Got a call back from Dorel... Next move?

trippsmom · Feb 24, 2011

I got a call from the supervisor today. She'd spoken with a manager and was told that the oil they are using for the "repair" is a lightweight oil and they expect no problems with buildup over use, etc.

She said they are sending me a base and the lube for my Mico.. If after I get it, I am not happy, she wants me to call her back directly.

I'm not going to be happy.

I am glad they are fixing my base problem, but I am just really not happy with this entire adjuster strap fix. I am also not happy with Dorel's "we aren't expecting any issues" stand... They never expect issues.

So ladies, where from here? I don't know what else to say other than I just don't like the fix. It just doesn't seem good enough for a child of mine or anyone else. :twocents: :duck: :duck:

jess71903 · Feb 24, 2011

Yeah, I'm thinking you get the lube, apply, it fixes the problem. 2 years later, after you've used the thing 40 gozillion times, it starts sticking again, but you don't really notice at first because you got it "fixed." Then you do notice and call Dorel and they say, woops! Looks like you've had your 1 tube of lube. It should be fixed. So sorry.

Evolily · Feb 24, 2011

jess71903 said:
Yeah, I'm thinking you get the lube, apply, it fixes the problem. 2 years later, after you've used the thing 40 gozillion times, it starts sticking again, but you don't really notice at first because you got it "fixed." Then you do notice and call Dorel and they say, woops! Looks like you've had your 1 tube of lube. It should be fixed. So sorry.

Do you adjust it that often, though? I mean, I maybe adjust our seats once a month. And it's the super nice Nautili adjuster.

jess71903 · Feb 24, 2011

CelticLabyrinth said:
Do you adjust it that often, though? I mean, I maybe adjust our seats once a month. And it's the super nice Nautili adjuster.

I do with an infant seat because it's hard to get little arms in straps that are tight enough. I don't with my DS because we have a True Fit (continuous harness) and he's big enough that there's room. I do with DD in her MyRide, although I can do it without adjusting.

trippsmom · Feb 24, 2011

CelticLabyrinth said:
Do you adjust it that often, though? I mean, I maybe adjust our seats once a month. And it's the super nice Nautili adjuster.

With an infant seat, I normally adjust everytime in and out, so yes. Babies are just so tiny and fragil in the beginning, but even after that it is just more difficult to manipulate them to put in and out. I didn't adjust dd in her Radian often at all, BUT I have to adjust everytime I put her in or take her out of any of our buckets.

Granted, if I have a Mico, it won't really be for use with dd2 often, but I'll be keeping my friend's lo (edd 2m before dd2) and she'll be riding in whatever spare seat. I don't use my friend's seats because well.. She's dumb and doesn't listen to me. She can risk her child's life everytime they get in their car, but in mine I want car her safe.

I do like the little seat though. And for someone with either short lightweight kids or long lightweight kids, it looks like a great option on paper.

ETA: my apologies for run-on sentence heaven.

Not in a fixin' mood tonight.

Jessica61624 · Feb 24, 2011

trippsmom said:
I got a call from the supervisor today. She'd spoken with a manager and was told that the oil they are using for the "repair" is a lightweight oil and they expect no problems with buildup over use, etc.

She said they are sending me a base and the lube for my Mico.. If after I get it, I am not happy, she wants me to call her back directly.

I'm not going to be happy. I am glad they are fixing my base problem, but I am just really not happy with this entire adjuster strap fix. I am also not happy with Dorel's "we aren't expecting any issues" stand... They never expect issues.

So ladies, where from here? I don't know what else to say other than I just don't like the fix. It just doesn't seem good enough for a child of mine or anyone else. :twocents: :duck: :duck:

It says right in the complete air manual do not apply lub. I know its not apart of the recall but you'd think all safety 1 st seats would be similar.

DaniChildcare · Feb 24, 2011

Jessica61624 said:
It says right in the complete air manual do not apply lub. I know its not apart of the recall but you'd think all safety 1 st seats would be similar.

It says it in all their manuals i have pulled up, which is one of the problems i'm having with their "fix"

Jessica61624 · Feb 24, 2011

DaniChildcare said:
It says it in all their manuals i have pulled up, which is one of the problems i'm having with their "fix"

Then that is not acceptable. They're asking you to do something the manual forbids.

CTPDMom · Feb 24, 2011

I would not be happy about needing to lube my seats.

And for the record, ds's GN staps are adjusted at the beginning and end of every ride.

