https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:12:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013755 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 13:47:02 +0000 Weagle 2013755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://csftl.org/hand-me-down-seats-bargain-or-bust/" rel="nofollow">http://csftl.org/hand-me-down-seats-bargain-or-bust/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013701 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 13:15:38 +0000 anonysquire 2013701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Besides the fact that you wouldn't know if the seat has been in a car accident, I'm sure it would have had its fair share of potty accidents... ya.... I've seen too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013637 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:38:42 +0000 lawbee11 2013637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with PP that I wouldn't buy a used convertible seat. There are some great low-priced options for car seats. We have this one in my car and my mom's car and we love it (I bought it because it was recommended so much on the Car Seats for the Littles Facebook page). It has great height and weight limits.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-SureRide-Convertible-Seat-Paxton/dp/B00ISS2KVI" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-SureRide-Convertible-Seat-Paxton/dp/B00ISS2KVI</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013603 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:12:27 +0000 littlejoy 2013603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: Yes!! This ... "And there is more than just a crash. Have the straps ever been washed (this can be a problem). Has it been checked on a plane (unknown history)." &lt;- I would assume most people would be honest about it being in a crash, but there are so many other issues like improper care and/or unseen damage from checking on a plane.</p> <p>My dear friend bought a $60 convertible for her son's daycare provider. All seats have to meet the same safety standards, so rest assured, a less expensive seat is just as safe as a more expensive seat (it just might have less features). CSFTL is a wonderful site/group, and I'm sure you'll get great advice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013587 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:03:12 +0000 looch 2013587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am actually surprised they are able to resell the car seats...at a huge consignement sale near me, car seats are among the items they can not accept for resale.</p> <p>Also, the warranty is probably void, if you are not the original buyer of the item. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013571 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:58:59 +0000 AmandaB8 2013571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the camp of never ever buy a used car seat. </p> <p>You don't know how it was treated, how often it was moved, the straps conditions, if recalls were fixed, etc. Plus, seats DO expire. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013551 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:52:57 +0000 avivoca 2013551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, I would not buy a used seat at a regional sale because you never know if the seat was in an accident, if the straps have been washed, etc. I would only use a used seat if it was from a close friend or family member and I knew it was accident free and taken care of properly.</p> <p>However, if you are looking for brands, know that all car seats have to pass the same tests, so a more expensive seat is not necessarily safer than a cheaper seat. We are very happy with our Graco MyRide 65, and I bought it on Amazon for $118. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013445 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:04:32 +0000 brownie 2013445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babybean404: some people don't know. Many are replace after any accident but we don't think of the tap when parallel parking as an accident. And there is more than just a crash. Have the straps ever been washed (this can be a problem). Has it been checked on a plane (unknown history).</p> <p>There are great car seats at cheaper price points that you know will be perfect. The Facebook group can help you with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013438 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:02:38 +0000 Trailmix 2013438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the minority but I bought one of our convertible car seats off CL. We don't use it much since we don't have a car and it's a good quality one (Max Cosi). It was from another parent, and so far it's been fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013425 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:54:52 +0000 Rockies11 2013425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babybean404: I am inclined to agree - I got in an accident with our bucket seat, and not only did I immediately throw it in the garbage, I wrote on it in sharpie that it had been in an accident just in case someone else scavenged it and tried to re-sell. I just bought a used peg prego from a mom on a fb buy and sell group and I have 0 concerns about it. </p> <p>I would look now for a convertable seat - they're rated for 6 lbs and newborn size and up, so your LO will fit in them already! They're more upright in the convertable, and a lot of babies prefer that, so you could test it out in one of the vehicles and see how it works. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013383 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:31:09 +0000 babybean404 2013383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: thank you--I think once I get suggestions for particular seats I may look on Craigslist. I may be too trusting but I feel like most moms in my community (or any, for that matter) wouldn't put another child's life at risk by selling a seat that was in a crash. I like your idea of meeting the people in person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013379 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:28:11 +0000 babybean404 2013379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: thanks, I just joined and I'll ask there once I'm added. