Five Things You Should Not Buy Used

Buying things secondhand is often a great way to save money and get the items that you need or want.

But, some purchases may be end up costing you more in the long run or even threaten the safety of you and your loved ones.

Before you buy anything – be it in a thrift store or in a garage sale.

Here are the top five things to avoid buying used: 

1. Baby cribs: A lot of us buy used cribs or bassinets because these are pieces of furniture we use temporarily. However, remember that cribs can pose serious risks to babies and can even prove fatal when poorly designed or manufactured. Between the years 2007 and 2011, nearly 10 million drop-side cribs were recalled because infants were getting caught and strangulated in these cribs. Drop-side cribs caused at least 32 infant deaths. New federal regulations have banned the manufacture and sale of these death traps. But drop-side cribs can still be found in garage sales and thrift stores.
2. Car seats: Regulations relating to car seats are often changed or updated. Car seats are stamped with expiration dates and have a life span of up to six years. Car seats should withstand only one crash before being replaced. Always check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website for recalls on baby items, especially car seats.
3. Bicycle and motorcycle helmets: Much like car seats, bike and motorcycle helmets are designed to withstand only one serious collision. It is not easy to tell if a helmet was previously involved in a crash. According to statistics and research helmets play a critical role in protecting your head and brain in the event of a crash. So, it is important that you choose a helmet that is approved by the Department of Transportation and one that fits you well.
4. Tires: Used tires account for 10 percent of all tire sales in the United States. As far as possible, do not buy used tires. It is not worth the risk. Even if the tire looks good and there is no evidence of cracking, it could still have internal damage that is not visible to the eye. If you bought a used tire, you would have no way of knowing if the tire is recalled.
5. Toys: A number of toys are recalled each year for a variety of safety issues. There are toys that have high levels of toxins such as lead or cadmium. There are toys that have projectiles, which could lead to eye injuries or others that could pose a choking hazard. When you buy toys for your children, make sure they are age-appropriate for your child and always check CPSC’s website to ensure that they have not been recalled.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dangerous or defective product, please contact an experienced product liability lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

The best product defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.