Baby and kids items in Slough: buying and selling second-hand safely

Babies and children grow out of things fast. Clothes fit for a few months, a pram is used for a year or two, and toys are loved and then forgotten. Buying and selling baby and kids’ items locally saves families money, clears space at home and keeps good things out of landfill. Here’s a guide for parents in Slough and nearby: what to buy second-hand, what to buy new, and how to sell what your children have outgrown.

What families buy and sell on Benta

• Prams and pushchairsTravel systems, buggies, double pushchairs and accessories.
• Nursery furnitureCots, cot beds, changing units, wardrobes and high chairs.
• Clothes bundlesBaby and children’s clothes sorted by age, plus school uniform.
• Toys and gamesRide-ons, play kitchens, building sets, puzzles and books.
• Feeding and bath timeBottle sterilisers, bouncers, baby baths and play mats.
• Outdoor playBikes, scooters, slides, trampolines and paddling pools.

Part 1: Buying second-hand

Great items to buy second-hand

• Clothes, especially for babies, who grow out of them quickly. Bundles by age are often very good value.
• School uniform in plain colours, or with the logo of your child’s school.
• Prams and pushchairs in good condition, with working brakes, straps and folding locks.
• Toys, books and puzzles, as long as they’re complete and in good condition.
• Bikes and scooters that children have outgrown. Check the brakes and tyres.
• Nursery furniture such as cots, changing units and wardrobes, if it’s sturdy and has no missing parts.

Take extra care with these

• Car seats: a car seat that has been in an accident may be damaged even if it looks fine. Only buy one second-hand if you know and trust the seller, you know its full history, it comes with its instructions and it meets current UK safety standards. Check that it fits your car and your child’s height and weight.
• Cot mattresses: safe sleep charities such as The Lullaby Trust recommend a new mattress for each baby where possible. If you do use a second-hand one, it should be firm, flat, clean, waterproof and in good condition, and fit the cot with no gaps around the edges.
• Cots and cot beds: check they’re sturdy, with no loose or missing bars, screws or parts, and no peeling paint. Don’t use bumpers, pillows or loose bedding in a baby’s cot.
• Electrical items such as baby monitors, sterilisers and bottle makers: ask to see them working, and check the plug and cable aren’t damaged.
• Toys for under-3s: check for small or loose parts that could be a choking risk, and make sure battery covers are secure, especially for button batteries.

Before you buy, check whether the product has been recalled. You can search the government’s product safety alerts and recalls on GOV.UK, or the manufacturer’s website.

Viewing and paying

• Ask for clear photos and the age and size of clothes before you travel.
• Check the item in person before you pay, especially prams, cots and car seats.
• For larger items, ask whether they come apart and whether they’ll fit in your car.
• Meet somewhere convenient and safe, or collect from the seller’s home with someone else.
• Keep your chat on Benta until you’ve arranged the collection.

Part 2: Selling what your children have outgrown

1. Clean it and check it

Wash clothes and soft toys, wipe down plastic toys and furniture, and check everything works. Find instructions, chargers, spare parts and any original boxes. Make sure toys and games have all their pieces.

2. Bundle small items

Single baby vests rarely sell, but a bundle does. Group clothes by age and season, such as “Girls 6 to 9 months winter bundle, 20 items”, and list the brands. Toys, books and DVDs also sell better in sets.

3. Take clear photos

Lay clothes out flat in daylight, and photograph prams and furniture from several angles. Show any marks or wear honestly. Benta allows up to 8 photos, so use a group shot for bundles.

4. Write an honest description

• the brand, model and age range
• the condition, including any marks, wear or missing parts
• for prams and car seats, the year of purchase and what’s included
• for car seats, whether it has ever been in an accident
• whether you’re in a smoke-free and pet-free home
• collection only, or whether you can drop off locally

5. Price it to sell

Check what similar items sell for nearby. Popular pram brands and nursery furniture keep their value well. Clothes and small toys usually sell for a small fraction of the new price, so price bundles to move quickly.

Ready? Post your baby and kids’ items on Benta. Choose Something for sale, then Baby and kids. It’s free and goes live straight away.

6. Don’t sell recalled or unsafe items

Before you list anything, especially car seats, cots, prams and toys, check it hasn’t been recalled. If an item is broken, damaged or unsafe, recycle it rather than selling it.

Giving things away

Not everything needs to be sold. Listing items in Free stuff can help a local family who’s struggling. You could also ask local baby banks, children’s centres, nurseries and charity shops what donations they accept.

Growing family, shrinking budget? Browse baby and kids’ items in Slough or sell what your children have outgrown for free, and chat directly with families nearby on Benta.

Read more in our guide to buying and selling safely.

This guide is general information. For safety advice on car seats and safe sleep, check the manufacturer’s instructions and trusted sources such as RoSPA and The Lullaby Trust.