In this raw footage of an interview, consignment, resale, and thrift shopkeepers are told to develop a “level of confidence” that their merchandise doesn’t contain, starting Feb. 10, more than 600 parts per million of lead.
WBAL-TV in Baltimore, raw footage of interview as posted by the TV station. UPDATE: Video has been removed.
CPSC spokesperson Julie Vallese has a hard time answering a direct question, but the reporter keeps asking what consignment and thrift shopkeepers should do, and finally Ms. Vallese says that we shopkeepers should have a “level of confidence” that our goods are in compliance with CPSIA. How can they do this? “Look at it” urges Vallese. “Make an informed decision” or “test using XRF technology”… which she also admits “is a screening tool, NOT a definitive measure of violation of the law.”
Resale, consignment, and thrift shopkeepers should “use their best judgment on how they reach that level of confidence.”
“Gee Judge, CPSC told me to have a level of confidence, and in my best judgment this sweatshirt doesn’t have lead in it.
How’d I know?
Julie told me to LOOK AT IT.
No, sir, I do not have Xray vision like Superman.No, Judge sir, I’m not making fun.
Julie told me to look at it so that’s what I did. I’m confident I didn’t see any lead.
No sir, I’m not mocking the law. That’s what CPSC told me to do, to look at it.”
“Look at it.” Um, yeh. That‘ll keep me out of prison.
Graphic borrowed from amazingxrayvision.com whose site may soon be a favorite resource for boosting our level of confidence. When not complying with CPSIA, we can scope out the UPS guy. Man I dig those brown shorts.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] CPSC’s Julie Vallese wants consignment & resale shopkeepers to get a BACKBONE […]
Orange is so NOT my color. Gives me that strange cast we used to get from self-tanning stuff. Not flattering at all. Too bad the black & white stripes aren’t in fashion for inmates anymore. I can rock in black & white. (Of course, I’d prefer they be vertical stripes, a bit more slimming). Guess I’d really better be extra thankful we canned kids’ stuff a few years ago. whew! I’m holding my breath for the rest of you guys though, and planning my own little window display in support.
Good luck!
You know, I’ve been receiving emails since I emailed my customers about CPSIA, telling me I’m over-reacting and jumping the gun, and even SCARING people.
I guess I’m going to do that squinting thing Kate suggested to check for lead. I’ve heard that works.
In our area, incarcerated folks wear orange. I do look good in orange.
Disclaimer: Sarcasm ahead
WBAL-TV in Baltimore is probably in for more than they bargained for – hope they don’t loose this video as it could could be a wonderful tool for an attorney to subpoena. Wait… Julie would make a live witness…
Well, back to my mommy blogging.