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1530342 tn?1405016490

Would you accept a used car seat?

Hi ladies. i posted this in the Pregnancy April 2012 babies forum but I wanted as much insight as I could get.

A good friend of mine offered me her Chicco key fit car seat. She had her baby 6/1/2011. By the time or even before I have my baby, her son will be out of the infant car seat. When she offered it to me, of course I said yes. then my mom and i went to babies r us today and she bought me the matching stroller. The girl working there asked if I already had the car seat and I said not yet but my friend is going to give me hers. She said "hmm, I don't recommend having a used car seat. I really didn't think much of it as she didn't give me a actual valid reason as to why not. My mom then said to the girl "well if the car seat isn't in good condition then I will come by my daughter the matching car seat...Anyway we left with the stroller and that was that. Then I got home and another good friend of mine called (She also is good friends with the friend that is giving me her car seat) and I told her about how our friend offered me her car seat and the first words out of her mouth was "oooh, I heard you're not supposed to get a car seat used". She too didn't give me a valid reason.....Now I am so confused b/c I don't understand why. The car seat is practically brand new, she leaves it in her car and always just takes the baby out of it. So i guess my question is, what do you guys think?
18 Responses
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Avatar universal
Since it is a friend giving it to you and you can be 100% certain it have never been in a car accident ... I don't see why not. The sales woman was just being a sales person, but I do agree I would never buy a car seat from a garage sale or used from someone you don't know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Since it is a friend giving it to you and you can be 100% certain it have never been in a car accident ... I don't see why not. The sales woman was just being a sales person, but I do agree I would never buy a car seat from a garage sale or used from someone you don't know.
Helpful - 0
1530342 tn?1405016490
Thank you all so much for your responses..I did ask her to check to expiration date for me so I'm waiting on that. If the expiration is good I will take it. I know for a fact that she hasn't been in accident so that part of it is reassuring. We'll see what she says about the expiration date. I will update you guys as soon as she responds...
Helpful - 0
1428239 tn?1333457053
There isnt much I can be say that is different from what others have said.. but yes generally it is discouraged to use used car seats because you dont know if it has been in an accident, etc... But if you know the source of the car seat, know it is accident free, and it is within its expiration date, there is nothing wrong with using it...

I would check the recalls on it to be safe... but most car seats are made the same way for several years because more are chained...  Baby products are also a huge industry in north america and though most people wont look at this way, its a huge money maker so there is a huge discouragement of using anything used for your baby... There is some good reasons for it because you want to make sure everything is in good condition and if its used, how would you know?  You really wouldnt..
BUT your situation is different since you know the source and person who is giving it to you...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
girl u better use that car seat. Just disinfect it. if u cantn detach the seat cover to wash then i would get a new one because u dont want to take that risk of it bein contaminated especially dealin with a new born
Helpful - 0
1726707 tn?1362530938
Just to comment on the accident I cannot speak for America but in Canada they take your carseat @ the scene of the crime so here you cannot get a seat out of a car that has previously been in a motorvehicle accident
Helpful - 0
1726707 tn?1362530938
Just to comment on the accident I cannot speak for America but in Canada they take your carseat @ the scene of the crime so here you cannot get a seat out of a car that has previously been in a motorvehicle accident
Helpful - 0
290867 tn?1333569278
I have personally never used a used car seat but know many who have. I have the Chico key fit and love love love it! I am pregnant again and my 4 month old is still in the seat and I will use it when this baby comes in may. Just be sure that it hadn't been in a accident and that it's not expired and you are good to go!!!!! No need to spend the 200.00 it costs to buy the new carseat!
Helpful - 0
1790045 tn?1317184484
I would say use it. Car seats (or at least the ones I have) have an expiration date about 5 years from date of it being made. And your friend should be able to tell you if it has ever been in an accident. I am planning on using my sons old car seat for my new baby on the way if it is still within the expiration date. It has been in the attic for the last 3 years so I am kind of nervous since the plastics can break down when exposed to heat and cold for long periods of time. In south Texas it is hotter longer than it is cold. So just look for any stress cracks and anything that may show that the plastic is weak or not holding up as it should.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
go for it. check the expiration date in it and go ahead. I had carsets given to me when my girls were little by friends and family. accident free and in good condition go for it.
Helpful - 0
1330108 tn?1333677304
Sorry phone froze so anyway it can only protect a child once. Personally I would not risk it. When it comes to accidents it can be life or death so what's a $100 if it is protecting your child?  Also each year carseats are updated and usually more safe. That is another reason they recommend buying new
Helpful - 0
1330108 tn?1333677304
Make sure it hasn't been recalled, you are 110% positive it has never ever been in a car accident and that it is not expired (there should be an expiration date on the seat) than sure go ahead and use it. The reason it is not recommended to use a used seat is because you don't know if it has been in an accident. It's just like helmets, there is a material in them that crushes on impact and once that happens it has saved the child from injury but sacrificed itself and can no l
Helpful - 0
1194973 tn?1385503904
Kylie's car seat was a borrowed car seat, and she used it for a year. As long as it's not been in an accident and is up to standard it should be fine.
Helpful - 0
1346146 tn?1299360497
Since its so new it should be fine.  I would definitely check and see if there are any recalls on the seat by going to their website.
Helpful - 0
1726707 tn?1362530938
I stay take it my son used a used toddler seat and his cousin was able to use it as well so as long as it does not expire go ahead:.......... PS I wish I could get one too
Helpful - 0
1794093 tn?1357930759
If she is a friend that you know hasnt been in an accident and the car seat isnt expired, then i personally would use it... i think its if you dont know the history of the car seat that its not recomended...  but just make sure it isnt expired
Helpful - 0
1486020 tn?1354028475
My parents own a gently used children's clothing/toys/equipment/accessories store. The general reason they suggest you not use a used car seat is because 1) car seats do have an expiration date [usually 1 year] and 2) if the car seat had been in an accident, it voids the safety and warranty for the car seat. If you know the car seat has not been in an accident and you know it's within the expiration date, you can use it [at your own risk]. I know plenty of people buy used car seats in consignment stores and they're okay.
Helpful - 0
689528 tn?1364135841
I borrowed a used infant car seat that you can carry around. I wouldn't take one from someone that I didn't know though. My friend let me borrow it and it went through one baby, I used it for my baby and she is using it for her latest baby. The date was still fine on it, I knew it wasn't in any accidents and how it was stored.
You want to know how it's been stored because if it's been stored in cold conditions then it can weaken the plastic. You also want to make sure the straps are fine.
Since she is your friend then she should be able to give you that info, don't feel bad about accepting it. If she were a stranger on the other hand, pass on it, strangers can lie! LOL
Helpful - 0
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