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013350 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:13:11 +0000 brownie 2013350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babybean404: car seats for littles has a great Facebook group. If you give them your requirements (size, ages, of kids, car, price etc) they will give you a few recommendations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013349 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:12:59 +0000 Smurfette 2013349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't buy a used seat, you never know if they have been in an accident or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013347 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:11:55 +0000 edelweiss 2013347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'll be an outlier here and say that i have bought used carseats from craigslist. i know this is somewhat naive, but i decide to have some faith when they tell me it hasn't been in an accident. i also met both sellers in person before buying the seats. both car seats were a couple of years old. i got two great recaro proride seats for half the price, and i have no regrets.</p> <p>so i recommend craigslist if you're looking to buy used because there's a little more person-to-person interaction, and sometimes people sell almost brand new carseats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013340 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 10:07:20 +0000 babybean404 2013340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How the heck are you supposed to decide on this stuff??? It's so overwhelming! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013311 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:53:14 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2013311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All car seats are safe IF used and installed properly. Please read though some concerns about cheaper seats. <a href="http://csftl.org/the-alpha-omega-why-its-neither-the-first-nor-the-last-nor-the-elite-car-seat/" rel="nofollow">http://csftl.org/the-alpha-omega-why-its-neither-the-first-nor-the-last-nor-the-elite-car-seat/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013308 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:52:22 +0000 mrsjyw 2013308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with PPs, used carseats I would not buy from strangers. I just wouldn't trust the history of use, etc.</p> <p>And especially with convertible carseats, which likely would have been used for a longer period of time for toddlers, than an infant bucket seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013307 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:52:17 +0000 looch 2013307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably spend a little bit more than a Cosco seat (because you will be able to use it longer) and look at Graco brand. In my experience, they are comparable to Britax in terms of size/safety but at a third of the price. I own 2 Gracos and 2 Britax seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013290 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:46:46 +0000 rachiecakes 2013290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only used car seat I would accept would be one from a very close friend or relative that I personally know has taken care of it properly and hasn't been in an accident. You just don't know. </p> <p>Cosco is the brand and it's really affordable and found everywhere! They are the ones that you've seen at Wal-Mart :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013289 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:46:34 +0000 LuLu Mom 2013289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babybean404: Costco the brand (like at Walmart) not the store. </p> <p>Here is the Car Seat for Little's website that breakdown different brands (the Costco brand is included) </p> <p><a href="http://csftl.org/recommended-seats/compare-convertible-seats/" rel="nofollow">http://csftl.org/recommended-seats/compare-convertible-seats/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013271 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:39:04 +0000 babybean404 2013271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lulu mom: Thanks for responding! Do you mean Costco the store? I am also finding a Cosco brand at Wal Mart that is much more affordable than the Britax ones recommended by Lucie's List. Where is the best place to get safety ratings for car seats? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013260 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:34:08 +0000 LuLu Mom 2013260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, I would rather buy a cheaper new seat (a $40 Costco brand car seat has a very high safety rating, it's what we use in my husbands car and my MIL car) than a used car seat from someone I didn't know. We did spend more on a new Britax for my vehicle since she's in there the most/longest distance but that's not necessary. She's never complained about the comfort of the Costco ones. </p> <p>There is no way to know if it's accident free/been well taken care of to not be compromised used. Because you have to buy 3, I would start doing research on cheaper car seats with high safety ratings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-convertible-car-seats#post-2013251 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:30:32 +0000 babybean404 2013251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to a huge regional consignment sale in a few weeks and I'm wondering if I should start looking for convertible car seats. We will need 3 (separate cars for daycare drop off and pick up, and my mom watches LO 3 days a week).</p> <p>LO is 5 months and petite (25th percentile for weight and height). Her infant seat is good up to 35 lbs and 32 inches. </p> <p>Should I look now, or wait til she's closer to outgrowing the seat? The next regional sale is in September. If I look now, what older seats would you recommended? I know I'll need to check expiration dates. </p>