Heads Up about EFTA and supply

[snowbird25ca]

I just wanted to quickly post to say that we should probably be slightly cautious when recommending this seat still. It seems like stores are selling out faster than they can stock and I know all our BRU/TRU in the city are currently out of stock, plus BRU online is backordered to april 18. My local sears seems to be getting them in regularly, they're expecting 8 some time this wekk but are currently out of stock. 2 other ones I called told me they didn't carry it. :thumbsdown:

I know Wal-mart does seem to be keeping a good quantity in stock though, and I know people are buying it from my regular box counts when I walk through the carseat aisle. :whistle:

So anyways, just thought I'd let everyone know that the seat is a bit hard to find still. Hopefully once TRU/BRU get the next shipment they'll be able to keep up better.

One other thing - the current BRU flyer is wrong... it has the EFTA in there listed as just the triumph, and it lists the ff'ing weight limit at 40lbs. It is most definitely the EFTA pictured though... so if anyone is asked about that, that's what's going on. :thumbsup:

And on a related note, why on earth did BRU put the EFTA in their flyer when stock was an issue still? One store I called in the city had had their shipment delayed due to shortage of supply and they have no clue when it's coming in. Another told me 2 weeks at the earliest before more arrived - they sold out before the end of the first day of the flyer, as did the 2nd store I called. Why advertise something you can't get in stock?

(I was trying to help a friend locate the seat in the black ice pattern hence all the phone calls I made sunday. LOL)

[AllieCanada]

Thanks for the head's up! I asked my DH the same question about the flyer and he told me that they are made weeks in advance so they wouldn't have had any idea about how well the seat would sell. I was also angry that they only featured it in the flyer instead of having it on sale especially since they held stock for the sale. Now that I think of it they were probably aware of their low stock and knowing that it was going to be in the flyer they held all that they had so that there would be some to sell.

[BudgieStew]

BRU\TRU website shows pre order for arrival April 18th.

I plan on placing my order befroe my 10% coupon expires if nothing better happens before that. I am not in a rush.

My local Walmart has not had it in stock or even a demo model.
I played with one at a Sears but I never checked to see if they was any in stock.

[snowbird25ca]

My wal-mart is down to 5 again. It's nice to know people are buying that seat though and not just the AO. :cool: And wal-mart does seem to be getting regular shipments anyways... Hopefully supply catches up to demand soon.

[mommy_quigg]

And on a related note, why on earth did BRU put the EFTA in their flyer when stock was an issue still? One store I called in the city had had their shipment delayed due to shortage of supply and they have no clue when it's coming in. Another told me 2 weeks at the earliest before more arrived - they sold out before the end of the first day of the flyer, as did the 2nd store I called. Why advertise something you can't get in stock?

This has happened to me twice with BRU. First time was a breast pump. I made them give me a raincheck and then got it later. They didn't want to give me the raincheck and told me to just come back later and see if they'd gotten it in. They didn't get any in until after the sale ended. Hm... how convenient.

Second time was a double bed rail. The lady tried to tell me it was the single one that was on sale. I showed her the flyer and that it said double and she said intially that it's the same thing but then when I was like "look, it says double bed rail and has a picture of two rails. This box says single bed rail and has a picture of ONE" then she was like, "oh those are all gone. You can buy two single ones though." For $30 apiece when the double one was on sale for $30. I don't think so.

I got a raincheck and DH went back later with it and AGAIN they tried to sell him the single one, saying they didn't have any doubles in stock! So DH walked all over the store looking for them and then came back to customer service and peeked behind the desk and there were a whole pile of them. He pointed them out and was told they were in reserve for those with rainchecks from the sale and he couldn't have one. Again he showed them the raincheck and they tried to tell him it was the single one. It clearly said double. He finally got it after fighting tooth and nail every step of the way :thumbsdown: Now, whenever I send him for something, I print it off of the website and he knows to just come home if he doesn't get EXACTLY what is printed off. It makes it easier on him.

Zellers used to do this. They would have something in the flyer at a great price and then have few or none of that item available for sale. People come to the store for the item and are told, "sorry, we've sold out." Most people don't bother with rainchecks, but while they are in the store, they pick up some other things. So the store gets customers in, makes sales, and doesn't have to sell anything at a discounted price. :thumbsdown:

Sorry this got so long. Can you tell I'm still upset about this? :mad:

[snowbird25ca]

Sorry this got so long. Can you tell I'm still upset about this? :mad:

I'd be upset too.

I guess the somewhat funny thing, is that the flyer price was the regular price. :rolleyes: Not to mention they had the wrong name & wrong weight ranges on it. (double roll eyes)

Last I knew there was one store in the city with stock, they had 3 & I emailed a mom I knew who was looking for one and she bought one of them the next day. I wonder if they're all gone now?

