items or risk the wrath of the government. Soon garage sales & church bazaars will be subject to taxation. Think about, the government is bankrupt, they have to get money from all sources…
AASLT on August 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM
No, he is a perfect Ahole
Wade on August 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I’m reminded of the video, Santa Claus is Comin To Town.
Hence forth, Obama shall be known as…Burgermeister, Meisterburger. lol
capejasmine on August 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM
This article caused me to think I read about government bodies inspecting church bake sales. So i googled it.
WashJeff on August 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Did they recall these because the ovens weren’t safe or was it those god awful cakes?
How long were those things around? 40 years? I’m sure glad the federal government is spending millions of dollars and trashing our constitutional rights to protect us from that menace.
We all remember the thousands of little girls injured and killed by those things, don’t we? No? Never mind. You’re too stupid to raise your own children anyway.
RadClown on August 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Palin would put an end to this….
izoneguy on August 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Gee. Sounds familiar.
“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.”
Just saying.
Russ on August 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Oh sorry. I missed your comment, when I entered mine. lol
Great minds. ;)
capejasmine on August 21, 2009 at 5:02 PM
ALERT:
Please tell us about any neighbor that is trying to sell any bad barbies to: badbarbies@whitehouse.gov
faraway on August 21, 2009 at 5:02 PM
All garage sale “vendors” will have to have every person who comes on the property to sign a waiver disclaiming that the items they are about to buy might contain lead,plastic,metal,wood,peanuts or other materials.
Each “buyer” will be given a number which will be labeled on a receipt to be given by the seller. When the yard sale is over, the “vendor” is to sign the sheet and send to the Federal Private Sale Commission.
Garage sales will be held in basements with windows painted black, much like the SpeakEasys of prohibition days. A “Look-out” will stand out front of the house and whistle or use a hand gesture to warn of approaching of FPSC agents.
The black market for second hand Ron Popeil Rotisseries, tupperware, and Levi jeans will drive the underground markets prices sky high.
portlandon on August 21, 2009 at 5:02 PM
He would have many polyps to remove. Reid, Frank, Pelosi, liberal4eva, etc…
As the asstronomer, Carl Sagan would say, ” I see billions and billions of polyps.”
ICBM on August 21, 2009 at 5:02 PM
I just returned from a flea market. Someone better get over there.
kahall on August 21, 2009 at 5:03 PM
ROFLMAO!!!
capejasmine on August 21, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Palin
wouldwill put an end to this….izoneguy on August 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM
FIFY
farright on August 21, 2009 at 5:03 PM
LOL
AASLT on August 21, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Let me see here.
Due Process
Search warrants
Probably Cause
These are not just suggestions, right?
MikeA on August 21, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I guess I shouldn’t sell my homemade tonic on the street corner any longer or my homemade fireworks.
madmonkphotog on August 21, 2009 at 5:04 PM
So, the one thing that will help people survive in this sagging economy, selling their used goods, is now targeted by the Fed? People can’t catch a break with this administration.
yogi41 on August 21, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Speaking of Palin, her Facebook entry on tort reform was posted on Real Clear Politics.
ICBM on August 21, 2009 at 5:05 PM
And people didn’t believe we were on a slippery slope when the government mandated that we all have to wear seat belts.
Then banned smoking on airplanes.
Then banned smoking in public.
Then made fatty foods a sin and (sin) taxed it.
Then sugary drinks.
Then used clothing.
Then?
BowHuntingTexas on August 21, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Do they make a really big BOOM?
AASLT on August 21, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Air
AASLT on August 21, 2009 at 5:06 PM
They didn’t ban dipping on airplane or in public.
Shock the Monkey on August 21, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Funny!
naughtyswapmeet@whitehouse.gov
kahall on August 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM
They show up at my garage sale, they’ll be introduced to Mr. Tec 9, Mr. Walther, Messrs. Smith & Wesson, Mr. Berretta, and an assortment of other dangerous metal toys that children, except trained ones like mine, shouldn’t be playing with.
I hope they don’t wee-wee on themselves.
