There's no doubt about it; you can definitely find baby cribs with big discounts by shopping online. But you can also end up buying an inferior product for the same price as you would do if you bought a decent one in a department store. Here's some advice about buying your nursery furniture online.

Buying a Used Baby Crib

This is a huge market; you only have to search on Google to see the amount of private sellers. However, buying a used crib online is really not recommended. For starters, you won't know the history of the item. Was it the subject of a recall? Is it still made by the company because if it isn't you won't be able to buy any spare parts. Crib sizes are always being altered by manufacturers, will you be able to find a mattress that fits perfectly.

If you do decide to go ahead and buy then heed this advice. Never buy a crib that was made before 1978 as it can't be guaranteed that the paint and finishes used are lead-free and non-toxic. Make sure the slats are no more than 2 3/8" apart and they are a minimum height of 26". If it comes with a drop side then it should be at least 9" high when the side is lowered. Don't buy it if the paint is chipped or cracked. The headboard and footboard must not have any cutouts - this is no longer permissible in new cribs.

Finally, find out if it has Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification as this will mean that it meets current safety standards.

Buying a Baby Crib on EBay

Be careful who you buy from. Are they an authorized retailer? Ask for their accreditation and contact details of the actual manufacturer so you can check them out. If they are genuine they will gladly provide you with this information - they are just as keen at weeding out dubious sellers as you are.

Even when not buying from EBay you should be careful about whom you buy from. Just because a website looks good doesn't mean the retailer is any good. Again, check them out.

Unless you've seen the real 'thing' in a store it can be hard to really know what you're buying. However, many manufacturers now provide comprehensive online brochures and manuals, complete with quality photos, diagrams and useful information. A genuine, authorized retailer can email you these before you buy.

Make sure the crib is in stock. If you see terms like 'Special Order' it actually means the retailer doesn't have it in stock and has to order it from the manufacturer - you could find yourself waiting weeks for it to arrive.

Find out what the returns policy is. Some will charge you for returning an item - don't buy from them.

Buying online can be a great way to buy a baby crib. Always make sure you know who you're dealing with and you feel comfortable buying from them. Just because the store is online doesn't mean there is no 'human touch'; you can talk to them by phone and/or email, just as you would a salesperson in a store.

Follow the links for more baby crib reviews on brands like the Pali crib as well as the Babi Italia crib and many others.