A New Cash for Clunkers at Toys R Us
The Cash for Clunkers concept isn’t just for used cars anymore. Toys R Us is introducing their own version of Cash for Clunkers called the Great Trade-In. It’s no surprise that secondhand baby gear use is on the rise during the recession, but Toys R Us wants to call attention to the fact that many of the used items circulating could be damaged or not compliant with the newest safety standards. Or they could have been recalled long ago–less than 30% of recalled baby products actually get returned according to Kids in Danger, a consumer advocacy group.
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So now you can visit any Babies R Us or Toys R Us location nationwide from Friday, August 28 through Sunday, September 20 to trade in used cribs, car seat, strollers, bassinets, travel systems, play yards and high chairs in exchange for 20% off a new baby item from selected brands. Even day care centers or organizations can trade in products in bulk if prearranged with a local store.
Let’s face it, while the safety concerns are right on, don’t overlook the fact that this is also a Toys R Us marketing ploy. If you have goods that do pose a safety risk, the Great Trade-In event is the perfect opportunity to save on something safer, but all secondhand gear isn’t bad. You can bet that some of the gear Toys R Us will receive will be safe for reuse. And what will they do with all that old gear? Toss it in a landfill? Remember, secondhand gear is still eco-friendly and budget-friendly as long as you follow safety recommendations.
You should never buy used gear on the fly. Always visit the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) web site to make sure the product in question wasn’t previously recalled. Check for broken parts, sharp or protruding areas, loose pieces and any other damage before you take a used product home. It’s also good to only take products that still have an instruction booklet so you can be sure that you have all the pieces and that it’s properly assembled.
Plus, you should skip used car seats according to Safe Kids USA, in part because they may have sustained damage that’s not visible to the naked eye and because the materials inside can deteriorate over time, which means it could be less effective in a crash. And the CPSC cautions against buying gear that has a history of safety problems: Cribs, bassinets and play yards.
Image: sean drellinger on flickr under a Creative Commons license
What a great idea to come up with. I imagine many parents throw away toys that have been recalled and this is a great opportunity to recycle them.
[...] you have any Apple and Carrot Portable Pouches, check the bottom of the package. Return them to the Toys R Us or Babies R Us store where you bought them if the “best by” date is May 21, 2010 and [...]