Ebay listings-- I wish these people knew better.

[Patriot201]

This seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/Britax-Roundabout-Cover-Denim_W0QQitemZ270077755210QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6669 5QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)mentions the missing belly pad, but there is something MUCH more important missing--- the harness!!!
:eek: :eek: :eek:



This seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/Britax-Roundabout-Convertible-Car-Seat-Great-Conditi-NR_W0QQitemZ230078580183QQihZ013QQcategoryZ66695QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)says the cover is Granite. It is actually Windowpane. The seat was manufactured in June 2001, so there is very little time left on this seat. In addition, the seller is showing the seat with harness covers. :(

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/BRITAX-ADVANTAGE-ROUNDABOUT-CONVERTIBLE-CAR-SEAT-5-40_W0QQitemZ220071468055QQihZ012QQcategoryZ66695QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) is one manufactured in October 2001. Again, there is little time left on it.

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/Used-BRITAX-ROUNDABOUT-convertible-car-seat-5-40-pounds_W0QQitemZ300068481882QQihZ020QQcategoryZ666 95QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) is a Roundabout manufactured in December 2001.

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/Great-Britax-Roundabout-Convertible-Car-seat-Cow-Print_W0QQitemZ230077842315QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6669 5QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) is a COWMOO Roundabout manufactured in June 2001.

Look (http://cgi.ebay.com/Britax-Roundabout-Denim-Convertible-Car-Seat-Used_W0QQitemZ320071240117QQihZ011QQcategoryZ66695 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) where the chest clip is on this seat!!

Another (http://cgi.ebay.com/Britax-Roundabout-Grey-checker-Convertible-Car-Seat_W0QQitemZ110078646844QQihZ001QQcategoryZ66695 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)Windowpane Roundabout manufactured in April 2001.

Another (http://cgi.ebay.com/Britax-Roundabout-Convertible-Car-Seat-New-Condition_W0QQitemZ170069023690QQihZ007QQcategoryZ 66695QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) 2001 Roundabout.

[Maggie]

Eek. I try hard not to look online. Makes me too frustrated.

The first one is okay though, the seller is just selling the cover, not the seat.

[Patriot201]

Eek. I try hard not to look online. Makes me too frustrated.

The first one is okay though, the seller is just selling the cover, not the seat.


Doh!!! I missed that- it is a cover only. :o :o Sorry about that!

[scatterbunny]

About once a month I try to take a day to go through the local Craigslist and email as many sellers of outdated/unsafe carseats as possible. It can definitely get to me. :(

[southpawboston]

About once a month I try to take a day to go through the local Craigslist and email as many sellers of outdated/unsafe carseats as possible. It can definitely get to me. :(

what are their responses like?

[scatterbunny]

Usually pretty nice...surprising, huh? :p I get lots of people who just ignore my message, though. But the ones who do respond are usually nice about it and say they had no idea the seat was recalled/expired/unsafe. I usually send a first message asking for the DOM, to be sure of my suspicions, then link them to the recall list or proof of expiration or whatever else it is that I'm telling them.

Sometimes I see the same seat back up again a few days later. Sometimes I get ignored and they keep the seat up for sale. But sometimes I educate someone and keep another kid a little bit safer. And it's totally worth it.

I think I've only had someone totally go off on me a couple of times.

[Patriot201]

Speaking of Craig's List... Look at this Turbo Booster (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bab/263015939.html). IT seems to me that $45 for a used Turbo is a bit steep, don't you think?

Here is that same seat (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bab/262896858.html)listed for $50. That's a crazy price.

This Graco travel system (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bab/262542554.html)uses the old-style base. It must be getting fairly old.

This Evenflo travel system (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bab/262463281.html)has to be expired or close to it!

I'm sure this Century (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bab/262409591.html) carseat is expired.

I don't know about this seat (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bab/262189038.html).

[Wineaux]

New Orleans Craig's List items:

Graco Travel System (http://neworleans.craigslist.org/bab/260576757.html) where the owner states, "they both need to be cleaned up a bit but I will be washing every removable part for the potential new owner." :(

Bebe Comfort Seat (http://neworleans.craigslist.org/bab/260224128.html) Here's an illegal car seat from Ireland for sale. :eek:

What I'm wondering is whether we should contact eBay and the folks at Craig's List about creating some rules for posting car seat ads. I would think we'd have a really solid chance with eBay, but I really have no clue about Craig's List. In order to post a used car seat the owner must complete the used car seat checklist and include the results in their listing. The DOM must be in the ad, as well as accident info, and the like. Of course a total ban on illegal car seat ads would be part of this, as well as disallowing the illegal importation or exportation of car seats.

Something to work on?

