Charity Shop refused my knitted characters- HELP

cotsvale

I have been knitting little characters for some months now planning to give them to the charity shop wrapped in cellophane and ribbons for them to sell in the lead up to christmas. I was told that they can't sell them unless they have a CE label even though they are made with the right stuff.

So what can I do with them - am I allowed to sell at church events/ Boot sales etc or are they just unsaleable because of this "law"?

DianneB

i often buy little knitted toys that have been made for the charity shop, and there are regular stalls in the local hospitals that sell knitted teddys and dolls AND there are craft stalls on the market that sell them so I'm sure that can't be right. Keep trying it's very kind and generous of you and someone will be very pleased to have them.

Bettie

Harry Hills " The Knitted Character" in various look a likes ( which I think is actually crochet) is sold on Ebay sometimes for considerable amounts. I have seen some knitted things with a "sold for charity" sign on there too. I doubt these have any safety label.
Well done for your efforts.

mamto3

My understanding is if they are to be used as toys, teddys to cuddle etc then they need to be CE marked, can be sold as decorative without being CE marked. From what i can gather this is how people who make sock monkeys sell them (unless they do have the mark)!
Its a lovely gesture by you, the shop just needs to market them right! X

JimmyTheWig

Would you want to donate them to your local school for a fete / Christmas fayre. Sounds like the sort of thing that would go down well at our school on the soft toy tombola.
[Don't know if this would be allowed without the CE mark, but I'm not sure many people would be too bothered about it.]

juliebunny

Thats so sad - our charity job is always desperate for stock - have you tried a different shop?

gp2010

I understand the fire stations, ambulance crews etc accept them and hand them out to children involved in traumatic situations - my mum has done them before for them. i am sure they are gratefully received

lynnemcf

I found this thread on UKScrappers maybe Maureen can help you http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=332549

Chris25

I think the CS is right - they're not allowed to sell them without the CE label. One near me, hands out free the toys & cuddlies that have been brought in without them.

But as you have crafted them, that would be a shame just to hand the m out - here's a link to the UK Handknitters Association with many FAQ which should cover whether you can sell them yourself http://www.ukhandknitting.com/FAQs.php


***just had a quick look & it says that if stuffed, you need to stitch a CE label to prove the correct fillings were used, if you want to sell it - don't know re unstuffed toys**

JimmyTheWig

Chris25 wrote: »

I think the CS is right - they're not allowed to sell them without the CE label. One near me, hands out free the toys & cuddlies that have been brought in without them.

But as you have crafted them, that would be a shame just to hand the m out - here's a link to the UK Handknitters Association with many FAQ which should cover whether you can sell them yourself http://www.ukhandknitting.com/FAQs.php


***just had a quick look & it says that if stuffed, you need to stitch a CE label to prove the correct fillings were used, if you want to sell it - don't know re unstuffed toys**

The implication of that is that the OP could just stick a CE label on these toys and then they could be sold.
Is that the case?

Chris25

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

The implication of that is that the OP could just stick a CE label on these toys and then they could be sold.
Is that the case?

in the FAQ section of the link to the ukhandknitting assoc, it says that if you're selling them yourself & they are stuffed you need to sew in a CE label to show that you have used fillings that conform with British & European Standards safety regs - I suppose the onus is on the maker to prove they have complied with those regs?