Since the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the production of drop-side cribs and instituted additional safety requirements in 2011 (such as the permitted width between crib slats), many people mistakenly believe that it is forbidden to sell a secondhand crib.
Somehow the Consumer Product Safety Commission managed to miss the fact that drop-side cribs, when installed and maintained correctly, pose no more risk than any other type of crib. But we'll skip over worrying about hypothetical dangers and instead worry about hypothetical arrests.
When the new CPSC regulations went into effect on June 28, 2011, it was very evident that manufacturers and retailers needed to comply. Crib producers were able to unload cribs that didn't meet the CPSC criteria on other countries, therefore manufacturers, retailers, and individuals in possession of pre-standard cribs were encouraged to "discard" those cribs, which at least occasionally meant "export them to another country."
When this article was written in 2011, every claim made above was correct. Because it was likely built before June 28, 2011, a secondhand crib that did not comply with the CPSC's new regulations was not legal to sell on June 29, 2011 and probably not in July, August, or September of that year, either.
Many of today's secondhand cribs were manufactured after the CPSC recommendations were put into place, making those allegations likely false. This is especially true as 2011 saw the first babies graduate to big kid beds.
Faqs About Baby Crib
It is now illegal to sell or even donate a crib that fails to meet the toughest crib safety rules in the world. Newly required safety tests are so stringent that few cribs in American homes - even those that have escaped recall after recall - are sturdy enough to pass them.
If possible, avoid buying or accepting a used second-hand crib. While someone offering you a crib is generous and well-meaning, it may not be the best option for the safety of your child. The simple truth is that a used crib can be hazardous. Older cribs might not comply with current safety regulations.
Do not use cribs older than ten years or broken or modified cribs. Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps between loose components or broken slats while their heads remain entrapped. Set up play yards properly according to manufacturers' directions.
The CPSC's board voted unanimously to ban the drop-side cribs, which have been under scrutiny for many years. They have always been popular because the drop-side moves up and down and allows parents to lift infants from the cribs easily. Drop-side cribs have been recalled by the millions.
There can also be loads of sentimental appeal to using a crib that's been passed down through your family. But hand-me-downs may not be safe, especially if they're more than ten years old.
Certain pre-owned cribs are illegal to sell in certain regions.
The CPSC regulations were widely covered in the media due to the prevalence of terms like "baby," "death," and "crib," and several publications detailed the effect of the standards on producers and sellers. One example is a headline from the June 28, 2011 issue of the Chicago Tribune that read, "it will be illegal to sell or even give a cot that fails to meet the toughest crib safety requirements in the world."
The tale was like a game of telephone as it was passed from person to person across the country. The Tribune's reporting on the CPSC's suggestion to "dispose of" or "discard" cribs was ruined. What had been true for producers and sellers was now true for consumers.
A headline in the Muskegon Chronicle said, "Reselling, giving old cribs now unlawful under new federal consumer protection guidelines." You probably have just one option: disposing of that crib after your child graduates to a "big boy bed," the article advised.
The CPSC rules didn't apply to private owners. However, the CPSC strongly recommended that parents not resell or donate cribs manufactured before 2011: "A customer should not resell, donate, or give away a crib that does not satisfy the new crib criteria," the CPSC said.
Should not means something different than "can be prosecuted for" and "will be punished for." The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) goal was not to crack down on parents who sold or shared their cribs, but rather to ensure the safety of all cribs sold in the United States.
A subset of parents, those who resold their cribs on sites like Craigslist, were caught in a legal limbo between the sellers and individual consumers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sent out warnings like this one to people who tried to resell non-compliant cribs on craigslist.
Anxiety ensued at this time due to a rise in the resale of cribs, with buyers requesting refunds from dealers on sites like Craigslist whose once-attractive offerings had suddenly become lethal suffocation hazards.
Because of the CPSC crib restrictions and the ensuing game of telephone, two widely held beliefs have gained traction over time: 1) old cribs are unsafe, and 2) no one may resell a used crib. Neither of those things is correct.
