MIL and presents - very mad!!! - Page 5

[cschick]

Originally Posted by mama1803

And, I would think it is also because of all the recalls these days. Any organization that distributes toys to needy kids is not going to want to be giving out toys that are potentially harmful.

For those of you who buy toys at thrift stores and yard sales, how do you verify that those items haven't been recalled, particularly if you don't have the orginial packaging?

Go to recalls.gov and search on the brand; I've never seen a toy without a brand name painted or impressed somewhere on it.

Do you actually keep the original packaging for every toy you buy new?

[Tigerchild]

Originally Posted by mama1803

And, I would think it is also because of all the recalls these days. Any organization that distributes toys to needy kids is not going to want to be giving out toys that are potentially harmful.

For those of you who buy toys at thrift stores and yard sales, how do you verify that those items haven't been recalled, particularly if you don't have the orginial packaging?

I guess but I don't think so. New toys are recalled every year as well. If you want to avoid recalls, stick to clothes. And even then, you're not safe, depending.

Except for electronic devices (not counting games and such) I buy virtually everything used. I've never had a problem with recalls. I've had to send things back to the Thomas the Train company and a few others, never even had to produce a receipt. It's not hard to keep up with recalls yourself, and every parent of young kiddos SHOULD, IMO. Unless you religiously return every warranty card (I don't, I don't like the mail blitz that follows) you ever get with every single item, you need to be keeping tabs on things yourself anyway.

And if you can't because you don't have internet access or the new fancy TV or you don't listen to the radio much, then you're SOL anyway. So I would imagine that even new donated toys get into the hands of people who keep them post recall because they just don't know about it, or don't have the money for initial postage or a stable address for a repair kit or return to be mailed to them.

The primary concern is just that people often use toy drives as a garbage dump. (and clothing drives, and even food drives on occasion, I've had to throw out a ton of really gross and weird stuff--like home canned produce labeled from 20 years ago, ect--even from food bank volunteering).

[NYCVeg]

We have the opposite problem. My parents (who are pretty well off) buy dd INSANELY expensive stuff. She tells me over and over to just treat it like anything else, but it's really hard for me to let dd just roll around in the grass or eat a messy chocolate ice cream when she's wearing a $100 sweater. I can hardly even get my mind around the IDEA of a $100 sweater (or similar) for a toddler. Thinking about the waste of it...that that money could be put to such better uses (college fund, etc.)...it's tough and I've REALLY struggled with keeping my mouth shut. (I have suggested the college fund, on multiple occasions--no dice.) Other than trying to get my mom to rein in the quantity--we live in a teeny little space--we do pretty much leave it alone, though. I know that giving indulgent, expensive gifts is important to HER, and I try not to dictate her gift choices unless she explicitly asks. And then I donate or sell whatever dd outgrows, so that at least the things will get more use.

So were I the OP, I'd just say thank you, give away what you don't like, etc. If you think it's really an issue of favoritism toward the other grandkids, however, then I might bring it up.

[mama1803]

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

I guess but I don't think so. New toys are recalled every year as well. If you want to avoid recalls, stick to clothes. And even then, you're not safe, depending.

Except for electronic devices (not counting games and such) I buy virtually everything used. I've never had a problem with recalls. I've had to send things back to the Thomas the Train company and a few others, never even had to produce a receipt. It's not hard to keep up with recalls yourself, and every parent of young kiddos SHOULD, IMO. Unless you religiously return every warranty card (I don't, I don't like the mail blitz that follows) you ever get with every single item, you need to be keeping tabs on things yourself anyway.

And if you can't because you don't have internet access or the new fancy TV or you don't listen to the radio much, then you're SOL anyway. So I would imagine that even new donated toys get into the hands of people who keep them post recall because they just don't know about it, or don't have the money for initial postage or a stable address for a repair kit or return to be mailed to them.

The primary concern is just that people often use toy drives as a garbage dump. (and clothing drives, and even food drives on occasion, I've had to throw out a ton of really gross and weird stuff--like home canned produce labeled from 20 years ago, ect--even from food bank volunteering).

I do keep track of recalls and I do keep alot of the original packaging--if not, then I am at least aware of the time frame when things are bought, where they were purchased from, etc.

