Very unhappy with TotsBots!

[drspouse]

Long story... sorry.

We bought some TotsBots V2, very happy with them, still going strong about 18 months later.
In Aug 2012 we followed these up with some V3. Very soft due to the minky lining. Lovely for about 9 months and then they started leaking. We isolated the problem and it was that the minky on the inner flap was wicking - water was just running off, which is obviously a bit pointless in the part of a nappy that is supposed to absorb liquid!

After much advice and trial and tribulation we rang Tots Bots. This was either before or only slightly after the 12 month guarantee ran out and they didn't mention the guarantee or any replacement on the phone. They suggested using their own detergent (they were implying that we were negligent by using a different detergent - the only one we could get not to irritate DS's bum) and washing them in washing up liquid, as well as about 65 other things we'd tried (or that are impractical - they also said we shouldn't use nappy cream - i.e. leave DS with nappy rash?).

I just heard a few days ago that the V4 does not have a minky lining and that some customers are getting their leaking V3s replaced with V4. I rang again today and no, they will replace but only within 12 months. Which, as I say, they did not say the first time I rang.

They advertise their nappies as suitable for more than one child. Lasting only 9-12 months is not enough for more than one child.

So basically this is a warning about TotsBots customer service!

Have you tried their Facebook group toys bots customer service?

(And warning taken - I found my v3 useless without boosting)

Good idea - we did use boosters but if the surface is wicking however much you boost the liquid just runs off!

I have some V3s. They all needed boosting with bamboo.

Do you use a liner between bottom and nappy?

We always boost them and we always use a liner. These are all the questions they asked. They are just knackered I'm afraid!

Can I suggest you phone The Nappy Lady? She may have an answer if no-one else does.

I found their customer service awful too as I had some bucket liners that the seams went after only a couple of uses, I bought them 2 months before using them (like you do when preparing for a baby!) and the company I bought them from had gone out of business, I just got a snotty email from tots bots saying that without proof of purchase they couldn't do anything.
I also found easy fits useless and sold on what I had, i don't get what the rave reviews are about easy fits, worst nappy I've used and I've used a lot (2 children in cloth) however bamboozles are amazing ( it annoys me that the best nappy I have found means I have given tots bots lots of business!!)

Glad it's not just me. I'll try ringing the Nappy Lady, thanks.

Cream unfortunately does coat the fibers and make the nappy pretty useless. Coconut oil is supposed to be good but the one time we've had a bad rash I just reverted to disposables.

I know lots of people who've had problems with the v3s so I steer clear.

He's had quite a few fungal type spots hence using Sudocrem or Metanium but it isn't really flagged up that this is death to nappies - and it hasn't affected the non-minky V2 or, as far as I can tell, our older Bamboozle nappies that we use at night. They all seem to be going strong!

Just to add - after these nappies died we decided we wanted something that could move a little more towards potty training so we got some size 2 Little Lambs pocket nappies, with poppers, which we really like.

We may be acquiring a DC2 which may be before DS has finished potty training (despite optimism, and cheerfully telling us when he's done a poo, he hasn't started this). So our choices would be get more Little Lambs for him, and keep the V2 Easyfits for DC2, or get smaller Little Lambs for DC2 and use the Easyfits still for both of them, or something else. We happily use shaped + wrap at night but nursery/out and about in the daytime isn't really compatible with anything other than an AIO or pocket nappy that we stuff at home.

If you like little lamb pockets ( which I do!) and eBay then have a look. They are selling off packs of 10 pockets but without the insert for £10!!! Only purple or pink but if u have boosters already they are perfect!! I just got ds2 a load of size 3 but they have 2s and 1s aswell. Bargains as I have a tonne of boosters but needed bigger pockets for my enormous 20 month old!!!