Five Things to Know Before Selling a Used Car Seat

A car seat is one of the greatest investments you can make as a parent. Many consignment sales choose to not sell used car seats or use a strict checklist to make sure a car seat is safe to sell because it’s important to have one in excellent condition. How can you tell if yours is okay to sell? Here are a few tips:

1. Check with your sale to learn their guidelines and make sure you follow them.

2. Use a website like www.wemakeitsafer.com to check if your car seat has been recalled.

3. Car seats have a label with the manufacturer’s information printed on them. There, you’ll find the make, model, serial number and production date. It may also have an expiration date listed.

4. Car seats expire due to wear and aging of the materials. Most car seats expire within 6 years of being manufactured. Keep in mind that one may sit on the shelf in a store for a while before it is sold. Don’t assume that it’s only 3 years old because you’ve had it for 3 years.

5. The harness straps may have a different date on their label and there may be another sticker on the base or under the cover. These labels indicate different information. Always find the manufacturer’s label and go by the dates listed on it.

Here’s an important checklist to use before considering selling a used car seat or infant carrier.
http://800bucklup.org/carseat/PDF/UsedSeatChecklist.pdf

About the Author

Elizabeth Renfroe has a passion for all things consignment sale-related.  She enjoys coordinating the Children’s Market Sale at First United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, Alabama.