KCR4
06-26-2001, 06:40 PM
Does anybody know if the Century SmartFit Plus V (5-point) is heavier than the 3-point model? Or are they exactly the same except for the harness?
I just read an earlier posting about this product re: finding a 5-point, and thought I would add my experience to this board .... After reading in Baby Bargains about the Century SmartFit Plus, I set out to buy one with the 5-point harness. (I agree with Baby Bargains that the Avanta is too heavy!) I looked for SmartFit Plus seats at Babies R Us but they only carry 3-point models (product number 4529) for $49.99. I found a SmartFit Plus22 at Baby Depot/Burlington Coat Factory, but it was the LAST one -- the floor model, which I did not want to buy. I called Century several times over the course of several days, asking if they made a SmartFit Plus with a 5-point harness. I was told no. Nor does the Century Web site list such a product (other than the SmartFit Plus22, which must be disappearing?).
I spoke today to the USA Baby store in my area (Dallas suburbs). They said there IS a SmartFit Plus V (product number 4527) and they can order it for me for $79.99, but they don't carry them in the store. I called Century again; the rep first said NO the 4527 is 3-point, then changed her mind and said no, it's a new product (is this correct??) and that she had "almost no information about it, but she didn't know why."
I will have to order the SmartFit Plus V sight-unseen and wait several weeks for shipping (my due date is 6 weeks away). I'm trying to decide if I should do this.
What I can't figure out is why Century reps are so confused about this product, why it's not on their Web site, and why stores are not stocking it when the trend is towards 5-point infant seats??? It's been frustrating, because I'd be happy to buy a Graco SnugRide, but Century is selling an "EZ Latch" at Babies R Us ($25) that allows me to secure Century seats to my lower anchorage LATCH points. Graco does not have a retrofit for its car seats for the LATCH system.
I just read an earlier posting about this product re: finding a 5-point, and thought I would add my experience to this board .... After reading in Baby Bargains about the Century SmartFit Plus, I set out to buy one with the 5-point harness. (I agree with Baby Bargains that the Avanta is too heavy!) I looked for SmartFit Plus seats at Babies R Us but they only carry 3-point models (product number 4529) for $49.99. I found a SmartFit Plus22 at Baby Depot/Burlington Coat Factory, but it was the LAST one -- the floor model, which I did not want to buy. I called Century several times over the course of several days, asking if they made a SmartFit Plus with a 5-point harness. I was told no. Nor does the Century Web site list such a product (other than the SmartFit Plus22, which must be disappearing?).
I spoke today to the USA Baby store in my area (Dallas suburbs). They said there IS a SmartFit Plus V (product number 4527) and they can order it for me for $79.99, but they don't carry them in the store. I called Century again; the rep first said NO the 4527 is 3-point, then changed her mind and said no, it's a new product (is this correct??) and that she had "almost no information about it, but she didn't know why."
I will have to order the SmartFit Plus V sight-unseen and wait several weeks for shipping (my due date is 6 weeks away). I'm trying to decide if I should do this.
What I can't figure out is why Century reps are so confused about this product, why it's not on their Web site, and why stores are not stocking it when the trend is towards 5-point infant seats??? It's been frustrating, because I'd be happy to buy a Graco SnugRide, but Century is selling an "EZ Latch" at Babies R Us ($25) that allows me to secure Century seats to my lower anchorage LATCH points. Graco does not have a retrofit for its car seats for the LATCH system.