Should be only a few weeks before BRU receives their new shipments though. Then hopefully the supply issues even out. One can hope anyways...

[Neatfreak]

Sorry this got so long. Can you tell I'm still upset about this? :mad:

Frustration is understandable! I can't believe that BRU is still trying to do the "bait-and-switch" ...

[mommy_quigg]

Frustration is understandable! I can't believe that BRU is still trying to do the "bait-and-switch" ...

:yeahthat: You have to be on your toes (and watch your back... and not fall over while tip-toeing and looking behind you) when shopping there!

[BudgieStew]

I just ordered the EFTA online from TRU. i had a 10% off coupon that expired tomorrow.

I hope it ships out when they say its supposed to.

[snowbird25ca]

I just ordered the EFTA online from TRU. i had a 10% off coupon that expired tomorrow.

I hope it ships out when they say its supposed to.

I have another friend who ordered online & is waiting for it. I've been wondering if you were to contact parentlink if they'd know anything about when stores are getting more stock?

Seems like they had no clue the seat was going to sell this quickly. Then again, it's probably equally the retailers faults who had no idea because the old Triumph certainly hadn't been very popular, and likely didn't order as much as they should have.

[BudgieStew]

I have another friend who ordered online & is waiting for it. I've been wondering if you were to contact parentlink if they'd know anything about when stores are getting more stock?

Seems like they had no clue the seat was going to sell this quickly. Then again, it's probably equally the retailers faults who had no idea because the old Triumph certainly hadn't been very popular, and likely didn't order as much as they should have.


You mean she got shipping notice already?

I am in no rush but would like to get it by the end if the month and not have it drag out.

[snowbird25ca]

You mean she got shipping notice already?

I am in no rush but would like to get it by the end if the month and not have it drag out.

No, she didn't get a shipping notice, just the same message that it's expected to ship by April 18 and is backordered until then. I think that's when the main warehouse is expecting stock and people who've ordered online will have their seats shipped direct to them before the stores get their stock. That's my guess anyways.

[BudgieStew]

Trudy,

Thanks, same e-mail i got...and the way it was worded made it sound like it would be sent out from the Evenflo rather then TRU.

One more question since you already own it...I saw one at Sears and I think that it was with the Alligator clips.
I was impressed by the fact that they had somewhere to clip them to on the seat when not in use. Same as the tether. So I was raving to DH about how impressed I was with this feature and forgot about the actual tethers themselves.

Where did you buy your seat and what version of clips do you have?

The typical Evenflo LATCH hooks do not bother me. I had no issues with them when we owned a Portabout IV, just curious.

Which leads me to my next question since the US has different versions of this seat with the seat with the alligator clips being the most expensive. And varying degress of padding\plushness.

Are all the Canadian versions equal?

My reasoning is that since Walmart sells them a wee bit cheaper that they would the basic version and then what are the Sears and TRU version the same? Or have any differences?

I already bought a Sandbox cover which is the middle version of EFTA in the US. Now debating if I should sell the Black Ice or keep it as a spare.

[tjham]

I have been to my local 3 Walmarts many times in the last few months, and always check the carseat section, mainly for the Nautilus. I have never seen a Triumph Advance there even once! I've only seem them at Target.

[BudgieStew]

I think I have my answer.All versions in Canada are the basic version LX.

Kmart sells the Black Ice as a LX in the US. Which is what TRU and Sears have right?
And I seem to recall that the name of the Walmart version was Barley Twist and it is a LX version as well.

[BudgieStew]

I have been to my local 3 Walmarts many times in the last few months, and always check the carseat section, mainly for the Nautilus. I have never seen a Triumph Advance there even once! I've only seem them at Target.



We are in Canada;)Walmart sells them here.

[snowbird25ca]

I think I have my answer.All versions in Canada are the basic version LX.

Kmart sells the Black Ice as a LX in the US. Which is what TRU and Sears have right?
And I seem to recall that the name of the Walmart version was Barley Twist and it is a LX version as well.

Yep, you've got it. Regular LATCH metal hooks and not the alligator ones. I don't mind the metal hooks though personally. In my truck I fight just as much if not more with the IMMI clips.

You got 10% off yours, and when Sears has car seat sales that's also what the EFTA goes on for - $134.99. Anyone who has a Sears with them in stock, they are on sale right now. I know that all in our city are out though, and our closest one has sold the display even. They had 8 on order, but have no clue when to expect it anymore and told me to just keep calling back. So I'm guessing a few weeks time for them as well. :shrug-shoulders:

I really like the Black Ice cover. It's very plush and soft. Although I have certainly oogled the sandbox cover, and it's likely what I would've bought if there'd been one available to buy.

[tjham]

Ooops, sorry!
I didn't realize Walmart would have something in one country and not the other (if it was something allowed in both countries)!

