By using this site you agree to the use of cookies.The idea of shopping for your baby is thrilling at first -- until you realize just how much they really need, how much it costs, and how much energy went into making it. By choosing gently used secondhand strollers, high chairs, toys, books, and carriers, you can save resources and trim your budget -- think of it as adding to the college fund.Before you buy any used items, be sure to check for recalls on the products you're considering. Experts recommend never buying a used car seat, and make sure any other items meet the most current standards for safety.If eBay isn't already your first stop for, well, just about anything, then you might be surprised by the extensive collection of barely used baby gear you'll find there, from bedding and furniture to nursery decorations and strollers.The handy search feature lets you search for exactly the brand you want, and on many pieces you can choose either the Buy It Now option (to guarantee you get that fought-over Bugaboo) or bid (in hopes of getting a killer deal).
Rocka-Buy Gear/Screen captureDon't want to worry about winning an auction or negotiating a price with a seller? Rocka-Buy-Gear lets moms list their used items -- furniture, strollers, blankets, toys, DVDs, and more -- for a flat rate; then gives sellers five days to ship the item once it's sold.The site also donates 2 percent from each sale to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and reviews popular items so you get a parental perspective before you order. Baby Outfitter/Screen captureBaby Outfitter is the brainchild of Kate Upshaw, a self-described "children's clothing, book, and toy shopoholic" who now sells secondhand everything -- from classic books to swaddling blankets -- and ships them for a flat rate. (She also sells tons of clothes for the chic little weehuggers in your life.) Swap Baby Goods/Screen captureSwap Baby Goods is set up for parents to list the items their families are finished using for sale -- or for swap. Posters assign each item a value and offer other site users the option of purchasing it or trading for something they need.
The listings, organized by categories like bedding, bouncers & swings, diapering, feeding, furniture, strollers, toys, and more let you navigate the hundreds of items without missing out on what you really need. ReCrib/Screen captureNew York City-based ReCrib was started by parents who wanted to sell the high-design items they'd invested in for their baby.Now you'll find cribs from Bloom, Stokke, DucDuc, and NurseryWorks; strollers from Bugaboo, Peg Perego, Maclaren, and Quinny; and furniture from West Elm and Pottery Barn (among others). You can also view the listings on a map to find out where your nearest sellers are; Postings are found across the country. Craigslist/Screen captureIf you want to avoid paying for shipping -- and calculating the carbon footprint of having your new crib delivered from across the country -- then check Craigslist for baby gear for sale from your neighbhors and other nearby sellers.You'll find toys and books, dolls and trucks, furniture and strollers, high chairs and mobiles -- and you might even make friends with other local parents when you're dropping off or picking up.
Bonus: The site includes safety and recall alerts at the top of its "Baby and Kid Stuff" listings so you can double check before you buy. Encore Baby Registry/Screen captureEncore Baby Registry doesn't sell items directly, but it does offer brand-new parents an alternative to traditional store registries. Here's how it works: You create a wish list with everything you want for your baby -- furniture, clothing, toys, strollers -- using the search tool and share it with your friends and family.But instead of going to just one store to purchase the items, givers are encouraged to wrap up their own used versions of the items -- or get them at a thrift store -- and check off the registry that way. Baby gets everything she needs and you get to feel less guilty about where it all came from: It's a win-win.As a Monkey in the Middle Consignor, you choose the price of your items. This Pricing Guide was created for the purpose of providing a starting point for reference. You are NOT required to price your items according to this list.
Pricing is 100% your decision. The consignment rule of thumb is to price the item at 25-40% of what you originally paid for the item. Also take into account the brand and condition of item. Ultimately you have to be comfortable with the asking price. We want you to make MONEY and not have to take your items back home. You are welcome to price your items as you wish but here are a few things to keep in mind when considering your pricing:Do Not Sell Something YOU would NOT BUY! Onesies (grouped 3 or more) Basic T-shirt w/or w/o logo 2 pc matching top & bottom 3 pc matching outfit 4 pc matching outfit 2 or 3 pc PJ sets Rash Gaurds/ Sun Suits Nursing & Maternity Bras Bella Band/ Tummy Band Infant Car seat w/base Car Seat Base Only Bottles (3 or more) Bibs (grouped in 3 or more) Receiving Blankets (2 or more) Single Fitted Crib Sheet Set of Crib Bumpers Building Sets (Lego, Kinex, etc) Learning Toys (Leapfrog, etc)
DVD's (Disney, Baby Einsteen, etc) These High Demand Toys can sell for 1/3-1/2 (or higher) of retail: Little Tykes items, Playhouses, Kitchens, Tool Benches. * See crib checklist for guidelines and recall information1 1 Facebook PinterestGreg Scheidemann Hand-Me-Down Must-KnowsBefore you start accepting hand-me-downs or shopping at consignment shops, check out our tips for buying used baby items. Many gently used items are fine, but there are some things to avoid when buying secondhand.2 2 Facebook Pinterest Used Baby ClothesBuying used baby clothes is one of the best ways to save money. Babies grow so fast they usually don't stay the same size for more than a month or two, and that means their clothes aren't worn very often. When buying used clothes, avoid anything with drawstrings, check that all buttons, zippers, and clasps are secure, and make sure nothing is unraveling.3 How to Buy Baby Clothes on a Budget 3 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 4 4 Facebook PinterestScott Little Reuse ShoesShoes are another item babies grow out of quickly.
