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.

Isn’t it better that someone uses it, rather than the stroller gathering dust in some corner?

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

When it comes to baby gear, parents always want to buy the best. But there are times when it makes sense to consider used gear.

Many parents don’t mind buying used stroller but have concerns regarding safety, hygiene, fit, etc. Here are factors to consider before making a purchase.

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

As per a report published by Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of babies were injured in just three years using products such as strollers, car seats, and cribs, highlighting the importance of safety in such products and why you should not really compromise on safety aspects.

So you should be really careful when you opt for secondhand gear, especially when it comes to certain infant and toddler products.

Another advantage of buying new baby gear is that you get notified by the manufacturer in case of a product recall. Baby products often get recalled if they pose serious safety hazards or do not meet current safety standards.

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.

That is why experts suggest that you buy a new car seat, stroller, 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.

Related: Funny adverts to sell prams / strollers

Car Seats

Very few users are aware that car seats come with an expiration date (most models have a life span of six years). This is done because newer models often come with better protection. Also, a poorly installed car seat leaves a child vulnerable in a crash so the car seat should also be easier to install. 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 that doesn’t mean you buy a stroller that is very old. 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?

This is the most important factor to check. The stroller should be safe to use. There should not be any compromise o this factor, 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.

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

Is the stroller well-maintained? Does it look clean? When was the last time it was 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. It is not important if a particular stroller was in the recall list or not what is important however is what it was recalled for 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, let alone 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

Check out the original price of a brand new stroller model that you like. You may not be able to afford a new one but you can always buy it second hand. Strollers with cheaper 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

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.
• Fewer pictures and shorter descriptions mean the sellers probably don’t know how to get the price for their products, an opportunity waiting for you to be explored further.

 

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.
• Work out the absolute lowest price you could want from your item (after subtracting the eBay fees and paypal fees). Spell out your selling terms in detail.

 

I guess these are the main pointers. Whether you are selling something to fund a new stroller baby, or trying to get a better model for your limited budget, eBay can be an amazing place to find what you what. There’s definitely no harm in giving it a try!

Best sites and apps for used baby gear

Budget is a constraint for most parents and although the entry-level strollers are quite cheap nowadays, 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.

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

• Oodle Marketplace
• Geebo
• Facebook Marketplace
• ClassifiedAds.com
• Locanto
• eBay
• Craigslist

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.