Would you buy a USED car seat??

We bought a B.O.B. stroller, and so only a but 6 car seats are recommended to used with the car seat attachment, and we decided to go with one of the car seats. BUT we also found this car seat to not only be hard to come by, BUT also expensive. A friend has the car seat for sale, but her daughter used it for 19 months. This car seat is rated for 30lbs and/or 32" tall. She is asking $75.

WHAT to do!!

I voted yes, if I knew where it came from. I bought all of mine through albeebaby.com, they have really good discounts!

Not only NO but HELL NO. I could never feel comfortable if I put my baby in a used car seat because you never know if someone has done anything to it to make it not be safe. I'm sure people wouldn't intentionally do anything to make a car seat unsafe but they say a really high percentage of people do not know how to properly install car seats and since they have to be put together somewhat, you never know if it actually was put together the way it's intended to be.

We have a used carseat -- but it's from my sister and I know that they were never in any accidents or did anything questionable -- and then they taught us how to install it correctly.  I think if you know the person well and know that they are responsible, weren't in accidents, etc -- I'd go for it.

If it was on Craig's List or something... no way!

 If it was taken care of then I would.  In Austalia we can go to our ambulance station and they will check and install our car seats  to make sure that they are fitted properly.  If you could do that somewhere close to were you are I would go and get it checked out.  I have a car seat that has lasted really well and it is nearly 7 years old and I will use it for my new baby.

Hope that helps 

 Maddi

If it was from a friend (so you know it wasn't in an accident), I think that's just fine.  We're using a borrowed infant seat from a friend.

 NO way! There is no way of knowing were she kept the seat lol (in car! ). or for how long was it dry damp etc etc . It is already 19 months old, So been exposed to hot environment for at least 19 months! foam can be damaged and crummy on the inside and look fine on the outside! We had a booster seat for about 24months! We used it at my mums when she looked after my son . Anyway he decided to play slipery dips on it and no word of a lie it snapped intwo! He was only two and about 12 kg, all in the inside was all crumby and the foam on outside was fine. They wouldn't return because of wear and tear! It was a very well know brand aswell.

I didn't vote cuz I wasn't sure which to pick. My first instinct is NO WAY!! But I also know that these are hard times and we must do what we must at times to save money. I would never buy one from a thrift store or used on ebay or craigslist. But if you know her, and know she's never been in an accident with it, then carefully inspect it for and signs of stress to the plastic. This would look like lines in the plastic that are lighter colored than the rest. As long as it's free from these defects then it should be safe to buy, no problem.

I would buy it off of a friend or family member.  You do not "put a carseat together,"  so there is no need to worry about something wrong there.  If you are really worried bring it down to your local police department, have them check it and install it.  If there is something wrong with it they would definitely tell you.

 Good luck!

 when I had my dd I was watched like a halk from my social program ( not social services .. just a program that helps people down ontheir luck) because I was young on welfare with no father and living alone .. they told me flat out.. no way.. not to buy a used car seat incase something happens and it was faulty.. even if I knew where it came from! was a pain! meant it cost me way more that I didn't have! 

so I voted NO! NO WAY!. I wouldn't risk it.. even if it just fell out of their hands something could be "faulty" about it..

but.. this is me..

I always so go with your gut..

if you are even questioning it.. says something about what you think you should be doing. 

I wouldn't, not even from someone I knew well. But then again, I'm such a worry wart that I don't even re-use my OWN car seats.

Oh yeah, btw, did you know car seats expire?  If you do buy it, you need to make sure it did not expire!

Thanks for the help ladies. The car seat I have not yet seen, it belongs to a friend and has been in no accidents. I do trust her to tell me the truth, but I was also worried about the issue...what if the car seat accidentally fell down the stairs? No baby of course, but could that be enough of an impact to damage it? I don't know. The car seat, as far as I know, has not yet expired. BUT we have a beautiful one at home that I would love to use, but it has passed it's 6 year expiry date. Too bad since it is in perfect and beautiful shape.

*sigh* I still am not sure what to do!! Maybe I'll have a look at it and take it to the local 9-1-1 detachmemt and have them check it out for me.

I have bought and been given car seats from people I know and I am very comfortable using them as long as they have not expired. I'm in the same situation as you--I have a beautiful infant car seat in my basement that I know has been treated well and has only been used by my boys for about 8 months each, but it's past its expiration date. A friend had the same situation and bought a new one for her 4th child, which she then gave to me when she was done with it.