Mother says she received a used car seat after buying brand new
'We are working with our teams to understand how this occurred,' says Babies “R” Us
A mother of a newborn girl is warning parents to make sure the car seats they buy are brand new — after she says the one she ordered online arrived used and damaged.
Theresa Robinson, of Beaumont, Alta., ordered a new Britax B-Safe 35 infant car seat from Babies "R" Us on Sept. 5.
But she said the one that arrived had stains and crumbs in the cracks "where a kid had obviously been eating food in the car seat."
The seat, which cost $251.95, also had hair, scratches, and wear and tear from frequent use, she said.
"I'm a mom of a bunch of kids so I know what used car seats look like," said Robinson, who has four children. Her youngest, Mary, was born Sept. 11.
Robinson said what concerns her most is that another unsuspecting parent might receive a used or defective car seat and use it.
"I'd like to know how this could have happened so that it doesn't happen to other people," Robinson said.
Babies "R" Us, a division of Toys "R" Us Canada, told CBC it has a strict inspection process in place for returned items.
"Regrettably the process was not followed in this situation," Victoria Spada-Miele, manager of public relations and special events for Toys "R" Us Canada, told CBC in an email.
"We have been in contact with the customer and sincerely apologize for the experience," Spada-Miele added. "We are working with our teams to understand how this occurred and to ensure it does not happen again."
Robinson advises parents buying car seats to check that the date and serial number on the product matches what it says on the box.
On Monday, Robinson's husband, Jordan, exchanged the used car seat for a new one at a Toys "R" Us in Edmonton so they could take Mary home.