Used Car Seats?

[RedheadMama]

Can anyone tell me what to look for if buying a Used Car Seat? Do Car Seats expire ... meaning you shouldn't buy one after so many years of use?

[GraceH]

Please do NOT buy a used car seat - there's no indication that it hasn't been in an accident, compromising it's safety (of course, if it's a friend you trust with your child's life, that's different...)
Yes - car seats do expire, usually 6 years after manufacture, some as little as 5 and others as much as 9 years post DOM.

[tnrnchick74]

Originally Posted by GraceH

Please do NOT buy a used car seat - there's no indication that it hasn't been in an accident, compromising it's safety (of course, if it's a friend you trust with your child's life, that's different...)
Yes - car seats do expire, usually 6 years after manufacture, some as little as 5 and others as much as 9 years post DOM.

You buy a carseat because its legally required but ALSO to protect your child in the event of a crash. I once read that buying a used carseat is like going skydiving with a parachute packed by a drunk person...might be right, might not but are YOU going to risk YOUR life on it?? Nope - then don't risk your child's.

And as above, yes they DO expire!

ETA: if you give us the stats on your child/ren, cars, budget, etc - we can give you some great ideas for good carseats that will work. There ARE budget friendly seats out there, but also remember that even if the initial cost is high, for most seats they are used for many years making the year to year cost very reasonable.

[Joolsplus2]

Here's a decision tree about used carseats. Since you can rarely answer Yes to question 1, it makes them almost universally an inappropriate/unsafe option http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/usedseat.aspx
Don't worry, plenty of good ones aren't too expensive

[RedheadMama]

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking that used wasn't probably the best option...but just wanted to make sure. I haven't bought any other baby gear used...so I won't start with a car seat.

[GraceH]

Side note: Used is a great money-saving option if you're looking at higher end strollers

[tnrnchick74]

Originally Posted by GraceH

Side note: Used is a great money-saving option if you're looking at higher end strollers

And a lot of toys hold their resale value too! Save $$ on the things you can and buy new the things that are safety related (carseat especially!!)

[KrisM]

Originally Posted by RedheadMama

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking that used wasn't probably the best option...but just wanted to make sure. I haven't bought any other baby gear used...so I won't start with a car seat.

I bought (a lot) of new carseats.

I bought nearly everything else used. I used my brother's crib, so that wasn't an issue. But, pack n plays, strollers, etc can be great to buy used.