Craigslist?

SwetaV · February 2013

I keep seeing moms rave about finding good deals on Craigslist lately and am wondering if there are specifics you would and would not buy from someone you don't know. I am very much a germaphob but budget conscious as well so any experience, advise, etc. is appreciated!

raynadawn · February 2013

Never, ever a car seat because it could be a safety issue, I also wouldn't do cloth diaper covers just because of the lingering 'ew' factor, but clothes, stroller, swings, play yards, bottles (get new nipples) etc. etc. so long as you can test them out before paying and taking it home - particularly swings. Bring batteries with you in the right size so you can be sure it works right even if you're meeting up at the local mall parking lot. This is especially easy to do when you're buying for a newborn because stuff is just so lightly used! Toddler gear gets a little harder to find in good shape.

The best thing about most baby stuff made now, is that you can take out any linings, paddings, whatever and give them a good wash at home - something my mom thinks is just AMAZING considering she had to actually replace a folding stroller of mine due to a bad blow out. We were recently given a dual stroller (which was way awesome of our friends to do!) but it was pretty nasty, having been used daily, then folded up and stashed in a garage. It had a bit of mold on the canopies, and sticky toddler finger tracks basically everywhere... Stripped it down, scrubbed the rest with disinfecting cleaner, threw what I could in the washer (which was most of it) and it looks practically new!