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Payless novelty children's purses

CPSC Recall #98-111 — May 17, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-111
Recall DateMay 17, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 6,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

The purses were sold at Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide from Feb 1998 through May 1998 for about $8.

Product

Payless novelty children's purses

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Payless ShoeSource Inc. is recalling about 6,000 novelty purses. The purses contain a petroleum distillate, used as a decorative liquid in the purse flap, that could be harmful or fatal if ingested. CPSC and Payless are not aware of any injuries involving these purses. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The purses are made of clear plastic and measure about 5 inches long by 5 inches wide. The purses' flaps contain two bright colored liquids, glitter and decorative foil confetti. The purses were available with liquids in green and yellow, pink and orange, and purple and blue. Inside the purse are two tags: a warning label regarding the hazardous liquid in the purse, and a tag with the products' identification number, "3659," and the words, "Made in China." The purses were sold at Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide from Feb 1998 through May 1998 for about $8. Consumers should immediately take these purses away from children, and return them to their local Payless ShoeSource store for a refund and an additional $10 gift certificate. For more information, consumers can call (800) 444-7463 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday. Consumers also can mail the purse to Payless ShoeSource Purse Recall, 3231 E. Sixth St., Topeka, KS 66601 with their return address enclosed for a full refund and a $10 gift certificate issued through the mail.

Hazard

The purses contain a petroleum distillate, used as a decorative liquid in the purse flap, that could be harmful or fatal if ingested.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Payless are not aware of any injuries involving these purses.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately take these purses away from children, and return them to their local Payless ShoeSource store for a refund and an additional $10 gift certificate.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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