There's a certain thrill in snagging a shiny new high chair or a pretty party dress for your tot. There's also a certain frustration in seeing how quickly your kid outgrows that high chair and party dress. The recession has many parents rethinking the necessity of buying only brand-new items for their kids. The New York Times reports that the children's market is catching up with a big shift taking place economy-wide, as luxury brands' profits drop and parents turn to an old source for saving money and resources: secondhand shopping. So we talked to Eva Dorsey, co-owner of Jane's Exchange, a maternity and children's consignment shop in New York City; Christopher Gavigan of Healthy Child Healthy World; and Marsha Collier, author of eBay for Dummies, to get their tips for buying and selling used children's items.
Buying Used Items
Clothes
Make sure clothes are not too worn out: Check knees for wear, test elastic waistbands for stretch, and be sure that buttons are still attached and zippers still work. If you're buying online, ask the seller detailed questions about the condition of the item, and purchase brands with familiar sizing systems.
Baby Gear
Do your research first. Check Consumer Reports or Amazon.com's reviews to decide what you want—year, make, and model—then see if you can find it used. Be sure to consult Recalls.gov to see if items like car seats or cribs have been recalled.
When buying a crib, make sure the slats are under 2 3/8 inches apart—wider spaces between slats can present a hazard to a baby. If the crib was made after 1973, the slats should be a safe distance apart.
It is best not to buy a used car seat unless you know the seller and she can testify to the crash history of the seat. If a car seat has withstood a crash, its safety could be compromised.
Toys
Ensure that your toys and furniture are not made with lead paint—toys imported from other countries and toys made before lead paint was banned in 1978 present a high risk to children. If you're uncertain about whether a toy contains lead, Gavigan suggests you get in touch with the manufacturer and ask about where and when the item was made and the type of material and finish that were used. Or, once it's purchased, check the item yourself, using a lead-testing kit.
Buying Online
When you're shopping on eBay, Collier recommends clicking the number next to the seller's ID to access their feedback profile page, where you can read comments from past buyers. Some vendors accept checks or money orders, but it is best to use PayPal. Every seller on eBay must accept PayPal, and each transaction is guaranteed. So if the item you receive is not as it was described, you can notify PayPal and get a refund for the cost of the item. Before you bid, be sure to take note of the seller's shipping-and-handling and return policies—eBay requires that sellers list both.
Collier also suggests waiting until the eBay auction is almost over to bid—a practice often referred to as sniping. It is best not to bid early, because once someone else knows you are interested they are more likely to bid higher and faster, driving the price up. She also advocates subscribing to BidRobot.com, the original eBay sniping company, which places last-minute bids for you.
If you are shopping on Craigslist, be aware that the site does not certify sellers or offer buyer protection. The number-one tip that Craigslist offers to avoid being the victim of a scam is to "deal locally with folks that you can meet in person." Never give your personal or financial information to a seller, and if you need to meet the seller to purchase an item, meet in a public place, like a coffee shop.
Tips
Check your favorite store or website regularly—Dorsey says that she displays over a hundred new items a day. Or put your desired item on a wish list if your local secondhand store or favorite site keeps one.
How to Sell Used Items
Online
When selling on eBay, fill out the space for the title of the item you are selling with specifics, like brand, size, and color. Collier suggests customizing your seller profile to personalize the experience for buyers. Sellers are required to disclose shipping method, shipping cost, methods of payment you accept, and turnaround time. Provide photographs and a detailed description of the item you are selling, including any known flaws. You can browse buyer feedback as well and, if you like, prohibit people with negative feedback from bidding on your items. For shipping, the U.S. Postal Service has best rates for small items, FedEx Ground is best for items over five pounds, and for very large items, you can specify "local pickup only" if shipping would be too expensive.
If you're using Craigslist, use a seller ID rather than your e-mail address, and do not reveal personal or financial information about yourself to a buyer. Also it is best to deal in cash. Craigslist advises sellers not to accept the following forms of payment: Western Union, MoneyGram, cashier's check, or money orders, because these have been associated with numerous scams and attempted scams.
Consignment Shops
Strollers and baby carriers are most in demand at secondhand shops and online because they are expensive when purchased new. To prepare gear items for sale, clean them thoroughly and verify that they have all their pieces and are functioning properly.
Speak to the owner of the consignment shop about their selling policy. Typically, items that do not sell after 30 to 60 days will be returned to you, and for those that do sell, you will be given a percentage of the selling price. Keep a record of the clothes you consign and when you dropped them at the shop so you can call and follow up after the selling period ends.
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