Baby bargains vs Consumer Reports

Wish82 · October 2012

I know many people recommend the book "Baby Bargains," but is anyone a member of Consumer Reports? Is one more advantageous than the other, or are both good in their own right and neither is bad to have? How often does a new edition of "Baby Bargains" come out? Does it really matter if you have the most current one? (My guess would be yes.) I personally am leaning towards just getting a Consumer Reports subscription as we might be needing to make some other (non baby) big purchases this year.

I'm not planning on buying anything soon, but I'd like to start researching some things.

Thanks!

gimmietimmies · October 2012

Consumer Reports is great for cars, electronics, household items, etc. not so good for car seats. They don't disclose their testing methods so you'd have no idea if the crash testing they did was NHSTA compliant. The comparisons they make between the seats have nothing to do with the biggest issues which are fit of the seat to the car, fit to the child, longevity of the seat, expiry, and then factor those against price and ease of use. They often give unfavorable ratings to the more expensive seats, when they may actually be a better bargain given that some have higher height limits and longer expiry, so the cost per year is actually less.

I'd stick to the Baby Bargains book for every thing else, and car-seat.org for the car seat.

BLPL101 · October 2012

I used both when I was researching.

Wish82 · October 2012

gimmietimmies:
Consumer Reports is great for cars, electronics, household items, etc. not so good for car seats. They don't disclose their testing methods so you'd have no idea if the crash testing they did was NHSTA compliant. The comparisons they make between the seats have nothing to do with the biggest issues which are fit of the seat to the car, fit to the child, longevity of the seat, expiry, and then factor those against price and ease of use. They often give unfavorable ratings to the more expensive seats, when they may actually be a better bargain given that some have higher height limits and longer expiry, so the cost per year is actually less.
I'd stick to the Baby Bargains book for every thing else, and car-seat.org for the car seat.

I had no clue. Thanks so much for that info.

janecanadian · October 2012

I found some of the reviews in Baby Bargains to be pretty subjective so I did use it a bit but took it with a grain of salt. Do as much of your own research as you can. For example, we were looking at a Storkcraft Tuscany crib from Walmart. Baby Bargains gave Storkcraft cribs a blanket "C" or "D" rating (I can't remember now which it was). The only explanation provided for the poor rating was that it was because of the recent drop-side crib recall that Storkcraft went through. Well the Tuscany model is not a drop-side, and it is a very sturdy and attractive piece of furniture. It was great value for the money as I think it was less than $150. So why the poor review? Who knows. I found a few other reviews like that in Baby Bargains.

MissHoppy · October 2012

I use both. We bought a subscription to Consumer Reports online when we started researching baby gear -- but also ended up buying a new car this summer, so it definitely has paid off.

Consumer Reports generally reviews fewer models (there's only a dozen or so cribs, 6 pack and plays, etc). Baby Bargains has a much more thorough listing. However, my understanding is that Baby Bargains does not actually test products the way Consumer Reports does. We basically have used both, and relied more heavily on Consumer Reports for things like carseats, and more heavily on Baby Bargains for things that are less safety-related.

gimmietimmies · October 2012

Wish82:
gimmietimmies:
Consumer Reports is great for cars, electronics, household items, etc. not so good for car seats. They don't disclose their testing methods so you'd have no idea if the crash testing they did was NHSTA compliant. The comparisons they make between the seats have nothing to do with the biggest issues which are fit of the seat to the car, fit to the child, longevity of the seat, expiry, and then factor those against price and ease of use. They often give unfavorable ratings to the more expensive seats, when they may actually be a better bargain given that some have higher height limits and longer expiry, so the cost per year is actually less.
I'd stick to the Baby Bargains book for every thing else, and car-seat.org for the car seat.
I had no clue. Thanks so much for that info.

I only suspected when I was looking at it last year, then asked the techs on car-seat.org, as they sit in on a lot of in services and training, and sometimes with the manufacturers, so they really know their stuff. I went to ask about why the seat I was considering was rated so poorly, and that is when they told me of their "love" for CR. all seats have to pass a minimum set of standards in order to be sold and the test results beyond pass or fail can't be published. So regardless of what CR says, you're getting a safe seat, as long as its installed correctly and being used correctly, kwim?

The site that used to be up to say what seat works beat in each make of car is gone, but they can give you a few good options based on your vehicle and budget.

sweetMay119 · October 2012

Check your public library for the latest BB book, ours had it!

Angela814 · October 2012

sweetMay119:
Check your public library for the latest BB book, ours had it!

I was going to suggest this! Also, definitely search car-seat.org for any car seat info. I don't think any book can keep up to date in that area since new seats come out often.

GirlWithTheMostCake · October 2012

When it comes to baby products...both are not very good. They both have a for profit agenda. One is written by a couple who has no business being in the baby book writing business and the other favors specific products because they are mid priced. It's not accurate. I honestly think friends, family and your own testing of products is the best option.

HALFM00N · October 2012

GirlWithTheMostCake:
When it comes to baby products...both are not very good. They both have a for profit agenda. One is written by a couple who has no business being in the baby book writing business and the other favors specific products because they are mid priced. It's not accurate. I honestly think friends, family and your own testing of products is the best option.

Haha so true! I work for CR now and that's something I've always brought up. Recommendations are great but do your own research on what works for you, and also research on what the flaws that are being reported are. That said, I do prefer CR over BB, bc they offer more than baby products. BB even references CR at times.

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