My point about the recalls though, was that an organization might be liable or at least feel liable for distributing a used toy that had been recalled before it was donated. I know that some people donate junk--it wouldn't be hard to believe that some would get rid of recalled toys by donating them. In a society with lawsuits being so prevelent, I could see a large organization like Toys for Tots not wanting to chance distributing something that had previously been recalled by accepting used toys. When a toy is given away and it is new and unused then the receipents become responsible for injuries from said toy or for keeping up with recall information that may come at a later time.

[cschick]

Originally Posted by mama1803

I do keep track of recalls and I do keep alot of the original packaging--if not, then I am at least aware of the time frame when things are bought, where they were purchased from, etc.

My point about the recalls though, was that an organization might be liable or at least feel liable for distributing a used toy that had been recalled before it was donated. I know that some people donate junk--it wouldn't be hard to believe that some would get rid of recalled toys by donating them. In a society with lawsuits being so prevelent, I could see a large organization like Toys for Tots not wanting to chance distributing something that had previously been recalled by accepting used toys. When a toy is given away and it is new and unused then the receipents become responsible for injuries from said toy or for keeping up with recall information that may come at a later time.

Toys for Tots will take a "new, unused" toy that's been laying unopened in your closet for two years, though.

[Original Cinnamon]

[Viola]

Originally Posted by Mylie

Problem was when we left we accidentlly left 2 of the board books,the backyardigan book and one of the older child readers..Guess what she got for Christmas? They rewrapped those books and that is what she got for Christmas..

Now I am used to their strangness.But I even found this tacky.

Wrapping up her own books and giving them to her again, as a gift? Yeah, that's pretty bad.

[Viola]

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

So to be honest, I tend to get a little pissy when people throw that around like it's not serious too. But it's not just a "get over it" thing either.

I think part of the problem is that people use the word germophobic and they don't really mean that they have a true phobia or OCD.

I can understand not wanting certain used toys. You may never be able to wash them properly. Clothing I'm more used to, because you can launder those and dry them on a rather hot setting. My MIL sends garage sale finds, and I wash them before I let my daughter wear them (usually, just because they smell a little weird), just like I wash new clothes before I let my children wear them. It may not be necessary, they probably won't get sick or anything, but you never know, and it doesn't hurt to wash them.

My niece thinks used clothes are icky and won't buy them for her child. She did accept my children's used clothing, because she knows me. My daughter refuses to wear used clothing anymore. It's a comfort thing, I guess, she just feels a little grossed out. That is a far cry from having a real mental illness related to this, though, and I think that's where most people are.

[Tigerchild]

Originally Posted by Viola

That is a far cry from having a real mental illness related to this, though, and I think that's where most people are.

I totally agree. Though it's still annoying when people call themselves "germaphobes" when really it's not appropriate, or when people are like "Beh, what's the big deal, just wash it."

Though I guess people A and people B just feed each other in a cycle.

I guess it's like any other serious disorder, if you have had your life significantly impacted by it, it gets really annoying really fast to have people toss it around like it's no big deal.

Though I am sure that there are milder forms of it. If the OP truly can't stand to have used things in her house (even if she doesn't need to do a hours long cleaning ritual over them), then she can't stand to have used things in her house, and it's useless to berate her to be logical. I am sure one can be phobic of germs while NOT having OCD (and I'm pretty sure what I grew up with was heapin' helpings of both).

If she can't get over it, then that's fine. I can empathize. But I still wouldn't throw that out as an excuse (because she'll get the zOMG JUST WASH IT or evil rotten scapegoat treatment probably). And I still think she should try to find out and be sympathetic to dollar amounts not being equal not being all about her and her kiddo.

But no way would I have her DH tell others she's a germaphobe. Even as evidenced on teh interwebz that's an open invitation for ridicule and probably scapegoating in the family. People can't/won't understand, they think you're faking it or it's not serious, ect.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl

Besides there is a big difference between buying thrift for YOUR kids and buying thrift for someone else's. Nobody has yet to give an example of the latter except the OP.

I once posted a big vent about how the in-laws spent money on crap for Lina instead of just giving us their dds' old clothes that they'd promised.