A baby registry primer

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Rebecca Atkinson shares all the nitty gritty details of setting up a baby registry. (Warning: This is a long post but worth the effort.)

Depending on your cultural beliefs, you may decide to create a baby registry so friends and family can purchase things you really need for the baby’s impending arrival. Clothes tend not to get included because everyone buys cute baby outfits. But where is the best place to register?

There are many stores and specialty boutiques where you can register, especially in large communities like Toronto. However, if you have people spread out across the country, like we do, chances are you’ll need to go for one of the big three department stores like The Bay, Babies R US or Sears because they have locations nationally in case some are not comfortable shopping online. We obviously did not want to register at all three stores, so we did some research to try and figure out which store was the best for our needs.

Situation:
We’re busy parents-to-be (who’s not, I know?) – with a large, spread-out family – who purchase as much as we can online after an initial in-store visit to see/touch/feel items for ourselves.

The Bay
Pros:
• Registry completion program: While the materials and consultant we spoke with at the baby show didn’t give specific information, they did indicate that there is special pricing for anything not purchased on your registry after the baby is born.
• Provides registry checklists, which helps for determining number of gifts to put on registry.
• Incentive offer at baby show
• Reasonable prices

Cons:
• Creating the registry online only allows you to choose from only two stores where you can go in and select gifts.
• Can’t create your entire registry online, only the initial registrant information
• Can only add or delete in store, or by phoning/emailing or faxing a gift registry consultant.
• Selection varies store to store, and is very limited.

Babies R Us
Pros:
• Depending on the size of the Toys R Us, the Baby section is almost large enough to be its own store.
• Selection is great.
• Contests to win gift certificate.
• Bag of goodies for registering.
• Can create entire registry online.
• Can add or delete items online without having to go into a store.
• Clearly show you what’s available to be purchased online or required to be purchased at store.
• Reasonable prices (and often lowest of all three stores on comparable items/brands.)
• Tools available online to help you start and complete the registry (popular items, buying guides and checklists.)

Cons:
• No gift registry completion program.
• Bag of goodies varies widely by store and is some what of a lottery.
• Overall sense the company knows it’s got a stronghold on the baby market, so no real desire to woo consumers.

Sears
Pros:
• Completion program.
• Waiting Game Club.
• Add or delete items online (requires knowledge of SKU numbers in most cases.)
• Free Ship-a-gift service for out-of-town family who use the catalogue (and phone) to order your gift. Gifts will be shipped to your local store without additional cost to your family.
• Like the other registries, Sears has checklists available to help you create your registry. In addition, there are some helpful hints (for first-timers) about things to think about when choosing particular items like car seats or change pads.

Cons:
• Adding items isn’t the easiest, as you need to add by product number.
• Prices were generally more expensive than the Bay or Babies R Us.
• In-store selection small and varies widely by store.
• Doesn’t actively promote the Completion program, only told in-store of its availability.

Based on the cost of items and lack of selection, we immediately narrowed down our options to the Bay and Babies R Us. Based on the completion program and that we received a $50 gift card for pre-registering at the baby show, we initially decided to go with the Bay.

However, things did not go according to plan. Arriving at the Bay a few days later to complete the rest of our registry (which would also activate the gift card), we were told that somehow we weren’t “in the system.” Even though I had all the paperwork from the show, they couldn’t start a new registry for us, or our gift card wouldn’t be valid. We were given two options:

1. Wait for them to call us and book an appointment, which they would do if they hadn’t heard from us in a few weeks; or,
2. Come back at another time to see if we were in the system.

Having already had two bad experiences with the Bay in the last couple of years (many of our wedding registry items took over six months to receive, and an online order that was finally deemed as “lost” and refunded three months after placing it), my husband and I decided this was the last straw. No matter how many incentives you offer, it doesn’t make up for horrible customer service. It’s now been four weeks since “pre-registering” and I still haven’t received a call from the Bay. And guess what? Our incentive gift card expires in two weeks. How many bets they call me minutes after the card expires?

Our final choice by process of elimination? Babies R Us. And you know what? Registering was a breeze. We had fun looking at all the items in store and then adding/updating our registry online with other products. The bag of goodies we received at our store was small, but really nice and personal. Among the coupons and some samples, it included a coupon for a free handprint plaque (complete with our baby’s prints), courtesy of our local store.

Of course what worked for me, may not be right for you. What the moral of this post comes down to is to determine what works best for you (can you go local, or do you need to go national for example) and what types of offers/incentives or bargains will help you decide where to register if you choose to do so.

Lancôme Oscillating Mascara - is it worth the hype?

I have to give a shout out to the marketing folks at Lancôme. They invited me to the Toronto launch for their new Lancôme Oscillating Mascara. The event was during the day. When I told them I’d be unable to attend because I work full-time, they offered to send me a sample if they had any left over after the event.

Boy, am I glad they did. I’ve been using Lancôme masacara for years, specifically Défincils Waterproof paired with Cils Booster XL. I truly expected Lancôme Oscillating Mascara to be more of a gimmick than anything. The idea of a vibrating wand is a bit weird (there’s a recyclable battery in the handle). I was wrong. It works! My lashes look longer than ever without any clumpiness.

According to Lancôme, “Lancôme Oscillating Mascara [sic] has more than 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, Lancôme Ôscillation emulates the makeup artist zig-zag gesture providing an ideal 360 degree coating around each and every lash. It is fast, simple and easy to apply for repeatedly perfect results – lashes are lengthened, separated and multiplied.” You can check out the instructional promo video and join the community if you’re passionate enough about mascara.