After infants in 2011 outgrow their CPSC-approved cribs, the cribs can be resold to anyone, including thrift stores and private individuals. Donating a crib has never been against the law, nor has disassembling or burning a crib before disposal.
With this knowledge in hand, you may be tempted to shop for a used crib on online marketplaces like Craigslist. Unfortunately, I sold mine to a lawyer who found it humorous that so many people believe it is illegal to sell pre-loved baby goods.
There Are Unforeseen Repercussions of the Crib Standards.
Less cribs have been donated since 2011 because of the widespread damage of infant sleep surfaces at that time. Crib resale and donation have been hampered by the CPSC's requirements. Because of the hassle involved with dating a crib and the legal risks associated with selling one that predates industry standards, several charities refuse to accept cribs as contributions.
People looking to buy a crib, organisations that donate them, and even some state governments have begun requiring the year it was made. I discovered this the hard way when I tried to sell a crib online in Ohio, where the state's foster care system demands that every used crib bear the year of manufacture.
You may have trouble selling or donating your perfectly legal crib if your child was born after 2011, even if you have the sales receipt from when you acquired the crib and the prior occupant is still wearing toddler-size clothing.
It is imperative that you keep all of the stickers on your crib as verification of the date of manufacturing is now required by many individuals and institutions. You'll have to schedule a special trash pickup for that crib in a few years if you remove the stickers because they were improperly applied or didn't go with the theme of your nursery.
Assuming, of course, that you paid for the crib outright. If you got the crib from a friend or family member who put it together for you, the stickers were probably already gone before you even saw them.
The requirements for cribs have made parenthood more expensive without necessarily making children safer, but the discomfort and waste of so many no longer functional secondhand cribs pale in comparison.
The CPSC appears to be aware that the crib regulations are terrible news for parents who cannot afford a new crib. The CPSC provides advice for parents who cannot afford a new crib on a FAQ page about the crib standards. These include making sure the crib has not been recalled, checking the hardware frequently to ensure it is tight and unbroken, disabling any drop-rails, and using a new play yard in place of a crib. The way we've been talking about cribs since 2011 makes it sound like parents who use outdated cribs are breaking the law, even though we all know that's not the case.
Because of new federal consumer protection rules, it is illegal to resell or donate used cribs.
After your child graduates to a "big boy bed," you may be left with no other choice but to throw away the cot.
It is prohibited to sell or give away any crib produced before July 23, 2010, as these older models do not adhere to updated CPSC safety regulations. In order to dispose of an old crib safely, the CPSC recommends disassembling it first.
According to the new regulations, drop-side cribs are no longer allowed since they have been connected to many newborn deaths. The slats in a crib, as well as the hardware and mattress supports, will need to be upgraded to ensure the safety of infants.
There will be no non-compliant cribs available for purchase after June 28th, 2018. A certificate of compliance is required for the resale or donation of any crib manufactured between July 23, 2010, and June 28, this year.
Parents who already have older cribs are not compelled to buy new ones, although the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends doing so.
Team leader at Goodwill Industries' East Sherman retail store Keir Paschal stated that most thrift stores don't take donations of cribs or car seats due to regular recalls for safety reasons, so the changes don't effect them.
If you run a daycare and care for children other than your own, you have until December 28, 2012 to update all of your cribs to meet safety standards. However, starting Saturday, a select group of service providers will be offered a free upgrade.
Bos noted that most day cares do not generate substantial profits, and that a new crib might cost as much as $300.
There will be "one additional load on our child-care providers," she said.
Federal stimulus funds were used to buy the new cribs in an effort to lessen disparities in infant and toddler care.
More than 300 cribs will be distributed to day care centres in the counties of Muskegon, Ottawa, Newaygo, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Kent, Mecosta, Osceola, and Montcalm that care for infants eligible for DHS subsidies.
How Do I Find a Buyer for My Used Crib?
The day you realise your baby no longer needs their crib is a bittersweet one for any parent. One positive aspect is the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully giving birth to a child or children. On the other hand, you will miss out on the opportunity to relive the happiness of bringing a new life into the world, and this can induce a degree of regret.