[CandCfam]

I actually contacted that first listing's seller to tell her that it was the Windowpane fabric, and she responded that she revised the listing to say the appropriate name - however, she also revised the listing to say that she IS selling the car seat.:(

[AdventureMom]

About once a month I try to take a day to go through the local Craigslist and email as many sellers of outdated/unsafe carseats as possible. It can definitely get to me. :(

I've done that a few times, too... ;)

[AdventureMom]

What I'm wondering is whether we should contact eBay and the folks at Craig's List about creating some rules for posting car seat ads.
Something to work on?

I thought of this, too. I did "flag" a listing on Craigslist of a carseat from the 90s. But I think it takes two "flags" to get it removed. I also e-mailed the seller, saying that she must not be aware that carseats expire and wouldn't she hate it something happened to a child because the carseat didn't hold up. Then I sent a link of the expired Britax video...:D

[southpawboston]

What I'm wondering is whether we should contact eBay and the folks at Craig's List about creating some rules for posting car seat ads. I would think we'd have a really solid chance with eBay, but I really have no clue about Craig's List. In order to post a used car seat the owner must complete the used car seat checklist and include the results in their listing. The DOM must be in the ad, as well as accident info, and the like. Of course a total ban on illegal car seat ads would be part of this, as well as disallowing the illegal importation or exportation of car seats.

while that idea is commendable, i am sure that ebay has no interest in having restrictions as to what people post for auction. they do have tough restrictions regarding certain things like porn and pirated computer software, but those restrictions are because of industry and legal pressure, not because of ebay's desire to "do the right thing". i doubt that ebay would ever adopt guidelines for car seat posting rules unless there was a government mandate or huge industry pressure.

[Wineaux]

while that idea is commendable, i am sure that ebay has no interest in having restrictions as to what people post for auction. they do have tough restrictions regarding certain things like porn and pirated computer software, but those restrictions are because of industry and legal pressure, not because of ebay's desire to "do the right thing". i doubt that ebay would ever adopt guidelines for car seat posting rules unless there was a government mandate or huge industry pressure.
Actually, they do care what people auction. They specifically have restricted auctions for Everquest items, plat, and characters because that violates the game's EULA. In the case of car seats out of date, and especially car seats which are illegal to use in this country, they have a pretty vested interest in making sure the items sold via their website are safe and legal.

As for industry pressure... Do you think that Britax, for example, wants expired Britax car seats sold on eBay? Would any car seat manufacturer want one of their expired car seats sold on eBay? Would they want an unsafe car seat with their name on it sold on eBay? The thought of it happening should have their lawyers quaking in their shoes. Why? Because at some point they're going to get sued when a child gets hurt in an expired seat sold on eBay. There's a good chance eBay would be named in that suit as well.

The right amount of pressure to the right people would stand a pretty good chance of getting eBay to alter the rules for selling used car seats on eBay. The perfect place and time to get this rolling would be at an industry trade show. You would have all the manufacturers as well as the child safety groups all together in one building. Get them involved and craft a joint letter from all the seat manufacturers as well as the child safety groups, and send that to eBay. You would want problems seen and suggested remedies to solve those problems.

Really, I think it could be done, and that it would be quicker and easier than you think. Again, Craig's List is another matter, but I'd send them the same letter and see what happens. We could all be pleasantly surprised.

[scatterbunny]

Ebay has this little warning at the bottom of the page that says, "seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item" and I think that's Ebay's way of not having to deal with old/expired seats. It isn't THEIR problem.

[southpawboston]

Ebay has this little warning at the bottom of the page that says, "seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item" and I think that's Ebay's way of not having to deal with old/expired seats. It isn't THEIR problem.

that's what i was alluding to above... ebay is just the broker between sellers and buyers. ebay doesn't want to shoulder the responsibility of any poor judgment on behalf of the buyer or seller, unless ebay is sufficiently persuaded to shoulder some of that responsibility by legal pressure.

i'm not saying this is right or wrong of ebay; just calling it like it is.

[scatterbunny]

You must have mistaken the tone of my post--I was not directing it to you, or saying you were wrong. :) I was mostly talking to Wineaux. I don't think any amount of letter-writing will change Ebay's stance on this.

[Wineaux]

that's what i was alluding to above... ebay is just the broker between sellers and buyers. ebay doesn't want to shoulder the responsibility of any poor judgment on behalf of the buyer or seller, unless ebay is sufficiently persuaded to shoulder some of that responsibility by legal pressure.

i'm not saying this is right or wrong of ebay; just calling it like it is.

I can put any disclaimer I want on anything. That doesn't resolve me of any real legal responsibilities though. Selling unsafe and illegal items is a problem for eBay. It's also a problem for the seat manufacturers too.

PS... Change only occurs when one challenges the status quo.

[southpawboston]

You must have mistaken the tone of my post--I was not directing it to you, or saying you were wrong. :) I was mostly talking to Wineaux. I don't think any amount of letter-writing will change Ebay's stance on this.

no worries, i hadn't read it that way at all... :)

[scatterbunny]

Okay, good. :) It's so hard to tell the tone of someone's post or even the real meaning, on a message board!