DaniChildcare · Feb 24, 2011

One of my biggest things about their fix is that there are SO many ways you can screw up lubricating something like this. What if you drip too much at once and get it on the actual strap? What if you put too much? Not enough? It's just not enough of a fix for me, and on top of it, it goes against their own manual. My fear is that if lubricated too much, it could potentially over loosen the adjuster (causing the same problem of the belts sliding right out) or could build up in the adjuster (again causing the same problem with the button sticking and causing the straps to slide right out)

Kac · Feb 24, 2011

I also tighten and untighten the harness with every trip, so the wearing off would concern me.

Minnesota · Feb 24, 2011

DaniChildcare said:
One of my biggest things about their fix is that there are SO many ways you can screw up lubricating something like this. What if you drip too much at once and get it on the actual strap? What if you put too much? Not enough? It's just not enough of a fix for me, and on top of it, it goes against their own manual. My fear is that if lubricated too much, it could potentially over loosen the adjuster (causing the same problem of the belts sliding right out) or could build up in the adjuster (again causing the same problem with the button sticking and causing the straps to slide right out)

I have real concerns about this as well. We're talking about 800,000 seats here! What are the chances that everyone is going to do this right? If people even bother to use the fix, some are going to be super cautious and put in a drop, while others are going to squeeze the whole tube in there, all over the strap itself.

And you can't tell me that something that has required lubrication to work properly will never need to be lubricated again in six years of regular use. FYI, Dorel: that's not the way real life works.

Babywearing Meghan · Feb 25, 2011

CelticLabyrinth said:
Do you adjust it that often, though? I mean, I maybe adjust our seats once a month. And it's the super nice Nautili adjuster.

some seats you have to adjust every time I find, I can't get Nolan into the my ride without loosening the straps so that gets adjusted each time.

When Fiona buckles her self in she loosens the harness and then I have to tighten it on the nautilus.. and the true fit is so weird, I fell like sometimes I put him in and it is super tight and can't be buckled and I wonder how he sat in it the day before, then I will put him in a week later and it is loose and I am freaked out because how did it get loose.. I just think the harness on the true fit is odd.

radians and marathons (at least the old ones) I never had to adjust really

trippsmom · Feb 25, 2011

Apparently the supervisor is a CPST. She emailed me her personal email at work and her extension so I could call her back later if needed and it was in her signature... She's also the consumer recall specialist. I actually got to a real person for help...

jess71903 · Feb 25, 2011

trippsmom said:
Apparently the supervisor is a CPST. She emailed me her personal email at work and her extension so I could call her back later if needed and it was in her signature... She's also the consumer recall specialist. I actually got to a real person for help...

Well, that's good, at least. I know Betsey really likes Dorel and has some contacts. I wish she was a member her. Maybe ask her what she thinks about it and see if she knows what's going on with them.

Baylor · Feb 25, 2011

I know I don't know that much, but that would not be enough for me to feel comfortable using that seat. I really think it is a shame this is their fix. These are kids.. not luggage..

cookie123 · Feb 25, 2011

I'm kind of wondering what is the difference between these exact harness adjusters and the ones on every other one of their seats. Are some different than the ones on my Avenues, for instance, or are they the same on all of their seats.

My seat didn't seem to be on the recall, just going by dates. I did type it in to the checker thing, but I'm not sure I had the right number. I doubt DD ever checked hers. I should send an email reminder to her today.

Judi · Feb 25, 2011

I adjust my seats all the time. Even the bigger kids. Just easier for me.

lanwenyi · Feb 25, 2011

I got emails from 2 people who both claimed to be CPSTs (I e-mailed Dorel, got a response from one cpst, e-mailed back, and got a response from the other one). The second one claims their testing shows this lube is safe (specifically designed for the seats) and is good for 15 years and will not wear off. I want to know how they know this. The response from the first CPST was kind and concerned, the second's reply had the attitude of "I dont care about your concerns; this is what we're doing. Get over it."

I now have serious concerns about my Avenues and that finalized our choice of the TFP over the CA65LX. Right now, I don't want to have anything to do with Dorel.

Baylor · Feb 25, 2011

Judi said:
I adjust my seats all the time. Even the bigger kids. Just easier for me.

Me too. It can depend on what they are wearing that day. A t shirt, sweat shirt, jacket can make a difference in adjustment.

Got a call back from Dorel... Next move?

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