CPS techs. Expiration Date Question...So irritated with USA Baby

[TaChapm]

I went into USA Baby yesterday to look at the G Collection Graco Safeseat. It was on sale for $169 (about the same online) so I had almost decided to buy it but backed out at the last minute saying that I would probably wait until closer to my due date and get one with the newer manuf. date.

The manager clearly got upset and said that they don't even use expiration dates anymore so it was totally irrelavent when the carseat was made. He claimed that he used to be a CPS tech. When I asked him why they would put a date on the seat if it didn't matter he struck back with they don't even do that anymore. He said a Britax would last much longer than 6 years because of the 65 pound weight limit and was I just going to go out and buy 2 of them. UGH...Graco does in fact still stamp the expiration date on the bottom of the carseat! I know he has to be wrong but just thought I would check.

I am going to write a letter to the owners of the store to let them know about how he was more concerned about making the sale than keeping children safe. I can understang trying to make the sale on a crib etc. but telling people that it is perfectly safe to use a carseat past the expiration date is just plain stupid!

Does anyone have any information to back this up?

FWIW...I didn't buy the seat there. I came home and found it on sale at Baby Age for $129.99 (most are going for $169-$199) and I did buy it. I just couldn't pass up that good of a deal! :)

Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02
Tyler William 6-9-05
OMG!!! It's a GIRL!! Due September 5, 2006!

http://b4.lilypie.com/gzWfm8.png

http://b1.lilypie.com/kLMem8.png

http://bd.lilypie.com/UEZ3m8.png

[elliput]

Not a tech - but found this on the Graco website.

Question: What is the suggested life span of my car seat and why?
Answer: Car seats have a suggested life span of six years. With the changes in legislation, automobiles and technology, we suggest that a car seat be replaced upon its sixth year from the date of manufacture.

http://www.gracobaby.com/customerservice/faq_category.aspx?catID=1#144

I think that pretty much covers Graco's policy on seat expiration.

ETA - Similar information is provided in Britax's FAQs.

Q. How long can my child safety seat be used?
A. Britax recommends that the use of a child restraint be discontinued if the restraint is older than six years of age or has been in a severe crash. After six years, technology has changed, components degrade from the environment (depending on how and where stored), parts get lost or installed incorrectly, or instructions and labels may not be available or not legible. The restraint may be unsafe and should be destroyed.

[AtomicLush]

I'm not sure of a specific "expiration date" per se from the manufacturers...they just recommend a seat be replaced after how many years, but it's really still up to the parent. (Like an article that I pulled up that says the newer plastic doesn't begin to degrade until after 10 years, but CPS Tech Jules doesn't agree.)

[jeanum]

That USA Baby manager definitely didn't deserve your business and I'm glad you went elsewhere. Too bad this is what he is likely telling other parents who will take him at his word. Does he have older inventory to sell or what I wonder?

Graco seats do expire in 6 years as do many other brands, and it's not worth the risks to use an expired seat. I wouldn't use a seat beyond the manufacturer's expiration date personally and I wouldn't recommend it.

I have a Safe Seat 1 infant seat and I'm almost certain there's an expiration marked on it, but I can't double check it right now. My teething baby is at last settled for a lap nap and I don't want to move her because she won't nap otherwise :). I'll try to look later when she wakes up.

[jeanum]

Okay, it was a short nap since some door to door sales person ignored my "no soliciting" sign, rang my doorbell and woke the baby, sigh. I checked my Safe Seat 1 and it has "do not use after December 2011" in raised lettering on the bottom of the plastic seat shell. There's also a sticker on another part of the seat showing it was manufactured on 10/31/2005. I don't know if I would be brave enough to go back to USA Baby and show this to the manager on your Safe Seat 1 or on a display model, but he probably deserves it. :)

[TaChapm]

Oh...When I was there I wend around and pulled up at least 5 Graco seats including the Safeseat and showed them that they do in fact have the do not use after date stamped on them. He STILL said that they don't go by them anymore.

I called Britax and they were horrified that this man was selling their products and directed me to the Improtant Safety Information page where it clearly stated not to use it beyond 6 years after the Manuf. Date.

Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02
Tyler William 6-9-05
OMG!!! It's a GIRL!! Due September 5, 2006!

http://b4.lilypie.com/gzWfm8.png

http://b1.lilypie.com/kLMem8.png

http://bd.lilypie.com/UEZ3m8.png

[Joolsplus2]

Oh, I'm sure newer seats *are* better than older ones and *will* last longer... it's probably conservative for JPMA and others to say six years, when some others are 7 or 8....but then again, Britax has been making and testing and re-testing seats for decades, they probably have a fair grasp on what their seats can tolerate and why 6 years is a good expiration date :)
You know that picture of the smashed Evenflo? I saw that same model in a car today...with an overhead shield and some raunchy 90's teal cover (at least it was clean...?)...i couldn't help but imagine the straps ripping free next time grandma slams on the brakes... eeek.
Me? I'm all about promoting manual-reading and the prudent use of best practice... even if I know a seat isn't going to suddenly disintegrate at 6 yrs, I can't really say it too loudly.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[jeanum]

Oh good for you, so glad you showed him evidence on the actual seats. That guy has some nerve to stubbornly insist the opposite even when presented with the expiration markings on the seats. I'm curious to hear how the store owners respond to your letter. Maybe complaining to the manufacturers whose seats are sold there would also improve the customer service in store? If Britax was horrified about this when you called, Graco and other manufacturers likely would be too. I would hope they could do something to discourage misinformation from a vendor of their products.

[AtomicLush]

>I checked my Safe Seat 1 and it has "do not use
>after December 2011" in raised lettering on the bottom of the
>plastic seat shell. There's also a sticker on another part of
>the seat showing it was manufactured on 10/31/2005.

Weird! I have a SnugRide2 and it has the manufacture date on it, but no "do not use after" date. I stand corrected!