Confessions: I bought ? Secondhand!

**nuisance26** · 08-06-2010, 11:38 AM

~Have you bought anything secondhand that others might find weird or questionable?

Here's mine: I bought DD's car seat at the thrift store in 2005. It looked brand new and was only $5. It's held up beautifully! I never see car seats in thrifts anymore. Is it illegal now or something?~

**Inkstain82** · 08-06-2010, 11:41 AM

I was told that car seats are like bike helmets: They may look okay, but their ability to hold up in a crash is compromised if they've been in one before. And if it's second-hand, there's no way to know.

Lucky for us, our county had a program where you can get a car seat for $25.

**YankeeMom** · 08-06-2010, 11:47 AM

I know it's illegal in NY state for the thrift stores to sell used car seats. Don't know about elsewhere.

I buy bras at the thrift store all the time. Victoria secret bras for 99c? Hell yeah!!

**monkeywrangler71** · 08-06-2010, 11:53 AM

When my son first got out of diapers I bought him underwear at the thrift store.

Yup, I bought used underwear.

**pollypurebred39** · 08-06-2010, 04:29 PM

When DS1 was little I bought him an old wooden playpen and an old wind up swing at a giant week long consignment sale (they have one yearly out here) for I believe 25 cents each. It's so long ago I forget exactly, but no more then 50 cents each.

I was beyond broke and would save a few dollars to yard sale/rummage sale every year. He would have had absolutely nothing and would have walked around buck naked otherwise.

His car seat was an old hand me down one that did not have all the bells and whistles in safety features, but it was far better then a seatbelt alone. Chances of a car seat being in an accident are very low, I don't think I'd worry about it. However, if you can afford a new one then by all means get one.

DS1 also had an old hand me down crib, he went without a crib for 6 months. I made sure the mattress was a firm fit and it was just fine. I also had a walker with wheels, now they make them without wheels so kids don't roll down stairs. Kind of silly, that's what good secure baby gates are for.

**frugalfranny** · 08-07-2010, 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

I never see car seats in thrifts anymore. Is it illegal now or something?~

I think our thrift stores can sell them UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED but it has become such a hassle for them to keep up with all the recalls.....that I don't see them there very often. Same for cribs..........seldom see them.

**Palooka** · 08-07-2010, 02:56 AM

Ours won't take cribs either. Ours is sitting in our garage in perfect condition and I can't find anyone to give it too. It's that big safety issue they recalled all those cribs that you can adjust/fold down the front so you don't break your back reaching for your baby.

Nor mattresses and......chandeliers!! I'm not sure why on the chandeliers.

**YankeeMom** · 08-07-2010, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Nor mattresses and......chandeliers!! I'm not sure why on the chandeliers.

Yeah, they won't take/sell mattresses here anymore. This is a change from a couple years ago.

**karichelle** · 08-10-2010, 05:46 PM

Our Goodwill wouldn't even take a plastic "nap mat" that we'd used for camping; they considered it a "mattress." They don't sell car seats either, and they have a notice posted in the toy section that you buy at your own risk when it comes to recalls.

I will buy shoes if they are in good shape -- a friend of mine won't. I haven't bought any bras but if they were in good shape and looked clean, I would. I have donated some that were in like new condition. I wouldn't donate anything that's worn out though, which some people apparently do because that's all I ever see there. They don't sell regular underwear though, just bras and camis.

Scored some Doc Martens at the Salvation Army for $2.99 the other day. They look new...no scuffs, no creases in the leather, no wear on the soles.

**missyali** · 08-10-2010, 06:02 PM

Car seats are only good for 6 years. The fluctuating temperatures compromise the plastic and cause microscopic cracks. They are crazy expensive, but....

**ladykemma2** · 08-10-2010, 06:16 PM

i think bed bugs and lice are the issue.

i will buy used birkenstocks if it is clear they were hardly worn. people buy them and discover they don't like them.

**pollypurebred39** · 08-10-2010, 07:53 PM

They sell mattresses around here still, I think? They always had a tag that said they had been deliced or whatever the term. Never bought one myself. But one would think the same worries that caused them to turn down mattresses would apply to any soft furniture.

**TheresaRHPS** · 08-11-2010, 02:06 AM

Our thrift stores aren't allowed to sell car seats either, but most of the hospitals that have OB wards give free car seats out. That was a lifesaver, not only for the saved expense, but because I unexpectedly went into the hospital at 28 weeks and couldn't actually go buy one.

But yeah...I've purchased some things that are really caveat emptor, and have had mixed luck. I've bought CDs that didn't play all the way through, and games/puzzles with pieces missing, lol.

**lisaflex** · 08-11-2010, 05:16 PM

i dont use car seats anymore, but, would nt have bought one second hand. just me i guess. nor would i buy a 2nd hand crib and matresses...yuck.gross.....eeeewwwwwwww.....couldnt do it. but , again, that is just me!

wont buy used bras either. maybe if it had the tag on it, i would think about it. but, other than that, no way. no used underwear either..nasty...imo

**mom23boyz** · 08-17-2010, 12:14 PM

Well my babies are older so it was a long time ago....I bought used car seats at the thrift store and in fact my sister just had a baby....her MIL bought them a car seat/stroller combo at a yard sale for the 2nd car.
I have gotten like new bras on Freecycle/freeshare. I also buy used shoes.