Quality Inexpensive Crib?

[BayAreaMom]

I am looking for an inexpensive but still high quality crib for my vacation home. It will be used about 10-15 times/year, so I don't want to spend a lot of money. My 6-month old daughter sleeps in a pack 'n play there now, but the past few trips up there she hasn't been sleeping well at all in it and i think she'd be better off in a crib like we have at home.

For our main house I bought a Berg forest sleigh crib for about $360 that is great. I was hoping to spend only about $200-$250 for the vacation home crib, but everything in that price range seems poor quality. I don't want one from IKEA. Can anyone recommend something at BRU or online that has cheap shipping? I like the looks of some at JC Penney but the shipping is outragous.

Are used cribs a really bad idea given how much use it will get? I am considered posting a wanted ad on my mothers club email group looking for one in great condition. I am definately going to buy a brand new mattress.

Thanks for any advice!!!

Darcy
Liz 4.6.06

[ekorda]

We got the Simplicty Ellis crib at Target for 250. It looks WAY more expensive than it actually was. Only had some issues with a part but once that was settled with the company and we got it together, we are very happy. :)

[luvsviola]

My good friend bought her crib at Meijer for $175. Her son used it til he was about 1 1/2, so she felt like she got her money's worth.

I bought a very nice quality used crib from Craig's list for $100.00. It was only used for one child previously and has served us very well.

Jen

[Tondi G]

I would look on Craigslist! I have seen my exact Pali crib for $150! We bought it for $400 I believe! I would rather buy a nicer brand that is gently used than a new lower quality crib!

Just be sure it is Newer... possibly only used by one child. Check that the slats are correctly spaced and you want to get the directions/manual so you can assemble it correctly!

Good luck

~Tondi

[BeachBum]

My mom bought a Jenny Lind style crib from BRU for $100/$150 for her house. I've found it very sturdy and feel quite comfortable letting DS sleep there.

[DrSally]

We also have the Delta Jenny Lind from BRU for $100 as our crib. It got top ratings from Consumer Reports and is just as nice as the Jenny Lind's you see at Baby Style, PB, etc, IMO.

[BayAreaMom]

Hi, I just wanted to post a follow-up to my original post. I searched and searched, and really didn't want to buy a cheap crib from BRU or my local baby store clearance center. I looked at them online but the shipping was so expensive. The cheapest crib I could find (that I liked) was about $330 plus 8.25% tax. So, I posted a wanted ad on my local mother's club yahoo board. I got a bunch of replies and settled on one that was a Simmons (very highly rated by BB), only 3 years old, and wasn't used by the little girl because she slept in her parent's bed. It was only $125. That included a used mattress but we bought a new one of course. The owner also threw in a bunch of used clothes and shoes, probably worth about $50.

My only complaint is that the original owners lost the directions, so it was very hard to disassemle and reassemble. I should have insisted on directions! I would not have bought a used crib as my main crib, but this will only be used a dozen or so times a year, so I wasn't as worried.

I should also note that I looked extensively on craigslist, but those cribs seemed a bit more heavily used and more expensive.

Darcy