Rant: Baby Registry

singingirl96

My friend is hosting my baby shower and I'm so very happy and thankful she is doing this for me.

The entire baby shower plans are being done by her and the only thing I was responsible for was coming up with a list of invitees and create the registry lists. 

I registered at BRU and Amazon.  I registered at Target too, but have found that many of the items at Target were not what I really wanted and/or they didn't carry the brand I was looking for.  Plus, I've read on here and have had friends tell me that Target's return policy is not the best on registries if you don't have a receipt.  So, even though I told her that I was registered there, I specifically asked her (on several conversations) not to include the target registry on the invites.

She sent out the invitations this morning. Then she writes me an email saying that she thought about my dilemma and found that most people shop at target and that BRU or Amazon are not convenient to most people and she feels target should definitely be included, so she did and she hopes that I won't be upset, but she is doing what is best for me. 

I am not the gift grabby kind.  In fact, I really dislike the idea of registries to begin with.  But they are customary now a days so I figured I would go with the flow and register.  I guess what I'm mostly pissed about is that she completely ignored my opinion/request.  Now, I have to make a trip to target this evening and finish the registry that I started.  I found that their selection was really bad and I had a hard time finding much that I really wanted. Now I feel that due to convenience, most people will flock to Target and ignore the other two main registries... ugh....

Am I overacting?  

I should add that I live in a very well populated area where although Targets are more abundant, there are BRU's within 20 minutes from most of my guests. So it is not as inconvenient as some of you may think.

hterry85

Don't add things to the Target registry that youdon't actually want. If people see there is not much to pick from there they may be more likely to try one of the other places.

AprilAngie

I think I can understand you being upset- as this was your wish - however - she is planning it - and paying for it - so you have to accept what is done is done.

 

Can you write at Target the message " I also registered at babies r us.  "  lol 

KellersPrag

hterry85:

Don't add things to the Target registry that youdon't actually want. If people see there is not much to pick from there they may be more likely to try one of the other places.

This. I would only put a few things that you actually do like. Then, hopefully if they want to buy something for you, they can try a different registry.

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singingirl96

AprilAngie:

Can you write at Target the message " I also registered at babies r us.  "  lol 

 

I like this idea.  thanks!

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MainelyFoolish

If you really didn't want anything from Target, you shouldn't have registered there. But since you did and the info was sent out with the invitations, you can't go and delete the Target registry now.

At least your friend was trying to be helpful. My MIL threw me a baby shower for my first child and didn't tell anyone about my baby registry. I got a whole lot of blankets and newborn size clothes. I appreciated the generosity of the shower guests, but it still would have been nice to have something I actually needed.

LegallyBlonde217

hterry85:

Don't add things to the Target registry that youdon't actually want. If people see there is not much to pick from there they may be more likely to try one of the other places.

This is exactly what I would do.

expletive baby

I have no additional advice, however, I do want to tell you that your sig is freaking me out. First, your dog is adorable, we had a Sheltie my entire childhood and she was the sweetest little dog ever. Second, my dad's name is Andrew James! So, good choices all around.

Best of luck with the registries! 

amr83

I would just not add anything else to that registry. You can also just go online, sign into your target registry and change the settings so it won't show up when people search for you. Regardless if she is planning & paying for your shower, it doesn't give her the right to go against your wishes. You register so people can get you things you actually want.

dani2480

SookieFrackhouse68:

I will warn you, people generally 100% ignore the Amazon registry. It sucks, but they do.

I guess that all depends...

I have an Amazon and BRU registry. I've had 22 items purchased thus far, and 20 of them were from Amazon. The other two were from BRU.

 

melody921

hterry85:

Don't add things to the Target registry that youdon't actually want. If people see there is not much to pick from there they may be more likely to try one of the other places.

