What should my response be ?

Amanda - posted on 07/16/2010

i would buy new, you dont know for sure if the carseat was in an accident, just wait for sales....

Liz - posted on 07/16/2010

I'm looking too and it's not easy. My husband and I decided to save up for a new one because the only one I have is 4 years old. I don't blame you for wanting one that isn't expired because the safety ratings get better all the time. We are buying the same kind because it has high safety ratings and is still affordable. Safety First makes great car seats and so does Baby Trend from what I've been told and there not as pricey as BUT I haven't done any research on Baby Trend yet for their safety ratings.

Ashley - posted on 07/16/2010

This may sound like a silly question but, have you talked to family or close friends to see if they have one? They are a lot more trusted and wouldn't be willing to put your child in danger and you could just borrow it! I hope you find one! (:

Katharine - posted on 07/16/2010

Tell them this....car seats are not needed for normal day to day good driving and being safe on the road. Neither are seat belts. But, these are what you need in the event of an ACCIDENT. It doesn't matter how safe and good of a driver you are...you can't account for everyone else on the road.

I just got into an accident and totaled my car the other day...with my two month old in the car with me. A stop sign was covered up by a tree. I never thought I would get into an accident...I have always been a safe driver! But, luckily I had a correctly installed car seat....he didn't have a scratch on him!

Karmi - posted on 07/16/2010

Wow that is rude of them! I don't know where you live but here in Iowa they have a program through the government that you sign up to get a car seat. Obviously all car seats are checked and made sure they are safe. I don't know if you will be using WIC (Woman INfant and Children) but they help with formula and food and they could be able to help you out with finding one. And also hit up garage sales and consignment sales.

Sarah - posted on 07/16/2010

good for you for wanting to get an unexpired one! things can go wrong if they are expired! another question to ask is if its ever been in a car accident! i'm not sure if its the same for all states but where i live if you've ever been in a car accident with a carseat you need to get a new one! i would look for sales at local stores! i got my carseat/stroller travel system for $70 because they weren't going to make that pattern anymore and the store was making space for the new patterns!

Nohblee - posted on 07/16/2010

water off a ducks backafter you told them . I wouldnt even check their reply after you have said thanks but no thanks.

Katie - posted on 07/16/2010

as melissa just said, talk to the local police department, and if they can't help you i saw you said you are looking to spend $50-60 on it, we bought our daughter a brand new one for around $45 from walmart. and that was for the toddler seat, the one up from the infant one. from there they get cheaper. good luck finding one and i hope you do soon.

Melissa - posted on 07/15/2010

A lot of Sherriff Departments offer free car seats too... car seats are updated with new saftey details and you want to make sure you have one updated, not only that on craigslist people will more than likely not be honest about whether they have been in a wreck or not. There may not be visual damage until its too late.

Jennifer - posted on 07/15/2010

even if it's not expired you have to take into account that it may have been recalled or even in an accident. once a car seat has been in an accident they MUST be replaced. in fact, your car insurance is obligated to replace the one you have if you've been in an accident. i strongly recommend finding a sale at a store and buying new because anyone can lie about those things.

Tammi - posted on 07/15/2010

Those people on craigslist are idiots! I wouldn't want to buy one that had expired either. Do you have any baby resale shops in your area. They usually have very good deals on anything for baby.

Savannah - posted on 07/15/2010

my response would be "it doesn't matter how safe I am.. there's other idiots on the road and my child's safety comes first... but that's just me"

Melody - posted on 07/14/2010

I agree with a lot of moms posts, going to your local police, fire station, church or hospital and asking for help is a great place to start because it is part of their jobs (emergency personnel) to make sure that people, especially kids, are kept safe as much as possible and the best prevention of injury in a car accident is a good car seat. Even if they can't give you a car seat for free, some of them will give you coupons to make them more affordable. In Alberta it is actually illegal to sell a carseat that is expired and the seller is legally liable (you can sue them if they sell an expired car seat and your child is injured). So if you're buying second-hand or even trying to sell one, make sure you look into your local laws to protect yourself from injury or legal liability.
@ Nikki, I totally agree that it is one of the most important purchases you will make for your child's safety, personally I would never take a chance on second-hand because I have been told by my uncle, a firefighter, that even if they inspect your second-hand carseat for damage, there is no guarantee that the damage will be visible and your child could be hurt. I have also seen car seats with good safety ratings at walmart for $80-$110 (that is in CAD, may be less in USD).
@Christina: Have you got any family members who could pitch in and help you? you said your budget is $50-$60, maybe your parents/grandparents other family would be willing to make up the price difference to make sure your child has a safe seat. Our budget is the same as yours (I am due in Sept.) and my MIL has agreed to pitch in an add'l $40 so we can buy a seat with a good safety rating.

