jennmrichards@yahoo.
New member
Hi all. Just got off of the phone with Britax this morning. The official word from the CS rep there was that they are working on a solution for the cover problem with the mesh on the Frontier. I called b/c mine is in such bad shape. She said that they would contact me "if" they came up with a solution for the mesh pilling up and looking terrible on the cover. I asked her about replacing my current cover with the new Sahara (which she didn't mention that she had) and she put me on hold. When she came back she said that she couldn't guarantee that the Sahara wouldn't have the same issues. I replied that it couldn't be as bad as what I have since the cover on the Frontier started wearing badly within 2 months of purchase (May last year). Since my warranty is almost out, I had her send the Sahara as a replacement. She charged my credit card but sent me a UPS label to return the other and said that Britax would refund my money when I returned the old cover. I think that she hadn't had her coffee for the morning yet, b/c she was in a really bad mood right from the beginning which is so so unusual for a Britax rep, in my experience. Anyway, she then told me that this is the only time that they will replace it for free. I didn't reply, but I will find a way to get this one replaced too if it has the same issues! I don't like the color, but better than the mess that mine is now.
So I forgot to ask her if they have planned any improvements in the future - but called back around noon to talk about that. Apparently the coffee didn't do her any good - well maybe a little. I need a new booster for my daughter b/c my Marathon expires in October of this year (lasted three kids, what a machine!!!!, I will cry when I retire it). She said that they are planning to fix the cover issue but that there will be no more changes to the seat planned. What a bummer. I am so disappointed. The one that I have has already had the recall fix, is a pain to install in one of the most popular minivans sold in the USA (Dodge Grand Caravan) and won't install in the third row bench seat LBP (seat belt too short, SBP can't get it in tight enough), the cover is a pain and not washable, and the cup holders unusable in the position that I have to put it in the van (captains chair) b/c they block my aisle!
So I guess I will be purchasing the Nautilus, which is easy to install in all my positions, has a washable cover, etc. But not the crash testing. If I can't install one easily (less than 20 mins) and well that is crash-tested, there is no point! So sad, I love Britax and am such a big fan.
Just wanted you to know the scoop if it makes your decision about buying one or not easier...and if you have the Frontier whose warranty is almost out and are willing to take different color cover for a better quality one, call and insist that they replace it. Don't let them give you a line about fixing it in the future "maybe"!
Jennie
Mom to Andrew, 6.5 yrs, Britax Frontier (soon to be Sahara)
Austin 3.75 yrs, Sunshine Kids Radian
Ansley 1.75 yrs, Marathon expires 10/09 boo-hoo Gray Cheetah print (not the official name!)
So I forgot to ask her if they have planned any improvements in the future - but called back around noon to talk about that. Apparently the coffee didn't do her any good - well maybe a little. I need a new booster for my daughter b/c my Marathon expires in October of this year (lasted three kids, what a machine!!!!, I will cry when I retire it). She said that they are planning to fix the cover issue but that there will be no more changes to the seat planned. What a bummer. I am so disappointed. The one that I have has already had the recall fix, is a pain to install in one of the most popular minivans sold in the USA (Dodge Grand Caravan) and won't install in the third row bench seat LBP (seat belt too short, SBP can't get it in tight enough), the cover is a pain and not washable, and the cup holders unusable in the position that I have to put it in the van (captains chair) b/c they block my aisle!
So I guess I will be purchasing the Nautilus, which is easy to install in all my positions, has a washable cover, etc. But not the crash testing. If I can't install one easily (less than 20 mins) and well that is crash-tested, there is no point! So sad, I love Britax and am such a big fan.
Just wanted you to know the scoop if it makes your decision about buying one or not easier...and if you have the Frontier whose warranty is almost out and are willing to take different color cover for a better quality one, call and insist that they replace it. Don't let them give you a line about fixing it in the future "maybe"!
Jennie
Mom to Andrew, 6.5 yrs, Britax Frontier (soon to be Sahara)
Austin 3.75 yrs, Sunshine Kids Radian
Ansley 1.75 yrs, Marathon expires 10/09 boo-hoo Gray Cheetah print (not the official name!)