Buying baby goods at garage sales?

[katieh]

Hello everyone,
Katie here from Gilston, on the Gold Coast. I've been a long time reader but up until now -- but never posted, so thanks for having me! :)

This sure is an absolutely fantastic forum with heaps of great people on it!

I just wanted to ask though....

I just came across this garage sale website that has an ad on it for a garage sale coming up in Brisbane. It looks like they're going to have a fair bit of baby goods on sale. (cots , prams , change tables , bassinets , baby baths) Some of it I wouldnt mind getting for my sister.

You can see the ad here http://www.egaragesales.com.au/garagesales/garagesale_open.asp?gsale_ID=507

But before driving to Brisbane to take a look over this stuff for sale -- I just wanted to ask what everyone's thoughts were on buying stuff second hand (especially baby goods) from garage sales?

Are there any health issues that I need to be aware of?

Katie.

[Amused]

:wave: Welcome to BH.

As long as you clean everything and wipe it over with disinfectant and place in the sun for a bit, I don't have a problem with it. It makes sense to buy secondhand to me.

[JabberJaw]

I get alot of things for my kids and bubby from garage sales as my mother in law goes to them every weekend and constantly buys things! I was all the toys with a bleach solution, just to be sure and clothes i also wash. I wouldn't buy a car seat as you never can be sure if it has been in an accident and the cot my bub uses now was used by my son 4 yrs ago (just brought a new mattress) and it was purchased from a garage sale,,the lady who sold it to me has become one of my best friends now so not only could you grab a bargain but you could make friends LOL
As long as you give everything a good clean/disinfect i cant see a problem, and i have never had any problems,,except for where to fit all my bargains!

[katieh]

Thanks for the reply Amused -- Im really enjoying Bub Hub. I probably should have started posting sooner! :) Its just that this garage sale ad caught my eye and I wasnt sure whether or not it would be safe to buy second hand like that at a garage sale. Thats why I wanted to ask.

Are there any baby goods that I simply shouldnt buy second hand from garage sales?

I think I might take the drive to Brisbane as they look like theyre going to have heaps of stuff!

[Electric Rodeo]

Hi & Welcome:wave:
I love picking up bargains from garage sales:yes:. If you are purchasing yourself you can look over the actual item, check condition etc. I say go for the drive and have fun. I'd only avoid second hand car seats as you don't know the crash history. That's all I can think of.
Enjoy :D

[pinkgingham]

i love buying second hand anything, especially kids and baby stuff.

the only health issue i would worry about is soft toys as kids chew and suck on them. but i dont worry too much as long as something can be washed. there would also be used bottles, which i would be fine with a used bottle but would replace the teat. i wouldnt buy a used dummy.

good luck and hope you find a bargain.

[katieh]

Wow thanks for the great suggestions everyone! :)

Looks like Ill be going for a drive to Brissy!

[mim1]

Cots & prams need to meet certain safety regulations, so you should look those up before you go and make sure that any of those you buy meet the regulations. I also wouldn't buy a 2nd hand car seat.

The main thing I buy a lot of 2nd hand is baby clothes! There are such huge bargains (especially on ebay) with baby clothes. I bought about 30 pieces of clothing for $60 and most of the clothes would have retailed for $20 - $30 (or more) each! Basically I got enough of that size that I didn't need to buy much else for my ds!

[~*clairesmum*~]

i dont care, just cause baby stuff brand new can be so pricy, but i wouldnt buy a carseat just incase its be in a crash

[Zoey]

Just make sure you check the item properly before buying it.
Make sure the items look like they've been looked after. Ask how old the item is, check that it can do what it is meant to do. If it is something like a cot, take a tape measure and the list of max & min spacing to check it meets safety standards.

Things that you should buy new are mattresses (preferably a new one for each child) and car seats unless you know the person and can be confident they haven't been in an accident and are less than 10 years old.

[katieh]

Thanks again everyone who offered advice with this - thank you! :)