GREENSBORO, N.C. — No doubt there are deals to be had at garage sales, but no matter the bargain, there are a few items you should never buy. Consumer Reports looks at items so you can know what to look out for.
Used battery-powered lawn tools.
"The product should come with the charger, extra batteries, and the manual if the seller still has it. The most important thing you want to know is the age of the tool," said Paul Hope, Consumer Reports.
For mowers, many riding mowers have an hour meter. So you’ll know exactly how many hours it has been on the job. Don’t just examine the mower, size up the yard.
"If you're buying a mower from someone who has a lot of trees and not much grass, you might get a great deal because that mower might not have been used much," said Hope.
If you have kids, you know that yard sales can be a great way to get what you need without breaking the bank—but you still have to be careful that the gear you get for your baby is safe.
"While it’s illegal to sell recalled products, including on the second-hand market, people might not be aware of the law or may not realize the product they’re selling has been recalled. It’s not uncommon to find recalled infant sleepers and other products," said Emily Thomas, Consumer Reports.
Cribs with drop-down sides are another dangerous item never to buy. These have been linked to dozens of infant deaths and were banned in 2011. Even parents planning on using newer cribs still need to be careful.
"Sometimes, a used crib may be passed on to you disassembled. You won’t know if the hardware is missing unless you have the assembly instructions," said Angela Lashbrook, Consumer Reports.
Used car seats are also problematic. Buying used car seats is not a good idea because you won’t reliably know much about them, including their crash history. If you’re still considering a used car seat that has no broken or missing parts and you know hasn’t been in a crash, you’ll want to check the seat’s expiration date on the label and in the owner’s manual, as well as search for any open recalls on the model. You can find the model number on the seat's manufacturer label.
If you need a crib or car seat, check with nonprofits in your area. Many sell them at a discounted price.
And be careful about buying old used toys. A safe battery compartments will have a screw.