Save Money with Used Baby Items
Posted by Michelle Kersey on Tue, Feb 02, 2010 @ 09:21 AM
With all the expenses of having a baby, wouldn't it nice to save some money by buying used baby gear? Buying used is a great way to lower the cost and still get quality items. I have searched Craigslist.com for years and have scored some awesome deals. My dad often brags about his daughters spectacular finds. However, there are things that you should never buy used, some that take a little research first, and others that are just too good to hesitate on!
The Never Buy Used Items:
They are expensive, so you would think that buying a used one is a great deal. However, unless it is a hospital grade pump, it is not meant to be used by more than one person. It is like buying a used toothbrush, just not healthy.
Unlike clothing, you cannot wash a mattress. Think of the throw up, pee and poop that could have leeched its way into the mattress. Not to mention the possibility of mold and other "bed bugs". This goes back to a health issue, it's just not safe.
Yes, you are probably disappointed reading that one. The best car seats are very expensive; however, if it has ever been in an accident, it should not be reused. Can you really trust a total stranger to tell you the whole truth? The only exception to this rule is if it comes from someone who cares about your child's life as much as you do.
Furthermore, if a friend or family member offers to give you a car seat (or any baby item) that is more than six years old, politely decline.
Baby Carriers can be helpful for many moms. It is recommended to learn how to properly use them and wear them. Here are some helpful resources: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/safety.php
www.thebabywearer.com
There have been some recalls on "bag style" slings, so check out the CPSC before making your choice.
Do not buy used shoes. "If you use a hand-me-down pair of shoes, you are forcing your child's foot into a shoe that has already molded to the shape of someone else's foot, which means your toddler could end up with blisters." Read More Here
Be Cautious Items:
Older models have had issues with the top bars collapsing and children have suffocated in the fold of the dropped side.
Keep within the past six years and the more recent the better. Make sure you can set it up, there are no holes in the mesh, the rail locking mechanism works, and there are no recalls on it.
One thing that people need to be aware of is that selling a recalled item is now illegal. However, most people do not know this and they do not check before selling something. Do not count on the seller to know, instead ask for the model and serial number and check for yourself.
Baby Items I highly Recommend Buying Used:
I found a used Radio Flyer Pathfinder wagon for $30; it looked brand new, had all the seatbelts and functioned great. I saved $70 on this one!
I purchased 2 Fisher Price Doodle Pros for $15 off EBay.
I have purchased a used set of wooden puzzles and an organizer for them for $20. Ended up being about a dollar per puzzle, and that's not including the organizer.
I cannot count how many bags of used clothes I have bought for my son. When children are young, clothes will get dirty and stained, so why not buy used? You then have some things that you won't worry about getting messed up and can be used as play clothes. You can also find very gently used clothing that looks like new.
I have purchased a great used Bell bicycle trailer for $15 ($100new) at a yard sale. It also converts to a jogging stroller.
- High chairs/booster seats
I have purchased three different feeding chairs for my son. One I kept in the car, it folds up nice and compact and attaches to almost any chair for $5 instead of $25 new. This also became a booster seat once my son outgrew his traditional high chair. I found a Fisher Price Space Saver high chair for $25 ($65 new) to keep at my dad's house. The last high chair I purchased was for my mom's house, this one I found for $10.
One of the most sought after products on Craigslist; Little Tikes gets a category all by itself. They make outstanding plastic kid products that can withstand YEARS of wear and still look new.
I basically stole a table and chairs for $5, it is $55 new! I only had to use some elbow grease and a couple Magic Erasers to get all the crayon marks off of it. It now looks brand new!
I have purchased 2 Little Tikes Cube Slides. One for $25 had no sun fading and stays indoors at my house and another one for $20 that was sun faded and stays outside at my moms.
I snagged a Little Tikes Castle slide at a garage sale for $25! This was another outstanding find, it costs $350 new. It was missing the doors on it, but my son never knew they were supposed to be there.
The key to scoring used deals on Craigslist, EBay, or at a garage sale is time and knowledge. You need to know what you want and how much it costs new. If you are patient enough, you will find a STEAL. When you finally see a great deal, do not hesitate! My sister-in-law missed out on the best deal for a Little Tikes Playground I have ever seen by waiting to discuss it with her husband.