Baby Universe - Find what your baby needs!
Written: Nov 01 '04 (Updated Dec 31 '04)
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My baby started school this year. To make things a little easier for him, I pack his lunch each day. Zack is very selective on what he will and won't eat. He won't eat anything squishy or anything he doesn't recognize. Hey, I've seen cafeteria food and I KNOW some of it he won't recognize!
Zack, for some reason, loves Beefaroni. I buy those little microwave cups for him. In the cafeteria, where he eats, this can pose a small problem. When he tries to use a spoon, which he is still mastering, it causes the bowl to slide around the table. He won't use his other hand to hold the bowl, so his teachers have to help him eat his lunch. To help make him more independent, they asked if I would be willing to buy some toddler bowls with the suction cups on the bottom to help hold the bowl in place. Of course I would! I had seen them in stores, so I went out to pick up a couple.
That was the problem. I couldn't find those bowls anywhere! I checked four stores and they were all out. Either they're a horrible seller or suddenly there was a run on them and I missed out. I did a search for them on Yahoo it brought up my bowls on the Baby Universe site. I had heard of this site before, but had never used it.
Baby Universe has just about any baby need you could think of, from what I have seen. The site is super easy to navigate. There is a menu across the top...
~Baby
~Toddler
~Youth
~Maternity
~Boutique
~Holiday
...as well as down the left side. The one down the left side is more specific. The categories are as follows.
~Search
Browse
~Baby Registry
~On Sale!
~Free Shipping
~Shop By Brand
Departments
~Apparel
~Bathing
~Bedding
~Books
~Car Seats
~Diapering
~Feeding
~Furniture
~Gift Center
~Healthcare
~Jewelry
~Music & Video
~Personalize It
~Room Decor
~Safety
~Strollers
~Toys
~Travel
Helpful Hints
~Customer Service
~Affiliate Program
~Contact Us
~Help Desk
~Returns
~Security
~Shipping
~Store Directory
~Buyer's Guides
~Parent's Checklist
The site itself is in white, pastel green and purple. There is a lot of info on the homepage, but I don't think it's overly busy. The whole middle of the page are icons for different departments for the site, with some sale ads down the right.
Since what I wanted came up to the exact page thru the search engine, I told it I wanted 3 and added them to my cart by clicking "buy now". It then took me to my shopping cart, complete with some "suggestive selling" items that I also might need. Since I didn't need anything else, I am a dangerous impulse shopper, I clicked the "check out" button instead of the "continue shopping" button.
Since I was a new shopper, I have to put in my email address as "this is my first Baby Universe purchase on the "Welcome to Checkout" page. Under that is for returning shoppers to put in their email address and password. You could choose to instead check the "I don't have an email address" button, but I prefer them to email me my purchasing info.
This is where you enter your personal information. Name, address, and so on. You also double check your shopping cart in case you changed your mind on anything. This is also the point where you tell them if and which items you would like gift wrapped for $3 per item. The gift card is free and you type what you would like it to say at the bottom. Since these were "to me, from me", I didn't have them wrapped.
Next comes shipping options. It is kind of nice that shipping is a flat rate. It breaks down as follows:
~Ground - $6.95
~3 Day Express - $17.48
~2 Day Express - $19.96
~Next Day - $34.60
I wasn't in a huge hurry, and I am cheap, so I went with the Ground shipping. Again, at the bottom, is your shopping cart, allowing any changes. I just hit the "continue" button.
Next is Payment and Registration. Here is where you see your order total, add any promotional codes you might have, and enter your credit card info. They accept American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.
Here they also offer a "Bill me Later" plan, which credits you back your $6.95 shipping charge. I did not choose this. I know that I would end up forgetting about it. I would rather be charged now so I don't have to worry about it later, even if it saves me almost $7. They charge the shipping, but then credit it back once you are approved. You are subject to credit approval and must be a U.S. customer and at least 18 years of age or older. You can pay if off in full or make payments with regular interest charges.
If you decide you would rather not give your credit card info, or maybe you don't have one, you can select to call in your credit card number, fax your payment info in or you can select to mail in a check or money order thru the mail. Once you select your password, you're on to a final chance to either order or cancel.
I placed my order on October 20 at around midnight. I received an order confirmation almost immediately in my email. On Oct 22, I received the email stating that my package had been shipped via Fed Ex, and they included my tracking information. I received my package on Oct 29.
My package arrive fine. The box was just large enough to hold all 3 of my bowls without any padding. They were in the same packaging they would be in on a store shelf. The only thing I didn't care for was that my box was sent Fed Ex. It isn't Baby Universe's fault, really, but our Fex Ed people get in a hurry. They hit the doorbell once, dropped my package on the step (I heard it fall to the ground) and were in their truck pulling away when I opened the door. They didn't even wait for me to open the stupid door! All I had to do was unlock it! They must have ran back to the truck because it didn't take me long to get the door open. We have a common entrance to our apartments, so I heard the box hit the floor in the hallway. If it had been something breakable I would have really been ticked. UPS hasn't done this to me with my orders, just our Fed Ex people. I don't know if this is common or not, for Fed Ex, but I would have preferred to either pick my own transportation means, if possible.
All in all I had a very good experience shopping with Baby Universe. I would have no problem shopping thru them again for either myself or for a gift, since they will ship to another address if I so desire. I did notice, while writing this Epinion, that their selection is a little limited, but that often happens with an online store.
Next time you need a baby gift, or just need something baby related, give Baby Universe a try! Their shipping costs are fair and they keep you in the loop via your email!
DOH! As a side note, if you do rewards programs, MyPoints offers 2 points per dollar spent. Of course, I didn't notice this until AFTER I placed my order. UGH!
www.babyuniverse.com
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Toddler Bowls
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Epinions.com ID:
LisaDo
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Member: Lisa D
Location: Back home in Indiana!
Reviews written: 552
Trusted by: 273 members
About Me:
Proud SAHM, Navy wife and member of SHLEPS!
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