[snowbird25ca]

Ooops, sorry!
I didn't realize Walmart would have something in one country and not the other (if it was something allowed in both countries)!

Wal-mart in the US does carry it, but the site says not all stores. You can always order site to store shipping though. :thumbsup:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5933974

[BudgieStew]

My order status with TRU has changed to product located in stock......yeah. Next shipping:thumbsup:

The website lists it now as Back Ordered rather then Preorder.

Maybe they are sending out all the pre orders then filling the B\M store orders before putting what is left up on the website.That is just my guess. So it looks like the next batch of EFTA is on its way.

[snowbird25ca]

My order status with TRU has changed to product located in stock......yeah. Next shipping:thumbsup:

The website lists it now as Back Ordered rather then Preorder.

Maybe they are sending out all the pre orders then filling the B\M store orders before putting what is left up on the website.That is just my guess. So it looks like the next batch of EFTA is on its way.

Awesome, it'll probably ship today or Monday then. :)

[atthehip]

We were fortunate enough to pick two EFTA's up from a local Walmart last week...their last two, and none of the other local stores (Walmart or Sears) had them in stock. They are obviously going quickly because even with them being the last two seats, the date was the very end of Feb. So they definitely aren't staying on the shelves long!!

[BudgieStew]

My TRU order still has not shipped..

I was in a Walmart in Laval, Quebec and besides the one display they had two EFTA in stock.
The brown cover looks nicer in person then it does online.

I played with the harness adjustor and knobs to tighten\loosen and I think my MIL is not going to have a problem using this seat.

[snowbird25ca]

I'd expect it to be shipping soon. I know that my closest TRU got a few in today, and my friend in the city is expecting UPS to deliver hers today according to their tracking.

Hopefully they've just neglected to send you a shipping notice and you'll have a nice surprise in a couple days.

[BudgieStew]

Nope it has not shipped yet, my CC has not been charged. Maybe she ordered before me. I only ordered March 29th so I would assume they are going by date of order.

When I was in Walmart petting the seat..a man walked up and said that is a nice looking seat.
We chit chatted and he pointed out the A.O and a clone and said that is the two he had.
I told him we had one like that but DS outgrew it, he mentioned that they had a few seats and stated again that the EFTA looked like a nice seat and I said yeah its new to Canada and I have one on the way.

On another note I am not sure why it did not occur to me before but you can ship items Walmart to Walmart.
My local Walmart does not carry the EFTA but if I had called around and found one I could have arranged to have it sent to my local store.

We were just about to do that with the printer that we wanted to buy that was not at our local store. Instead though we drive the 45 minutes to buy it in person as we needed the printer ASAP.
We also did that with Zellers when the local one did not carry the patio set we wanted.

[snowbird25ca]

I wondered if you could do that with Wal-Mart. Good to know. :)

My friend got her EFTA today. Here's hoping yours ships right away. I know she did order a little before you, I think only by a few days though?

[BudgieStew]

What was the DOM on hers?
Did it still have the not approved for airline use sticker?

[snowbird25ca]

What was the DOM on hers?
Did it still have the not approved for airline use sticker?

Not sure about airline. DOM was March 12 ( she said 11 or 12 IIRC, so the seat is just 1 month old anyways.)

My seat was only a couple weeks old when I got it from Sears in January... I think basically Evenflo is shipping them right off the production line and they're selling that fast.

[BudgieStew]

Still waiting on TRU I finally had to call them to ask what the heck is going on.

She had no idea why it has not been sent out yet.
The agent sent a message to the warehouse so hopefully this seat gets sent out soon.

BTW it is back up for sale online for anyone interested. I am sure at this rate anyone who orders now will get it before me:rolleyes:

[snowbird25ca]

Man, that sucks Budgie. You've had really bad luck with TRU in the past too haven't you? I think it sucks even worse in this case because you know others who had preordered got theirs.

Our wal-mart had 2 in stock again last night when I was there. I suspect they had started out with more & some had sold already because one box had been pulled forward and the other was in a different spot in the baby department. (Still looking for a Nautilus to mysteriously appear. :o Hoping that maybe they'll hide them in the shelves before they actually get put out. LOL)

[BudgieStew]

I am in not in a rush really but I do love the thrill of a delivery. And not having an order messed up. :rolleyes:

I e-mailed Graco last week about the GN, still waiting to hear back but I suspect it will be the same answer everyone else is getting.

It would be nice if it made an appearance soon though...I really think I would prefer it for DS over the Frontier and the price is a wee bit better. Once again I am thinking it would be easier for my MIL and might install better in DH car then the Radian.

[BudgieStew]

Yeah my order shipped yesterday!!!

I was checking the TRU website last evening and saw it is back ordered online again, these seats sell fast.