Why do parents continue to buy Graco?

Question

I looked up the recaled baby items.The travel systems, car seats, swings, basinets, and play yard slash changing tables.They get the most recalls.I also hear about their recalls on the news.Putting all that aside in my own mind I when I went shoping for travel systems many time I did my own little strength test. I shook , leaned on and pulled on the items they have set out for display. I checked Graco, Evenflo, Eddie Bouer, and some other generic brands. Graco had the most unstable products, Evenflo did really well, and Eddie Bouer was the strongest . So why do people buy unsafe ?

Answer 1

Finally!!! Someone else who has seen and recognized all the crap that Graco puts on the market! I can't believe sometimes the recalls that I see from this company. And it's not just lately, they have a history of careless workmanship. It's outrageous!!! I hope other parents research products before they buy.

Answer 2

Crib $600 can easily get one under 200 Crib mattress $300 less then 100 Crib sheets $200 spent 20 on mine Bassinet: $200 less then 100 Mobile $150 about 50 for nice electric one at walmart Rocking chair $600 less then 200 Diaper changing table $300 not sure dont have one, really don't need one it is just nice Diaper pail $60 again don't have one but I believe they are around 40 Baby books $100 more choice but that is a ton of books Baby monitor: $350 have a video moniter for 100 bucks Baby Clothing Pajamas, 5 pairs: $200 5 pairs would run between 50-70 Onesies, 5 to 10: $100 Gerber has 5 packs for 10 Play outfits, 5: $150 choice Sleep sack, 2: $80 10 bucks each Bibs, 5: $60 bibs are cheap 5 bucks for 3 Blankets, 4: $150 Get recieving bankets 15 for a four pack Other Baby Equipment Infant car seat and base: $450 mine was 150 and very nice Convertible car seat: $500 wont need it for a long time but I do have one in which I spent 150 as well Stroller: $800 less then 100 Play mat: $100 Swing: $250 the are that expensive for a very nice one Bouncer: $175 mine is cute and nice, 50 bucks Soft or musical toys: $100 Sling or other baby carrier: $150 I have a front baby carrier and it was 25 Baby Care and Feeding Bathtub: $60 20 bucks max Baby shampoo and lotion: $50 these only add to about 10 Bath towels and washrags: $60 25 max Humidifier: $100 dont have one. dont really need it Pacifiers, 4: $30 they give you one at the hospital but they are only like 5 bucks Bottles, set of 6: $60set of three of nuk is 10 Bottle brush: $25 2 bucks Baby spoons and bowls: $50 20 bucks max, they arent expensive Safety gates: $275 not sure You are way off. These prices are insane. A young teen parents does not need to be spending this kind of money. Save the money where you can and buy diapers, that is what you need most.

Answer 3

Well, you have to remember that those items were made for babies not adults. I have a Graco Pack 'n Play and it took me forever to unsnap the sides so I could pack it. In Colorado I haven't heard of one product made by Graco being recalled. I did see one car seat flyer by Evenflow in Customer Service saying it was recalled. Graco is actually the best I've ever seen. Most people I see use them and nothing bad has ever happened, nothing on the news about baby items recalled.

People don't just buy it because it's cheap, they're reliable. There is nothing wrong with Graco, just people who think because it's a somewhat cheap brand it's no good. Some items can be defective even when others are perfectly fine. There's always that 1 in 1,000 (or whatever) chance that one can be defective or have something wrong. But Graco hasn't had one that my entire family in CO and KS has heard of.

Answer 4

I love my Graco stuff and it is definitely not the cheapest brand where I live but is reasonably priced. My travel system is awesome and has already survived 2 active boys, my swing is a life saver, we even took it camping. My pack'n'play is a breeze to set up, seems very secure and looks good too!

Graco is very pro-active in their recalls which can look bad until you actually check to see how many incidents occurred before the recall was issued. On some products you will see that their were no incidents, issues were discovered during their ongoing testing. I feel much better buying from a company that obviously has my baby's well being in mind if they will voluntarily recall items before issues happen, at the risk of looking like they make crap. Smart consumers know Graco is a good buy.

Answer 5

I have a Graco travel system - one of the most expensive ones they sell, I did my research and the safety ratings on my particular system were very good. When I had my seat installed by the Highway Patrol she even complimented me on my choice of base/seat because it was considered one of the safest on the market.

Also, you have to keep in mind that with recalls, a lot of times accidents could have been avoided if people follow the instructions and do not misuse the product. For instance - the Kolcraft play yard is being recalled because a baby strangled on the safety strap of the changing table part - but if it was used correctly and the changing table had been removed it never would have happened. In actuality misuse is the #1 cause of recalls, not defective product.

Answer 6

I don't personally buy graco but I do know alot of these recalls are to prevent lawsuits and also to prevent additional "stupidity" injuries. The reason for the recent playyard recall was the mother put a 10 month in the bottom of the play yard and left the changing table over the play yard instead of removing it or ensuring the straps didn't dangle down into the area where the child was playing. In all honesty it's horrible that the child had to pay for a mother's inability to see an obvious hazard to her son's life.


Also the most recent crib recall is caused by caregivers not putting the crib together according to instructions...If you place a piece on upside down it follows logically that the crib will be dangerous.

Answer 7

be careful with all your shaking and testing. Someone might later buy the floor model of the sample you've been abusing, take it home, put baby in it, and it will fall apart. Do you really want that on your conscience?
LOL
Just kidding.
Remember, everything is built in China for a reason. They save so much money with the slave labor over there, that they can afford to be sued a few times.
The cost-benefit-risk analysis has been carefully pondered for hours by the guys in suits n ties.
Not a single wobble or rattle goes unnoticed and accounted for. They know . They know indeed.

Answer 8

There is another way to look at this:

Graco recalls anything they see as potentially unsafe to protect babies from accidents. Just because they have the most recalls doesn't mean they are the least safe, it just means they recall more of their products that they see a problem or potential problem with. Other companies might not have as many recalls beause they choose not to recall potentially unsafe items. Graco chooses to recall more frequently to keep safe products out there on the market.

Just wanted to throw that viewpoint out there.

Answer 9

Some people will always buy whatever is cheapest. That is why Walmart is so popular. However, not all Graco products are 'cheap'. The carseat is wonderful and well rated. Many of the recalls are due to people who don't read instructions or improperly put things together.

Answer 10

I like Graco and When I was researching car seats I learned that their prducts are actually some of the safest out there. I also learned that eddie bauer car seat are a lot less safe and much more expensive. To each their ownis what I say.