1 review about Red Cross Baby Seats

verified email - 22 Feb 2013

I have had my baby seat installed here 3 times - once before the birth of my baby, then again when we swapped the seat into my sister's car while she borrowed mine, and back again into my car.

First time it was installed fine.
The second time it was removed and installed into my sister's car fine.
The third time - was when the fun started.

My sister, after borrowing my car for an interstate trip, took my car back in to have the seat refitted after their trip. I called ahead to the red cross as I'd forgotten to remind my sister to have them install the seat facing forward as my baby was now 6 months old. The documentation with my seat indicated I could have it forward facing from 6 months.

The lady on the phone explained that I was putting my baby at risk - everyone knew that a baby was only ready to face forward from around 8 months or older. I didn't even get the chance to say it was what was recommended when I bought the chair.

When my sister arrived, the lady scolded her (!!!) for so carelessly endangering a baby - my sister replied that she was just bringing the car in to have the seat fitted. When the technician arrived, the lady exclaimed over our request to have the seat facing forward and joined the technician in exclaiming how ridiculous we were. (By this time my sister was feeling really harrassed).

The technician got to work and noticed that we had a toy sitting with the chair. He picked it up and tossed it across the car like rubbish saying 'this is dangerous'. He apparently didn't get the response he wanted, so he retrieved the toy, held it 2cm from my brother in law's face and brandished it saying "how would you like this to hit you in the head at speed in the car?" before again tossing it across to the back of the car.

He then shook his head and said that there was no way the seat would go into the car without purchasing an additional strap. My sister asked why and encouraged him to elaborate - he explained that he'd been doing carseats for years "Missy", and that the straps provided with this particular brand of seat were never suitable and not long enough for the car.

My sister then told him that the seat was originally installed once by this same store; and was removed and installed the week prior for my sister's trip.

He then changed his tune and harrumphed that he would try it with the existing straps and voila - it fit.

Obviously the technician took offence at my unwitting request to have the baby seat facing forward and decided to fleece us for the cost of an unnecessary strap.

The behaviour of both receptionist and technician were over the top rude and unecessary. Simple explanations of '6 months is too soon' and 'this toy is unsafe' would have sufficed. Beware being charged for 'additional items' at this outlet.

Approximate cost: $120.00

becs3 25 Feb 2013

Oh gosh, not a good experience.

AdelaideGirl 14 Mar 2013

Just to follow up - the new child restraint laws as published on the red cross baby seat website- their own website!!:

New child restraint laws are effective in South Australia from 1 July 2010 from 1 July 2010. These laws require:
• Children up to 6 months of age to travel only in an approved rear facing infant restraint.
• Children from 6 months to 4 years of age to travel in either an approved rearward-facing infant restraint
or forward-facing child safety seat with an inbuilt harness."

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