Time marches on regardless of how you feel, and new challenges in parenting will arise. In either case, you'll still have an unnecessary crib taking up valuable floor space in your home. The dilemma of a parent.
Let's consider what alternatives you have for getting rid of your baby bed. There are a few less obvious choices available. Your specific circumstances should be taken into account while deciding what's best for you.
Make sure to read our selling cribs post to discover if yours is still considered safe. It would be terrible to accidentally give or sell someone an unsafe crib.
Just have a chat with the people you care about.
Asking close friends and family who are either expecting their first child or planning to start a family could be the quickest and easiest solution. By going this way, you already know you can trust the people who will be inheriting your baby's room.
That takes away some of the risk and inconvenience of selling your home to an unknown party. It is up to you and the people you are working with whether you give the crib as a gift, trade for it, or sell it for money.
When you give something as a present, the recipient is more likely to come pick it up. It saves you the effort of having to physically get it to its destination. It's also more likely that friends and family may reuse the mattress, saving you the trouble of finding a new one.
It's possible that the person you're selling your crib to won't be too keen on the mattress, in which case you'll have to get rid of it on your own.
You should have a yard sale and unload your crib there.
Either you're the thrifty, bargain-hunting kind or you don't even know what a yard sale is. That makes sense to us, as we're not the kind of people who would host a yard or garage sale. To begin, it can be a nuisance to prepare everything for use outside, just to bring most of it back inside at the day's end.
In addition, there are a lot of people that will only give you a fraction of what you're asking for. It seems like everybody is on the hunt for a good deal.
You may try advertising your yard sale on social media. Garage sale days are a tradition in some American cities. Sometimes they take place in a public setting (like a library or a high school), which implies there will be a huge number of potential customers in one area.
If you're not interested in running your sale, this may be a good opportunity to get rid of a few things, such as a crib. We have found that clothing and inexpensive toys are the most popular items for sale at these types of fairs. There likely won't be a lot of people looking for a crib if you bring one along.
To Buy or Sell a Baby Crib.
You might also consider selling your crib on the internet. There are a few drawbacks, but we believe the benefits greatly exceed them. One benefit is that a wider audience will hear your message. In addition, your target market is made up of people who are actively looking for what you provide.
One more perk of selling online is that you can sit back and relax as potential buyers peruse your crib without having to constantly relocate it. Only images and information about the crib are required for potential buyers (i.e. make, model, condition etc.).
Choosing a marketplace to post your items on is the first step in selling online. There are a few alternatives, each with their own set of charges. Which online site you choose to sell your baby's crib on will likely depend on how much money you can get.
There are websites that require you to pay to list your item as well as commisions. Make sure you know the full price up front, as commisions can add up to a significant amount (say, 20%) in some circumstances. When selling a mansion, a high commision rate can feel excessive.
There are a few free alternatives, but they don't cater to specialised needs like those of a baby. Everything from tennis rackets to tablets is included. When compared to other, more corporate markets, Bebe Beehive shines out as a unique and exciting alternative. We provide solutions with zero listing fee or commision.
There is no listing fee, and you get to retain the entire sale price of the crib. We do provide paid upgrades to your listing, but you are under no obligation to do so. If that interests you, you may create an account for free and post ads for items like a baby crib or toddler toys.
After deciding on the best marketplace, you should conduct a search to determine whether anyone else is offering a crib that is identical to or almost identical to the one you want to buy. The resale price of an object is determined by the equilibrium between its supply and demand in the market.
If the crib you're looking for isn't available on the market, your listing will check two more markets for you. If you can't find a suitable replacement, advertise the crib for what you would consider a reasonable price for a used one. Not receiving any enquiries after advertising for three weeks can indicate that your asking price is too high.
When posting an ad for your crib, it's important to give as much detail as possible regarding the item and its condition. You should also check out our other selling advice if you want to close the deal as soon as possible.
To increase your chances of selling further baby and toddler gear in the future (such as strollers, walkers, bouncers, swings, rockers, etc.), focus on building a trustworthy seller profile now. That's going to make it much simpler to sell other products. Providing false or misleading information about your abode will lower your profile's credibility.
