Specialty store, chain store or ebay?

[Teeki]

I'm getting really excited right now, because in two weeks we're going to start looking for baby stuff, hooray! We want to buy a few things too, I can't wait!! I'm just wondering though, where is the best place to get this stuff from?

There is a Babies'R'Us near here, as well as Target and KMart, then of course there's eBay. I'm just thinking, Babies'R'Us obviously has a lot of stuff, but is it going to cost more and be worth it? Will Target and KMart have enough range? We're happy to go with eBay too, but as a lot of goods are pick up only and nowhere near us it's not a great option.

What would you recommend?

[~Hestia~]

I guess it depends on wha kind of things you're wanting to buy. I got all the blankets and clothes etc from the bigger chain stores like Target and BigW. But for the furniture we put it all on layby at a baby store. They gave us a great discount and we could pay it off through direct deposit or credit card. Not having to go into the shop to pay was just so easy! I also found that this particular store was cheaper than others, got a few other things like carseat from there too and they always knocked quite a bit off.

Try 2nd hand stores too, I got Moo's cradle from an online pre loved shop and it was just what we were looking for and in such great condition! Friends of mine have great success with op shops and you wouldn't even know they were wearing 2nd hand clothes.

But anyway, just shop around while you can and know your prices. Then you'll know whether you're getting a bargain or not. And don't be afraid to tell the shops what you've found elsewhere price wise, that's how I got such great discounts at the store we used! Hope that was of some help to you!

[OceanPrincess]

I have found Babies r us to be more expensive, yes. It might only be $10 or $20 but when you are buying lots, it all adds up.

Is there a Baby Bunting near you? That's where I went and they were great, like CM they gave me a package price.

[MrsBexie]

Kmart is great for cheap stuff and good maternity clothes too, Target is pretty good but a little bit more expensive than Kmart, BabiesRus has a great range and is pretty well priced for most things, some baby shops are awesome and some are ridiculous so you just have to shop around and look out for sales!

With things like towels/face washers etc I found that if it was specifically for a baby it was heaps more expensive than just buying a few normal towels, packs of face washers etc... I got our nursery set (10 pieces) from Ebay for $160 inc postage, it would have cost me like $300-$400 if I had have bought from a baby shop!!! It was sooo much cheaper and had everything we needed! Same with wall decals, ebay was the best!

Oh and if you find things on sale that you like, buy them, don't wait because I have missed out on some really good prices because I wanted to wait to see if anything better came up... oops! lol...

And I am very excited for you!!! I LOVE baby shopping! Especially buying nursery sets etc

[Teeki]

Thanks for the tips We'll be going to a shopping centre type place where the Babies'R'Us is, and I did see another baby store there - it could be a Baby Buntings? Will defnitely check it out. I had planned on checking out Babaies'R'Us mainly to get an idea of what we want because I've been told they have a huge range, then looking around for the best price. The problem is DH, he's such a shopper! It's been a nightmare holding him off this long, he wants to buy everything ASAP lol

I reckon all your tips about the smaller things are great though - we'll definitely go to eBay and check out Target to see if things are cheaper

[AliBaby]

Babies r us have an online catalogue so you can check that out and make note of some things you want to have a look at. have fun

[Teeki]

Babies r us have an online catalogue so you can check that out and make note of some things you want to have a look at. have fun

They used to have an awesome catalogue! Seemed like it included everything in the shop, lol. Even before we were trying I loved looking at that catalogue, which I guess helps because I have a good idea of what I want now

[nickle730]

If you buy furniture or prams second hand ensure that they comply with the appropriate Australian Standards. Avoid second hand car seats or capsules unless you are buying/borrowing from someone you know and are certain it has NEVER been involved in an accident (even a minor one).

Have fun, I love baby shopping!

ETA Sids and Kids now recommend that you do not use second hand mattresses in cots or cradles.

[luna moth]

If you buy furniture or prams second hand ensure that they comply with the appropriate Australian Standards. Avoid second hand car seats or capsules unless you are buying/borrowing from someone you know and are certain it has NEVER been involved in an accident (even a minor one).

Agreed. Except for the red brakes on prams Standard. Brakes don't need to be red to be safe. They need to be used.

[~Kim~]

Guess it depends on how important labels re to you and how much money you have to spend hun.
Baby shopping is supposed to be fun, so enjoy it.

[*Sparklez*]

i went to bigger shops for my baby furniture as i had a bad experience with babies r us n i dont think id buy it from there again but i did buy the littler things from there..
target n kmart are also good for the little things too so is ebay i find myself browsing there alot..
as for baby buntings that place rocks i love it!! it opened around here maybe 4 months ago n i never knew till 2 months ago but i went n got some great stuff at awesome prices..

[Teeki]

I just looked up Baby Bunting, and there's one in the same centre as Babies'R'Us Hooray, we'll go to both! Gonna be a fun weekend for me lol.

[*Sparklez*]

in the end like a pp said its meant to be fun so go enjoy and believe me ull wanna go crazy!!! i love baby shoppingits one of my fav shopping times...

[Teeki]

in the end like a pp said its meant to be fun so go enjoy and believe me ull wanna go crazy!!! i love baby shoppingits one of my fav shopping times...

Yep, we'll definitely be having fun Good chance we'd go over a budget if we went too wild, so we've decided the first thing we want to buy is a 3 in 1 cot, and we'll build the rest of the nursery around that. Plus DH wants to buy a few tiny little clothes cos he loves how cute they are lol.

Thanks for the tips re second hand stuff I definitely want a brand new car seat, I'd rather just not take the risk. And as for other bigger second hand stuff on eBay, it usually all says pick up only and it's never near us. So might stick with eBay for decoration type things I reckon. Plus I only have one good friend who's recently had a kids and she lives on the complete opposite side of Aus, so unfortunately isn't much help!

[ShootingStar]

Clothes, i always wait until theres sales.. or like Target or Kmart have 20% off or something. Theres always a "Baby Week" every 6 months or so too which has great deals. As for furniture/bedding etc etc.. go and have a look at what BabiessRus have. If you find something you like, then google or look on ebay and see if you can get it cheaper. I found a bedding set i liked which BabiesRUs have too. Was going to get it on ebay but then babiesrus had it on special for $99 (down from $150). So yeh find what you like and look around. Still plenty of time to grab a bargin.

[melbel]

we got our cot and changetable dresser from babies r us......they regularly have a 30% off timber furniture sale, like every 2-3 months so if you see one you like and then wait for the sale...we saved over $500 all up on those two items and a deluxe rocker/glider chair.........