Apparently, it’s eco-friendly and energy saving too. Each container provides 180 applications (double the amount of regular mascara.) Gee, I thought you were supposed to throw out mascara after three months? If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter if you get twice as many applications does it?

Beauty, in this case, doesn’t come cheap. Lancôme Oscillating Mascara retails for $39. Then again the Défincils Waterproof-Cils Booster XL combo I’ve been using rings in at $54.50.

Available exclusively at Lancome.ca and at Lancôme counters at The Bay now, Lancôme Oscillating Mascara will be available at all Lancôme counters starting in January.

What’s your favourite mascara? Will you try Lancôme Oscillating Mascara, why? why not?

Down by The Bay

On the one hand The Bay is a Canadian icon I’d hate to see go away. On the other hand, I often think it’s long past its demise.

As a kid, especially one who grew up (in part) in a smaller Canadian urban city, I spent a lot of my shopping time and dollars in department stores. The Bay was one of them but now I do my best to avoid spending time there.

Here’s one reason why…

Mr. B wanted me to join him at Yorkdale so he could look for a new winter coat at The Bay – they were 30% off.

At first I thought I’d get off easy. As we made our way past the new Crate & Barrel (more about that later), he knew I was anxious to have a peek so he suggested I have a look and he’d go off to The Bay on his own. Whew!

Spoke to soon. Within minutes my phone rang. He found a basic winter wool-cashmere coat and wanted me to see it right away. So I ran over and made him try on all the sale coats only to agree with him that the first one was best. Hmm, I needed a winter coat too. So I headed upstairs to see what was on sale.

I saw 30% off signs everywhere. There were few exceptions and they were clearly(?) marked. At Max Studio, I found a shirtdress I liked and thought it would great for work. Just slip it on with some black tights and I’d be ready to go. The signage was a bit fuzzy, so I confirmed it was actually on sale with a salesperson tidying up some of the clothes on a nearby rack.

Next, off to the coats…

Not much caught my eye at first. Then I found a clearance rack marked “an extra 50% off”. Guess what? Nice coats and jackets were few and far between but there were a couple. Not necessarily my first choice but some were my size and at those prices, I couldn’t pass them by.

As I was trying them on another woman stopped and told me how nice they looked. I found the one I wanted – a Kenneth Cole black wool blend, winter trench – I was all set to go to the cash. Mr. B couldn’t believe the price <$100. He was sure someone made a mistake. I didn’t want to believe him. On our way to the cash, we passed by another part of the coat department. What did I see? You guessed it. A rack with each of the Kenneth Cole coats I had tried and all were regular price. Urgh!

I told the first salesperson I saw about the mix-up and suggested someone clean up the clearance rack so other customers wouldn’t be misled. She didn’t seem to care.

Well, at least I had the dress or so I thought. At the cash, I was told it wasn’t on sale either but I could get 10% off if I’d reinstate my Bay card. Ya, right.

Needless to say, I walked out empty-handed and won’t be going back to The Bay for a long time.

Have you had a similar experience at The Bay or another department store recently?

Weekly Wish – a decent affordable department store in Toronto

With news today about NRDC Equity Partners purchasing The Hudson Bay Co., the national retail landscape is about change, especially where designer fashion is concerned. NRDC purchased Lord & Taylor in 2006 – the historical U.S. fashion department store chain – and it seems to be thriving under their ownership.

I for one was very disappointed when The Bay moved into American hands a couple years ago but since it’s already there, I have no problem with it being in the hands of a company that has the potential to provide fashion-conscious shoppers with options at affordable price points. Speculation is it will give Holt Renfrew a run for its money. Could be interesting...

I love the purple merino sheath dress (pictured) Lord & Taylor is showing for fall and it seems like good value at $144. There’s also speculation about Fortunoff - also part of the Lord & Taylor-NRDC family joining the mix in the Great White North.

As for whether or not they should change the name to Lord & Taylor, I’m not sure. The Hudon Bay Co. represents such an imporant part of Canadian history, I’d hate to see it go.

Whether or not I’ll get my wish, only time will tell. What do you think?

Dear Bargainista #14 - locating a dress

Patricia from Montreal writes:

I live in Montreal and I go to Holt Renfrew for shopping. Last week, I saw a white dress with a zipper in the back from Lida Baday. Today, when I went back the dress was sold. I would like to find the same one - size 6 or 8. If you could help me I will be very happy. The saleswoman did not want to call Holts in Toronto to check. Just tell me where I may call to find that dress.

Thank you very much

•••
Dear Patricia,

Bummer! Did the saleswoman at Holt Renfrew explain why she couldn’t call the Toronto locations on your behalf? It doesn’t sound like you received the level of service I would expect from a store like Holts.

I suggest you try calling your local Holt Renfrew store and see if someone will help you. Otherwise, If you really want the dress, you may have to call another Holt Renfrew location yourself.

Alternatively, you may want to contact other stores that carry Lida Baday instead. I know The Bay on Queen St. in Toronto carries higher-end designer fashions including Lida Baday. I also suggest checking eBay since you already know your size - you may even find it for less!

I’d love to know what you decide and whether you end up finding what you want. Please leave a comment and let everyone know.

Dear Bargainista would love to hear from you too! Have a question about shopping, fashion or food? E-mail us.