Babies R' Us v/s Target v/s Baby Depot - Registry experience needed

clussyK

Now that this pregnancy feels (and looks) more real, I'm getting questions regarding where I'm registered. When I respond that we'll just need onsies, diapers and my boobs, I get looks of concern. So, really, it's time to register. I was wondering where most of you prefer to register and where you've had the best experience. My SIL highly recommended Baby Depot but she doesn't have any kids so I think this is from word of mouth.  Another girlfriend registered at Target and said she found everything she needed there (she's pretty minimalist though so I wonder if that will fit our needs) I assumed BRU but maybe there are better options?

 We'll be checking out some places this weekend but wanted to get a feel for how you guys felt about which place is best for registering, based on experience. 

 

TIA!

ilovejud

With DD I originally planned to register at Target... but that didn't work at all because they don't have half the stuff the other stores do and their return policy sucks.  I registered at Babies R Us and it was great.  They had everything you could ever need and more, and they even give you a list of recommended items when you register to help you out.  Warning though... I got consumed in thinking I needed a million extra things that really you don't need... so looks or not... really you can keep it pretty basic... For me a Diaper Genie, Boppy pillow, bouncer seat and endless bottles, bibs and pacifiers were all a HUGE waste of money... I never used any of them... Just stick to the basics then pick up things when you think you need them, or if you think your baby will like them.  My mom warned me I didn't need all the extra crap, but being my first I didn't listen and felt I needed it all... hate to say it, but she was right!

KatieRL1979

Go with Babies R Us. You can always have more than one gift registry, but BRU tends to have the most comprehensive selection and the better prices.  Plus their website is easy to navigate and most people have a store within driving distance to their homes.

katekirschner

Babies r us has everything in one spot. From being a registrant myself and also buying off registries, people like to go to the store and buy the item most of the time. Target and baby depot have more online than in the store and that makes it hard if someone is going to the store to buy the gift.

NicciH

I wouldn't register at Target. I had nothing but issues with my wedding registry there, as did some of my guests. I registered at BRU when I had DS and it worked great. I found their prices to be a little more, but I was also told by a friend that the convenience of having everything in one place was nice for those buying gifts. And they have great sales. You can always register at more then one place... or one on line (like Amazon) and one store. I don't know if you have a Buy, Buy, Baby near you, but I went in there for the first time recently and that looks like a good place to register as well.

RJHarmon

We used Babies R Us and Baby Depot.  I definitely like the BrUs one better because it had more variety.  However, the baby depot was very affordable on some items and they had a different selection of stuff.

PinkBackPack

I registered at Target and Babies 'R Us.  Most of my guests purchased stuff from Target.  I didn't have any problems with their return policy.  Every time someone purchases something off your registry, it is placed on your gift purchase log.  When you want to return something, I didn't need the receipt as long as it's on the gift purchase log or registry.  Babies 'r us is more expensive then target on most of the items.

brooketini

I would go with Babies R Us. I had horrible experiences returning/ exchanging stuff at Target when I registered there for my wedding. I don't know much about Baby Depot- is that the one affiliated with Burlington Coat Factory? If so, I've heard they don't have as much selection. BRU pretty much has everything you would ever need.?

bkleiter

I plan to register at BRU, Walmart, and Target... as I know some of my family will not go to Walmart- however others will not go to Target. Then BRU isn't close to some family members, and online shopping isn't a good option for them either.

BRU is going to be my primary registery, however I will also have some options at other stores.  Heck, there will be a few items that we will need multiples of.

KMac2784

PinkBackPack:

I registered at Target and Babies 'R Us.  Most of my guests purchased stuff from Target.  I didn't have any problems with their return policy.  Every time someone purchases something off your registry, it is placed on your gift purchase log.  When you want to return something, I didn't need the receipt as long as it's on the gift purchase log or registry.  Babies 'r us is more expensive then target on most of the items.

This

akating

~Long story about baby depot~ 

I actually registered at two places. diapers.com and baby depot. And boy am I glad I did! I was very against registering at BRU because I didn't/don't see the point in registering at a place where the prices are more expensive. I just don't think it is right to basically force someone to spend more money when me myself would shop around. 

 When we got to baby depot we had a terrible time! The desk that you register at was a mess and there was a computer that I am guessing is how we were suppose to register (?).  The computer was password protected and no one was answering the phone (there was a sign with a number to call). After waiting and finding someone walking the hallway we told them we wanted to register and the lady said "this isn't my department but I will find someone for you". She found someone but this someone was just as incompetent as she was. The lady tried several times to log into the computer with no luck. She left and talked to someone and finally asked us to come back into the managers office. She explained their computer was on the fritz and that we would have to register in there. 

