Success with "cheap" car seats?

Bucks County Newlywed 808 · August 2013

Hey chickies. We have to buy an extra convertible carseat for our nanny. We have the Britax Marathon and I love it, but I really don't want to spend that amount on a second one. I'm looking at Target.com and they have some Greco's and Cosco's for like, $80!! I obviously don't want to skimp on safety standards, so I'm asking if anyone has one of these less expensive models and likes it? Thanks!

notreal2 · August 2013

All car seats have to pass the same safety standards. You are paying for other bells and whistles like length of time the kid can rear face and comfort. As far as safety, there is no difference in car seats, legally, there can't be.

And now, of course, there will be the stream of people who come on here and say I am wrong. I'm not. Ask this on the baby gear page, there are techs on there who will say the same thing.

bumpuser1509193 · August 2013

While you are correct that they meet a minimum safety rating, some seats like the alpha omega for instance do not fit a small child properly nor is it recommend for use as a booster seat.
We got a graco for free from our insurance company. I am not a fan.
There is a carseat safety group on Facebook, they all seem to be technicians or in the process of getting certified, I would check there too.

RTaylor12 · August 2013

My bff has a convertible seat she bought from WalMart.com (I think it's online only) for around $70 and she and her daughter love it. It's their primary car seat, too. She reports it's very comfy and sturdy.

Found it...https://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-Guide-65-Sport-Convertible-Car-Seat-Athens/19514414?findingMethod=rr

nicolepatricia87 · August 2013

We got the Cosco one for DH's car for $50ish. It serves the purpose since he's only used it a handful of times.

reinedecajun · August 2013

I use a cosco seat as my main seat. I know ill burn in bad mommy hell one day. I got it at Target had no issues with it at all. Paid like $60 for it.

lnd1031 · August 2013

i personally think ntreal...whatever is ksallgrownup. my 2 cents worth...

Glad this thread was posted though...I'd been wondering the same.

bumpuser1509193 · August 2013

Trixi282 said:

All car seats have to pass the same safety standards. You are paying for other bells and whistles like length of time the kid can rear face and comfort. As far as safety, there is no difference in car seats, legally, there can't be.

And now, of course, there will be the stream of people who come on here and say I am wrong. I'm not. Ask this on the baby gear page, there are techs on there who will say the same thing.

Really, that's what you're worried about.... not going to flame you for saying something that's technically true... but why are you posting under your AE. Just come out of hiding already.

Anyway, to answer your question. We got a Safety 1st convertible one from Buy Buy baby for MH's car since she's so rarely in his car. It was around $100, and we were able to use the 20% off coupon which was nice. I think it's the Alpha Omega Elite or something - there is a similar one at BRU and Target, but each has their own "exclusive" version I think. It's basic and not quite as squishy as other seats, but it does the trick and it's just as safe as others!

Good luck!

I feel that statement is misleading. That's like saying every car on the road is equally safe because they all have to pass safety tests. Some cars are safer than others, and the same applies to car seats. But that's just my 2 cents.

Bucks County Newlywed 808 · August 2013

Thanks, gals! Thanks for the advice. Went to Target today and they had nothing in stock under $200 SOOO I'm gonna go ahead and do some web shopping. I'll check out the Roundabout and the others that were mentioned.

And, just to make everyone laugh....I leave you with a quote that my mom said to me on the phone last week.....

"Did you see how they put Prince George in his carseat?? How terrible!!! Well....now that I think about it....I held you in my arms on the way home from the hospital. I did the same thing with your sister, too.....but in the front seat." annnnnnd.......scene.

jenosbo · August 2013

We have and safety first alpha omega that is sold at both Costco and SAMs club for 90 or maybe a little less. It was a pain to in stall in my husbands accord so we put it in out pilot and it fits great. So make sure if you can that whatever you get isn't a big bulky thing if you have a small- mid size car

BubbaJug · August 2013

We just bought the roundabout for $130 on amazon for DH's car, and I like it so much better than my MUCH pricier Diono. Though she can RF till she's like... 14 in that thing.

Bucks County Newlywed 808 · August 2013

Hmmm........ is this one too good to be true? Some of you gave the thumbs up to EvenFlo and the reviews are good on it......

https://www.target.com/p/evenflo-tribute-lx-saturn/-/A-13979713#

I'll have to see further info on it on their own website. Holla!

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