Infants especially barely need shoes, so if you want to dress your baby up in a cute pair of tennis shoes or sandals, opt for a used pair rather than investing in a pair that will be worn only a few times.5 5 Facebook PinterestiStockphoto Secondhand Coats and HatsDepending on what season your baby is born and where you live, you might need heavy coats or hats. If you do need a warm coat to take Baby outside, look for one that is gently used rather than shelling out the money for a brand-new one. Chances are he will use it only a few months; then you can pass it on to the next baby.6 6 Facebook Pinterest Used Baby ToysDid your family keep a box of toys you played with when you were a kid? Before passing it along to your child, check the old toys for chipped paint or loose pieces. This is especially important on toys that might contain lead paint. If it's chipped or broken, don't use it! Also watch for items with small parts that could be choking hazards. Before buying used toys at a yard sale or consignment shop, check our recall finder.
7 How to Buy Baby Toys on a Budget 7 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 8 8 Facebook PinterestBryan McCay Hand-Me-Down PlaypensBefore buying a used playpen, there are few things to check. First find out if it was made after 2000, as the last safety updates were issued in 1999. If its original mattress is snug and there are no dangling cords, it should be safe. Also make sure the mesh has no tears and that holes are smaller than 1/4 inch.9 9 Facebook PinterestKathryn Gamble Are Used Cribs Safe?The short answer: Do Not Buy A Used Crib.The rules for how cribs must be made took effect on June 28, 2011 and essentially made most cribs sold before that date obsolete and, technically, unsafe. After hundreds of incidents, millions of recalled cribs, and an estimated three dozen deaths, the government stepped in and said that cribs were not being made to a standard that parents could count on.Drop-side cribs, which had been the most common type, were determined to be particularly dangerous. They can no longer be sold in the U.S.
You will see them at yard sales, though, but they are no more legal there than at a furniture store. Also, crib hardware and how cribs are assembled have been big problems - problems that are more pronounced with used cribs. Never buy a crib bumper pad, which the American Academy of Pediatrics says can put a baby at risk for suffocation and other hazardous injuries.So, buy a new crib that meets the new standards. And, if you can't afford one, safety advocates say a new portable crib - which are less expensive - is preferable to getting a used crib.New Crib RulesWin Baby Gear! Facebook PinterestGreg Scheidemann Buying Used Baby FurnitureAside from the crib, you might need additional furniture for your baby's room. Save money by purchasing gently used baby furniture such as changing tables or rocking chairs. Always make sure the used furniture meets safety standards, hasn't been recalled, and doesn't have any peeling paint, chips, or missing parts.Facebook Pinterest Secondhand StrollersStrollers made after 2007 are OK to reuse.
Safety standards since then address stability, impact, and shoulder-strap safety. Avoid any broken, loose, or missing parts when looking at a used stroller. Take it for a spin to make sure it has a smooth ride and is sturdy. You should also make sure it has its instruction manual.How to Buy Baby Gear on a Budget Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! Facebook PinterestBananaStock/ Jupiter Used Baby BathtubsBaby bathtubs are fine to buy used as long as they aren't moldy and don't smell of mildew. Babies grow out of these tubs quickly, so if you want a baby tub, you should be able to save money on one that was barely used. Avoid bath seats, bath rings, or inflatable tubs that fit in the bathtub, as they can be dangerous.Facebook PinterestBananaStock/ Jupiter Hand-Me-Down High ChairsVoluntary safety standards require a high chair to have a five-point harness to prevent a child from climbing out and a fixed crotch post so he can't slide out. If these two elements are in place, a hand-me-down high chair is fine.
Avoid high chairs with removable trays or arms that lift the tray over the baby's head.Facebook Pinterest Best Sources for Used Baby ItemsMost essential baby items can be purchased secondhand. Look for quality used baby items at garage sales, kid-specific consignment shops, and thrift stores. Your friends with kids are another great source for secondhand finds. Facebook PinterestiStock/Jupiter Images Tips for Buying OnlineWeb sites such as Craigslist and eBay are great sources for used baby items. Before buying anything online ask these questions:* What's the model number or product name? Go to www.recalls.gov to make sure it hasn't been recalled.* How much is shipping? Sometimes the price of shipping makes a good deal not such a steal.* Does it include an instruction manual?* When was the item made? How long was it used? Did the seller buy it new or was it used? Facebook PinterestShutterstock Used Car Safety SeatsIn many cases, buying or borrowing a used car seat is not a good idea, and some safety experts say that you never should.