selling dog toys .. help!

marieandmax

Hiya, I started making some dog toys a while ago, and showed my agility club leader. He now buys them off me and sells to club members and at shows for a profit. As it has gone from being a hobby to more like a business, I wondered if theres any legal stuff I need to be aware of.. for example, if a dog decides to choke on my toys or managed to swallow part of it and need surgery or something, would there be a possibility of being sued or anything? Would it be me or my agility leader held responsible? Would sticking a disclaimer to each toy cover that? Do I need to be aware of anything else?
I'm also thinking of trying to sell them at a car boot, or even trying to get a shop to stock and sell them.. is there any reason I shouldn't?
Help please!!
Thanks

P.S.. I have tried phoning C.A.B. but had nothing but answering machines so far

jessicamb

Hi

I'll move your thread over to the small business board where you should get more replies.

marieandmax

Thanks, I am not registered as a small business or anything (yet) just really doing stuff as a hobby in my spare time. Any help/suggestions would be really appreciated

Cheers
Marie

richt71

Yes you could be sued. As to disclaimers I think you need legal advice as it's a complex subject that requires proper legal professional. I'd contact a local solicitor. Better paying a few hundred now than getting a large lawsuit.

snowman2_2

Are you making the dog toys or just reselling them? The manufacturer is usually liable rather than the shop for dangerous goods as long as you don't knowingly sell on anything dangerous.

richt71

snowman2 wrote: »

Are you making the dog toys or just reselling them? The manufacturer is usually liable rather than the shop for dangerous goods as long as you don't knowingly sell on anything dangerous.

The OP said she was making the toys.

marieandmax

yes I am handmaking the toys, they are better made then the vast majority of toys on the market but thats not the point. I'm a housewife trying to stretch my income a little - working out around a tenner a week at the moment but if i want to step it up I need to be sure its not going to backfire. As a low income family there is no way I would be able to afford a fine...

marieandmax

I've finally managed to get through to c.a.b and have an appointment next tues. To be honest I've been really thinking about it, and there must be a way to 'disclaimer' it, almost every dog toy sold in a shop has some risk attached, dogs can become ill through chewing them and having a bit stuck in their stomachs etc, it all depends on if you have a 'chewer' or not (I do!)
My brother suggested taking out a 'public liability' insurance.. hmmm not sure on that one! Need to research stuff more!

Encantador

Technically you are running a business and need to tell the tax man within 3 months of starting.

marieandmax

i'm still well within 3 months, and yes i was aware of that, but thanks for the heads up anyway

wigglebeena

I don't know if there are any special considerations for making dog toys but public liability for a crafter is only about £60 a year. if you look on craftster.org or etsy there are lots of threads on who uses what broker/insurance co, including uk peeps.