Online Shopping at TJ Kids

TJ Kids is currently having a sale online and in store until January 3rd, 2010 on selected items and 20% off on bedding.

I ordered some items off the website and picked it up from the store. Here's a review of the online experience.

Pros:

• easy and straight forward to order from the website.
• shipping is free to any TJ Kids locations (not sure what the shipping charge to home is)
• you can get someone else to pick up your items and will inform you by email when it has been picked up and provided the name and BC driver license's number.
  

Cons:

• the stuff are not pre-packaged for you when you pick it up.
  
• exchanges of the same items are allowed in the store. Returns must go through the "internet guys" (as the cashier calls it). This was not stated clearly on the website.
  

When I showed up with the email and order ID, I expected a package ready to be picked up. The cashier went through a pile of order emails and found mine. She then asked me to wait for 15 minutes while she went to put my order together. I was surprised that it was done in store and that it was not ready (since I had received the email a day ahead that it is ready to be picked up). So I walked around the store and picked out some items to purchase that day.

When she was done, she handed me the bag and I noticed that it was really sloppily sealed with tape and staples all over it. I asked the rep what happens if I want to exchange something that I had ordered online. She said unless it's an exchange of the same item, I will have to go through the "internet guys".

Just before leaving the store, I decided to open the bag and check the items inside since their return / exchange policy is pretty useless just because I paid on the internet when I could've just pick it out myself at the store had I known that the package is not ready anyway. I found out that one of the items was completely wrong. I went back to the cashier and she wasn't there so I told another clerk who at first questioned me about the item (as if I was the one not knowing the items). To make things simpler for someone who works there and should know better, I told her to check the product number. She did and knew that it was not the right item. I ended up showing her where the right item is and I left the store.

Overall - I would not shop online at TJ's anymore (with in-store delivery) because the price is the same as in-store, and probably costs more of my time waiting for the cashier to get my items in-store. Also, since it's not shipped from the warehouse, if there are none in stock at the store, the items are already paid for and it doesn't seem likely that I can get a refund from the store since transactions from the store are different from 'the internet guys.' I have no complaints about my previous in-store shopping experiences though.

And a Happy New Year to all!

The Importance of Support

During the holidays, I've met up with relatives and friends through the holiday gatherings and dinners.

I have many friends that had a baby recently or is expecting one before I'm due. At first, I was feeling like I was on the baby bandwagon (I've learned to accept that our next generation is a baby boom and realizing that 'Three is the new Two') but I finally realized how important it is to have a support network of new mothers. As mentioned in a previous post, hearing about a loved ones pregnancy normally brings out the 'expertise' in everyone (moms or not) but I have a lot more confidence when I hear a friend who just had a baby tell me about her experience. We're all learning at this point in life.

I learned something new today from 2 friends. Belly Cream! Will post my findings later... Need to do my research!

First Kick for Daddy

Today Ed felt baby's kick for the first time. He was really happy and excited and kept putting his hand on my belly. It's not at a point where you can see the kick/punch/nudge/knee but I can tell when baby is up because of the motions.

I started feeling the kicks about a month ago but thought it was either gas or just butterflies in my tummy. It wasn't until our first ultrasound where I felt the movement and it corresponded to the baby's movements on the screen.

I have a feeling that I will miss being pregnant after I give birth thought I heard that during the 9th month, I will be begging the baby to come out soon!

Baby's New Wheels

I left Ed to decide on the stroller and he decided to get something that's functional, hassle-free (ie. something that I will actually take out on my own) and lasts. We've had friends with Peg Perego and Graco who all told us not to get theirs due to various reasons such as uncomfortable handles, wheels that lose grip and control over time. Like the crib, we knew we needed to look for durability over "cuteness" since I was starting to get weak over all the cute things that I saw.

We ended up picking up the MacLaren Triumph. Before we bought it, we saw that in October 2009 there was a recall on the strollers. The recall was for the metal backing where when the stroller is folded, the slats collapse which may cause cut fingers. We went to TJ Kids and test drove a few strollers. The MT was noticeably heavier than most umbrella strollers by 3-4 pounds. But it does feel more durable than others. People who know me knows that I have wheel rage. Yes, rage with anything on wheels. So naturally, I would want a stroller that could outlast other brands.

My test drives around the store included speeding, sudden braking and sharp turning. Most important, how easy it is for me to put it together and fold it. The worst part of it is the weight but assuming that Ed will be doing most of the heavy lifting when we bring baby out, then it's not really an issue for me.

I tested out the recall problem. The metal slats could be sharp and I do see a potential problem of cutting the fingers. But that's only if you don't use common sense or being careless. You basically have to slide your fingers between the slats while closing, and if that doesn't cause you to naturally react by pulling your fingers out and you put more strength into folding the stroller to a point where you injure yourself, then you may have bigger issues than buying an unsafe stroller.

TJ's had it priced at $270. The stroller was definitely more than I had budgeted. We ended up buying it from Westcoast Kids on the same day that we ordered the crib. At WK, it was priced at $270 but for the Chocolate/Blue stock, it was $250. I wanted a more unisex colour like orange or green.

Sorry kiddo if you end up being a girl, mommy and daddy needs the $20.

Update (Dec 28/09) - We went back to Westcoast Kids to see if our stroller was on sale, and it was not. Price remained at $250.

First Furniture Purchase

We made our first big purchase today at Westcoast Kids. It was for a crib by AP Industries (Lollipop) priced at $300 (regular price $560 at the Baby and Kids Depot). We were looking at a lot of cribs priced from $200 - $500 at Ikea, TJ Kids, Babies R Us and Sears. A lot of cribs have the easy side drop panel which caused a couple of accidents leading to Storkcraft’s recent recall on cribs with the drop panel. That wasn’t an issue for us since we wanted a structurally sound crib without the gimmicks.

Initially, I saw a crib at TJ’s for $280 with built-in drawers on the side. That was a good deal considering what you get, however, we don’t have the extra space for the side drawers in the baby’s room.

The Lollipop crib is simple, and it’s very sturdy. Ed put the display crib thru a test by shaking, pulling, and leaning his weight on the panels. A lot of cribs at Sears were flimsy, perhaps the employees didn’t do a good job building the display cribs.

For $300, we were happy with this purchase. We got it in Espresso which is a dark brown, the colour that I was looking for (they have white, ebony and espresso left). Quoted 4-6 weeks to arrive.