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As long as it's not expired and hasn't been in any wrecks, I would assume it's safe. It makes sense it isn't in original packaging, as she used it prior.

Even if it was tossed around a bit in shipping, I don't think that's the same force as it would experience during an accident.

How many times are carriers dropped/knocked in normal use without being replaced? I'd assume it's fine.

@youboots: There are actually car seat bags! The fact that she bubble wrapped it in a box is extra nice!

@youboots: Even when car seats are shipped from a store they don't arrive with bubble wrap around them (at least mine haven't). They've always just arrived in the box with possibly plastic around them. I think it's fine.

Is this any different from when you order one online? All of mine have been ordered online and shipped. Plus, they get shipped TO the store! Unloaded, etc.

We just ordered a new car seat and it came in the mail just like that: literally a seat in a box with no padding or anything. I'm going to say that if the manufacturer can ship it like that then it should be fine.

I'd use it as long as it doesn't look like it was drop kicked down a mountain!

@lawbee11: @Baby Boy Mom: Exactly this.

That's how my kids' car seats arrived in the mail from the manufacturer.

I'd probably look at the plastic parts, see if they're damaged (cracked, warped, showing any signs of wear) and if they're not, use it.

But my FTM self would have ordered a new seat...full disclosure there.

I'd use it; you probably need a new buckle though.

Also, I would use it, looks like it was packaged well enough. As everyone else said, when mine was new it was just in a box.

@dagret: Ah good to know! I haven't had to clean my car seat (yet -- haha) but I did not know that. Thanks

absolutely! during normal shipping the item gets bounced around, that's not the same as when it's installed in a car and all of the parts are stressed retaining the occupant and either the belt path or latch straps are stressed retaining the weight of the seat & the occupant. if i noticed wear on any part of it or severe damage to the box, i wouldn't use it, but if you know it's been properly cared for, hasn't been involved in an accident, there are no recalls and it hasn't expired, it is perfectly safe.

@psw27: definitely read your manual before you do - most don't want you to wash any part of it in a washing machine, and want you to use gentle soaps to spot clean (ie: dawn instead of white vinegar.)

I'm the paranoid mom who would buy a new one out of fear of internal damage occurring on the trip over. Because if that did happen you likely wouldn't be able to tell until you got into an accident and the seat failed. Usually I'm pretty easy-going with baby stuff but car seat stuff freaks me out, probably because of an incident with a child I know. I won't even let my parents use a car seat a friend gave them now that their grandchild is to big for it...I know it's probably fine, but the money for a new one is worth the extra peace of mind for me.