• Never buy a used car seat or bike helmet. These products are meant to protect during one accident. Even if you can't see the damage, it might not give your child enough protection.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to go early, have fun, and be careful! What's been your best score at a yard sale?
Comments
I love garage/yard sales. The bulk of my kids's wardrobes come from them. My kids tend to stay in their baby clothes longer, and often for more than one season.
After my DD was born I thought that I was done having babies and sold or gave away my maternity clothes. Now that I am pregnant again, and cant afford to buy a whole new wardrobe brand new, I have been garage sailing for stuff. I have found the secret fit top maternity pants that I love for $2 or less.
I did need a new car seat (mine had expired after DS2, and the one I used with DD was one I borrowed from a friend and had to give back) and did find one at a garage sale. I checked the expiration date and fully inspected it. It is in newish condition.. asking the person running the sale she informed me that it had never been in an accident, and that only 1 baby had used it, and only for a couple of months. It is actually the same car seat, different color, that my sister bought last year. Hers was $170 + $70 for the extra base... I bought mine for $50 for both the seat, base, and extra base. I understand this article's warning against buying a used car seat, and I do agree that you have to be very diligent and careful when doing so. I just feel that you can buy car seats used if you know what you are looking for, what questions to ask, and so on.
I have also had luck finding toys, kids type furniture, and just today, a really nice changing table with storage under it.
I love that I can find things, in great condition, for a fraction of the price that I would pay at the store. Especially things that are only used for a short time :)