Hand Me Down Question

AndromedaEclipse · March 2012

My SIL just gave us all of her old baby stuff. Her son is three years old, so most of it is rather new. One of the things she gave us was a Maxi-Cosi car seat. There's a voluntary recall out on it as of 2009, but there's a repair kit that they can send for it. Would you try to get a hold of the repair kit, or try to buy a new car seat?

Davesgrl2011 · March 2012

Honestly I would buy a new car seat.

brideofscowboy · March 2012

I would also buy a new seat.

AndromedaEclipse · March 2012

Oh, and the recall was because it was hard to get out of the base.

SweetHurricane · March 2012

I'd buy a new one and maybe save that one for a grandparent's car or your second vehicle you won't use often. Where was it stored before she gave it to you? Heat (in a garage or attic for example) can cause the plastic to break down. I definitely would not use it as a primary car seat.

AndromedaEclipse · March 2012

It was in her basement, but it was shipped over from Germany last summer (she was overseas when her son was born). My biggest predicament is that the stroller it attaches to is not under recall. So I can buy a really expensive car seat that fits into that stroller or get a whole new but less expensive system.

diehld@uindy.edu · March 2012

apply for the repair kit... and get another seat... Atleast its a lot better than what MIL found for us... a Car seat with a 1997 manufacture date! I was screaming on the inside and a calmly told her no!

LottaLattes · March 2012

I'd definitely get a new seat, albeebaby has good prices, I got a graco 22 for $59. Most babies will outgrow the height before the weight and I don't need to be carrying around heavier seats anyhow. You also can get a snap n go stroller for pretty cheap on Craigslist and use that until the stroller you have works (when your baby is out of the seat).

I don't understand spending a ton on infant seats, beyond getting a safe one. I spend more on convertibles since they'll be used for years and safety and sizing is much different but I wouldn't blow the budget on an infant seat you will use for 8-10 months on average (my eldest would have been out by month 4 for weight, my youngest would have outgrown by height around 12 months

AndromedaEclipse · March 2012

That's really true - it's only rated up to 22 lbs and 29 inches. I don't know how long that will last, but it's not forever. We registered for a system already because we didn't know if SIL would give us her hand me downs or if we could use them. I'll just leave it on the registry and hope someone gets it.

drbethc · April 2012

I wouldn't risk it...My baby is worth more than saving bucks.

AndromedaEclipse · April 2012

drbethc:
I wouldn't risk it...My baby is worth more than saving bucks.

I'm not completely ridiculous - my question is not "can I get away without spending anything", it's "is it safer to have a better quality car seat that needs one repair or an inferior quality car seat that requires no repairs". If it was a matter of handles falling off or something, we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's a matter of springs in the base needing replacing.

jmleske · April 2012

Check the expiration date. If it's still good, get the repair kit. You know the whole history on the car seat, which is a major must with a used car seat. (As far as not being in an accident before and such.)

JessieCupcake · April 2012

SweetHurricane:
I'd buy a new one and maybe save that one for a grandparent's car or your second vehicle you won't use often. Where was it stored before she gave it to you? Heat (in a garage or attic for example) can cause the plastic to break down. I definitely would not use it as a primary car seat.

This is a good idea!

allisonmarie22 · April 2012

I LOVE hand me downs, but I wouldn't take a hand me down carseat.

Perrysbride · April 2012

I would buy a new. A car seat is something I don't ever want to question.

drbethc · April 2012

AndromedaEclipse:
drbethc:
I wouldn't risk it...My baby is worth more than saving bucks.
I'm not completely ridiculous - my question is not "can I get away without spending anything", it's "is it safer to have a better quality car seat that needs one repair or an inferior quality car seat that requires no repairs". If it was a matter of handles falling off or something, we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's a matter of springs in the base needing replacing.

My response meant that I would purchase a high quality one...so not getting one that is less inferior or having to replace a thing!

acbfreire · April 2012

I got a hand-me-down car seat and 2 bases. They are about 2 1/2 yrs old, but my friend did not have the manual. I will return it to her.

I do not feel comfortable installing without the manual and not knowing about warranty and such, so I will buy a new one. Also, since we plan to have another child in 2 yrs or so, it makes sense to go ahead and buy new...

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