Children's toys and supply giant, Toys R Us announced late last week that they're unveiling a safety incentive program.
They're hoping to entice parents to turn in their old cribs and car seats (and more) in return for 20 percent off at their stores, in hopes of making the world a little safer for our little ones.
Did you know only 30% of recall items are actually returned? Your next hand-me-down could be in danger. Details on this new incentive, after the jump...
During the "Great Trade-In" event, which began Friday, August 28 and continues through Sunday, September 20, all Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us locations nationwide will accept returns of any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs in exchange for a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item, in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers.
If you'd like to read up on the safety concerns behind this push to keep the hand-me-down world safe for the next wave of youngsters, you can find the full rational behind the Great Trade-In event over at their website.
(Image: Flickr Member Admlcrunch licensed for use under Creative Commons)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Maybe it's just me, but is this about safety or about putting a dent in the resale market? I can see taking any recalled item in the name of safety, but I am disappointed to see parents discouraged from giving/selling gently used baby items to friends, thrift stores or on craigslist. To me 20% is not that much if I could sell or give away an item to a friend or needy person.
view Jane Little's profile
I'm planning on taking in my car seat that expires Dec. 2009. Obviously not something that should be passed on to another parent. I didn't even know it had an expiration date until our baby threw up all over the seat and I had to take it apart to wash the seat cover and discovered the date under the fabric.
view yourmom's profile
they seem to want it to be about safety. I just got an email from graco/babies r us that says:
The "Great Trade-In" event places an emphasis on specific baby products that, due to safety concerns, may not be the best candidates to be handed down or resold. Beyond product recalls, certain older and used baby items can be
potentially unsafe for a variety of reasons, including damage or lack of compliance with recent advances in product safety standards.
I think the point of the trade in is exactly what yourmom is planning on doing--getting rid of products that might not be safe and in exchange getting products that are.
view lcg's profile
Jane Little, that's my feeling exactly. My poor husband had to listen to that rant over Saturday's breakfast...
It'd be interesting to find out what BRU plans on doing with the "clunkers." Are those just ending up in a landfill somewhere? Because that would tick me off even more.
view girlwithgreencard's profile
Ditto Jane Little's and girlwithgreencard's comments.
When I first saw this advertised, there was no mention of the safety aspect. I think this was a late add-on to avoid having people theorize that it was just a promotion to slow down the resale market.
And I'm also bothered by the lack of information about what they're doing with the items. They could offer 20% to everyone, recyle the recalled items and DONATE the rest. Plenty of charities would take used items. Or, just offer the program for recalled items, if safety is what the program really is all about.
view doublek's profile