5 Useful tips for buying a second-hand / used Baby Stroller

Used Baby Strollers. If you’re looking for a stroller, don’t be afraid to consider a used model. The workout a stroller gets before a child outgrows it is minimal, plus the functionality doesn’t change a lot from year to year. Here are the things to look for when buying a second-hand stroller.

Why Do People Resell their Strollers

Most owners decide to resell their strollers, once they no longer feel the need it. This apples to both high-end as well as lower-end strollers.

Unless there is some real damage to the stroller, there’s no reason to thrown it away.

In North America, its common to see strollers for sale at yard sales, on Craigslist, on eBay, and all the usual places where people sell their used items.

There are many parents who also donate their strollers to charities.

Why Should You Consider Buying a Used Stroller

Budget is a constraint for most parents and although the entry-level strollers are affordable, fully featured strollers can be expensive.

In case you want a better featured stroller on a limited budget, and if you are okay with the concept of owning a used stroller, you should consider buying a used stroller.

Second hand doesn’t have to be all dirty stuff; in fact, you can get some amazing deals on some products.

Besides, it may even give you an idea for a business, such as selling things on sites like Craigslist for a profit.

Many parents don’t mind buying used stroller but have concerns regarding safety, hygiene, fit, etc.

Here, we have listed how you can alleviate these concerns.

Is is safe to buy a used stroller, car seat?

As per reports published by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), several babies are injured using products such as strollers, car seats, and cribs, highlighting the importance of safety in such products.

So you should be careful when you opt for secondhand gear, especially when it is for children.

One advantage of buying new baby gear is that you get notified by the manufacturer in case of a product recall. The product registration card that you fill when you make a new purchase allows the manufacturer to notify you in case the product gets recalled.

But that is very unlikely if you buy used stroller, car seat or crib.

Having said that, if you still wish to buy something secondhand, here’s what you need to know to keep your little one safe, and how to find out whether a used product has been recalled.

Car Seats

Very few users are aware that car seats come with an expiration date. This is because newer models often come with better protection.

Also, a poorly installed car seat leaves a child vulnerable in a crash. This is why you may need to invest in a new, top-performing car seat.

If you’re still considering getting a used car seat, check for these – car seat’s expiration date (usually mentioned on the label and owner’s manual).

Ask the seller if the car seat was involved in a car crash in the past, as the crash forces could have weakened the seat’s structural integrity (something that may not be visible to the eye).

Note: If you end up with a car seat that’s not safe to reuse, don’t haul it to the curb or town dump, because it might tempt strangers to use it for their baby. Instead, strip the car seat to its shell, removing fabrics, harnesses, and buckles. Then mark “Do Not Use” on it, and check with your local authorities to find out whether any components can be recycled before you dispose of the car seat.

Strollers

Unlike car seats, strollers do not come with an expiration date, but you should generally avoid very old strollers. Because recent strollers come with better safety features.

Its recommended that you should buy a model made on or after Sept. 10, 2015 because that’s when federal safety standards – covering harness placement, integrity, stability, and strength of strollers came into force. You can check the label on the stroller to see the manufacture date, usually mentioned on the underside of the frame.

And if the used stroller is a more recent model, you should make sure it is not on the CPSC’s recall list.

You should also go through the user manual for the stroller (also available on the manufacturer’s website).

Buying a Used Stroller

How Does it Score on Safety?

Safety is the most important factor to check, even if you are buying a used one.

• Take a closer look at the stroller, is it something that will fall apart in as few days or weeks?
• Check the condition of the various safety features/parts – 5-point harness, brakes, locking mechanism. Does it look good and work well? Just don’t rely on the words of the seller; check it yourself

 

Do all the Features Work?

Check if everything is place, if its intact, push and fold it couple of times to make sure everything works ok, push it in all directions to check if its smooth, check the safety features like the seat-belts, brakes , use the handlebar, Look for sharp edges.

There should be no fraying or tears in the belts or straps and they should be securely in place. All fasteners should be free of cracks and still be easily used. Check the seat and make sure that the back is stable and that it won’t collapse under the child’s weight. The reclining positions should also hold your baby’s weight. Make sure there are no sharp edges or places where little fingers can be pinched.

