Trying Before You Buy – Baby Equipment Rentals

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Rebecca Atkinson credits her husband Mark as her inspiration for this week’s post about baby equipment rentals.

It’s not often that my husband and I will cross paths in terms of the work we do since he’s an automotive journalist and I’m a web-type marketer. However, he definitely gets credit for this post idea. Mr. Atkinson is currently working on a story for those not ready to buy a minivan, but who might have to give up the two-seater sports car dream. For this article he tested three different vehicles to better understand their capacity for baby equipment.

Not yet having our own baby gear, Mark tried to get in touch with one of the big baby equipment manufacturers so he could get some items on loan for the test drive and photo shoot. After a disappointing cross-border communications adventure, Mr. A had the bright idea of seeing if there was such a thing as baby equipment rentals.

A short Google search later he was delighted to find several companies in the GTA who did such things. After contacting Wee Travel, (the very first-Canadian baby equipment rental company) he was in business and the story lived to see another day.

In his talks with one of the founders, Lesley Cherry (who might become my new best friend if I ever meet her), he learned that not only do travelling parents rent baby gear, but that it’s also becoming a trend to try before you buy. That’s right – not sure if your car seat/stroller combo will fit in your vehicle with some groceries and no blind spots? Just rent the brand you’re looking to buy and see how it stacks up.

Not sure what monitor will meet your needs? Or what about if that bouncy chair really is a good investment and will put baby to sleep without you thinking she’ll fall out of it? Again, just rent it for a nominal fee and you’ll have your answer, allowing you to make a more informed purchase decision.

As I previously mentioned, we plan on going to the Baby Time Show this coming weekend where we should be able to try out a lot of things (like the –three-in-one stroller/car seat combos – taking recommendations please!) because we honestly have no clue about what we want to buy. However, even though the show might help us get closer to some decisions, we now feel confident that if we’re really not sure, we can always come home and call Wee Travel and rent the items we’re thinking about.

After all, when you think that you’re going to be spending hundreds of dollars on some of this equipment, you want to make sure it’s something you’re going to like and feel right about using. Sure it may not be as expensive as a new car, but that little baby you put in the equipment is going to be worth more than anything to you, so being able to be confident that your purchase decisions will keep your bundle of joy safe make the small rental fees worth it in the long run.

Lessons Learned:

1. Try before you buy
We’ve actually gone to look at a few (more expensive) strollers that have had large sale prices – but not been happy with one thing or another about the product – just because an expensive item is on sale, doesn’t mean it’s a good one

2. Extended trials – Renting equipment
Thinking about your lifestyle or vehicle needs/habits is important so being able to bring something home and try it for a few days without worrying about return policies is worth it in the long run.

3. What was good for the goose might not be good for the gander
What might have worked for your friends may not work for you – perhaps they have a 7-seater and you only have a Civic. With the size of some of these products today you need to know whether or not you can not only fit the products in your car, but whether or not they require a 34-page instruction manual to fold up; or whether one person can handle lifting it on the TTC or up an escalator.

Photo credit: Salsoul
Courtesy of Stock.Xchng

The Babytime Show

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Rebecca Atkinson talks about tips for making the most out of baby shows.

Having been recently married, the concept of bridal shows are a great idea to me. Both my husband and I went together and ticked many things off our list. It was a great way for us to get ideas of what we wanted or didn’t want for our wedding and we even found a few deals to be had.

When someone mentioned to me there was a similar thing for babies, I was in heaven. I’d never heard of it before getting pregnant, but to me, a baby show sounds like a great place for first-timers to get hands-on information and hopefully make some decisions as to what types of things we need for Baby Atkinson.

The 11th Annual Spring Baby Time Show will take place April 3-5 at the International Centre , Mississauga, Ontario.

Just like the bridal show, the website for the show promises speakers, exhibits, merchants and more. Everything from maternity clothes, to the latest gadgets for baby, of course including everything you need from a-z to complete your nursery. And all the assorted baby accessories, such as strollers and the like will be on display.

Having the ability to try out things before we decide what to buy is really appealing to us. We’re already overwhelmed by the number of different baby monitors available, which doesn’t bode well for us considering the amount of stuff that is required for a baby. Being able to physically see and touch items will start to make some of (brand) purchase decisions a little easier (we hope).

The show’s website offers some really great tips so that you can be prepared to shop until you drop.

• There are ATM’s on the street level of the facility, however, to avoid line ups at the ATM’s we would recommend coming fully prepared.
• Some of the companies exhibiting will be able to take debit and credit card payment.
• If you are coming by car…please look under the directions tab for parking lots closest to Hall 5.
• Bring all of your nursery measurements …this helps when you are shopping for those big items and gives you a good idea what will work for your family.
• Refer to your showguide handed to you as you enter the show…it has our event schedule and great information.

While we’re as excited to shop as anyone, at least this way we’ll save on gas and our sanity by having everything in one place. With time ticking away until baby arrives and a nursery still to be decorated, a registry still to be completed and, and, and,... we’re really hoping to find all the answers we’re looking for as well as a few bargains.

I’ll be following up this post after the show to tell you if it was worth it and to give you an additional tips or lessons learned from attending.