Nikki - posted on 07/13/2010

Check out walmart
Personally I would never buy a used car seat, there can be so many things wrong with it and its the most important safety item for you child, not only an it be expired, but also who knows if it had been in an accident. We had an accident a month ago( our son was not in the car) But we had to immediately replace the car seat, because after one accident its no longer safe. We also brought it to an installation place to have it properly installed. We needed to be sure it was tight and secure and that it would keep him safe. I know at Walmart you can find ones under a 100, i know money is tight, Im not working, only my hubby is , and Im no longer receiving benefits because my son is over a year, but above all this is the most important thing you will buy for your child

Soleil - posted on 07/13/2010

try a good will or a second hand children's store... there is one called Children's Orchard that has great stuff for great prices.

Nikkole - posted on 07/13/2010

hi i would try WIC or family job and severs. I know some time they give out free ones or help you get one

Lacye - posted on 07/13/2010

i don't know if you go to church or not but have you talked to any of your local churches? one year for Christmas a church donated a bunch of toys to my sister's 3 kids because at the time they didn't have any money at all. her husband is on disability and she had a job as a waitress. usually churches will help out when a child is involved.

as for the rude people, they can kiss butt. you may be a safe driver but that doesn't mean other people are. it's better to be safe than sorry.

Jytte-Marie - posted on 07/13/2010

I absolutely refuse to buy anything that has expired. I know you can save money, and trust me, I can definitely appreciate a good deal with the way the economy is right now... but, is it worth risking my child's safety?

Absolutely not.

Even if the car seat wasn't in an accident, if it was left in the car all the time, sun exposure can warp the frame.



I live in Canada, and there are a lot of fines and penalties for children's equipment that is not 1) safety approved or 2) up to code/expiration wise. And I really wouldn't want to pay $160 fine for an expired carseat when that could buy a buggy full of diapers or even a new carseat, lol



But best of luck to you! I hope you can find a good one :)

Brandi - posted on 07/13/2010

I am not sure what area you are in but, look at bookoo.com
It is an online yard sale. Look to see if there is one in your area or close. Please list thing on there all the time. It is a great place to find odds and ins you are looking for. That is where I bought my daughters first car seat and stroller combo for $60.... It's normally people trying to clean house not make a buck... Hope this helps

Jessica - posted on 07/13/2010

you can try to contact your local police department, some of them give away NEW carseats to residents of their area. They give them to people who are in need and the install them too. If not the police dept find out where your local car seat saftey installers are (police, fire dept, etc.) Hope this helps you. By the way I got my son's convertable carseat on sale it cost us 35$ watch for sales!

Bethany - posted on 07/13/2010

Some people talk before they think and when you are writing you can't really get across your tone of voice so he or she may have taken it the wrong way. However if I were in your shoes I would reply: "What's the big deal about expiration's?" Are you really asking me that question? I may be a safe driver but it's the other crazy drivers I am worried about! I can be as safe as I possible can but accidents happen and I want my baby to be as safe as possible!....... On the other hand if you want as little drama as possible then just ignore it. Every mother is particular in different ways about their children, you are entitled to have your differences! Good luck on finding a car seat (with the best tone of voice possible lol), I would give you mine but I just had a big yard sale about a month ago and I sold everything! :(

Josie - posted on 07/13/2010

That person is nuts! Of course you don't want an expired car seat. If you still are going to be looking online then you should also ask them if it has been in any accidents, if it has then you should not buy it.

Keara - posted on 07/13/2010

if i were you i wouldn't buy a second hand car seat at all... i would try to save enough money to get a new one... i know that here in canada we are strongly recommended to not buy second hand because expired or not, if the car seat was involved in even a tiny fender bender it can completely warp the frame of the car seat and then it's no good anymore, and people aren't gonna tell you if it was involved in an accident...