Ask yourself these important questions such as does the seat sag? Do the wheels make a squeaky noise when it moves? Does it feel sturdy? Don’t feel shy or hesitate to ensure you check the stroller thoroughly before you buy it.

Check for Cleanliness

Most used strollers are not well-maintained and are rarely cleaned.

While most parents are likely to be put off by a dirty stroller, it can actually be used as a better bargaining chip to lower the price.

You can always get the stroller cleaned from a stroller cleaning service provider and it will look a lot better, in some cases, almost like a new one.

Check for Recalls

It is very common for some strollers to get recalled by manufacturers. Even the best stroller models have had recalls. To check if any used stroller has had recalls, get the model number and any other information about the stroller and you can either contact the manufacturer directly or check on the CPSC for recall lists.

You can still buy the stroller if it was in the recall list. What is more important is the reason for the recall and if it was rectified. Also check if a free repair kit is available.

Stroller Reviews

User reviews are always helpful when you buy any product, including a used stroller.

You can go online and check for reviews on the stroller model you are interested in buying.

Is it positive? Negative? What do users feel about its features? Once you go through some, you should get a fair idea as to how the stroller is.

Also Read: Top Stroller Reviews.

What’s the Original Price of the Used Stroller

Find out the original price of the stroller model that you like.

Budget strollers with low original rates tend to break down sooner.

My friend has had a similar experience with a stroller which was cheap when it was brand new but the used version didn’t last long.

Does it Meet Your Expectations?

Don’t just look at the price of the stroller, see if it meets your expectations.

Just like when we go to buy a first-hand piece, you can get swayed buying a used stroller too. It is easy to fall for a stroller with a cheaper price or availability but if it doesn’t meet your needs, you might regret it later.

So, always keep a list of must have features when you go looking for a used stroller. Check the list each time you see a stroller you like and buy one only when a stroller meets all your check points.

Related: Complete Stroller buying guide.

Where to Find Used Strollers

To find a used stroller, talk to your friends, relatives, neighbors and see if someone is selling their stroller. You can also look online for used strollers; you’ll find several options. There are many sites that sell used strollers, ebay is one of them. You can also check for parenting groups, newspaper, social media groups online, mobile apps, craigslist etc.

Things to Keep in Mind While BUYING

• Find the year, in which the stroller model was made (ask if the seller hasn’t specified it)
• Know that most warranties do NOT transfer from owner to owner. You could still avail the benefit if the previous owner hasn’t registered it for warranty and can provide you with all the info like when and where it was bought.

Things to Keep in Mind While SELLING

• Provide detailed description. Don’t abbreviate. Instead of using the shortened term “BJCS”, say Baby Jogger City Select. Post several good pictures (from different angles). Potential buyers want to see clean, nice pictures of products.
• Make sure you clean & wash everything, and don’t use pictures of the stroller with your child in it. Avoid writing “Has some dirt in it, but will easily wash out”, instead clean it and write “Its Perfectly clean as seen in the images”.
• List everything, including the stroller accessories or boards, that comes with the stroller, even the obvious stuff that come bundled with the stroller.
• List the reason why you want to sell it. People would want to know why you want to sell a perfect stroller. And remember, people like honesty so make sure your reasons look authentic.
• Mention your selling terms in detail.

 

Best sites and apps for used baby gear

You can buy almost everything online nowadays and it’s not different for used strollers as well. You may be able to find gently used strollers at a fraction of the cost on these sites.

Here are the best sites and apps for buying baby products/gear, including strollers.

• Oodle Marketplace
• Geebo
• Facebook Marketplace
• ClassifiedAds.com
• Locanto
• eBay
• Craigslist
• Offline method: Buy at Consignment Stores, Shop at Garage Sales

Closing Thoughts

While it is not the first choice for most parents, second-hand products can be practical options in certain cases and also come as a big reprieve to those who are short of funds at the moment. The best strollers with top of the line features can be expensive, but the above mentioned tips can help you get value for your money for your second-hand/used stroller.