 At this point I was very concerned. I asked her if the computers were down how people coming to buy off of my registry would be able to print it off. She simply said "they will just have to come back into the office". The lady in the office sounded more reassuring. she said that they were planning on getting the computer fixed that weekend. 

 Now onto registering. The lady never explained how to use the scanner. Luckily DH is computer savvy and was able to figure it out quickly. While registering I realized they didn't have a lot of things. some of the shelves were bare and there was no one around to ask questions to.  

I was able to find lots of things to put on the registry and lucky for me I was able to register for the rest on diapers.com. My biggest concern is that people will have a hard time with baby depot but wont be the type to order online. My point was to make things easier and less costly for people and it seems that I only accomplished one of the two.

 

If I were to do it over I would still register at diapers.com (because I love them) but I would go to BRU instead. They have a HUGE variety and everyone in the store seems to know what is going on. IMO if you register at a place that is not 100% baby you will have a hard time.  

Kitten80

BRU = bad.  First, they never had enough staff working to help you - no matter what day we went, we would literally have to hunt someone done and then wait and ask again before anyone would come help.  They didn't always know what they were talking about and were not so helpful.  They also told us several things were "newer" and "definitely will not be discontinued" as this was something I had heard many complaints about - we offered to buy the furniture, bedding, and a few other things that day if it might go away.  After asking several employees at two stores, we rested comfortably that it was all ok.  Guess what?  12 weeks before baby was due, I was frantically searching stores all over to find furniture and several other items that were discontinued without any notice - not even an email to those registered for it.  During our several long experiences there, the water fountain was broken - so we had to BUY something from a vending machine for 2.25 the first time as after 3 hours, I was dying of thirst.  They gave us a hard time about returning some things that came out of the box damaged and "couldn't find it in the system" for a few items we bought that still had their tag on it.  In addition, we never received our completion coupon - we went 10 times, called 6, and wrote a letter - when we went in, they told us to wait longer and later to call.  When we called, they told us to go to the store we registered.  We never received an answer to our letter.  So we had to spend extra money on the items we had to get and just didn't get the other things we would have.  If we had time to find all those items elsewhere or make new selections, we would have pulled our registry completely.

Target = bad.  They were rude when we registered (so much so we almost didn't) and made us wait forever to upload it while they chatted about rude customers, their plans, and when break time would be...they also did not have the little "registry cards" and when we went to a nearby store and explained that the other store was out and we needed some for the shower invites they were incredibly rude and refused to give us any.  No one was available to answer questions.  They did not have the selection other stores had and I ran into things being discontinued.  Even more of a problem - the selection varied GREATLY from store to store - so what I registered for wasn't available at most of our family/friends' stores.  Their return policy is horrible (and getting worse, from what I have been told) and they were awful at actually accurately reflecting purchases/updates to the registry.  The return policy is actually so bad there that we rarely shop Target anymore out of principal.

Baby Depot - haven't been to one (not sure we have them here?)

Buy Buy Baby - The best of our experiences.  They are much better at helping as much or as little as you wanted during registering, had plenty of employees on the floor to answer questions (and they knew what they were talking about or were quick to find someone who did), and kept the registry updated.  The selection was good and the experience much less stressful overall. They also had snacks/drinks for you if you needed something.  Had we found it sooner, it woudl have been the only place we would have registered. 

GL!  It can be fun.  I would have a list of things you want to find, and make sure you a decent snack/meal before you go.

Kitten80

I wanted to add two things and my computer is slow so I couldn't just edit above:

1.  My experience was not the only negative one at BRU.  I had been warned not to go there, and ignored the mulitple warnings.  At a new parents group I went to after DS was born it turned out 90% of us had used BRU, and all but one of us had horrible experiences.  Of the 6 women in my baby group, we all hated our experience and go anywhere but there to find what we need.  They are also more expensive - and more than I found the "convenience" of "one stop shopping" worth.

2.  If Baby Depot is in B.Coat Factory, I just went in one for the first time recently.  The employees were not very friendly, but the selection and prices were good!  We bought a number of things we had been looking for and will be going back.  I saved anywhere from 10 to 50% on items from the prices I have seen on the same items at Kohl's, BRU, Target, etc.