Tried to return my car seats to C.Tire tonight and....

[Debn31]

They gave me a refund!!!!! :thumbsup:

I didn't even HAVE to talk to the manager. I did say that it kind of a complex story and we might need the manager, but I told her I'd tell her the story if she wanted. She listened and was in disbelief that a manufacturer would be so unhelpful.

So, I told her the whole story (shortened version of course ;) )
and then, she asked "Do you have your receipt?" I said absolutely, I never throw those out.

Well, lo and behold, she said they would refund no problem.
So there ya go!!! :)

I am going to write a letter to that Canadian Tire Location (to the owner/managers) to tell them how much I appreciate them helping me when the manufacturer would not, and to thank the customer service rep that served us.

I was beyond happy. At one point, I was needing to replace the two seats, and also to at some point put Joseph in a bigger seat than the True Fit (it will due for a bit, but he grows FAST), like either a Frontier or a Nautilus, for him to "grow into" - being that's he's four, I want him in a 5 pt harness (of course). We had to borrow money to get the True Fit seats. I didn't know what we were going to do for the Frontier/Nautilus, but now this refund can cover that (I've been pouring over the budget, tweaking this and changing that). But yeah, there was NO way I was going to let my son go around unsafely. I would rather eat pb sandwiches for months if I had to than do that! And the Turbo Booster, we have a hb one, and he's sort of so so in it. He can be okay for a short while, but too long and he'll fidget...he IS four after all (and very active kind of guy). He forgets.

Best thing is, the True Fit that Joseph will outgrow at some point, can be passed down when we have a third child...and money will be even tighter then, no doubt. But I would do ANYTHING to keep my babies safe...I know you all understand exactly what I mean.

I told hubby, I had felt extra annoyed at all the stuff that happened with the Radians, because I work hard at being honest and a generally good person (as in, I will go back in a store to pay for something, if it got accidentally overlooked, for example) ....and I sort of feel like I got help when I really needed it. And, we'll be giving back to the community by training to be CRT's in the near future and I feel like all this led us down that path, too, so kind of interesting.

So, thank YOU Canadian Tire!!!
And, thanks for nothing, Sunshine Kids Products!:thumbsdown:

[snowbird25ca]

Awesome! I'm glad CT was able to help you out.

And don't count on your ds keeping up his fast pace. Kids do level off at some point. :thumbsup:

[canadiangie]

:thumbsup:

Awesome!!

That's great news, and huge kudos to the worker at your CT store for refunding your money. So does this mean the "non defective" Radian(s) will be sent back to SK?? If so, how wonderful. It's just too bad you couldn't have stapled a pic of each kid in his new TrueFit to each craptastic non-defective Radian before they got sent back.

Now another question...

The TrueFit and the Frontier have the same 18.5" top slots. With that in mind, why not just keep your oldest in his TrueFit and down the road transition to a dedicated booster? You could then pass the TrueFit down to the new baby (when he/she comes along of course)... Or, did I miss something here? I admit to missing some of your posts... :o

Anyway, the important thing is you now have a 5 pt harness that actually fits your child. Good work mama. :)

[snowbird25ca]

Now another question...

The TrueFit and the Frontier have the same 18.5" top slots. With that in mind, why not just keep your oldest in his TrueFit and down the road transition to a dedicated booster? You could then pass the TrueFit down to the new baby (when he/she comes along of course)... Or, did I miss something here? I admit to missing some of your posts... :o

Anyway, the important thing is you now have a 5 pt harness that actually fits your child. Good work mama. :)

The TF is listed as having 18" top slots. IRL it's quite possible that the harness will be outgrown at a similar time on the two seats depending on how much height is lost in the install though. But I'd hope that the Frontier would fit longer in harness.

(The Nautilus and Frontier are almost identical height, although Nautilus does fit a bit taller than the Frontier.)

[canadiangie]

Right. I'm just sort of wondering if the Frontier will really last that much longer, making it worth it.. since this fella is already four (right?) and probably has a yr or more to go in his TrueFit (right?)... will the Frontier give him that much more time?? Is it worth the added cost??

My brain translates (for the most part) 18" vs. 18.25" vs. 18.5" as being, well, 18" period. Any bonus room a person gets post install is just that, bonus material.

Again, just sort of thinking outloud here... maybe trying to save OP a few $$ if possible... feel free to ignore me. :o

[hipmaman]

Deb, I'm glad that you got the refunds to put forward 2 different much-needed seats. Btw, pls ask CT not to put those back on the shelves, even at a discounted/clearance price (just in case you haven't mentioned that or some CT clerk might not know). They need to go back to SK.

