Do you consider an open box car seat safe?

gigi · May 10, 2011

I'm wondering how many of you would use a car seat that came in an open box (like a customer return, not a store shelf model)?

I found a much needed extra base for my infant seat for a great price, but I'm certainly not going to sacrifice the safety of my baby for $20, lol!

Please let me know if you'd use a store return or open box child restraint for your own kids! Thanks!

joolsplus3 · May 10, 2011

If it's 'pristine' looking, I'd have no problems. Most bases are returned because people buy the wrong ones, try to put their seat in it, realize it won't work, and promptly return it. If there were a lot of stress marks or it was dirty, I'd find another base.

Mokek Kwe · May 10, 2011

What Julie said. I'd look it over with extra care.

tiggercat · May 10, 2011

If it looks new, still in plastic/tags attached, I am fine with it. But I would look it over with a critical eye.
I did a check for a couple last night, and the seat had been opened and out of plastic, canopy attached, etc. Looking more closely, I could see wear marks at the handle, and the recline foot on the base popped in every time we tightened the UAS strap. I suggested they bring it back and let the store know it was damaged, because I wouldn't trust that is hadn't been compromised.

aeormsby · May 10, 2011

I'm not sure how it works with the extra bases, but I purchased a Frontier at Target that was an online return. All registration cards still attached to the seat (not sure how they'd be attached with a base only).

But, as long as it looks OK I'd go for it.

mish · May 10, 2011

I'm not sure. When I first read your thread I was all set to say "no way." Then I read the other replies and sort of changed my mind. I guess I would look it over very carefully and then make the decision. I'm leaning towards no though.

KaiLing · May 10, 2011

I was initially all flummoxed by the fact that the Sceneras at Target don't even come in boxes, since people are always warning against checking car seats and saying that boxes are what make tossing a seat around in transit OK. But the nice folks on this thread: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=170087
convinced me that there is a difference between seats being moved by airlines and seats being shipped and unloaded at stores. A return adds another element, but I think it's more on the side of the box-less Sceneras than on the side of checking a car seat.

(I swear, this seems not off topic in my head. Hope I've explained it OK.)

gigi · May 10, 2011

Thanks for your responses so far.

I tend to err on the side of "no", but I can't really come up with a reason. I've never even mail ordered a car seat...I've only ever bought them off a store shelf. No lending of seats. No borrowing of seats. No gate checking seats. Etc, etc, etc. So I'm obviously very cautious. BUT I mean, really, what are the chances something is wrong with n infant seat base other than someone bought the wrong model or wrong color?

I'd love to hear as many opinions as possible!

ctbcleveland · May 11, 2011

Gigi,

It is pretty easy to get the wrong base, particularly with some manufacturers having different bases for different seats in their line up (like Graco). I know a ton of people who've done this.

Also - in the grand-scheme of things, I think there are fewer things to screw up on a base than with the seat itself. I'd give it a good once over - make sure the recline mechanism works, take a look at the latch straps, and call it good.

Can you return it once you buy it? You can also call the manufacturer once you have it home to be sure it was never registered.

Do you consider an open box car seat safe?

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