TXUS on August 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Bowhunting, next we will have to turn our self in if we have any conservative thoughts.
faraway on August 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM
So… does that mean I won’t be able to sell my bags of broken glass and rusty nails to some unsuspecting parent?
jana on August 21, 2009 at 5:08 PM
;)
I was wondering whether or not anyone would get the reference…
JetBoy on August 21, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Take your pick. New lead painted garbage from China, or recycled (green!) Lego.
It’s really come time to go Galt on these leeches.
shaken on August 21, 2009 at 5:09 PM
These people REALLY need to get a life…
Khun Joe on August 21, 2009 at 5:09 PM
The Bazaar Czars, I mean… HotAir posters are the best on the ‘net!
Khun Joe on August 21, 2009 at 5:10 PM
That reminds me, I have a garage sale starting tomorrow. The list of items for sale:
Clothes
Toys
Nuclear weapons
Housewares
Come early for best selection.
Rhinoboy on August 21, 2009 at 5:10 PM
GUM DROPS?!?!
It’s Skittles you ignorant moron.
You will never get a job with this administration with gum drops.
Old Hippie Vet on August 21, 2009 at 5:11 PM
You can breathe *in* for free… the tax comes when you breathe *out* (creating greenhouse gas)…
That’s how they getchya.
jana on August 21, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Hey, those cakes got me through childhood. I loved my Easy-bake oven. :)
yogi41 on August 21, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Come and get me..coppers!
DrW on August 21, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Jana
is this the new death tax?
AASLT on August 21, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Cash for Barbies
faraway on August 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I think that’s what we call the Bunny Ranch.
txag92 on August 21, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I am still waiting for someone in the media to tell us what the over $700 billion in the budget increase was going to and I guess we found one of the programs. How many more are in this new budget like this?
JeffinSac on August 21, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope and Change is finally here.
And to think the Obama administration was not concentrating on taking care of the important problems in America.
Stopping Timmy from playing with those super dangerous blocks is exactly what concerns me when I read Headlines like these:
Unemployment at 9.5% and rising
What rebound? Foreclosures rise as jobs and income drop
High Unemployment,no time to worry about that,Matilda may be selling flower pots that don’t meet the administrations new “green standards”.
More on the coming economic collapse
August 14, 2:10 PM · Anthony G. Martin – Columbia Conservative Examiner
Update–Teetering on the edge of economic collapse
http://www.examiner.com/x-3704-Columbia-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m8d21-UpdateTeetering-on-the-edge-of-economic-collapse
August 21, 1:13 PM · Anthony G. Martin – Columbia Conservative Examiner
From Karl Denninger at the Market Ticker:
Who cares. Obama has plenty of money trees.Michelle planted them herself.
Get Ready for Inflation and Higher Interest Rates
The unprecedented expansion of the money supply could make the ’70s look benign.
Wall Street Journal Online
Exploding debt threatens America
John Taylor
Published: May 26 2009 20:48 | Last updated: May 26 2009 20:48
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/71520770-4a2c-11de-8e7e-00144feabdc0.html
181 billion added to the deficit in July alone
Debt,inflation….no big deal.Orszag now says that huge deficits are beneficial.
What’s really important is that Peggy Bundy doesn’t sell any shirts with buttons on them that are not CPSIA approved
and federally regulated.
India,Russia,and China now working on dissolving the dollar as the monetary standard.
Feds are broke but keep right on spending
By: Examiner Editorial
Washington Examiner
China has ‘canceled US credit card’: lawmaker
I know that I will sleep better tonight knowing that the Obama administration has it’s priorities in line and is addressing the pressing issues that haunt Americans like these GARAGE SALES GONE WILD.
Baxter Greene on August 21, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Taking toys from kids; what next Obama, taking candy from babies?
yogi41 on August 21, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Hey, those cakes got me through childhood. I loved my Easy-bake oven. :)
yogi41 on August 21, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Me too. I guess that’s why I can only microwave.
txag92 on August 21, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Obama needs to appoint a Garage Sale Czar and Church Bazaar Czar…
albill on August 21, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Where in the f*ck do they think they get the authority for such BS. This is unconstitutional on its face. The founders never intended for the federal government to have any say in commerce the level they are talking about. These bastages need to be removed from office by whatever means necessary and soon.
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on August 21, 2009 at 5:16 PM
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