What will you buy (or accept) used?

pahokie · December 2008

We haven't started acquiring stuff, but I am a planner, and love to spend way to much time looking at baby gear online. Craigslist is full of ads for baby furniture, clothes, toys, etc.

What would you feel safe buying (or accepting as a gift) used, and what will you insist on purchasing new?

Summerstarr2 · December 2008

I would be willing to buy/accept used clothes. They grow out of them so fast and spill and stain them easily too. I don't want to spend time worrying about keeping my kids clothes in good shape - there are too many more important things to focus on!

dmsmth · December 2008

I would want a new crib.

Clothes I would buy gently used and than still wash them a few times after I got them before actually using them.

Toys I would buy used. Esp. toddler toys

jwally · December 2008

we accepted a used crib and bedding before ds was born. both were in good condtion and hardly used. the crib met all safety standards too. we also have a used stroller and i bought a used boppy at a consignment store in the big city. there were no visible stains and i bought a new slip cover for it.

mandyjn16 · December 2008

Right now the main thing I would insist on being new is the travel system or mainly the infant car seat. (oh and anything like bedding unless I knew the person who owned it before.) As far as buying stuff used, it really just depends on the quality of the item. I went to a huge baby re-sale event last time and a lot of the stuff like swings and bouncers just looked too used (rust or stains on them). As long as something doesn't look too used and is clean and the price is right, I would consider it.

showcow · December 2008

Alot of people I know don't buy alot of new things they shop used/discount stores and garage sales. So far they've gotten:

highchairs (had a friend get a high dollar one for cheap)

car seats

cribs(the one was given by a family member who didn't use it anymore)

anything cloth (like clothes or shoes, burp rag that could be washed)

any plastic toys (taken to a car wash and washed up)

MrsRoehl_2008 · December 2008

Summarized from Baby Bargains: Most things are okay used, but avoid cribs and car seats. Be vigilant about inspecting PNPs, jumpers, stollers, anything with lots of moving parts or items that could harm your child if no longer working properly. Otherwise, all soft goods (clothes, bedding, etc.) is fine, rocking chairs, bath tubs, dressers and changers, high chairs, toys, etc. are great to pick up used or as hand-me-downs.

travelingkris · December 2008

the only thing I INSISTED on was a new carseat. We got our crib/dresser/changing table on CL for under $175... it was in excellent shape, and was up to code (got make/model ahead of time).

I'm not too proud for hand me downs

pahokie · December 2008

I figure anything I can easily wash like clothes, toys, etc. is not a problem. I am more concerned with the safety aspects of things like cribs & changing tables. I guess it's not too hard to check those out and make sure they are in good condition. I will definitely buy a new mattress, though!

Most of the craigslist ads do seem to specify if they are a smoke and pet free house, and often mention the amount of use (number of kids, etc) an item has seen.

Friends had a baby last month, and they found tons of clothes, toys, a bouncer chair, and a swing at great prices at yard sales or online. I plan to raid their stash first!

jenn_darrin1515 · December 2008

I'd accept anything I could scrub down that wasn't cloth...

Miracle Social Worker · December 2008

Clothes because you can wash them and they grow so fast...

New-crib and car seat. Anything else as long as in good condition.

Stellar1 · December 2008

I would take used clothes if someone offered. All the big stuff, cribs, high chairs, etc.. I would prefer new.

yellowcar · December 2008

Well, all of our stuff is technically "used"...it was used by my DD 4 years ago! But we use lots of hand-me-downs and things purchased 2nd hand:

crib (but mattress is new)
convertible car seats (I knew the prev. owner, trust her)
clothes
swing
baby bjorn ($4 at a garage sale!)
my bedding came off of EBay
boppy (new slipcover)
backpack carrier

gremaud07 · December 2008

I never ever have used used items .. but with this baby and all expenses that are entailed..

We got a crib from a family member and using a dresser that my mil gave us.. other than that most items will be new. I know I will get bags of used clothes from family which is fine but I don't go looking for used items.

JennR · December 2008

It depends on a few things here. We were planning on having several children, so we got most of our stuff new simply so it had the best chance of lasting through multiple kids. However, now that i've been there done that, even in that setup there are things I could have gotten used - like a bouncy seat, swing, etc.

Things I would NOT accept used (and have turned down from family making it a bit sticky, but too bad) car seats that are too old or with an unkown history, mattress, crib without installation instructions and model number to check for recalls (or one that is older than '99 when the standards changed)

Anything that can be washed well or sanitized and is safe is fair game for getting it used! Although to get used stuff as a gift is a bit odd to me...

pahokie · December 2008

I didn't really mean all wrapped up like a shower gift, I just meant given for free.

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