Buying Used: Infant Car Seat?

Was it in an accident ever. I would not do it. So not worth it, but that is just me. If this woman says it has never been in an accident, and you trust her,
Then I guess it would be ok. Or just buy the convertible that goes from 5 to 50 lbs. I never used the infant carriers. Could not stand them. Way too heavy and cumbersome.

Around here, even thrift stores do not sell used car seats. The seat may be fine, but you don't know what you're getting. I'd spring for a new one. Buy used baby clothing and used toys, but not a used car seat.

Well, you have to believe that the home is clean and smoke free and trust that the seat was never in an accident. Personally, I would spend the extra $100 and know for sure.

I would NEVER buy a used car seat.

A used pair of overalls.... sure. They won't keep my son alive.

Personally, if I knew my existing car seat (the one that just expired) was never in an accident, it's in good shape, and the foam padding still looks fine and isn't breaking down, I'd use it and not buy a new/used one at all.

Carseats are the one thing you never want to buy used. All you have is her word that it wasn't in an accident. You will never know for sure. You have at least 4 months to price shop, watch for coupons, check online, etc. to save the most money you can on a brand-new, completely safe carseat for your new son. Please don't buy used from a stranger.

I agree with everybody that says don't buy used from a stranger. Talk to your local car seat inspection place about how to get an appropriate, inexpensive seat. If you want to save money, go for a convertible off the bat and not a bucket seat. Most convertible seats can safely carry a baby 5lbs or larger with infant insert and go to 45 or even 70lbs when done forward facing. You have no idea if it's truly never been in an accident, cleaned improperly (don't soak the straps), etc. I would take this time to look around for another option. You can get convertible seats for as low as $40 new.

Never buy a used car seat. Ever.

As long as you can be certian that it was not in any accident.. I do not see why not.

I know you see it physically, but some times the damage is internal if in an accident. But I will admit, I bought mine used. I got the stroller, base and car seat for way less that way.

PERSONALLY, I always buy new car seats, because I follow all the car-seat rules to the T, and I wouldn't want to take the risk that the woman is lying about the seat having been in an accident, or having been compromised in any way.

Having said that, I sold my kids' infant car seat last year, a year before it expired. I was completely honest with the buyers - the seat had NEVER been in any sort of accident, and was expiring within 14 months. It was otherwise in excellent condition. I would have been sad if I hadn't been able to sell a perfectly good car seat.

I guess it comes down to the importance of the finances, and your trust in the seller. Best of luck.

I would buy the used one and save myself $100. As you said, you can't use the infant carriers for that long anyways (my boys both grew out of them by 6 mos!!) and there is, IMO, a 99.9% chance that woman is telling you the truth, and I figure the .01 is probably about the same as any other fluke problem that could occur related to manufacturing, etc. The vast majority of mothers would never consider compromising the safety of someones kids by knowingly selling them a busted car seat. And you can check the make/model online and find out in advance if there are any recalls on it.

I have never bought a new car seat, have been in accidents with no injury's, and have never had any problems.

You will find a whole group of women who would never put their child in a used anything. I don't know how dangerous they are to reuse. I have never had a problem.

The expiration date could assume things that you did not do. I live in very mild weather (central coast of CA) and have a garage, therefore the life of my carseat would be longer than a car left all day in the Arizona sun out in an open parking lot.

you should not by used ones for these facts- could have a recall on it, or it could have been involved in an auto accident. i would just buy a new one to be safe. i would never buy a used one. i would use the one i had before using a new one.
the expiration is for the foam on the inside of the carseat that gets damaged and warped for staying in the hot car all the time. you can probably by new insert for these things. but thats up to you. i would really just get a new one.

I would no buy a used car seat. You don't know what you don't know regarding this person selling it, any recall, any accident, etc.

It would not be worth it to me to save a few bucks and possibly compromise the safety of my child.

The only time you should ever consider a used seat is when it comes from a highly trusted friend or family member. Never from a stranger because unfortunately, sometimes people lie when money is on the line. You can't take that risk with your child's life.

I wouldn't buy used from someone I didn't know. Just because they say it's never been in accident doesn't mean it's true. If you know them, or if they are a friend of a friend, I think they are probably trustworthy enough. With a stranger, who knows.

I skipped the infant carseat altogether and just used a good convertible that fit newborns well.