Someone in your area may be interested in purchasing your crib to resell.
Used goods are a speciality of several physical stores. If you look around, you can even find a place in a neighbouring town that is interested in purchasing your home.
Stores have a lot of fixed costs (including workers, rent, utilities, etc.) that they must cover, and customers are always looking for the best discounts possible. That usually indicates that the amount you receive for your goods will be low. Your crib may be unwanted if the shop doesn't have enough room for it.
We've tried selling toys and clothing in local shops like this before, and while the proceeds aren't huge, they're better than nothing. One of the most crucial considerations is the state in which your belongings are brought. If the crib looks like it's in bad shape, they may refuse you access.
Conclusion
Drop-side cribs, when installed and maintained correctly, pose no more risk than any other type of crib. When the new CPSC regulations went into effect on June 28, 2011, manufacturers and retailers needed to comply. A secondhand crib that did not comply with the CPSC's new regulations was not legal to sell on June 29, 2011. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) goal was to ensure the safety of all cribs sold in the United States. The CPSC strongly recommended that parents not resell or donate cribs manufactured before 2011. Certain pre-owned cribs are now illegal to sell in certain regions.
Content Summary
- Since the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the production of drop-side cribs and instituted additional safety requirements in 2011 (such as the permitted width between crib slats), many people mistakenly believe that it is forbidden to sell a secondhand crib.
- Somehow the Consumer Product Safety Commission managed to miss the fact that drop-side cribs, when installed and maintained correctly, pose no more risk than any other type of crib.
- But we'll skip over worrying about hypothetical dangers and instead worry about hypothetical arrests.
- When the new CPSC regulations went into effect on June 28, 2011, it was very evident that manufacturers and retailers needed to comply.
- Crib producers were able to unload cribs that didn't meet the CPSC criteria on other countries, therefore manufacturers, retailers, and individuals in possession of pre-standard cribs were encouraged to "discard" those cribs, which at least occasionally meant "export them to another country.
- "When this article was written in 2011, every claim made above was correct.
- Because it was likely built before June 28, 2011, a secondhand crib that did not comply with the CPSC's new regulations was not legal to sell on June 29, 2011 and probably not in July, August, or September of that year, either.
- Many of today's secondhand cribs were manufactured after the CPSC recommendations were put into place, making those allegations likely false.
- This is especially true as 2011 saw the first babies graduate to big kid beds.
- Certain pre-owned cribs are illegal to sell in certain regions.
- The CPSC regulations were widely covered in the media due to the prevalence of terms like "baby," "death," and "crib," and several publications detailed the effect of the standards on producers and sellers.
- One example is a headline from the June 28, 2011 issue of the Chicago Tribune that read, "it will be illegal to sell or even give a cot that fails to meet the toughest crib safety requirements in the world."
- The tale was like a game of telephone as it was passed from person to person across the country.
- The Tribune's reporting on the CPSC's suggestion to "dispose of" or "discard" cribs was ruined.
- What had been true for producers and sellers was now true for consumers.
- A headline in the Muskegon Chronicle said, "Reselling, giving old cribs now unlawful under new federal consumer protection guidelines."
- You probably have just one option: disposing of that crib after your child graduates to a "big boy bed," the article advised.
- The CPSC rules didn't apply to private owners.
- However, the CPSC strongly recommended that parents not resell or donate cribs manufactured before 2011: "A customer should not resell, donate, or give away a crib that does not satisfy the new crib criteria," the CPSC said.
- Should not means something different than "can be prosecuted for" and "will be punished for."
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) goal was not to crack down on parents who sold or shared their cribs, but rather to ensure the safety of all cribs sold in the United States.
- A subset of parents, those who resold their cribs on sites like Craigslist, were caught in a legal limbo between the sellers and individual consumers.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission sent out warnings like this one to people who tried to resell non-compliant cribs on craigslist.
- Anxiety ensued at this time due to a rise in the resale of cribs, with buyers requesting refunds from dealers on sites like Craigslist whose once-attractive offerings had suddenly become lethal suffocation hazards.
