Second hand Prams - thoughts?

[AbbiL0u]

Hi all, I hope you’re all okay! I am only 14 weeks pregnant but thinking about the practicalities of what we need now, is it frowned upon to get a second hand travel system (pram, car seat etc.)? I would like a good set but unfortunately money isn’t limitless for us - any thoughts on this? :)

Not sure what the general 'rule' is, but I wouldn't have used a second hand car seat, just in case.

I got a Tutti Bambini Riviera which was less than £300 on the Boots website at the time, so I also got my Boots points I'm using it again now for DC2 and it's still in good condition, and so easy to use/collapse/fit the different pieces on.

I would recommend it, if it's within your budget.

The base is fine but you need to get a new bassinet mattress and a new car seat. If they've been in an accident, even a small one they won't necessarily be safe.

@AbbiL0u I'm also struggling with this. I would buy second hand if it was in great condition, but I'm always a bit wary of some hidden fault causing problems and obviously not being under warranty anymore.

Also, it would have to be worth it to buy second hand....I mean the price would really have to reflect this. And often the second hand price isn't that much lower than the new price for prams I've seen. Then I'd rather pay the 200eur more and have a brand new guaranteed set that I know I can also use for future babies.

But....the environment.🤔🙁

Arghhhhhh

Definitely go for a second had pram. I've had two kids and never bought a new one, always managed to get good quality, long lasting brands for less than £200 on Facebook or eBay.

Don't buy a second hand car seat though, it's really not advised as you don't know how well it's been looked after or whether it's ever been in an accident.

I bought everything except a car seat and cot mattress second hand for both of mine, when they're tiny they just go through everything so quickly!

Don't get a second hand car seat. The plastic apparently starts to degrade after a few years, and you can't be certain they haven't been compromised.

If I was starting again I'd look locally for a second hand version of a really good pram. I had an uppababy vista for years, pushed like a dream, far smoother than other prams, did 2 children and no doubt could have served a third with no problem.

Mattresses should also be brand new. If you're buying a baby carrier second hand check that all the stitching is secure, but it ought to be fine. I've passed my ergobaby on to a friend.

Thank you everyone! Your comments are really useful! The system I’ve seen is being sold for £100 (in ‘perfect condition’, which I am hoping it means it is really good as it’s a big claim!) and should be £600 brand new, I will check it on arrival, but for that price it might be worth still getting it and buying a new car seat anyway? Does that sound counter intuitive?

I wouldn't buy a second hand car seat or mattress, but I got my pram (bugaboo cameleon) second hand and it was a bargain. Great condition, easy to wash all the fabrics, and plenty of accessories for 300 euros.

I did purchase a secondhand pram for my second child off eBay. It arrived smelling so badly of cigarettes, so I would say if you are going down that route, definitely buy in person so you know what condition it is in.

I agree second hand pram is fine, but get a new car seat. Make sure you look at lots of pram adverts as I got an older I candy for £30 last year (not perfect condition but still great) so you may get a better deal if you get one that doesn't include the carrier.

A safe and well tested infant carrier that is affordable is the Joie juva which is £50.

You can max that out for 12-15months, whilst saving up for the next seat up and you will have a good idea of your child's centiles to help guide what you need next.

The spin seats that are advertised as newborn to 4yr are a bit of a false economy as many children outgrow them earlier than 4yr and you have to fork out ££ for another seat as they are too small/young for a booster. I would avoid those!

Extended rear facing car seat safety groups on Facebook can give you good advice for car seat choices.

Always a second hand pram, never a secondhand car seat.

You'll need a new car seat but we spent £30 on a second hand City Jogger thing which lasted 18 months until DC outgrew it. Stupid not to! Why spend thousands?

I had 1 new buggy and several second hand. The second hand ones were excellent....one was around £50 and one more because it was a specific double. I also sold on buggies I no longer needed.

I bought a secondhand bedside cot mattress for dc1. It was fine. He's now 2.5 and I'm going to use it again for dc2. Just get a new car seat, everything else can be preloved.

When I had DC1 a friend, who already had a toddler, insisted that we use her pram for the first few months and then buy a buggy like a MacLaren. This worked really well and saved us £££

When DC2 cam along18 months later I bought a second hand Emmajunga on eBay and it was fabulous. Again low outlay.

Factor in the cost of a new car seat and mattress then if you aren't saving money buy a new one.

I brought a new travel system as it didn't make sense with the additional cost of a car seat and mattress. People were over charging as they don't factor that they both are unusable by a stranger. In turn I gave my travel system away to a friend's (adult) grandson because all the family helped and still help us loads.

However buggies are easy to get second hand in good condition just make sure they are collection only so you know they are are in decent condition.

We had two new looking bugaboo bees. One was £120, one £45.
At least with bugaboo there are a lot of spare parts you can order and also other easy upgrades you can find online. So I would only buy from a brand like that.