nohomama
11-29-2004, 05:54 PM
When I was researching infant seats before the birth of my second daughter, Astrid, nearly everyone I spoke to and corresponded with suggested the Graco Snugride. A few folks recommended the Baby Trend Latch Loc but after reading that the install with a seatbelt wasn't as secure as it should be (our car doesn't have latch) I crossed that one off the list.
I did read a few reviews of the Snugride that mentioned too short straps but all where in reference to older models. I assumed that I wouldn't encounter the same problem with a new model. That was a bad assumption on my part.
I purchased this Snugride in July. I chose it above other models for it's features--Gracopedic foam, front adjusting harness straps, latch compatible, etc..
http://www.gracobaby.com/assets/images/product/8649MTR_s.jpg
I will say that up until the past few weeks I've loved this seat and have recommended it a number of times. However, the love affair is over.
We're due to see the doctor for a check-up in about a week and a half, so I'm not certain of Astrid's exact weight and height at the moment. To this point however, she's been measuring in about the 65th percentile so I am at least sure that at less than four months, Astrid is well under the seat's limits of 20 pounds and 26 inches. In the past few weeks though it's become more difficult to get her in and out of the seat and obvious that we won't be able to use the seat to those limits because the straps are too short.
When I called Graco customer service this afternoon to request the extension kit mentioned both here on the Baby Bargains site and on Graco's own site, I was told that it was only for older models that had this problem. When I responded that apparently it was still a problem on newer models the rep said the only thing she could do for me was to send me new straps to see if that solved the problem. After making it clear that I felt it unaccceptable that my child was "outgrowing" a $100+ infant seat while still well within Graco's published specs, I asked what would happen if new straps didn't solve the problem. I was then told in a non commital fashion that if that where the case I should call CS again and they "might" be able to do something for me.
I want to make it clear that this isn't an issue of bulky winter clothes. The CS rep tried to pawn the problem off on that but I've primarily been putting Astrid in the carseat with either a blanket or more recently, a Bundle Me.
Needless to say, I'm quite unhappy. I will reserve judment until I see if the new straps solve the problem but in the meantime I will no longer be recommending this seat. At this point, not only does it's design seem flawed but Graco's customer service leaves a lot to be desired.
I did read a few reviews of the Snugride that mentioned too short straps but all where in reference to older models. I assumed that I wouldn't encounter the same problem with a new model. That was a bad assumption on my part.
I purchased this Snugride in July. I chose it above other models for it's features--Gracopedic foam, front adjusting harness straps, latch compatible, etc..
http://www.gracobaby.com/assets/images/product/8649MTR_s.jpg
I will say that up until the past few weeks I've loved this seat and have recommended it a number of times. However, the love affair is over.
We're due to see the doctor for a check-up in about a week and a half, so I'm not certain of Astrid's exact weight and height at the moment. To this point however, she's been measuring in about the 65th percentile so I am at least sure that at less than four months, Astrid is well under the seat's limits of 20 pounds and 26 inches. In the past few weeks though it's become more difficult to get her in and out of the seat and obvious that we won't be able to use the seat to those limits because the straps are too short.
When I called Graco customer service this afternoon to request the extension kit mentioned both here on the Baby Bargains site and on Graco's own site, I was told that it was only for older models that had this problem. When I responded that apparently it was still a problem on newer models the rep said the only thing she could do for me was to send me new straps to see if that solved the problem. After making it clear that I felt it unaccceptable that my child was "outgrowing" a $100+ infant seat while still well within Graco's published specs, I asked what would happen if new straps didn't solve the problem. I was then told in a non commital fashion that if that where the case I should call CS again and they "might" be able to do something for me.
I want to make it clear that this isn't an issue of bulky winter clothes. The CS rep tried to pawn the problem off on that but I've primarily been putting Astrid in the carseat with either a blanket or more recently, a Bundle Me.
Needless to say, I'm quite unhappy. I will reserve judment until I see if the new straps solve the problem but in the meantime I will no longer be recommending this seat. At this point, not only does it's design seem flawed but Graco's customer service leaves a lot to be desired.