Tiffany - posted on 07/13/2010

If you go to the fire department they will give you a car seat. I went up there to get my daughters rear facing carseat installed and I decided to call my 2 year olds father and make him come up. He did and there were not stickers on the car seat for weight restrictions dates and what not so they just gave him a completly new car seat. Maybe call them? I do believe the car seat that my youngest has is in your price range and it came from Target. Good luck

Ashley - posted on 07/13/2010

also like Becky ot my daughters carseat on clearance @ target...nornally $130 got it for $80...so i would check those out too, but definetly give the red cross or your local hospitals a call--at our hospital u can get a convertible carseat that faces backwards & forwards for like $50.

Ashley - posted on 07/13/2010

a lot of hospitals have programs where u can buy them through there n they r a LOT cheaper & then they can show u how to install it properly as most people don't know how to correctly install a carseat...here in ohio where i live the program at the local hospital is called K.I.S.S.--i would call ur local hospitals & find out.

Angie - posted on 07/11/2010

The Cosco scenera is about $39 at Walmart and it will keep a child rear facing to 35 lbs. I would never buy a used seat because in addition to expiration there is also the issue of how it was stored and whether it had been in an accident.

Jen - posted on 07/11/2010

Try your local highway patrol or fire station. Most of them have programs that will give you a seat for a $10 donation after going through a short car seat safety class. Brands include Cosco, Graco, and Evenflo. I think they do boosters too once your child is big enough.

Christina - posted on 07/11/2010

Thanks for all the response's I will look into each of them.

Alex - posted on 07/11/2010

dont know if its the same where you live but in New Zealand its actually illegal to have a expired baby seat in your car you should always always check and you are a brilliant mum for making sure that your child is safe like this :D tell them "how about i love my child and dont want them to die and its illegal to have that car seat in the car" i think u are responding very politely

Becky - posted on 07/11/2010

Check out clearance racks at Target, Walmart and other stores.. I bought my daughters car seat for $23 dollars. It was a $130 car seat that has never been used and they only reason it was cheap was because they got a new model out.. Or go to your local fire station and talk to them. Most place will help you out if you cant afford one but I would never buy a used car seat. You never know if they were in an accident or people have dropped them or what not.

Liz - posted on 07/10/2010

Dial 211.

It's the United Way. It works nationwide.

Tell them your issue about not having the funds and they'll help you. Each county usually has an outreach program that helps families in need with car seats.

Brittany - posted on 07/10/2010

try going to diapers.com they have good discounts and i understand about the money, if you have to go to baby consignment stores they usually always carry them.

Lauren - posted on 07/10/2010

I know that the Evenflo Tribute is about $59.99 or so at Wal-Mart and Babies R Us. At Wal-Mart.com, it has gotten pretty good reviews (4 1/2 out of 5 stars). There is also the Evenflo Titan at Wal-Mart that is around the same price. Plus both of them have free shipping, whether it is to your house or a Wal-Mart store...something I always look for! I would suggest looking at those, because you might be able to get a brand new one that you know has never been in a wreck or anything. Good luck! :)

Tracy - posted on 07/10/2010

I got a carseat from Babies R Us last month. It was under $70. That may be a bit more than you would like to spend, but it is a forward facing carseat that transitions into a convertible. I have been VERY happy with it! It was an Evenflo Generations. Also, you can get coupons all the time for 20% off any carseat. I hope this was helpful!
Also, nevermind those people sending you nasty responses! I find it hard to believe that anyone would buy an expired carseat for their child unless it was absolutely necesary! Shame on them for trying to paun off their carseat without providing you all the information upfront!

Christina - posted on 07/10/2010

I am hoping to spend $50-$60 as I am disabled and not working my husband is the only soul provider

Lauren - posted on 07/10/2010

If you don't mind me asking, how much are you wanting to spend? I have been researching convertible car seats for a while and I just bought my daughter one. I totally agree with not wanting an unexpired car seat...I don't trust everyone else who can barely pass the driving test...haha!

Christina - posted on 07/10/2010

Exactly ! Thanks I will check that out I live in San Mateo Ca

Jackie - posted on 07/10/2010

What area do you live in? Try the American Red Cross. They will help get a car seat for you. I personally woulod never ever buy an unexpired car seat. It doesnt matter how good of a driver I am or how much I look out. Its the other drivers that worry me. All too often you see wrecks where kids are hurt but it wasnt the kids that the kids were in that caused the wreck in the first place.