Times are changing, and so are shopping trends. While parents of older generations didn’t think much about reselling or buying used baby gear, newer generations are recognizing that utilizing the resale market is both financially and environmentally responsible.
Whether you’re planning ahead and registering for something you intend on reselling at some point or you’re doing a little research about the best brands to buy second-hand, there are a ton of great options available for both buying and selling used gear.
Here are some of the top brands that, according to data collected by the resale site Rebelstork, tend to hold their value well.
1. Pottery Barn Kids
Pottery Barn Kids covers the bases from clothing and bedding to furniture and feeding needs. Their cribs and dressers are timeless and often come in sets that transition into furniture suitable for the toddler years and beyond.
2. Lovevery
High quality toys designed by child development experts that are as beautiful as they are educational. (Wondering if this brand lives up to the hype? Here’s our review on it.)
3. 4moms
Innovative products that include the well-known mamaRoo swing, as well as seats, bassinets, a high chair, playards and accessories.
4. Happiest Baby
The makers of the Snoo smart sleeper bassinet also sells cribs, mattresses, swaddles and accessories like sheets, decor, and more. (Did you know you can rent a Snoo? Here’s more info about that option if you’re not sure you want to splurge for one – new or used.)
5. Owlet
Wearable monitors, including the updated ‘Dream Sock’ and cameras to give parents peace of mind while baby sleeps. (Here’s a little background on what a wearble monitor is, and how it differs from other options out there.)
6. Uppababy
Best known for their strollers, including the extremely popular Vista, this brand also offers high-end car seats, playards, and a ton of accessories to upgrade anything and everything they sell.
7. Cybex
Sleek and thoughtful designs intended for urban lifestyles, this brand offers several luxury travel system options, stand alone strollers, car seats and baby carriers.
8. Babyletto
Long lasting, beautifully made and sustainably sourced nursery furniture, bedding and mattresses.
9. Lalo
Luxury high chairs, playchairs and bathing essentials designed to be safe, stylish, and durable.
What about clothing?
While it can be hard to spend big bucks on tiny clothes, some clothing brands tend to hold their value – as long as you can keep them in relatively good condition. Depending on where you’re trying to sell it, a tear or stains may prevent you from listing an item, but you can always try.
Here are some clothing brands that tend to hold their value and sell consistently on resale sites:
Where can I shop for or sell baby items?
There are tons of retailers, both online and in person, that carry used baby stuff. Depending on what you’re looking to buy or sell, there are several great options out there.
- Consignment shops and thrift stores are good local options for in-person shopping or selling of both gear and clothes.
- Buy/Sell/Trade (BST) Facebook groups or Facebook Marketplace and Ebay are good places for used gear and clothes.
- Poshmark, Kidizen and Thredup are good options for clothing specific online consignment shops.
- Rebelstork and Goodbuy Gear are great online shops for used, overstock, and open box gear. (Sometimes, these sites have INCREDIBLE deals.)
Is there anything I should watch out for?
- Recalls Check to see if something has been recalled on the CPSC site by searching a specific product (something like, ‘Graco playard’) in the search bar at the top of the page.
- Condition Pay attention to the photos and the descriptions of the used product. Are you cool with a little scuffing or mild wear and tear? Photos should include anything that makes an item appear used, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or request more photos if you’re shopping online.
- Return/refund policy It might be smart to see what the refund or return process is like if you get something that’s missing parts or is in worse shape than you were led to believe.
Are there any items I shouldn’t buy from a resale site?
Car seats are a little tricky.
Unless you can be 100% sure you know the history of the seat – specifically that it’s never been in a crash, is within its expiration date, and hasn’t been recalled – it’s best if you explore other options.
Some online retailers offer great discounts for overstock or open box products, which can help you score a high quality seat at a more reasonable price.
Baby Gear Resale in a Nutshell
While the resale market for used baby gear is thriving, some brands hold their value better than others.
Whether shopping for or listing used gear, utilizing the resale market is a smart way for parents to save or make a little money and keep usable items out of the landfill. Although these brands are predicted to retain their value, countless others are worth trying to buy and sell if they’re in decent condition.
Do you have a favorite brand when buying or selling used gear?
Let us know in the comments below!
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