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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be pissed off with DP re car seat issue (hormone fuelled rant!)

38 replies

Slh122 · 31/12/2013 12:01

Baby is due next month and last week we found a good travel system deal in Mothercare that included the car seat, isofix base etc.
The shop assistant asked if we wanted to try it in our car before we bought it to check it fitted. I said yes, DP was adamant that it would fit. As he's the only one that drives, I thought fine.
Got it home and yesterday DP fitted it on his side. It didn't fit properly and meant he has to have his seat pulled right forward, and he can't drive properly with it behind him but he's very tall so we assumed it was his long legs and said we'd try it on my side today.
Just fitted it on my side and the same issue - I have to have my seat pulled right forward so my legs are shoved right up against the glovebox.
AIBU to be pissed off that he wouldn't just let the shop assistant see if the fucking car seat fit comfortably before we bought the damn thing?

OP posts:
MizK · 31/12/2013 12:05

YANBU. Dickish of him not to have it checked as it's a pretty key purchase. Any way of exchanging it for one that fits?

Original poster
Slh122 · 31/12/2013 12:06

It was part of the travel system so I assume we're going to have to take the whole thing back for a refund/exchange. Argh Angry

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 31/12/2013 12:07

Yanbu.

Why not take a FREE service offered to avoid this precise situation.

Ffs, point proving exercise that's all it was Angry for you

SecretNutellaFix · 31/12/2013 12:08

I think you're likely to have that problem with all carseats given how long the back is on them.

What car do you have?

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/12/2013 12:08

I'm not sure if they will exchange a car seat unless it's faulty. I'd phone and check before you waste a trip

WooWooOwl · 31/12/2013 12:08

Yanbu.

They offer the service for a good reason.

Theas18 · 31/12/2013 12:09

put it in the front seat and you sit behind DH?

Original poster
Slh122 · 31/12/2013 12:09

It's a VW Polo so fairly small car.

OP posts:
Writerwannabe83 · 31/12/2013 12:10

I can see why you're annoyed but you were there too - if you were that fussed you could have insisted it be tested. I'm assuming your DH/DP doesn't have the final say on everything? Just because someone knows how to drive a car has no correlation to their knowledge about car seat sizes. Unless they ask about that in driving tests now?? Grin

Don't be too annoyed at him, it isn't solely his fault - just grudgingly take it back, have a good whinge together and learn from the error Smile

Congratulations on the pregnancy x

SecretNutellaFix · 31/12/2013 12:10

Which car seat was it?

Artandco · 31/12/2013 12:10

Car seats take up a lot of space. Unless you have a large car the passenger front seat will need I be quite far forward. The seats are big enough that a baby-15 ish months can almost lay down in a seat rear facing. Plus isofix won't be small

Original poster
Slh122 · 31/12/2013 12:13

It's a Silver Cross Ventura.
I know writer but he was being all 'oh I'm sure it will definitely fit' etc. Thank you, I've seen you over on pregnant boards. Congratulations on your pregnancy too! :)

OP posts:
SJisontheway · 31/12/2013 12:13

Can you secure the seat in the back with a seatbelt rather than the base. Might give you a bit more room. I'd imagine most car seat/base combos will give similar problems

SavoyCabbage · 31/12/2013 12:14

at least he had a go putting it in! My dh did ours in the carpark at the hospital. In the dark.

'Congratulations in buying......blah blah'

I walked home as it was only five minutes and since then have taken over all car seat responsibilities. It's such an important thing.

Writerwannabe83 · 31/12/2013 12:17

If anything slh your post has taught me that when the time comes I will definitely make my husband trial the car seat before we buy it Grin

SecretNutellaFix · 31/12/2013 12:17

The ventura is the same sort of back length as the cabriofix, so both are shorter than the Pebble.

The issue sin't the isofix base, as that isn't sticking out as far as the back of the car seat. It's the top bit of the car seat that's the problem.

Is your seat fully upright, or is it slightly reclined?

FudgefaceMcZ · 31/12/2013 12:17

YANBU. He should sort out the exchange while you have a nap/telly/chocolate/whatever makes you happy at 8 months.

ItsIgginningToLookALotLikeXmas · 31/12/2013 12:20

Securing it with just a seatbelt won't be as safe as with the base.

Annonynon · 31/12/2013 12:27

YANBU

But I do agree with writer that is isn't just his fault, you could have insisted if you wanted it checked. I think you both assumed it would fit and are now kicking yourselves that you didn't check but it's one of those things that's easily enough done

Hope you can find a solution

ebwy · 31/12/2013 12:32

my baby seat had to be put behind the passenger seat, which was right the way forwards and sat bolt upright. the car is a fiat 500.

You get used to the seat position as a passenger, but driving like it would be a nightmare

ihearttc · 31/12/2013 13:02

Silver Cross Ventura is an absolute nightmare to fit in small cars as its really long.

I used to work in mothercare and tried to fit loads of them. I used to always insist on trying them because 9 times out of 10 it was too long. So you will probably find other car seats are ok.

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 31/12/2013 13:33

I had Maxicosis in the latest VW Polo model with isofix and never any problem with space - switch brand!

minibmw2010 · 31/12/2013 13:43

You've got a relatively small car, most car sears are going to be a problem, but the one you've chosen is particularly big. I'd swap the whole thing if possible.

theclockticksslowly · 01/01/2014 02:53

Would it fit in the middle? I have a small car and that's where the car seat is in mine.

CheshireDing · 01/01/2014 06:17

We have put the Maxi Cosi Pebble in a Picanto, it has Isofix base and yes the passenger seat has to be a bit further forward but it probably is worth looking at a different make now.
Also could the passenger not sit behind the driver, or is there no room there either?
We were in a car crash last week and had the baby and toddler in their rear facing seats in the back of the car, it's a big car and has still been trashed by the crash. Please DON'T put the seat in the front as someone has suggested !

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