This. Keep it very small, with only items you want, and don't duplicate these items on any of the other registries. I like Target, but they are a royal pain when it comes to returns, and I also think BRU has a better selection. But if there are only a few options, people will likely check out one of the other options.

mandalinn25

SookieFrackhouse68:

I will warn you, people generally 100% ignore the Amazon registry. It sucks, but they do.

Not anyone I know.  But then again most of my gifts are coming from out of state, so Amazon is ideal and cheaper.

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dani2480

hterry85:

Don't add things to the Target registry that youdon't actually want. If people see there is not much to pick from there they may be more likely to try one of the other places.

This is exactly what I would do.

 

haleyjean84

PP have given you great suggestions on some generic things to add to the Target registry. Also, add diapers and wipes! All sizes.

FWIW, I hate buying things off of registries at Target. If I was one of your guests, I would definitely make the longer trip over to BRU.

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plutoisaplanet

I agree with what others have said - just don't put a lot onto the Target registry.  People will get the hint! 

HeyJune

Over the years, I've seen several of my friends put a message on their Target registry that says something like "Registered for nursing supplies and baby gear at Babies R Us."  That way people knew that the stuff on the Target registry is just basic things like diapers/wipes/onesies. 

I wouldn't go add a bunch of stuff to the Target registry. I think most people go online and look at your registry before going shopping anyway, so if what they want to buy you is at BRU, they'll make the drive.  Most people know that Target is not a baby store and has less selection, so they should assume that the BRU registry is the main one. 

Honestly, with our first child, probably only about 10% of the gifts we received came from our registry anyway. Lots of people enjoy picking out something different or just don't tend to shop on the registry.

singingirl96

expletive baby:

I have no additional advice, however, I do want to tell you that your sig is freaking me out. First, your dog is adorable, we had a Sheltie my entire childhood and she was the sweetest little dog ever. Second, my dad's name is Andrew James! So, good choices all around.

expletive baby - That is too funny!  Jack, the sheltie, is a cuddler and he is the best dog ever... (if we could only curb his barking). He can't see a free lap, he gets on it. and Andrew James... We're pretty certain that's what we'll name our little one.  I like it cause it is a solid name he can grow into. We'll probably call him Andy.  

Everyone else -
Thanks for your advice.  I have added a few items to target.com and plan on stopping by a target store after work to review what I've registered for.  I want you all to know that I'm not really that upset she did that, cause I know her heart is in the right place, I just feel she should have listened to my wishes. Thanks for giving me sound advice instead of crucifying me for complaining! 

G$Wifey

I'd say, start deleting stuff from the Target Registry that you don't want.  Then people will go to the BRU and Amazon sites..  Easy fix. 

watercolor5

nola78:

Another option would be to just delete the Target registry altogether.  Then it looks like a typo/mistake and the guests will likely move on to the other two options. 

I'd just delete the registry where you don't want people to shop.

brittany&dain

we registered at babies r us and target and we had a really hard time with target. in the stores they don't have a very large selection and a lot of the things that we chose for our registry you can only get online. so i can see your frustration i don't blame you. you only asked for one specific thing and it was ignored

krismott25

hterry85:

Don't add things to the Target registry that youdon't actually want. If people see there is not much to pick from there they may be more likely to try one of the other places.

this! i only did one registry at BRU and i didn't put a whole lot on it in hopes people would buy the stuff i need not filler stuff and if they don't find something they want to buy they can give a gift card. only register for what you want

PBear93

I had a HUGE issue with Target and my wedding registry.  Their registry site was down for about 6 weeks right before our wedding.  It was the biggest pain in the butt because I couldn't even access it and neither could my guests.  I just hate target registries now.  We tried to return a bunch of stuff (we got almost all our towels but they discontinued the color and we couldn't get the rest)--the store near our house wouldn't take them.  We went to a target in the ritzy part of town and raised a fuss and they took them back.

 

I would do what the PP recommend and just not put a lot of stuff on the Target registry.  I think most people would go out of their way to go to a BRU because they carry so much more baby things.