Do people normally pay for a car seat check?

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #1

The one decent car check service in my area charges $99 a seat! I just need someone to double check my install. Ugh!

 

M

Maedze

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #2

Being a CPST is a thankless job. It requires continuing education, travel, organization and time, generally on the CPSTs dime (very few of us work as salaried CPSTs). Although I work for 'free', some CPSTs do charge for the work.

 

jess71903

Ambassador

• Nov 3, 2009

• #3

Around here they don't. Have you tried to find individual techs in your area that might be willing to meet you?

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #4

Yes. The one tech I kind of like cannot meet me for 3 weeks.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #5

Did you contact the ones on here?

I don't charge when I do private checks, and the events I work are free to the public. Sometimes I get paid for them, sometimes not. I consider it a bonus to be paid, not a bummer not to.

Would you like to post pics of your installation here so we can look at it? That may tide you over the three weeks knowing that a bunch of eyes, if not hands, have seen it and checked it over as best as we can.

Wendy

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #6

I did check out the list of carseat.org techs. There is no one near me. I also PMd Darren and he suggested Safety Squad, which charges $99 a seat. I cannot pay that right now. Unfortunately, Naperville is too far from me. Here are pics of my install:

http://picasaweb.google.com/LPMomChitown/2009_10_31#

 

CTPDMom

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Nov 3, 2009

• #7

Safety Squad does offer a much less expensive drive up service, it's $55. It's on their website if you want the info.

 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• Nov 3, 2009

• #8

I do not charge for checks, although once a mom gave me a few $$ because I'd driven to meet her and I didn't turn it down.

Having written that -- meeting with a good CPST on your terms (a time and place that works for you) is worth something. It's true that most of us volunteer, but that doesn't mean that a tech's time and trouble isn't worth anything. And sometimes it's true that you get what you pay for: this is NOT a commentary on skills or worth, but on availability. The tech who charges a fee deserves compensation for making her- or himself available sooner than three weeks.

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #9

CTPDMom said:

Safety Squad does offer a much less expensive drive up service, it's $55. It's on their website if you want the info.

Click to expand...

Where is that? $55 is easier to stomach.....

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #10

The XT looks good. How does it look on the Frontier side, and is it in independently of the Frontier (so if you take out the Frontier the XT is happy as can be)?

Are the straps at or below baby's shoulders?

The tech you want to meet with, do they know Radians and Frontiers? They're not exactly the easiest seats to install. So if they know the seats I'd definitely wait, rather than trust random techs who may never have seen or heard of either of those seats. But if Darren recommended someone, that goes a long way in my book. Just pricey.

Wendy

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #11

wendytthomas said:

The XT looks good. How does it look on the Frontier side, and is it in independently of the Frontier (so if you take out the Frontier the XT is happy as can be)?

Are the straps at or below baby's shoulders?

The tech you want to meet with, do they know Radians and Frontiers? They're not exactly the easiest seats to install. So if they know the seats I'd definitely wait, rather than trust random techs who may never have seen or heard of either of those seats. But if Darren recommended someone, that goes a long way in my book. Just pricey.

Wendy

Click to expand...

Thanks Wendy. I will make an appt with Safety Squad. I installed the Radian first and it does not move, but I am new to this seat, so I want it double-checked. The straps are slightly below baby's shoulders. I assume the Safety Squad people will know Radians and Frontiers. That was part of my concern. Thanks for your help!

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #12

When you call them ask. If not, I'd wait. I'd hate to think what someone could do with a Radian and a Frontier if they didn't know what they were doing (rear facing tether and the long belt path come to mind).

Wendy

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #13

wendytthomas said:

When you call them ask. If not, I'd wait. I'd hate to think what someone could do with a Radian and a Frontier if they didn't know what they were doing (rear facing tether and the long belt path come to mind).

Wendy

Click to expand...

Will do.

 

P1ally

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #14

$99 a SEAT???????????

Holy....

 

Pixels

New member

• Nov 3, 2009

• #15

Can you flip the hook on the RFing tether, so that the opening is toward the floor? Sometimes gravity won't let you, and it will flip as soon as you let go. But with the hook toward the floor, there should not be twists in the tether or D-ring.

The only other suggestion I have is to put the forward facing child in the middle if the seats fit that way. The rear facing child is more protected from side impacts by virtue of being rear facing.

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #16

OP here with an update. I took my car to a Safety Squad station today to have my XT SL install checked. Tom, the tech who I think trained Darren of carseat.org, helped me. He said I had done a great job with my install. Woo-hoo! Still, we took the car seat out and re-installed it. Nothing will move that thing now. It is beyond rock solid! I just want to thank everyone here who helped me with all of my Radian questions. You all rock! :thumbsup:

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #17

Excellent! You're supposed to take the seat out every time, so don't feel bad that he did that. That way the tech checks it for cracks, missing items, harness threading, etc. as well as some seats need to be removed to check the dates and model number for recalls. So it sounds like a great check! You got quite a compliment. I have told precious few parents that they've done a good job.

Wendy

 

L

LP Mom

New member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #18

I was beyond proud!