To think that ebay should not sell second hand car seats?

[Nottigermum]

That's it really. There are lots of rules on ebay about second hand stuff that cannot be sold because of hygene reasons (such as second hand nappies). I think there should be a rule to not sell used car seats. The car seat might have been in an accident, and be unsafe. I'm not starting a petition or anything... just want to know.

They've been stored in the loft and I have read that the temperature fluctuations in lofts (hot and cold) can cause damage to car seat plastics.

Might be useful to a charity for a year though?

Does this also apply to the bases? They are much more solid.

Sorry for the slight hijack.

I would think so, as the bases take the load so to speak. You may find that charities wouldn't accept them due to insurance issues.

What there needs to be is a car seat recycling option rather than landfill. Every council needs to have a facility to strip down the car seats and recycle the individual parts. I know of none that do.

Nct (my local branch, not sure if it covers all) does not allow the sale of second hand car seats.

I think people shouldn't be allowed to sell second hand baby mattresses, always see them in charity shops

There are many things eBay should not sell. Dead, frozen animals is one of them. (In addition to second hand car seats)

Secret
And did it NEVER occur to you that the trainers have a rather large vested interest in telling you that.

I'd like to see independent evidence that the plastic becomes brittle after a few years of sitting inside a car - as surely the same would apply to all other hard plastic things - like car bumpers, safety UPVC doors, garden furniture etc etc

sorry but I do not believe a single word of it until I see a link to independent peer reviewed research - the TRRL would be a good start or the BSI

I don't think there's anything wrong to buy or use a car seat from a friend (most manufacturers will have the instructions available online or to order). And assuming that you trust the person in question that the carseat is not damaged or has not been in an accident. The problem I have is that people do sell old car seats on ebay, that may or may not be damaged, and may or may have been recalled, that may or may not have been in an accident and not be safe, and buyers have no way to know if the carseat is safe.

As for the nappygate, the rule on ebay is that you cannot sell used nappies, it's the rule. Some people do sell them and do get away with it because it's not possible to monitor every single item on sale. However, I have tried to sell used cotton nappies there and I did receive an email asking me to take off the item, and if I tried to sell used nappies again my account would be closed. It's the same rule for everyone, but I suppose just like every rule, some people don't know about it, or get away with it. I have quoted the rule in a message above, it's direct from the website. You cannot sell used g-strings, you cannot sell used knickers, you cannot sell used cotton nappies...

Oh and yes you can pass on carseats on Freegle, but they do have a warning message added each time a carseat comes up: MODERATOR MESSAGE: Please be aware of the dangers of using second hand child car seats. It is your responsibility to check they are safe to use. For more information visit here www.childcarseats.org.uk/ Thank you.

As for independent advise, I don't think it exists. But most independent advisors, including Which, the NHS, various charities inlcuding the NCT (which directs you to this website: www.childcarseats.org.uk/ ) "If you must use a second-hand seat, only accept one from a family member or friend (don't buy one from a second-hand shop or through the classified ads) and then only if you are absolutely certain that you know its history, it comes with the original instructions and it is not too old."

Maybe iabu, but I wouldn't buy a second hand car seat from a complete stranger.

You can take the cover off and check the inside if you are worried .

YABU. I think buying one new is complete madness. I think educated people who are armed with the facts are able to make a calculated risk here.

It's for the buyer to decide.