Buying a Used Car Seat

[MamaMaui24]

I wouldn't buy one from a stranger because you don't know if it could have been in a crash (no matter what they said).

I would (and did) use one from a friend.

[Willis Jackson]

Because you don't know if the people selling it are lying about its accident history.

I would use one if a trustworthy friend or family member offered.

[zarapipe]

I think it depends. I havent in the past but will be borrowing one from a friend if she is done withbit by september this time ariund.

I would totally buy from a friend and even perhaps from a consignment sale where the seat looks unused. Flame away.

[papie]

Yes, but I just wouldn't trust someone with that. There is no way to know about a crash, kwim?

[papie]

Apr 20, 2014 15:07:15 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

Follow up question. It seems like insurance confiscates the seat after a crash, right? (to prevent re-sale) Or is this just a random thing some companies do?

I have no idea if they do or don't. But what if it was a small crash with no claim?

[Deleted]

I have used hand-me-down seats from close family/friends with both infants. I wouldn't buy from a stranger, but I happily use one from someone I trust. I will give away this one when DD outgrows it (I think it's got a year left - no chance of me using it before it expires).

[MamaMaui24]

Apr 20, 2014 15:07:15 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

Follow up question. It seems like insurance confiscates the seat after a crash, right? (to prevent re-sale) Or is this just a random thing some companies do?

Only some companies.

[jena]

I think that it's not worth the risk.

And even when you get one from a friend you trust has not been in a crash, ask about how they cleaned the straps. Because a lot of people will take them off and wash them or soak them and that weakens the straps. They are spot clean only. A lot of people don't know that so they wouldn't think to tell you about it.

[statlerwaldorf]

Apr 20, 2014 15:07:15 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

Follow up question. It seems like insurance confiscates the seat after a crash, right? (to prevent re-sale) Or is this just a random thing some companies do?

I had a claim with a car seat and they did not confiscate the car seat they replaced.

[soxin2]

I think of it this way:

Would you ride in that person's car? (With them driving?)
Would you trust them to drive your child around?


.... Cuz that's kind of what is happening.


If yes, then go for it. If no, then don't.

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2014 23:41:57 GMT -5 soxin2 said:

I think of it this way:

Would you ride in that person's car? (With them driving?)
Would you trust them to drive your child around?


.... Cuz that's kind of what is happening.


If yes, then go for it. If no, then don't.

I totally get what you are saying but to me it is so much more than that.  You can assume that a person would obey traffic laws with your or your child in their car or even obey them with no one else in the car with them.  You pass a test to get your licenses so you know the do's and dont's.

I think most moms not on msg boards like this have no idea how to store or care for car seat.  How would you know if they washed the straps with soap or if they stored it in a non temp controlled climate before they gave it to you?

[degal99]

Apr 20, 2014 15:54:33 GMT -5 jena said:

Because a lot of people will take them off and wash them or soak them and that weakens the straps. They are spot clean only. A lot of people don't know that so they wouldn't think to tell you about it.

I did not know that. Won't be doing that again, thanks!

[marina007]

I bought a used car seat for my
Mom's car from a friend of a friend that I trust. It's a year old and she's going to use it for occasional pick ups. I'm comfortable w/ this, but also I'm based in Europe where it seems a bit more relaxed. We only have one car so I take the bus with my pram daily, and DD stays in the pram while bus is driving. So I guess that might be more flameful?

[marina007]

Also, the cheapest new car seat I've found here was $300...

[ssmjlm]

jjwritergirl Are you in the DC area? When are you you due? I have my chicco keyfit infant seat still and an extra base. I will give it to you. It's in the foxy pattern, if that matters.

[soxin2]

Apr 21, 2014 0:24:13 GMT -5 vigurl said:

Apr 20, 2014 23:41:57 GMT -5 soxin2 said:

I think of it this way:

Would you ride in that person's car? (With them driving?)
Would you trust them to drive your child around?


.... Cuz that's kind of what is happening.


If yes, then go for it. If no, then don't.

I totally get what you are saying but to me it is so much more than that.  You can assume that a person would obey traffic laws with your or your child in their car or even obey them with no one else in the car with them.  You pass a test to get your licenses so you know the do's and dont's.

I think most moms not on msg boards like this have no idea how to store or care for car seat.  How would you know if they washed the straps with soap or if they stored it in a non temp controlled climate before they gave it to you?

Your points are valid. And were made in other comments. I was trying to simplify it to a gut check.