Watch What You Sell At Your Next Garage Sale Warns Health Canada
BEFORE LISTING YOUR GARAGE SALE THIS SUMMER MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE RULES IN CANADA
Are you thinking about “Spring” or “Summer” Cleaning for things to sell for extra-cash?
Most people wonder what to sell at a garage sale but now they need to know what not to sell at a garage sale.
Have you heard of the Health Canada Garage Sale Advisory?
In the summertime especially, people come in droves to find the latest and greatest deals at garage sales in Canada.
I know we’re part of those groups of people.
I’m not so sure it will be as exciting as it once was maybe more stress than it’s worth.
I recently posted about garage sale tips for buying and selling stuff and felt it was important to write a new post to highlight the Health Canada Advisory for Canadians who want to sell new or used items.
We are all looking for ideas for yard sales and the latest tips for yard sales but these tips today take precedence over any other.
Do you understand the Health Canada Advisory For Garage Sale Items?
If no, you need to keep reading because I was even shocked when I was doing my research before we hosted our first garage sale in Canada.
Legal Requirements For Selling Items At A Garage Sale In Canada
You are legally responsible for the items you sell, new or used making sure that they meet regulatory requirements.
If you don’t follow them you are breaking the law in Canada!
You never know when a Health Canada Product Safety Officer might be investigating.
Make sure you know what you are selling in accordance with Health Canada’s 2012 Garage Sale Advisory.
Want to pass down your old radio to your grandson, or the toys your child used to a friend or family member be informed.
It’s all about safety first, profits from sales last.
If you think you are getting off free and clear think twice before giving away something to your family, friends or neighbour for free.
You are still up a creek without a paddle if something should go wrong. That’s right you are still legally responsible to make sure the products are safe.
If you do sell or give away something that is not in compliance you may be liable in a civil court of law. Oh yes, it’s true!
Please don’t throw tomatoes at me I’m just telling it like it is.
Minimize your legal risk and learn the facts and there are a lot of them.
I know most of you are shaking your heads and cursing up and down but the law is the law, but how far do we have to go for used stuff?
Donating to Second-Hand Shops Or Online Buy and Sell
We are firm believers in buying second-hand items but only if they are in good working order.
Even second-hand shop owners are responsible for good reason that anything they sell is in compliance.
Why does the Federal Government seem to be passing the buck on to consumers looking to make a few cents at a yard sale?
Poor little kids just wanna make spending money for penny sweets at the shop selling toys they no longer want.
I don’t think it’s reasonable to say that every seller/vendor is going to make the right decisions when it comes to garage sales.
Do they get a slap on the wrist if caught and plead ignorantly? You can try it but I don’t think it will wash with the big guys.
There will always be the people who say, “I didn’t know, I thought it was ok, It wasn’t broken when I sold it.”
If you haven’t heard of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act then you should familiarize yourself with it.
Nowadays we are finding more people buying, selling and giving away free second-hand items.
Whether it’s at a garage sale, Kijiji, Craigslist, Freecycle or on other social media such as Facebook Marketplace you will find what you need.
All of these outlets for selling new goods, used items or giving away free stuff apply to this act.
Such sites as Kijiji have a policy in place that leaves the seller responsible for knowing the law.
According to Kijiji , “You are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws relating to the item you list, buy or sell.”
There have been many times broken items have been given away for parts, now what?
Do you toss it on the lawn and say, make as you found it.
Maybe you can set up a geocache and send your freecycle buddies on a hunt.
You can’t be punished for something someone else found, right?
Ok a bit far-fetched but the reality is most people will do it until they are caught or something happens.
- If you have anything that is damaged, just get rid of it, don’t be selling it.
- Always check with Health Canada and the manufacturer before re-selling a product as it may have been recalled.
- You can check for consumer recalls here to make sure you know the products you have and what you should do with them.
Items Banned From Garage Sales
What is banned from being SOLD at Garage Sales in Canada?
According to Health Canada,“Anything that has been recalled and not corrected or cannot be corrected“
You must destroy them.
Here are only a few items listed on their site. You can’t even advertise, list for free or import into Canada any of these items.
- Baby Walkers
- Lawn Darts with elongated tips
- Baby bottles containing BPA
- Yo-Yo Balls
- Jequirity beans- If you are asking yourself what the heck these are.. good because even I didn’t even know.
- They are very toxic and can make you extremely ill.
Recently a woman in the UK suffered hallucinations and abscesses from toxins according to the Huffington Post UK.
They go on to say, “it is a deadly seed of the plant, abrus precatorious, which originate from Peru”
Take caution when selling or giving away anything for children especially the items listed below, keep in mind this is not the entire list.
I will touch on a few with a quickie tidbit on each.
Facts For Garage Sale Vendors From Health Canada
- Baby Gates- With diamond-shaped “V” at the top larger than 38mm
- Car seats-Do not sell if past the lifetime date or if been in an accident
- Children’s jewellery-If it contains lead it is very toxic for children
- Children’s sleepwear-Cotton, cotton blends or rayon burn easily
- Cribs, cradles and bassinets-Must meet all regulatory requirements if made before 1986 cannot be sold
- Play pens-Must not have protruding bolts, torn vinyl or mesh
- Strollers and Carriages-must come with a crotch strap and lap belt and not be made before 1985
- Toys-Any damaged toys, sharp-edged toys
- Corded window blinds-Children can strangle themselves with the chord
- Helmets and Face Protector’s must-have sticker and number from Canadian Standard Association
Selling Cosmetics At Garage Sales
Did you know?
According to Health Canada,
All cosmetics sold in Canada must meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act, the Cosmetic Regulations, and all other applicable legislation.
How many times have we seen cosmetics online or at garage sales better buckle up Canada.
check before you sell that pretty pink blush grandma gave you or give away half bottles of face cream.
Electronic Devices At Garage Sales
There is also the Radiation Emitting Devices Act and according to Health Canada, you may want to make sure these devices are in top-notch condition before attempting to sell or give away.
Not everyone hangs on to their instruction manuals perhaps now might be a good time to start if you ever plan on selling.
We take all of our manuals and file them in a box for easy reference.
I guess now for easy selling.
- Microwaves cannot be damaged and must come with instructions
- Entertainment devices-example; stereos, Mp3 must have instructions and volume control MUST work properly as to not cause any potential hearing damage.
How Garage Sale Buyers Can Protect Themselves
- Read this blog post again and click the links and read the information
- Read all product labels of what you potentially buy or get free
- Ask questions about where it was purchased and when
- Check with the manufacturer for more information on the product
- Check to see if the product works, test volume controls
- Do not buy, borrow or pick up for free anything that is broken or missing parts.
- If you are not sure or just too damn exhausted from all that you have to do now is just don’t buy it or take it.
You can find a comprehensive list here of all the items listed above and more.
Do I think this will slow down Garage Sales, no but I do think it will have Canadians thinking twice before they put up their ads or signs.
I urge you to be informed of Health Canada’s 2012 Advisory for Garage Sale Vendors if you plan on hosting one this summer or ever for that matter.
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