How To Buy A Second-hand Pram in Australia
What to Know When Buying a Second-Hand Pram
Buying a second-hand pram can be a great way to save money, use less resources and also put extra dollars into another family’s pocket. Overall it’s a win-win economically and environmentally.
But you need to shop carefully because just like buying a pre-owned vehicle they can just as easily turn into a money pit that also costs you time, effort and even your child’s safety.
It’s also very important to remember that regardless of when the pram/stroller was purchased by the original owner or how long the warranty period would have been, even if they have provided you with the original receipt, it’s most likely you won’t be entitled to any kind of warranty or consumer guarantees that would normally apply if purchased brand new.
The rare exception would be Joolz have recently introduced a transferable warranty (similar to the warranty on a car), but conditions do apply and the previous owner absolutely must have already registered their stroller at the time of purchase. (Personally if I was buy a Joolz pram second hand and I was paying extra because of the promise of a warranty, I wouldn’t walk away from that transaction until I’d successfully transferred the warranty into my name)
Why Buy A Second-hand Pram/Stroller?
The benefits are pretty obvious and if you’re already reading this I probably don’t need to sell you on the idea, but before I go into the risk and considerations I want to make it very clear I’m not trying to discourage people from buying second hand.
Buying second hand prams (with both positive and not-so-positive outcomes) and sharing that experience of owning 11 prams is how Parenting Central took a sharp turn from being a general parenting blog to a product review website that kick started my career in the baby product industry.
You can read more about how I came to own 11 prams reading Confessions of a Pram Addict
- Saving money
Prams are expensive and for better or worse you generally get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a full size pram that’s well made and well designed, then you’re likely looking at spending between $1000-1600. (AUD market price, not RRP)
If you’re spending below $1000 for a brand new pram you’ll likely find yourself having to make some big compromises either on features or quality. - Good for the environment.
Well made (and well maintained) prams/strollers can last through several children and with family sizes getting smaller this means one pram could go through 2-3 families and still be in great condition. - Try before you “buy”
With at least a couple of my 11 prams, I was testing out features before I invested in a new pram. Trying out basically end-of-life prams that I found free online, using them for a while, (returning them back online or disposing of them depending on the condition) so I could work out what I actually wanted before spending big $$$.
Shortlist models before you start shopping
Just like buying a used car you want to start out with an idea of what makes and models meet your needs, are reliable and also – very importantly – affordable to repair if required.
It’s all well and good to find a cheap second hand Ferrari but if you can’t afford to fix it if something breaks then you’re just throwing your money away.
If you haven’t decided what prams or features you’re looking for then check out the resources linked below.
If you are buying second hand I’d recommend avoiding – or being a bit more diligent – with pram/strollers that have already been discontinued, as this will also impact the availability of spare parts and also accessories, especially if you don’t need them right away.
Also it’s worth familiarising yourself with how readily available the spare parts are for the second-hand prams or strollers on your short list.
Where to find Pram Spare Parts in Australia
Common Issues to Watch Out For
Any mechanism, moving part, button, buckle, weld, joint, wheel, fabric or seam can fail, break or simply wear out over time. “Weak” points vary from model to model. Assume that the more moving parts, features, mechanisms, the more potential for failure of that component.
Mechanisms to check over before you purchase :
- Brake
- Fold mechanism
- Seat recline
- Buckle/harness button
- Handlebar (if adjustable)
- Foot/leg rest (if adjustable)
Fabrics/textiles:
- Seat/Back boards (can be broken or bent inside fabrics)
- Seat fabrics (damaged, stained, mouldy)
- Canopy fabrics (check zips/velcro for extension and peekaboo windows)
- Baskets (Often need to be replaced every few years due to wear/tear overloading or dragging items in and out)
Thoroughly inspect second-hand prams or strollers before buying
Ask the seller questions about the condition or for additional pictures if you need to – to save you both time and effort if you get there and it’s not to the standard you were expecting.
Be prepared to walk away if they haven’t accurately represented it in the listing of the product. Bring another person with you to consult with so you don’t feel pressured to make a decision.
Then thoroughly inspect the pram/stroller before handing over the cash.
- Fabrics: Check for stains, tears, fading or mould.
- Harness: Ensure it’s in good condition and the buckles work smoothly.
- Wheels: Test for smooth rotation and signs of wear.
- Mechanisms: Fold, open, brake, recline, adjustable handle etc.
- Metal components: No cracks around the welds. A little surface rust is okay.
- Watch out for overseas models. If in Australia make sure it has a red brake AND a wrist strap on the handlebar.
It’s important to be aware that no pram or stroller can be sold without a red brake and a hand safety strap – this includes second hand. This isn’t an arbitrary rule, but has been proven to reduce incidents of prams rolling away after tragic incidents that have occurred around train stations and waterways.
Final thoughts You’ve got this! I’ve probably said this several times already but it really is just like buying a secondhand car. Once you’ve got all the information you need to make a decision, be confident, be assertive, and get yourself a bargain!
Feel free to also reach out to me if you have any questions or need any specific advice around a particular model you’re looking at or if you have bought something secondhand and now you’re struggling to work out how to fix it up as good as new. I’ve had a lot of experience troubleshooting and restoring a huge number of different prams and strollers, so I might have some insights to hel
