Do BRUs allow you to try seats in your car?

Alison's Mom

New member
I thought most stores would allow this, but turns out many don't and just expect you to buy then return if it doesn't work. This seems like it would be more work and hassle than allowing people to try them in their vehicle before buying.

I had to speak to three employees and a manager at Walmart before they let me take a couple of floor model boosters to check fit in my car. I offered to leave my license and visa with them as collateral and they finally agreed.

A friend is looking for a convertible, and I want to go to BRU with her to try a few seats in her car. Do they have a policy, or is it based on the discretion of the staff there? I guess being a tech could possibly give me some pull as well. . . I'm in Canada if that makes any difference. I would go during a slow time so they aren't too put out by the absence of their floor models for 20 min.
 
ADS

Brigala

CPST Instructor
I don't think most stores do allow you to do this.

BRU does (at least in the US). They ask you to leave your ID at the customer service desk and you can take out one seat at a time.
 

SnoGurl

New member
I've found it to be hit or miss-- some BRU's have no problem, others are reluctant until I say 'I'm pretty sure your supposed to let me...'. I've only had one employee flat out tell me no, and they're not a great store anyway. (I'm also in Canada, but in Ontario)
 

Alison's Mom

New member
OK, that's good that their official policy is to let customers do this. I'll call the nearest large store to check before showing up. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kel

krasota

Well-known member
I just walked up to the counter and said, "Hey, if I leave my DL with you, may I see if a particular carseat floor model will install in my vehicle?" The cashier asked a manager who was all for it. He said he'd never been asked, but he didn't have a problem with it.
 

Alison's Mom

New member
I asked the same thing of three WM employees before one pointed out the Manager to me, and she said yes after thinking about it and saying I was the first person to ever ask. Ummm, people really buy seats without trying them in their vehicle? I guess so! I actually did this with my DD's first convertible but luckily it fit. I may have asked about the return policy before buying it. . . :eek:
 

heather13619

New member
I've found it to be hit or miss-- some BRU's have no problem, others are reluctant until I say 'I'm pretty sure your supposed to let me...'. I've only had one employee flat out tell me no, and they're not a great store anyway. (I'm also in Canada, but in Ontario)
The nearest BRU to us is in Syracuse (NY). My sister and BIL went to try seats when they were ready to transition their son from infant seat to convertible since they have such a tiny car and the employees and manager acted as if they had 3 heads when they asked if they could try seats in their vehicle. Needless to say, it didn't happen!
 

Alison's Mom

New member
If a customer leaves their ID (so they don't steal the seat) AND take out one at a time AND are there not during a busy time so as not to inconvenience other customers who might want to look at that seat, I don't see why a store wouldn't allow people to do this! Maybe us car seat fanatics are the only ones who ever think about these things. . .

Two local boutique-y type stores totally have no problem with this, but don't carry the Sureride or Myride. . .
 

blackberry

New member
I'm in Newfoundland, Canada. BRU let me try carseats in my car, an employee had to carry it out and wait with me while I tried it.
 

Alison's Mom

New member
Hmm, I see why they do that, but we want to try about 4 seats into 2 different vehicles. I don't want to waste their time! Will phone and see what they say.
 

Athena

Well-known member
Yes, IME. At our BRU, an employee brings it out for you to try it. I've heard some ask you to leave a license instead. If in doubt, you could call yours to make sure they do it.
 

2BunniesMommy

Well-known member
I'm in the U.S. I asked once, when they MyRide was still pretty new. They seemed to think it was a strange request, had to ask a few people, then they had an employee come with me. He tried to help but really wasn't and made me feel really rushed. I did end up buying the seat so I would say it was worth their trouble.

I have asked at one other store, I can't remember what one, a bigger baby store. They let me try a Radian, but acted like I was crazy for wanting to use it for my then 3 year old. They also went with me to the car, tried to be helpful, and made me feel rushed.

I couldn't even get a Kmart employee to let me take a seat down from the shelf to see if it would work for my child. (They have them attached with zip ties.)

I hope your trip to BRU goes well.
 

1mommy

New member
My target let me take one seat out after a few blank stares and talking to the manager. The manager was concerned because he couldn't sell me the floor model, and mentioned their had been thefts before. An employee had to come out with me despite my offering to leave my ID and credit card.
 

tiggercat

New member
I've taken seats out to my vehicle to try on numerous occasions, but I am pretty pushy about it. Usually if you say "I can buy it, try it, and return it immediately, and you go to all of the hastle of processing the return, or I can leave my ID and take a few minutes to try the floor model" they cooperate ;)

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
Yeah, feel free to point out that buying and returning is way more of an issue for them than trying the floor model.
We always just let people leave their license and take seats out, until our newest associate manager, who utterly freaked out about that saying, "what if someone finds a random ID and leaves it with us and steals the seat?!?!?" so now we HAVE to go out with the person trying the seat. Which is cool if it's, say, me :cool:, but everyone else has better things to do and I don't think most customers want the audience.
 

Brianna

New member
Walmart refused to let me try a floor model. BRU let me put sent an associate out with me who wanted to know why I needed to do more than just set the car seat in to make sure it fit space-wise. He had no idea that not all car seats were compatible with all cars, and I did not like him staring over my shoulder insisting I hurry up.
 

Stelvis

New member
My BRU was fine with it, I tried the Nextfit and the MySize 70, the associate had to stand with me, but she was nice and even reminded me to RF until 2.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,898
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top