Wondering a Good Way to Get Rid of Carseat?

I don't think it's a good idea to pass it along. I have a good friend who is a police officer, and he has said to never buy a used car seat, and to toss them when you're finished with them. Most of them have expiration dates, and newer ones are always safer.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/06/what-to-do-...

It might be just me but that is one thing that I will not buy used. Instead of selling your seat and then buying a booster why not take it to babies r us, trade it in for the 25% off coupon and get the new booster seat.
edited: if his shoulders are below the straps by two inches he should have been out if a long time ago! If you want to keep him harnessed go buy a graco nautilus less expensive then a britax but a great seat for the price. It will harness to 65lbs or 52 inches and then you can use it as a booster to 100lbs.

You're getting rid of it because your 5 yo "wants to be in a booster"? Does your child meet the safety requirements for that?
www.seatcheck.org is a good place to start.

Try Craigslist or even a garage sale. A lot of times grandparents will buy a use seat for their cars since the child isn't with them too often and they don't want to spend big bucks on a new one. But don't expect to get too much for it.

If you give it to a charity or battered womens shelter, you can claim the value of it in your tax return. Hence you might get more value out of it by donating it than by getting a low-ball price for it. Just make sure the charity has a charitable tax ID number and that you can document how much you paid for it and a fair value for what it is worth now.

I'm with Karen N. Everyone wins... the woman your donating it to at the shelter (through the charity) and you get the actual value on your taxes.

people are cautioned to NEVER buy a used carseat. You just can't know the structure inside. if it's been in use for even over a year the carseat manufacturers recommend getting rid of it. I don't but many people I know do buy new only and they do replace every year or every other year. the manufacturers say that daily expose to the sun, heat, and cold in your vehicle break down the materials they are made of and they just disintegrate in an accident.

They even have video's of stuff like this on you tube.

Don't go to kid to kid. They will give you like $10. Seriously. Better go to craigslist so you can set a price and then you can negotiate a price if someone asks for a lesser price. Oh and I do like the babies r us trade in thing. Two weeks ago when I was there last they were doing it, not sure if they are now.

People do buy used car seats. Try a consignment or craigslist. Marathons typically can be bought new now with the coupons and everything for 220. Your car seat is half expired, so a "fair" price is probably around 100.

Just another suggestion to find a consignment sale around your area. It's a pain to cosign but definitely sometimes worth the money!

Kid 2 Kid will take used infant seats--it's worth asking about the bigger ones. You can also try Craig's list. In any case, don't expect to get more than $20-30 for it--most folks would rather buy a new, cheaper seat than a used Britax, for the reasons cited by the other posters. Do you know anyone you could hand it down to? The issue with used but not too old carseats is you want to be 900% sure they have never been in an accident--so, for instance, I'm totally comfortable having my youngest use the seats we bought for my oldest, and we've also taken a hand-me-down seat from my cousin. But no matter how nice you seem, I'd hesitate to buy one used, because you just never know.

If you're not attached to getting money for it, you might try freecycle. For all of the advantages of a new carseat, there are some folks who just can't afford it, and would be very grateful to have a used one for free to keep their kids safe (I live in a very mixed neighborhood, and frequently see kids not in carseats, in cars that make me assume that their parents just can't afford one).

I would donate it and claim it on taxes if you want to get something out of it. Most places are a little weird about selling used car seats, because they can't prove it's never been in an accident. However, women and children's shelters may be happy to have them. You could try selling it on Craigslist for $50 or $100. You never know what people will buy off of there.

I guess my answer is... you are the parent, he's only 5, it shouldn't be his choice to sit in a booster unless YOU make the choice. :)

Ask yourself if he's mature enough... is he over 40lbs? Is he over 40" tall? Can he sit upright the entire car ride without bending, leaning over, putting the belt behind him, or sleeping? Does the booster (should be a HIGH BACK!) fit him properly... meaning does the shoulder belt lay across his shoulder and chest properly? Does the lap belt lay low on his hips and not up on his belly? Do his knees bend at the edge of the booster?

If you answered no to even one of these questions he should still be in the Marathon.

To answer your question, its a 2007 so it still has 4yrs of life left on it. See if a friend wants to buy it from you, but don't ask more than $50 for it. A friend or family member that trusts you that the seat has never been misused, abused, dropped, in an accident, harnss straps never been washed, etc. Otherwise donating is an excellent idea, someone gets a much needed seat and you get to claim it on your taxes.

I second Rachel. Babiesrus has trade in events every so often and you can use the 25% off on something else, not just another carseat. While I wouldn't buy someone else's carseat, others may have no choice, so i'd list it on craigslist. That is free.