Carseat safety rumour

venussapphire · January 2012

I live in canada close to the us border, and was planning on doing alot of shopping in the states or at least having it shipped to a place across the border. it's just stupidly cheaper than buying it in canada.

I was told that not all carseats bought in the us are considered safe in canada, and may in fact void insurance if there is an accident.

I hope this isn't true, but i can't find anything saying either way.

CAM718 · January 2012

I have never heard that but I am sure the US and Canada would have different safety standards, I think they are different in every country.

Sawyerplus1 · January 2012

I'm in Canada too and have heard something along those lines as well, though I couldn't direct you to a source or anything. Maybe call your insurance and see what they can tell you?

giggles0918 · January 2012

I read that there are different saftey standards for both countries so you should buy the car seat in the country you live in as they aren't compatable accross the border.

purplehydrangea · January 2012

I plan to do the majority of my shopping across the boarder too. I was considering calling the boarder a head of time to see if they could give me any info. I've also heard that the same is true with cribs.

If all else fails, we are planning to buy the same make/model that are available in Canada...they just seem to be half the price in the States.

venussapphire · January 2012

purplehydrangea:

I plan to do the majority of my shopping across the boarder too. I was considering calling the boarder a head of time to see if they could give me any info. I've also heard that the same is true with cribs.

If all else fails, we are planning to buy the same make/model that are available in Canada...they just seem to be half the price in the States.

I know the half price thing is what makes me want to go and buy it in the states.

purplehydrangea · January 2012

venussapphire:
purplehydrangea:

I plan to do the majority of my shopping across the boarder too. I was considering calling the boarder a head of time to see if they could give me any info. I've also heard that the same is true with cribs.

If all else fails, we are planning to buy the same make/model that are available in Canada...they just seem to be half the price in the States.

I know the half price thing is what makes me want to go and buy it in the states.

Ya it's highway robbery. For us it's well worth the 5 hour drive to Minot/Bismark to take advantage of the deals.

I've already started a spreadsheet with items I'm going to buy, where they are cheapest and what they would cost in Canada (so I can see what I save). If you look online a lot of the stores (aka BabiesRus) allow you to ship to store. I'm going to order the big items a head of time, have them shipped to the store to make sure they aren't sold out when I go down there. Yes I am psycho...I realize that.

lizzybean · January 2012

Hmm I think the only people who could answer you definitively would be ICBC. I hope it works out for you because I know how ridiculously cheaper things are right over the border in Washington State. GL!

PregNerd · January 2012

I thought about doing some of this as well, but I have heard similar stories about safety standards as well as the differences in models. There are some products that may appear to be the same make/model but are different across the border.

From what I understand (I have a friend who's family owns a 0-2store) the only way insurance would cover you is if the carseat is CSA certified (or other applicable safety certification) - which it wouldn't be if it is not intended for use in Canada. Just a thought - I know saving money is really, really tempting.

Josie22 · January 2012

I think that's awful. They don't cost twice as much to make.

I would check with your insurance as someone else said. They're the only ones who will know exactly what they cover. Try to get it in writing if you can.

morgie44 · January 2012

I am not sure about that, but I would just make sure you buy a seat that is also sold in Candada to be safe.

NicholeeK · January 2012

It's something like the carseat needs to have the Canada approved safety sticker (obviously not the technical term,but I am too lazy to go look at what it's called on DS's seats)... only the carseats sold in Canada have that... the US ones have the US safety sticker. You can only use carseats from a different country if you are visiting (ie. you can use a Canadian seat in the US while on vacation, but if you moved there, you'd need to buy an entirely new seat). Also if you do buy it anyway and they check while you cross the border, they will confiscate it.