[Hacha]

I was reading an article about things you really shouldn't buy second hand today and I was surprised to read a few of them. They said you really shouldn't buy infant car seats or cribs second handed. The reason not to buy infant car seats is that if the car seat had been in a wreck, they could be damaged and not protect your infant well enough if it needs to. The reason not to buy cribs second hand is that they could have been recalled or have lead based paint that could be harmful to your infant. Those two actually make sense to me.

[Bella87]

Hacha, I think those are both good ideas. I don't buy shoes second hand though I will buy clothes. Maybe that's weird but I just don't like the idea of using somebody else's shoes. I thought I heard it was illegal to sell a used mattress but even if it wasn't I would avoid that as well.

[Goodmanner]

I think that makes a lot of sense to me. I wouldn't buy computers, gadgets and other digital products second hand. A photographer friend of mine told me that you should not buy used cameras.

[FindingMemo]

Yeah, I think you should not buy laptops, computers or other digital products second hand. I would not buy used cellphones either, except they belong to someone I personally know.

[Trena]

Originally Posted by Goodmanner

A photographer friend of mine told me that you should not buy used cameras.

Is there a particular reason why? If I'm a casual photographer who only does family events or things like trips to the zoo is there a particular reason why or is it just that they are more likely to break?

[ash]

I have heard that car seats are on the list as its very easy to hide the fact that a seat could have been in a minor fender bender but still have internal weak spots that are not visible to the eye. I am sure there are a ton others too, random little things we might not think about when shopping.

[Bella87]

That's a good point, Ash. I think a car seat is important to buy new. You also never know if something broke on it.

What do you think about blankets and things like that?

[OilandVinegar]

I would totally buy a camera at a pawn shop. I've bought a lot of stuff at pawn shops like cell phones (unlocked), electronics and cameras. I can see the reasoning not to buy underclothes and shoes, but clothes I will buy. I have never bought baby stuff 2nd hand though. It's just one of my quirks.

[Sweetpotato]

I 100% agree on the carseat but I have to disagree about cribs. Often the used cribs available are only a few years old which is a long time after the lead paint ban in the United States. As for recalls you can access the information about the crib online in order to discover recall information.

[Lookatme]

Even if the lead paint wasn't an issue, I do not think I would buy a crib 2nd hand. Especially a crib mattress. I just don't like the idea of a 2nd hand mattress at all.