Are Secondhand or Resold Products Covered by Recalls?

People buy secondhand goods expecting to save money. They do not always expect to inherit a safety hazard. Understanding your rights as a secondhand buyer, and the obligations of secondhand sellers, helps on both sides of these transactions.

Your Rights as a Secondhand Buyer

If you purchased a product that has been recalled, from a garage sale, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, a thrift store, or any other secondhand source, you have the same rights as the original buyer:

• You are entitled to the free recall remedy (repair, replacement, or refund)
• You do not need the original receipt
• The manufacturer cannot deny your claim because you were not the first owner

To claim the remedy, contact the manufacturer using the information in the recall notice. Provide the model number, serial number, or other identifying information from the product. The manufacturer verifies the product is affected and processes your claim.

Selling Recalled Products Is Prohibited

Under the Consumer Product Safety Act, it is illegal to sell a recalled product. This applies to:

• Retailers who knowingly sell recalled inventory
• Individual consumers selling recalled items at garage sales or online
• Resellers on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist

The prohibition applies even if the seller is unaware of the recall, though enforcement against individual consumers for unknowing sales is rare compared to action against commercial sellers.

The practical implication: Before selling any consumer product, check it against the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls. If the product has been recalled, you cannot legally sell it. Contact the manufacturer for the remedy instead.

How to Check a Used Product Before Buying

When buying secondhand, particularly for children's products, appliances, and electronics:

1. Find the model number and serial number on the product label
2. Search at Recalls.gov before purchase
3. For vehicles, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

This takes two to three minutes and can reveal serious safety hazards, particularly important for items like cribs, car seats, and space heaters, which have high recall rates.

Thrift Stores and Online Platforms

Thrift stores and secondhand retailers are legally required to screen for recalled products before selling them. In practice, compliance varies. The CPSC periodically inspects thrift stores and has found recalled products being sold.

If you find a recalled product at a thrift store, notify the store manager. They are obligated to remove it from sale.