What are my options and responsibilities?

Unregistered · Jan 21, 2013

I have previously posted that I will need to buy some new seats in order to get 3 across in one or both of our vehicles. One reply suggested selling my old seats to recoup some of the cash I will be putting out for the new seats. What are my responsibilities when I sell a seat? I have always felt that selling/buying used seats was very scary! Also what should I ask money wise for them? Is there a standard for pricing them appropriately? All my seats are used, but clean and in good working order.

mom of six · Jan 22, 2013

Selling car seats is a double standard that you will often find here. We are all told not to buy used seats but we are all encouraged to sell the seats that are no longer working for our situation.:shrug-shoulders:

Basic guideline for pricing:

If you recall what you originally paid for the seat you take that amount and divide it by the number of years it can be used (6 years for most car seats, 9 years for the Britax Frontier, 8 years for the Radians, ect). If you are not sure find the *Do not use after December of 20XX* message on your car seat shell. Some (like Britax list it on the label with the model number)

Once you have the cost per year multiply that by how many years are left in its life span.

Here is an example:
I have a Britax frontier85 that retails for $200. It has a 2011 DOM and a 9 year lifespan. So $200/9 years=$22 per year. It has 7 years of life left (give or take) so multilpy $22 by 7 years= $154.00

That gives you a starting point. Craigslist is a good place to start but folks there are usually looking for less expensive seats. Depending on how quickly you want to sell the seats you could drop the price even more. List the DOM in the description so that prospective buyers know that it is not an expired seat.

Now for responsibility, make sure all the parts are there, especially the users manual. You might mention if/how you have washed the cover and if you have washed the straps (which you should not do).

Hope that helps

twinsmom · Jan 22, 2013

mom of six said:
Selling car seats is a double standard that you will often find here. We are all told not to buy used seats but we are all encouraged to sell the seats that are no longer working for our situation.:shrug-shoulders:

Basic guideline for pricing:

If you recall what you originally paid for the seat you take that amount and divide it by the number of years it can be used (6 years for most car seats, 9 years for the Britax Frontier, 8 years for the Radians, ect). If you are not sure find the *Do not use after December of 20XX* message on your car seat shell. Some (like Britax list it on the label with the model number)

Once you have the cost per year multiply that by how many years are left in its life span.

Here is an example:
I have a Britax frontier85 that retails for $200. It has a 2011 DOM and a 9 year lifespan. So $200/9 years=$22 per year. It has 7 years of life left (give or take) so multilpy $22 by 7 years= $154.00

That gives you a starting point. Craigslist is a good place to start but folks there are usually looking for less expensive seats. Depending on how quickly you want to sell the seats you could drop the price even more. List the DOM in the description so that prospective buyers know that it is not an expired seat.

Now for responsibility, make sure all the parts are there, especially the users manual. You might mention if/how you have washed the cover and if you have washed the straps (which you should not do).

Hope that helps

I think the point that's made on here about buying and selling is that you shouldn't buy a seat from someone you don't know and trust. You don't have any way of knowing how the seat was treated and if it was in an accident. Here, there is a trust among some members and many feel safe buying and trading seats within this community. I have sold seats here and elsewhere with a clear conscience because I would never sell a seat that was misused, or in an accident.