Buy Buy Baby vs Babies R Us for registry?

ridge52

Starting to think about our baby registry...wondering what people think about BBB vs BRU?  I feel as if I like BBB more - better organized, good customer service, good brand selection, can use 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, registry website seems more organized, etc.  But there are so many more BRUs that are more convenient for family and friends who like to shop in store rather than online.  BRU also offers a great rewards option (5% back for everything purchased on your registry).  Both have a 10% completion discount.  I could register at both but feel as if it doesn't really make sense as I will probably also register at MyRegistry.com for a few random items at different places.  Thoughts?  

NewYearsBride06

Hello.  We had the same question, but chose BBB due to their customer service.  Every one of our friends that registered at BRU had nothing but horrible things to say about their customer service and their handling of their registry.  We are using BBB and Amazon and hoping that folks who can't get to a BBB take advantage of free shipping from Amazon.  

Good luck with your decision.  

 BTW - BBB also price matches from any other retailer...including Amazon!  : ) 

ridge52

Thanks New Years Bride, I didn't realize BBB price matched any retailer - that is great to know.  I think BBB is much better with returns as well whereas I've heard BRU requires a receipt and must be within 90 days.  Appreciate your help!

snoangel79

I recently registered at both and can tell already I like buy buy baby so much better! If you register at BRU continually check your registry, seems they go "out of stock" a lot. My shower is in 6 weeks due to me having twins and I plan on checking the registry a lot as it gets closer. Also, I'm not 100% sure but BBB is part of Bed, Bath, and Beyond I think. Check if they accept their coupons.

shesween

My sister has a 11 month old and she has used Bed Bath & Beyond coupons at BBB. I looked at fine print and it does say you can use them, but certain high end brands are excluded from 20% discount.

ladylisalt

I have used the Bed Bath coupons. You just have to make sure they are not expired. BBB does seem to have good customer service and its really organized but that might be because they just opened. Either way, if your shower is coming up in the next few months it might make sense to go with them. If you worry people dont live near one maybe use Target as another option since their prices are decent and they have a good deal of baby items. good luck!

PS I used Amazon as a second registry and only one person bought off it. Not sure why just thought I would share.

RizziB

I strongly prefer Buy Buy Baby over Babies R Us!  Even though it just opened in MA, I've been to locations in NYC (where I used to live) and went to the one in NH before they opened here.  IMHO, BBB is better organized and has better service and a better selection of baby items.  They are affiliated with Bed Bath & Beyond, so you can use their coupons, but most of the high-end stuff is excluded.  

I registered at BBB and Amazon and have been happy with those choices. 

ridge52

Yesterday I went to the new BBB in Braintree as well as BRU.  My sister-in-law came with me who is expecting in January - she registered at BRU since BBB wasn't open before her shower in November.  Walking around both stores with her, she definitely recommended registering at BBB over BRU.  She felt the selection and quality were better at BBB.  We felt that many things were cheaper at BBB (especially everyday items) though some were more expensive compared to BRU (the bigger things like swings, carseats, etc) - BUT since BBB price matches any other retailer, you can still get a good deal on the more expensive items as well.  And being able to use the Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons was a great selling point for her as well. 

Lastly, my husband and I are not going to find out the sex of our baby and we both felt that the selection of neutral clothes, blankets, accessories, etc was nicer and cuter at BBB than BRU.  Sooo....I think I have decided to go with BBB and MyRegistry.com. 

Thanks to everyone for their help!

lynchy326

Just wanted to say thanks for posting, I recently spent some time trying to compare prices and figure out myself which place to register at BBB or BRU.  From all the comments, sounds like BBB is the one to go with. I did also find as someone else mentioned that on the bigger items BBB was a little more expensive, but had no idea that BBB would price match, so it seems like a no brainer now.

Thanks!

lindseynee

i like buy buy baby better... however.... there arent many locations. for instance, we live south of boston and can go to the braintree location... but my entire family lives north of boston so it doesnt make sense for us to register there and my family doesnt have a location nearby to shop at.

MBMcC421

We used BRU because of location and convenience -- the BBB in Braintree wasn't around when I had my daughter, but if I had my choice I would have preferred there over BRU any day.

megsies24

We registered at both.  BBB was more convenient for my East Coast family and BRU was closer to my house.  BBB has SIGNIFICANTLY better customer service.  I have never had issues returning things to either store, but BRU over the phone has been horrible.  I will say that everyone I have spoken to has been very nice, but they can't help you, tell you someone will call you back and no one does.  Here are a few examples:

1) I didn't open gifts at my shower and the gifts/cards got mixed up so I tried to call BRU to see if they could at least give me the zip code of the person who ordered the item so I could match gifts to thank you notes.  I wasn't even asking for names! Nope, they do not provide any info.  All they can tell you is if something was purchased online or at a store. (You only received this business because I registered there so thanks for nothing).  I was told someone would call me back with a "report" and no one ever did.

2) I was returning something with a gift receipt and was told that the item was not on that gift receipt.  I asked if they could tell me what was on that particular gift receipt so I could match it with other returns I had.  Nope, they don't have access to that type of information!?!

3) I did a large online order where I used 3 gift cards and my balance was $0.  I received a confirmation email and thought the package was on its way.  A few hours later I was told that my order was suspended because there was an issue with my credit card.  (I had never entered a credit card because I had a $0 balance with my gift cards.)  I spoke to customer service, who was friendly, but couldn't figure out what the problem was, and said a manager would call me back in 24-48 hrs.  It has been 24 hours and I have NOT received a call back.  I just received an email saying my entire order was canceled.  I just had to fish the gift cards out of the garbage and will have to spend more time on the phone tomorrow and re-ordering everything that I thought I had ordered a few days ago. Who has time to deal with this?!  

In contrast, I received a gift card from BBB that was in-store only, which didn't work for me because I don't live close to one.  The nice woman on the phone manually entered my order and took my gift card over the phone so that I could utilize my "in-store only" gift card.  

BBB definitely has nicer strollers, but for the most part they are pretty similar.  BRU has a lot more reviews so even if you don't register there, you can read the reviews.