Stroller Recall

Lots of news today about 1.5 million Graco strollers that have been recalled. The recall is voluntary by Graco and is prompted by little fingers getting caught in the hinges on the canopy.

From the Consumer Safety Product Association:

Models affected are Graco's Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Stystems. The strollers involved in the recall were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008.

People who own this stroller, should stop using it immediately and contact Graco to receive a free protective cover repair kit.

If you are planning on consigning one of these strollers you must have corrected the problem with the protective cover. Please do not bring the recalled strollers to sell without taking the time to inspect the hinges and take any necessary action to make them safe.

For more information you can go to CSPA website and get specific model numbers of the strollers affected.

How to sell all your shoes!

Kiddy Kats shoppers love to shop the clothes, they love to shop the toys...and they LOVE to shop and talk about the CUTEST shoes they got at great prices! I still remember buying a pair of NEW Nikes for my little girl for $5! I've bought 1,000's of items since then, but that great deal just sticks in my mind!

If you're selling shoes then most likely you don't want them back. You have to put a little time into bagging them and labeling them...and you want someone else to take them home! Make sure you follow these guidelines and then they are sure to go:

1) Don't bring shoes with scuffed toes.
2) Don't bring shoes with discolored soles.
3) Clean the dirt out of the soles of your tennis shoes and cleats.
Shoppers want to buy shoes that look like they haven't been worn!
4) Label shoes with your consignor number and price. When people inspect these or try them on, they may get separated, if they do, we can still sell them because you have them labeled and we'll know whose they are.
5) Put tags on the shoes.
6) Put shoes in a zip loc so they won't be separated in the laundry baskets during the heavy shoe shopping.

Clever Tip

A consignor passed this idea on to us and we wanted to share it with you!




She traces all her children's feet and writes their measurements on them. She carries a little measuring tape and she has all the info on things she wants to buy, and also a "foot" to match up to shoes! I'm with her, serious shopping with 3 kids is not my idea of a good time!

Thanks for the tip!

Sizing FAQs

These are the top 4 sizing questions...and these are our answers:

DISCLAIMER: You must take into consideration that each manufacturer has their own sizing standards, and produces and labels their clothes by those. Therefore, there is not an answer here that you cannot argue, but we don't want that.

Q1) What's the difference between 24 months and 2T?

A1) Infant clothing is defined by clothes that are sized 0-3 months to 24 months. Toddler sizes are 2T, 3T and 4T. Month sizes commonly have snap crotches to accommodate diaper changes. Toddlers are a bit slimmer, and longer in both sleeve and pant length, and look a little more grown up without snaps in the crotch.

Q2) What's the difference between 4 and 4T?

A2) 4T and 4s seem to have very close dimensions. The toddler sizes in general have a little bit more room in the seat for a diaper. Size 4 pants can come in slims or regular but the length has very little difference than the toddler sizes. Because size 4 starts the run of sizes 4 through 7, the styles can also be big boy/girl looks.

Q3) Why is there a 6X?

A3) 6X covers that age when girls are maturing faster than boys and they shoot out of their little girl 6s and need some tummy room. 6Xs are not usually the best fit for a slim girl. They are made for that "in between" time when girls are a little "fluffy" around the middle. The length is closer to 7s.

Q4) Why is there a size 9?

A4) Yeah, like we need another size break down. Anyway, only a few brands, including Gymboree, have a size 9. It is the size between 8 and 10 and we can't really tell much of a difference. We don't typically have size 9 racks at Rhea Lana's because there just aren't that many items. We encourage you to put those clothes on the size 8 racks so shoppers on their way to 10s can shop for them! Incidentally, there is no size 9 in boys, go figure.

Wanted to post this important info as this a very popular item at a lot of our sales:



From the Consumer Product Safety Commission:


The Infantino “SlingRider,” is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 lbs. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,” “SlingRider” and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo” branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part "Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc." and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.

Consumers should stop using the recalled slings immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product, with a choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, or a 2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover, or a 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided. Contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com .

In reading about the recall the CPSC has determined that in the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two.

Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.

Ok here we go...

Here is the initial blog post for the web. We are trying new things to improve the sale, and this is one of them. Keep looking back to us for tips on tagging, preparing, and general ideas to help you get the most out of your experience.

Sheila