Poll: Product Recalls Change Buying Habits

According to the latest poll from the Harris Organization, the recent recalls of toys and other items made in China have made a change in the way people are going to shop for the holidays this year.

The poll shows that 33% of American shoppers say they are going to be buying fewer toys this year. Another 45% say they are specifically going to avoid toys from China. Among the respondents who say they have been directly affected by the recalls, 68% say they are not buying from China and it is not just toys that the public is boycotting, 48% say they are not going to buy any kind of product from China.

The no buy attitude is prevalent across all of the demographic groups also, but more so with older Americans.

With those in the 62 and older group, 59% say they will not buy anything made in China. In the youngest group, 18 to 30, it is 28%. Income comes into play also with 39% of the respondents whose household income is less than $35,000 do not plan on buying any toys from China and on the other end of the scale, those with a household income in excess of $75,000.

When they asked the respondents whether or not they knew that all toys sold in the U.S., no matter where they are manufactured, must come up to the same safety standards, 43% said that knowing this made them at least somewhat more sure that all toys sold in the U.S. are safe, but just as many, 44%, said that knowledge did nothing to change their opinion.

A vast majority of Americans, 91%, are well aware of the recall situation. But still, very few think that they actually have a recalled toy in their possession and even less say they took any action on the recalled items. Just 6% are sure they have one and 9% say it is a possibility.

With the group who are sure they have one of the recalled toys, 55% say they disposed of the toy and 47% say they have stopped buying toys from China because of the one they got. Just 30% of those who had one of the items said they had returned it to where they had bought the item and 26% said they had contacted the manufacturer with questions.