Recalled Toys for Lead Paint Are Showing Up on EBay

Everyday a new children's item is being recalled due to lead paint from China. The biggest recall has been from Mattel and Fisher Price. Some parents have even resorted to selling these items on eBay, in a response to why they would sell recalled toys,

"I don't want my child exposed to lead poisoning, I don't want them playing with these toys, since many can not be returned, I am just selling it."

It not ok for their child but it is ok for you to give it to another child, and risk lead poisoning. EBay is outraged with this practice, and has set up strict guidelines due to this recall. From the eBay site:

"eBay takes recalled items very seriously, and we work closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission on these issues."

EBay is trying to monitor the auctions in the toy groups, because the site prohibits the sale of recalled products, but enforcement efforts don't seem to be succeeding. It is estimated, that in one hour eBay shut down 120 auctions that had toys that are on the recalled list. On a further scope about 70 percent of the recalled toys are on eBay being sold. The listers were not telling people that these items are not on a recalled list. EBay is hoping parents interested in buying these items will check out government recall sites before purchasing items on auction Web sites. EBay is also toying with the idea that it should have sellers be required to electronically sign a statement indicating the items they're selling have not been recalled..

Julie Vallese, a spokeswoman for the CPSC, said the agency itself has found recalled products listed at online auction sites. The agency has worked closely with eBay and is confident that it is finding recalled products and removing them from the Web site as often as possible, she said.

"There are auctions that are slipping by, we are depending upon people to be honest and report if they see an item being sold that is on the recalled list." said Nichola Sharpe, a spokeswoman for eBay.

Selling items that are prohibited, such as the recalls, is something not new to eBay. At one time someone tried to sell his family on eBay, another was a human kidney. It clearly states in their policy, that selling humans, or human products are not allowed, but those auction slipped by, just like the recalled toys are.

EBay believes that everyone is honest and does not check a listing before it is published online. It goes to show people are not honest and will try anything, I know myself I was looking for something on the site, and accidentally found an auction of a woman selling her prescription IVF injections, which you clearly can not do. One because it is a prescription that has to done under a doctor's care. I did report it and eBay did shut the auction down with in a day. So if you do see an item that is questionable, do not hesitate to report it. EBay does need your help with the recalled list, as of the last count 19 million toys were recalled, it hard to keep track of people who try to slip an auction by, with that many.