Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To not expect to find my 6 month old baby out of the straps of his car seat?

22 replies

TheDetective · 07/06/2013 22:55

I got home today, and went to bring the baby out the car in his car seat. I found him with his arms out of the shoulder straps. He's a pretty inquisitive and willful little thing, but I'm fairly sure he can't reach the button to lengthen the straps.

So after my initial confusion, and panic at the thought of what could have happened I investigated further.

Found that the button that you press when you want to lengthen the straps is not working in the sense that there is nothing to stop the straps going longer. So, car seat is completely unsafe at present.

I rang the manufacturer - the seat is 6 months old. Has a 4 year guarantee. No problem in that they are sending me a new harness (which apparently includes the faulty part) , but is this adequate?

I think it probably is, but in my wandering mind I've been worrying about how safe it is if that happened. Do you think they should investigate the seat? I did ask if this had happened before, and was told no.

The car seat has been in production for 1 year if that makes any difference??

What does the MN jury think?!

OP posts:

CloudsAndTrees · 07/06/2013 23:01

I think if they are sending you a harness, they have effectively agreed that something is wrong with your seat, and they should be sending you a whole new seat.

How can they guarantee that it's safe if you have to fit a harness to it yourself?

Bobyan · 07/06/2013 23:02

Name the seat and save other people the hassle of having the same issue...

Original poster

TheDetective · 07/06/2013 23:06

Cosatto Giggle.

It forms a travel system.

OP posts:

LeonieDeSainteVire · 07/06/2013 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

TheDetective · 07/06/2013 23:34

Ok, I will ring them again on Monday. I was a little taken back on the phone. Perhaps I didn't describe it well enough. I have them on my facebook - so perhaps a message on there might get them moving.

I must admit, I'm not sure what I actually want them to do - either a new seat, or money back. No other car seat goes on the chasis though. :(

OP posts:

ValiumQueen · 08/06/2013 01:33

I think at 6 months old I would be asking for a refund and putting the money towards another seat that would perhaps last longer? ERF perhaps? Unless you are thinking of resale value, in which case ask for a refund of the entire travel system and buy that Maclaren you wanted.

Self gain apart, they definitely need to reassure you that they are investigating the fault. If one baby got injured that would be one too many. Go kick some ass tomorrow!

Lily311 · 08/06/2013 04:09

No way I would have accepted a new harness. I would ring back and ask demand they either refund or replace the care seat.

Lily311 · 08/06/2013 04:09

Car seat, sorry for typo.

Brockle · 08/06/2013 06:53

I wouldn't accept a new harness. I would want a full refund or a brand new seat. a refund and a new ERF is an excellent idea by vq

CSIJanner · 08/06/2013 07:21

YANBU

It's not the harness, it's the mechanism. ring them back, twitter them, FB them and demand a new one fit for purpose. Use those words as well.

Svrider · 08/06/2013 07:30

I agree with the other posters Op
I carnt see how the fault lies with the harness unless it looks broken/ worn

It sounds like the mechanism it'self

Shame on the manufacturer for putting your baby at risk

alienbanana · 08/06/2013 08:05

Where did you buy the seat from? Wouldnt it be easier to take it back and demand a refund from there?

Balaboosta · 08/06/2013 08:08

Where did you buy it? What about taking the whole lot back, pram and all, because it is not "fit for purpose"?

alienbanana · 08/06/2013 08:13

Forgive me if I have this wrong, but isn't your contract with the retailer, and its down to them to sort this sort of thing out and refund?

Tanith · 08/06/2013 08:14

Your contract is with whoever you bought the seat from.

They are the ones who should refund you and you need to take the seat back to them and insist on a replacement or a refund.

Tanith · 08/06/2013 08:15

X-post with Alien - great minds, and all that

mikkii · 08/06/2013 08:17

Why don't you ask them "what would you be doing if I had crashed my car while baby was effectively unsecured in my car? How many other car seats have you sold which are/may be similarly defective? How do you plan on approaching those parents to rectify the situation?" If the person on the phone says they don't know, demand to ask to speak to someone who does ave the answers.

The fact they have told you a replacement harness will fix the problem without having to inspect YOUR seat means they already knew about this problem. This makes them liable if anything happens? I don't know this car seat, but all of mine which have had adjustable straps with a button adjuster, the replaceable part of the harness does not include the button part?

alienbanana · 08/06/2013 08:21

I don't know how you'd report something like this that could potentially be very dangerous/need a recall. Trading standards?

Bobyan · 08/06/2013 08:27

What about which magazine? They do car seat tests...

slightlysoupstained · 08/06/2013 08:35

We have a Cosatto Giggle. They were pretty good about replacing chassis when the brake broke.

In your place though would be inclined to get a different carseat & not worry about it not fitting the travel system. Yes it's convenient, but having your son in a seat you feel absolutely confident about overrides that. We had actually bought a carseat before the pram, so we didn't consider the Cosatto one.

maddening · 08/06/2013 08:43

Without inspecting the seat how do they know what is wrong and that you can replace the harness so it is safe.

It sounds like the button is at fault rather than the harness.

Original poster

TheDetective · 08/06/2013 10:43

They are closed this weekend. So Monday morning will ring them back and ask them to arrange collection of the car seat for their inspection. I agree, I don't see how a new harness will fix it.

Its easier dealing with the manufacturer than the shop in this case, as the manufacturer is more local to me than the shop purchased from. Also they have a 4 year guarantee so it just feels logical to deal with them.

Might give the shop a ring and see what they say as by rights they should refund it as faulty. However I'm loathe to leave it with the shop as I want to know Cosatto will investigate the problem.

OP posts:

Flip