Hand-me-downs?

CopperPoppy · December 2013

Ok so this is a two part test, class:
Multiple choice clicky poll! We have a good family friend who has one year old twins that have out grown a bunch of stuff and the mom is giving most of her stuff to us. This includes two Graco Snugride 30 car seats and bases manufactured in 2011 and 2012. The Graco website says these models are good for 7 years from manufacture date. They were never in an accident and we would have known about it. She would sell them to us, both for $30 total. We will likely just give these to our moms for their cars. I still want the Britax B-Safe for us because it's compatible with the stroller we want, the Graco seats are not. To answer the clicky poll, would you buy the used car seats?

"Essay" question: She's also giving us a cradle 'n swing, another smaller swing, two different newborn/infant bathtubs, sippy cups and and a bottle warmer. There's likely other stuff coming when she's done with it (Ergo carrier, Dr. Brown bottles, etc.). My question is if we take the car seats ($30 for both) and all the other things, what is a reasonable gesture to offer them? We were kinda thinking about giving them $30 cash and then buying them a $50(+) gift card for a restaurant. We want them to know we are grateful and also that we would appreciate other hand-me-downs in the future.

Sorry if this is confusing. Thanks!

kat8805 · December 2013

How much money will they be saving you by giving you these things? Maybe a certain percentage would be fair? That's my math brain, stirring from its fetus induced coma. Maybe a $50 gift card, and a voucher, or a few, for free baby sitting, so they can actually go out and enjoy the gift card.

mrspopsicle · December 2013

I guess for that cheap maybe I would do it. It seems silly to have multiple infant car seats (unless your little one will be going to a daycare where you can't leave car seats and grandmas will frequently be dropping off/picking up).

gypsymystic · December 2013

We always needed multiple car seats. H and I ended up sharing a car for awhile, and then there were a few times Grandparents had to pick him up in a pinch- and also once or twice H took the 'primary' carseat out of his/my car to get it detailed and forgot it at home. lol

ThereBeDragons · December 2013

I would not because I don't anticipate our parents needing to take baby for a drive (They will all be living out of town by the time baby gets here) and we only have one car. So if I knew I'd be buying a specific one for me- I'd skip the spares.

But that's me. And maybe the spares could be useful for you

alphalyrae · December 2013

How will your mother's be traveling with LO? Won't they need his stroller? I'm not seeing how the graco's will actually help them, especially since infant seats usually only last until roughly 6 months old. I've always been told not to buy car seats used, period. So no, I wouldn't personally.

alphalyrae · December 2013

Fail. Part 2. I have no problem with the other hand me downs/hand me downs in general provided it isn't the crib/carseat in my mind.

talkthewholetime · December 2013

As long as you're sure they've never been in an accident, buying car seats from someone you know is OK. Strangers/the internet: hell no.

Miles2Go · December 2013

Has she ever submerged the straps in water or used any cleaning agents on them? Have they ever been checked on an airplane?

CopperPoppy · December 2013

Good questions. I know the straps have not been washed/damaged. I didn't think to ask about the airplane. I'll ask.

As far as the stroller thing goes for my mom/MIL we planned to just get a cheap click and go frame. I wasn't really too worried about that right now it just seemed like too good of an option to pass up that I thought we could figure out the rest down the road.

Eventually they will need strollers too or need ours to be available to share.

Good suggestions. Thanks!

pistolpackinmomma · December 2013

Honestly we spent around $30 for an extra base to our seat. That base went between the "extra" vehicles and we left the main base installed in my vehicle at all times. It worked out great and we didn't have to switch him to a different seat. I could meet my mom, snap the base in then move him to her car in a matter of minutes if needed. Though normally it was just if we were going out and then when we did drop off DH would put the base in while I carried him inside. Even now we only have one convertible seat that we just move on the rare occasion it is needed.

mrspopsicle · December 2013

You'll spend more on a snap and go frame than you would just buying an extra base for your britax seat.

We had an extra base for our seat in my moms car (my MIL smokes in her car so DD will never ride with her). That way it was quick and easy to meet somewhere or ride together without jostling DD or changing seats.

My mom watched DD while I worked once or twice a week. For the first five or so months I left my stroller with her while I was working. After that she bought an umbrella stroller that she keeps at her house/in her car. It's worked out great.

