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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be cross with Mothercare?

226 replies

famishedpotato · 14/11/2018 13:41

I bought a 0+ Joie Gemm carseat online from Mothercare ahead of DD's birth in August. Well, at 15weeks old she doesn't bloody fit in it!

She's only 6kg, but the straps are too tight to close round her because she's very long. Contacted Joie to ask if it's safe to remove infant insert before the proscribed 10kg if she just doesn't bloody fit, they say no... Sometimes babies just don't fit, try a different seat.

Contacted Mothercare to ask for a refund and they've said sure... If I take it in to store. They've just closed my nearest store though, so the next nearest store is over an hours drive away... And I don't have a sodding car seat!

AIBU to say they ought to sort this out without putting all the hassle and expense on to me? I'm a new mum, and it's their megacorp that sold me a crappy product!

OP posts:
ileclerc · 14/11/2018 13:43

It's not really their fault is it? At least they've said they'll refund it.

FusionChefGeoff · 14/11/2018 13:45

It's not a crappy product - it's your baby that doesn't fit.

Are the straps adjustable? Every Maxi Cosi / Britax Seat we've had has adjustable straps.

I think they're being generous to offer a refund at all for something you've been using for 3 months!

TeddyIsaHe · 14/11/2018 13:45

How could they have predicted your baby wouldn’t fit? Calm down! You’re getting a refund.

Lazypuppy · 14/11/2018 13:50

I'm suprised you're getting a refund, there is nothing wrong with the item.

R3b3kah · 14/11/2018 13:51

They have been good enough to have offered the refund, not their fault you are unable to get it there

TheRenegadeMaster · 14/11/2018 13:51

You're being offered a full refund for a product you've used way over the refund policy dates. For a reason that isn't their fault, it's your child who is too big. And you're angry.

Wow.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 14/11/2018 13:53

How on Earth is it Mothercare’s fault that YOUR baby is too big for a car seat?!

They’ve already been more then fair

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 14/11/2018 13:53

Did you get the offer of a refund in writing?

I’d be really surprised at them giving a refund- I was once in the queue behind someone at my local MC who hadn’t checked that a car seat would fit their car (it didn’t) and they weren’t getting refunded.

Racecardriver · 14/11/2018 13:54

I think it depends on how long your child actually is. If she is average length then YANBU but if she’s over the 100th febrile or something then YABU. It also probably better for you to go in store anyway because you will need to try any new seat you buy.

Sitranced · 14/11/2018 13:54

Mothercare's crystal ball wasn't working that day

Ellisandra · 14/11/2018 13:54

Pretty good that they’re refunding you I think.

SaltedToPerfection · 14/11/2018 13:56

How is it a crappy product? Your child doesn’t fit!

SoyDora · 14/11/2018 13:56

Its not really Mothercare’s fault is it? It sounds like Joie’s product isn’t really fit for purpose?

Bombardier25966 · 14/11/2018 13:57

I think Mothercare have been most generous here. Most retailers would have (quite reasonably) refused you a refund.

AdobeWanKenobi · 14/11/2018 13:57

Well done OP, you've highlighted Mothercares excellent customer service in that post.

The response to them was 'Thank you, thats really kind'.

AvoidingDM · 14/11/2018 13:57

Are you sure they said keep the newborn bit in to 10kg, not pounds???

My 20month old is only 10.5kg!

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 14/11/2018 13:58

In fairness, I just did a quick google for reviews- I came across one on Made for Mums where the reviewer said they couldn’t work out how to elongate the straps and their baby was only 7 weeks old. So it looks like it’s not just OP having issues, hence maybe why she was granted the refund.

adaline · 14/11/2018 13:59

I'm surprised you're getting a refund - you chose to take a risk and bought something that didn't fit your child. I think most people would tell you to sell it on Gumtree and use the money to buy something more suitable!

Louiselouie0890 · 14/11/2018 13:59

I'm surprised they're refunding it? How is it there fault?

Nightfall1983 · 14/11/2018 13:59

Why don’t you buy another car seat (since you need one anyway) and THEN drive to Mothercare for your refund? I have to agree with PP that Mothercare are being more than reasonable here - it’s JOIE you should be annoyed with!

Bombardier25966 · 14/11/2018 13:59

It sounds like Joie’s product isn’t really fit for purpose?

It is fit for purpose. OP acknowledges her child is very long for her age.

If it wasn't fit for purpose then Mothercare - not the manufacturer - would be obliged to provide a remedy.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 14/11/2018 14:00

I'll be amazed if they refund it, I'd ask to speak to the store manager at the shop you intended to take it back to before you set off.

Original poster
famishedpotato · 14/11/2018 14:02

I'm not "lucky" to get a refund, they've sold me a product not fit for it's purpose. They're meeting their minimum legal obligation, in a way that is expensive, inconvenient and time-consuming for me... They're not doing me a favour Confused.

OP posts:
Unihorn · 14/11/2018 14:02

My 4 month old outgrew her 0+ despite the fact that it claimed to fit some babies up to 18 months Shock

adaline · 14/11/2018 14:03

I'm not "lucky" to get a refund, they've sold me a product not fit for it's purpose.

No, it's perfectly fit for purpose. It's not faulty, or broken, or unsafe, it just doesn't fit your baby. If I bought a pair of size 6 jeans, they wouldn't fit me either, but that doesn't mean I could go and demand a refund three months later!

You bought a carseat that unfortunately is the wrong fit for your child. It happens all the time. You're getting a refund for it if you take it into store. What more do you want?