[snowbird25ca]

Right. I'm just sort of wondering if the Frontier will really last that much longer, making it worth it.. since this fella is already four (right?) and probably has a yr or more to go in his TrueFit (right?)... will the Frontier give him that much more time?? Is it worth the added cost??

My brain translates (for the most part) 18" vs. 18.25" vs. 18.5" as being, well, 18" period. Any bonus room a person gets post install is just that, bonus material.

Again, just sort of thinking outloud here... maybe trying to save OP a few $$ if possible... feel free to ignore me. :o

Hehe, I get what you're saying. I've been debating the cost of TF + good dedicated booster, or just buying the Frontier OR waiting for the Nautilus.

This really shouldn't be so hard, yet it is. :o

[Debn31]

Hmmmm.. maybe the frontier wouldn't give us much more then???
I am pretty sure we put ds (LOL, I ALMOST put dh!! :p ) on the top slots...so...guess I'll have to see!
He's a fairly tall guy at 43.5 inches at 4 years, 4 months....I thought the Frontier was listed as higher,but I guess not!

I really hope then, that he DOES slow down soon...(I go through his clothes - due to being outgrown - more often than my two year olds clothes!).
And um, as for my two year old, I couldn't get the 18-24 month shorts to fit (mind you they WERE a bit big) - I had to put him in 12 month shorts!!!!!!!!
He can't fit 12 month pants though (too tall) - talk about a skinny little fart.
I'm only 5'3", and when I was holding my big guy who was very tall and pretty chunky at a year, I used to get people telling me he was almost as big as me!
(Daddy's 6'1"...so we see who they get their height from).

Isn't the Nautilus quite a bit cheaper than the Frontier?
Maybe I should wait for that then, see if it gives us any room for growing at all, and then give my cousin the Turbo Booster? I guess I'll have to see if it gives us any extra growth for height.

I wish the Frontier or Nautilus was available now, it'd probably make more sense for my big guy, you know? Hmmm, decisions decisions.
Either way, at least I can pay back what I borrowed, and my kids are safe too!

[Debn31]

Hehe, I get what you're saying. I've been debating the cost of TF + good dedicated booster, or just buying the Frontier OR waiting for the Nautilus.

This really shouldn't be so hard, yet it is. :o

Hehe! Glad I'm not the only one who finds this decision tough! :)

[QuassEE]

Here's what I do...

..buy them ALL.

-Enabler.

[Jewels]

That is great they gave you your money back :thumbsup:

I think that the Frontier will likely give a bit more room since it is more of a upright seat. Look at the Radian and the Marathon. There is what 1" top slot difference yet once installed children have much more room in the RN (1" maybe a bit more).

Is it worth the extra cost to get a Frontier? I guess that depends on how fast he outgrows the TF and if he is mature enough for a booster at that time or if he still needs a 5pt harness. Also once it is outgrown you may want to sell the TF and upgrade to the Frontier and buy a new seat for #3 when you actually need it as there may be something better on the market by then.

After seeing the Frontier you may actually like it better then the TF and may sell it once the Frontier is available.

:twocents:

And yes Trudy, you need them all :D :p

[Debn31]

hehe :)
I think if I could afford it I WOULD be a car seat junkie ;)

But with only dh working and me home, it's pretty tight money wise...
Otherwise, I might start a car seat collection.

Well, I guess the only way I'm going to be able to tell, is to try the frontier out later, and/or the nautilus.
I Really REALLY wish they were coming out at the same time, or one was already out and we were only having to wait for one.

As for the selling the True Fit...well, I guess it depends on how much we fall in love with the True Fit, as well as if anything catches my eye that might fit the new child better (and most of all, if we have the cash to spring for it...) - and when we actually go ahead and have a third. I have to say, I'm really liking the True Fit. They are comfy, had a great and pretty easy FF install (going to try the RF again this weekend and see what we can do too).
I DID like the Radians for some points, but if we can get the TRue Fit installed RF, I know it will fit better than the Radian ever did, and the True Fits do look comfy and the boys can see outside better (small point yes... ;) ),
the SIP and best of all, No SKJP to deal with! :)

[Debn31]

That is great they gave you your money back :thumbsup:

Is it worth the extra cost to get a Frontier? I guess that depends on how fast he outgrows the TF and if he is mature enough for a booster at that time or if he still needs a 5pt harness.



Yep, that's what I was thinking too...I just want to make sure he can HANDLE being in the booster full time. And maybe he'll slow down just a little in the growing dept....

[Neatfreak]

I've been following the saga, and just wanted to say that I'm really glad that the tale of the short-strapped Radians had a happy ending!:thumbsup:

[featherhead]

That's awesome that they gave you a refund! I've always thought CT had great customer service.

[TechnoGranola]

Wow! That's not what I expected to read when I saw your thread title! I am very happy that this turned out for you and that CT gave you such good service.