Second-Hand Goods

Selling second-hand goods

If you are selling second-hand goods to raise funds for your charity or church, you have a responsibility to check everything is in order and the goods are safe to sell.

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Legal requirements

If you are selling second-hand goods you have a responsibility to ensure the goods meet legal safety requirements. There is a range of legislation which might be applicable including the Consumer Rights Act, the Consumer Protection Act, and the General Product Safety Regulations. There is also specific legislation for selling certain categories of second-hand goods including furniture, electrical and gas appliances, toys, children’s clothes, prams, and pushchairs.

If you sell unsafe goods which result in injury or damage, then you may be liable to pay compensation. If you want further advice on your responsibilities, you should contact your local Trading Standards office.

Hazards

Here are example hazards to look out for when selling second-hand goods:

Protective headgear where you cannot determine if it has been damaged
Toys with loose facial features, sharp edges, finger trapping or choking hazards
Furniture without a fire label
Damaged prams or pushchairs without a fire label
Electrical equipment without a CE mark
Damaged plugs, cables, and casings to electrical equipment
Children’s raincoats, overcoats, anoraks, tracksuit tops or other clothes fitted with a hood cord

Precautions

Here are some example precautions you can take when selling second-hand goods:

Checking that all equipment is complete, with all necessary safeguards fitted, and free from obvious defects
Obtaining vital information such as the age range of the product, particularly whether it is suitable for children under 36 months
Ensuring that toys and electrical goods have a CE mark
Get a qualified person to check electrical goods and label them to show this is done
Ensuring that all toys are clean
Never sell second-hand electric or fire blankets, as their history, usage and condition may be unknown

Starter guide to selling second-hand goods

When planning a sale, set out basic rules about what you can and cannot accept
Locate a room or suitable amount of space to store and check donations
Obtain any vital information for the goods that you may need to pass on to buyers
Document your arrangements and responsibilities for the sale of second-hand goods

Sale of second-hand goods

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