Many baby items really only serve one purpose. Once your baby is done with the item, it just takes up space in your home. One such item is your little one’s crib. Since there are safety regulations surrounding cribs, how can you sell used baby cribs?
Essentially, used cribs can only be resold if they meet specified federal safety standards. Review the latest regulations and only consider selling a crib that was purchased after 2011 as cribs manufactured before then are deemed unsafe. Do a complete inspection before opting to buy or sell.
Key takeaways
When it comes to selling your baby’s used crib, the key factors to keep in mind include the following:
- Cribs manufactured or bought before 2011 won’t meet the updated regulations
- Keep any manufacturer information to prove that your crib is within its expiration period (proof of manufacture after 2011)
- Do thorough checks on the crib before buying or selling
- For peace of mind, check the manufacturers’ website to confirm that there was no product recalls for that particular model
Can you sell used baby cribs?
Many parents sell their baby furniture once they’re done with it. Strollers, high-chairs, and car seats are among the most common. But there seems to be some hesitation about buying used cribs. Why is this?
Many experts recommend always buying a new crib because of the safety risks involved. If a used or old crib has passed its expiration date, it will no longer meet federal safety standards. It can sometimes be difficult for parents to prove that their crib is still within the safety standards if they didn’t keep the original documentation.
Legalities of selling used baby cribs
Is it legal to sell used cribs? If you’re thinking of buying or selling a used crib, here are a few crib safety tips you need to know.
- Pre-safety dates: Cribs purchased before 2011 are regarded as unsafe
- Corner posts: Older models that still have corner posts can pose an injury risk if your little one tries to climb up them
- Harmful paints: Cribs shouldn’t contain any lead paint as that can be poisonous to your baby
- Drop sides: Models with drop sides are deemed unsafe as babies can easily get stuck or suffocate – these types of cribs have in fact been banned
- Cutouts: Any cribs with cutouts on the head or footboard also pose a risk
- Aged slats: Wooden slats that have become weak with use won’t offer mattress support
- Anti-loosening parts: Parts such as screws without anti-loosening devices make it impossible to loosen in case of emergency (such as your baby getting stuck in a slat)
- Mattress supports: The mattress supports should be strong enough to hold a new mattress and the weight of your baby
- Crib depth: Cribs should be deep enough so that your baby doesn’t climb over the rails
- Possible recalls: Visit the CPSC website’s Recalls and Product Safety News section for any potential recall information for that specific model number
Why you might want to sell your baby crib
There are several reasons why you might want to sell your baby crib. Some of these could include the following:
- Your little one has outgrown the crib and you have no further use for it
- The crib is taking up unnecessary space that can be better utilized for something else
- No one in your friends or family circle is planning a baby, so you have no one to gift it to
- You might want to recover some of the money spent on it to purchase the next stage of toddler furniture needed
One of the best ways to get your full money’s worth out of your baby’s crib is to initially buy a crib that can be converted into a different type of furniture. Common options include models that have changing tables or headboards that can be turned into toddler beds.
How much should you sell your used baby crib for?
It’s very common for parents to sell second-hand baby furniture that they no longer need. If your crib is still within the manufacturer’s safety requirements, you might be wondering how much to sell a used crib for. Here’s an idea of the average price guideline some parents work with.
| Crib Condition | Estimated % of Retail Cost |
| Unused | 50% of original cost |
| Lightly Used | 30% of original cost |
| Well Used | 10% of original cost |
Additionally, check online ads to get an idea of what similar cribs are selling for in your local area.
Where to sell your used baby cribs
Many parents are opting to sell used baby furniture online. Many platforms make it easy to list product information and add several images. You can also list your baby crib on several different platforms. That said, let’s look at some of the more common options.
Facebook MarketPlace
Facebook Marketplace is a common place to sell new and used items. Facebook users browse listings or search for items for sale in their local areas. Arrangements are made with the seller for payment and shipping or collection. Facebook will take 5% of the sale, which is automatically deducted from your payout.
Craig’s List
Craigslist is an American classified advertisement website selling new and used items. With an average of 60 million users, Craigslist is a firm favorite. Craigslist allows you to choose categories to place your ad in and only takes minutes to set up.
eBay
On average, about 159 million users make either buy or sell items on the eBay platform. You can easily list 50 items per month for free. You’ll be charged a small fee for each listing from the 51st item.
Other aspects to consider when putting together your listing
When you’re gathering the information to set up your listing, consider the following pointers.
Age of your baby crib and its expiration
To be clear, baby cribs don’t have an official expiration date from the manufacturer. However, older cribs built before 2011 don’t meet the current safety standards and regulations as put in place by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
When you’re listing your crib for sale, it’s a good idea to include a picture of the receipt or anything else that proves the crib was bought after 2011. This will give a potential owner the peace of mind that the crib is safe to use.
Create your baby crib listing
If you’ve never posted anything for sale on one of the mentioned platforms, you might be wondering how complex the process is. The good news is that it’s quite simple for each platform. Here’s how you do it.
Facebook Marketplace
- Choose the Marketplace option
- Add a title, price and select a category
- Include photos – try to add images from different angles
- Click to publish your listing
Craigslist
- On the homepage, click “post to classifieds” in the top-left corner
- Select the right category for your post
- Enter text describing your item
- Click continue at the bottom of the screen
- If the category allows, add images to your post
- Select your location
eBay
- Select the create listing button
- Specify what you’re selling
- Enter listing details
- Complete the information description
- Specify price and relevant selling details
- Create delivery details
- Mention preferences regarding payments and returns
Alternatives to selling your baby crib
If you’re not comfortable with selling your baby’s used crib, there are a few other alternatives to consider. I’ve listed a few of the more common options below.
Donating your baby crib
Many parents opt to donate the items and clothes their babies have outgrown or no longer need. This is a great gesture as it helps someone else who may not have the funds to ordinarily buy the item.
However, when it comes to cribs, it’s important to note that some donation centers don’t accept cribs. This is because there might not be a record of the manufacturer date in which case the crib might be a safety risk. I recommend keeping all the manufacturer information (date of sale) to show that the crib is still safe to use.
A few popular options for donation include the following:
- WeeCycle
- Foster care centers
- Pregnancy clinics
- Habitat for Humanity
- Women’s shelters or homes for single mothers
- The Salvation Army
- Local charity shops
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- Hopeland Charity
- Pure Hands for displaced families
Giving it to friends and family
If you have a friend or family member who may be expecting a baby, it’s a good idea to give them the crib. Depending on how long your baby used the crib, your family or friend might just have to buy a new crib mattress or you might sell them the mattress, too.
If you have a copy of the receipt that shows the crib was bought after 2011, be sure to include this with the crib. Not only will this give the new owner some peace of mind, but they will be able to use the receipt to sell or donate the crib afterward.
Turn your crib into a desk for your toddler or small child
This option involves a few DIY modifications. If you’re able to turn your crib into a desk, your little one will have a place to draw, paint and play. On the plus side, this will save you money by not having to buy an arts and crafts table!
Here’s a clip to show you just how easy it is to turn your baby crib into an activity table for your growing baby.
Conclusion
When your baby has outgrown its baby crib, you have a few options about what to do with it. If you can’t sell it, there’s always the option of donation or gifting. Alternatively, turn it into a super amazing activity table!
If you’re still comparing crib options, my article about mini cribs compared to regular cribs will give you some insight into some quality options. Alternatively, this article on the differences between DaVinci Delta Cribs covers a few crib options that can be turned into beds or storage units after your baby outgrows them.