Halfords won't sell car seat without child present

[Scaredycat259]

My dad has been to look at a car seat for use in his car for my 1 year old.
The guy in the shop said that he wouldn't be able to sell him one without seeing the child that will be using it.
He also said that he needs see the car seat that I am currently using, which is brand new for birth to 12m Joie Everystage.
I just don't understand why he needs to see the child and my carseat.
Dozens of companies sell them online without any visual evidence of the child who will be using it.

I can sort of understand that it is responsible to check that the seat is suitable. However after checking their website it appears I am able to order a car seat for home delivery, so how the fuck does that make any sense?

Are you sure it isn't because your dad was being a bit unsure of information they needed - eg the correct weight of your baby? I can understand if your dad was asking for advice on what seat to buy but then didn't know what size.

It does seem daft. My Dad wouldn’t have been able to take my daughter to Halfords to get the car seat because you have to drive to Halfords and he didn’t have….well…a car seat to put her in 🤔

I can’t see how this is actually a policy. You can order online. My in-laws bought a car seat in Halfords with no child present. Most new parents are obviously buying car seats before the baby is born.

Because plenty of imbeciles like my ex would try to get away with buying a booster seat for a 12 month old on the grounds that 'she can sit up now'.

Is it possible he got some of the details a bit out?
e.g 'its for a 2 year old and he's 135cm tall'
If it seems something is outside of the usual guidelines they may want to see to make sure what they are providing is correct.
My eldest was really tall and I seem to recall slightly below the age to move out of the group zero but also over the height and weight limit for that style of seat.
They were happy to sell next stage when they saw him in it.

Probably trying to avoid it being returned because it's the wrong size.