I think the extra seats would just be a hassle/not get enough use to be worth it. When baby is little enough to be in an infant seat the convenience is that baby can stay in the seat to be transported otherwise it's kind of pointless.

Oatoa · December 2013

For the baby seats, I say go for it. Although, PP are right in that they are only used for a short time and it might be just as expensive and easier to buy an extra base for the system you are buying, Its all up to you.

For the hand me downs, take everything you can. We had friends that did this for us and we were so greatful. I think the $50 or gift cards are fine.

laurblum · December 2013

What about just buying your parents the car seat base that goes with the Britax one you want. That way when they pick the baby up they can take the carseat you already know and trust. That is what we plan to do so that we don't have to buy multiple car seats. No, I would not buy the used car seat.

jenb_99 · December 2013

I'd be comfortable buying used car seats from a friend I could trust to give me the seats' accurate history. I'd buy the bases too, though bases aren't absolutely necessary. We never bought my parents a base for our Baby Trend carrier. They just used the seat belt option. I sent my parents a link to the infant carrier manufacturer's Web site so they could watch videos on proper installation with the seat belt.

I'm all about hand-me-downs.

Tnpeach · December 2013

PP said offer babysitting to let them enjoy the gift card. I second the motion!

MeredithElese · December 2013

Another reason an additional car seat could be helpful: Not sure where your parents are or how much you travel, but our family is all several states away and we had to take a car seat on the airplane. We were pretty anxious about the car seat getting broken on the airplane and we did have a few experiences where accessories got broken (cup holder, scratches). My mom ended up buying a car seat for when we traveled to them so that we didn't have to carry a car seat on the airplane.

I like the gift card idea, you could also do a full date night: movie passes and restaurant. I also think that they're most likely giving this to you as a gift and a help to them getting it out of the house- they're not expecting anything, so any gesture would be appreciated.

jntaylor11 · December 2013

My parents & IL's used an infant seat 1 time... So personally wouldn't waste my money there even though it's a great deal. If our parents ever needed a seat this time I'd just let them use ours & then I'd feel better because I'd install it myself. As for the bottles & sippy cups, I wouldn't use hand me downs. Everything else I would though. Just my opinion there. I think a gift card to get dinner out would be a very nice gesture.

katesy21 · December 2013

I'm not against hand me downs but I would also recommend getting additional bases. We had 3 bases for our previous car seat. One in my car, one for DH and one for my mom because she took the kids to daycare and it varied who would be picking them up. It was easier and less expensive to just have one seat with multiple bases.

IBackBevo · December 2013

With the britax, you can strap it in without the base with just the infant carrier.

Edit: I would only do this for very occasional use, though.

CopperPoppy · December 2013

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice and suggestions. We ended up taking the seats mostly because our moms wanted them and they were a good deal from a safe and well known home. I've educate our moms on all the risks and possible down sides to buying preowned car seats (obviously things have changed a bit since they had their first car seats).

My mom lives nearby but thought it would just be handy to have an extra car seat all together. But we may just buy her an extra base for the Britax anyway if that makes more sense.

My MIL lives a plane ride or 8 hour drive away and it would be really nice for her to have her own seat there. Not sure how the stroller thing will work out just yet.

Finally, I think we will give the family the cash for the car seats and a $50 gift card for dinner.

jjtyler · December 2013

I would definitely go for the seats....bottles and other stuff I'd be meh about unless I saw them...but as a PP said, take what you can get and...

honestly, when I gave a friend stuff (she came up from Florida to NY for the summer and I gave her my PNP -she returned that one to me, the bouncy, the excersaucer, my monitor, and swing...), I was just so THRILLED that the items were being used again that anything she gave me was unnecessary (she took me out to dinner one night)...

CopperPoppy · December 2013

That's kinda the feeling I got with our friends. They just wanted the stuff gone and were going to just give them away to goodwill.

I personally don't really want to use the cups and stuff but she just threw them in the bag to take. I'll probably see if I can recycle them or toss them. Some of the stuff that she gave me is stuff I was interested in trying but probably wouldn't have bought myself. Anything is worth trying for free, right?

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