What to Look for When Buying a Second Hand Pram or Stroller

Having a baby is expensive. Really expensive. And during tough economic times it might not always be possible to buy the top of the line baby jogger or Englacha pram and so a second hand pram or stroller becomes an option. Here are some things you need to consider before buying a used pram or stroller.

What to look for when buying a second hand pram or stroller

Here are a list of factors you should consider before spending your money on used prams.

1. Is it clean?
The first thing to look for is cleanliness. Babies can be very messy with food and toilet time and as such you want to make sure the pram is as clean as possible. Dirt and leftovers can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Check all the corners and under the mattress to make sure it is as clean as possible. You might just need to do a little disinfecting at home but if it is too bad then give it a miss.

2. Are there any rips?
Rips and tears in the main part of the pram, on the bonnet or on the mattress are an issue because they will, over time, get bigger and bigger. Some tiny rips can be repaired with a needle and thread but others need to be discarded.

Remember, if you are getting a good price on the pram or stroller with a few rips, consider how much you would save if you purchased it and then just bought a new mattress or replaced the ripped part. It might still cost a lot less than buying a fully new pram.

3. Do the wheels work properly?
Without the wheels your pram is useless. The whole purpose of the stroller is to be able to stroll around and that requires some solid wheels with some very good motion. The best wheels to look for are self inflatable ones as it requires little maintenance and the air inside the tire is very good for cushioning your baby’s ride. Make sure the wheels turn in every direction smoothly and that there is no squeaking or friction.

4. Is it too expensive?
Buying a second hand pram is all about price. If the price is too high then you may as well just buy a new one. So the idea is to negotiate or look for a price that is reasonable for your budget as well as the condition/age of the pram itself. So how can you tell if the price is right? Ideally a second hand item (pram or anything) should drop by at least 40% of its initial cost as soon as it leaves the store. Then you need to take off money for how much damage or wear there is. Spend some time looking at new prams, find out how much they cost and then compare them to the used pram that you are looking at.

5. Does it suit your needs?
There is no point buying a giant twin pram if you only have one tiny baby and a small car. Sometimes we get seduced by the cheapness of the stroller and forget to think about what features we really need. Make sure you think about transporting it, whether it is large enough for your baby, and whether it has enough room for nappies, etc.

You can price or purchase a second hand pram or stroller in our online second hand pram store.