Same items on multiple registries?

punkrockabye

What's the verdict on putting some of the same items on multiple registries?

I have two: one for Target and one on Amazon. Reason being, prices on Amazon are often better, and there are obviously many more things available on there. I have also used their "universal registry" to add the cloth diapers we want (Green Mountain Diapers) and a couple things from Ikea.

I want to give an in store option as well but so many things are online only anyway and I have no power there. I just figured that some older family members would feel more comfortable ordering online from Target than Amazon. A couple older ones don't have computers but if my grandma wants to give us a special something that we're not registered for, I'm going to love it regardless.

What are the chances of people looking at both registries? I've been trying to keep them from having any overlap but I'm starting to think that if something I want on Amazon is available at Target, I should put it on there. I want some specific soaps and such and I see that Target has them. I should note, both are filled with a lot of pretty tiny things. We don't feel like we need a lot, but it's a lot of smaller items. The biggest one is an organic crib mattress--available on Amazon and Target.

Getting multiples of something is fine but I wouldn't want two groups of people to go in on the same "large" item from each site. Our shower will be a casual coed thing and mostly family (maybe 5 friends, if that). I haven't been to a baby shower since I was about 10 years old so I am pretty clueless here! If I was told someone has two registries I'd check them both before buying, but I don't know if that's the norm.

dufferoo

I find it frustrating when people put the same item on multiple registries. People who shop off the registry do so partially so they won't get you something you already have. I got my best friend a baby bjorn off her registry and then felt stupid at the shower when she opened another bjorn right before mine! Then to make it worse, I find out that she uses the one the other girl got her and she gave mine to her hubby to use. I'm kind of like "Why did I even bother??"

thehillsarealive0000

jociejones:

I find it frustrating when people put the same item on multiple registries. People who shop off the registry do so partially so they won't get you something you already have. I got my best friend a baby bjorn off her registry and then felt stupid at the shower when she opened another bjorn right before mine! Then to make it worse, I find out that she uses the one the other girl got her and she gave mine to her hubby to use. I'm kind of like "Why did I even bother??"

That happens anyway because people forget to tell the cashier they are buying from a registry. I don't think it matters who uses the bjorn you bought. You bothered because she is your best friend!

 

theboki

I have duplicates on both registries.  But I plan to keep on top of it and remove things as they are bought from the other one.  And some things we can use multiples of anyway!  Both of my registries keep having items end up "out of stock" that I want to have backup.

EastCoastBride

jociejones:

Then to make it worse, I find out that she uses the one the other girl got her and she gave mine to her hubby to use. I'm kind of like "Why did I even bother??"

Really?  As long as it's being used by them for their baby, why does it matter if she or her DH use it? 

Minipenguin

EastCoastBride:

jociejones:

Then to make it worse, I find out that she uses the one the other girl got her and she gave mine to her hubby to use. I'm kind of like "Why did I even bother??"

Really?  As long as it's being used by them for their baby, why does it matter if she or her DH use it? 

 

If it's the same one, how do you  know which one she uses and which one she doesn't?

As a guest, I like to get the parents something they actually want/need not a chore so I usually don't buy something that's in duplicate so they won't have to return it.

dufferoo

EastCoastBride:

jociejones:

Then to make it worse, I find out that she uses the one the other girl got her and she gave mine to her hubby to use. I'm kind of like "Why did I even bother??"

Really?  As long as it's being used by them for their baby, why does it matter if she or her DH use it? 

Well, to be honest, I got it for my friend because I love her and thought she would love using it. Her husband, on the other hand, is a ***.

ccam

You'd have to keep on top of both registries, I'd think, so you can remove one if an item gets purchased.  Also, I would expect multiples regardless, so keep that in mind.

526SadieSadie

discobelle:

I wouldn't register for the same item multiple places- unless it's the type item you can actually use multiples of (crib sheets, burp cloths, etc.).

I agree with this - generic things like receiving blankets and stuff are fine to have on both registries.  I've found that older people who aren't comfortable with computers, or just don't know how to use them are more likely to give checks, baby clothes and gift cards. 

 

EastCoastBride

jociejones:

Well, to be honest, I got it for my friend because I love her and thought she would love using it. Her husband, on the other hand, is a ***.

Well, that's a whole different story....

punkrockabye

Good points, ladies! Still not sure what I'll do, but I have things to think about now. It seems like I'll be fine adding soaps and small things that I'll use no matter what. Bigger things I'll need to think about, although I know I WILL obsessively registry stalk... I mean, if I'm working on registries this soon (and have been for weeks), I guess it's pretty clear that I'll stalk them! 

I also noticed Amazon has an "I bought this item elsewhere" option when I do the guest preview of the registry so people can confirm that they bought something elsewhere. I am half tempted to just stick with Amazon only. The couple people who aren't friendly with computers most likely wouldn't be going into Target and pulling up registry info. 

theboki

theresat858:

things where you can't really have too many, but not for the big items. (Unless you plan to obsessively registry stalk and delete things from one as they are purchased from the other). 

This is exactly what I plan to do!  LOL!  But honestly, we really don't expect anyone to get us too many of the big ticket items anyway.  They are for us to buy at the best price possible.

luvlss1

I've debated this same issue and really had my heart set on Amazon for a while...then my MIL said she wouldn't buy online & would go to a store. And then I thought about all the times i've waited until the last minute (couple days before) to buy a gift and realized there wouldn't be enough time to ship items for free. Also, unless it's FBA (fulfilled by amazon) or sold directly by them, you run into shipping costs. As a guest buying a gift, if I was spending $50 & shipping was $10, I would be more likely to spend less on the gift. All in all, I decided i'm going to stay in-store and maybe spread my larger purchases out among them. Anyone who would shop online will probably look at your registry online ahead of time to decide what they want to buy & where to go anyways, kwim? Just my thoughts, sorry they rambled

PS- If you have a burlington coat factory by you, don't forget about their baby depot....looked in there today & prices are actually pretty comparable to target & amazon, cheaper than BRU by a long shot!

SingleMom31

I love Amazon, but turned out not to be a big fan of their registry.  If you link to external sites, your guests have to click back to your registry, click that they purchased it, and then confirm it in an email they receive.  Basically everyone missed at least one step and I ended up with a lot of duplicate items.  And, I felt bad that people not familiar with Amazon didn't realize that they needed $25 for free shipping (my mom complained). 

mamigee

theboki:

I have duplicates on both registries.  But I plan to keep on top of it and remove things as they are bought from the other one.  And some things we can use multiples of anyway!  Both of my registries keep having items end up "out of stock" that I want to have backup.

mamigee

theboki:

I have duplicates on both registries.  But I plan to keep on top of it and remove things as they are bought from the other one.  And some things we can use multiples of anyway!  Both of my registries keep having items end up "out of stock" that I want to have backup.

This is what I did. I know it's more fun not to peek but when I saw someone got me the diaper bag I wanted at BRU, I removed the one on the Target registry and vice versa. Good Luck. ANd also, when I saw items that were out of stock or on the low side I just removed them too.

MommaMMay2012

I used myregistry.com for part of my registry (incorporates registries such as target and amazon into one place) and then for those who are not web savvy I put items on BRU so they could walk into the store and ask for a list. I did not duplicate.