Reader Janet O. writes in today about her experience with a shopping cart cover company we recommended in our last book:
Hi Denise and Alan,
About two months ago, I wrote you saying that I was having trouble ordering a chubby seat as recommended by your book, Baby Bargains. You kindly responded and I managed to order one on Aug 31st. I should have listened to my gut when I was having trouble ordering that this could be trouble. I am still waiting to receive the item (over 2 months later). It was a whopping $57 when you add shipping. I have emailed and only got an auto replies about illness in family, then the number they recommended is no longer in service. I have contacted Paypal about the purchase, but I am concerned that I have totally lost my $57.00.
I am about ready to go public with this fraud as A. Mankel is on facebook, but I thought I will wait to see how paypal will handle this. There is NO WAY to contact these people. I'll give it a week before trying facebook.
I wanted to send out a warning to anyone who fell in love with these seats. I am sorry that things aren't going well for them, but they shouldn't take your money if they can't provide the items.
Still love Baby Bargains.
Janet O.
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Hello,
I too am having trouble with an order I’ve placed with Chubby Seats in the beginning of September. At that time, Paypal was no longer working (should have been my first hint), but since I’d already mailed them my custom fabric (as directed on their website), I just mailed a check to her address. I’ve tried contacting them through email and phone messages with no reply besides the automated email response. My check was deposited by Ange, so I know she received it.
I totally agree with the above letter and was actually going to let you all know this week as well if I still hadn’t heard anything from Chubby Seats. If they are unable to provide a product, then they should no longer have their website working, and should especially not accept potential customer’s money!
Thanks,
Kristin
Hello,
I too am having trouble with an order I’ve placed with Chubby Seats in the beginning of September. At that time, Paypal was no longer working (should have been my first hint), but since I’d already mailed them my custom fabric (as directed on their website), I just mailed a check to her address. I’ve tried contacting them through email and phone messages with no reply besides the automated email response. My check was deposited by Ange, so I know she received it.
I totally agree with the above letter and was actually going to let you all know this week as well if I still hadn’t heard anything from Chubby Seats. If they are unable to provide a product, then they should no longer have their website working, and should especially not accept potential customer’s money!
Thanks,
Kristin
Hi, I actually did order a Chubby seat this March 2009 and finally got one about 12 weeks later. I did write to them several times with that automatic reply and also called several times. I too was concerned since my credit card was charged right away.
But, I was actually able to talk to the lady a couple times who was very apologetic. She also did write back to me through that same email address so I know that they are being checked. I don’t know what strange medical problem she and her kids have, but it seems to lay her up for weeks at a time. She did let me know a week ahead of time before the product was being shipped. I paid $65 for mine. Overall, we’re pretty happy with how the cover looks and the design is cool because the cushion folds into a bag that’s a part of it. But the product was definitely made in a hurry. The holes where the straps go through should probably be stitched because they are loose edges that are fraying. One side of stitching on the main cushion also unraveled right away. We washed the cover once and the color completely faded. The few times we’ve used it, it’s worked well, but I don’t think that it would hold up for frequent users. It would definitely not survive two children. The only reason I would order from them again is because I’m sympathetic to people with medical problems and she seems really earnest and is trying to earn a living.
But, for the price and unknown wait time, the product is not a good deal. She should at least wait to charge for the product when it’s ready to ship so that people don’t get the impression that the website is a scam.
Hi, I actually did order a Chubby seat this March 2009 and finally got one about 12 weeks later. I did write to them several times with that automatic reply and also called several times. I too was concerned since my credit card was charged right away.
But, I was actually able to talk to the lady a couple times who was very apologetic. She also did write back to me through that same email address so I know that they are being checked. I don’t know what strange medical problem she and her kids have, but it seems to lay her up for weeks at a time. She did let me know a week ahead of time before the product was being shipped. I paid $65 for mine. Overall, we’re pretty happy with how the cover looks and the design is cool because the cushion folds into a bag that’s a part of it. But the product was definitely made in a hurry. The holes where the straps go through should probably be stitched because they are loose edges that are fraying. One side of stitching on the main cushion also unraveled right away. We washed the cover once and the color completely faded. The few times we’ve used it, it’s worked well, but I don’t think that it would hold up for frequent users. It would definitely not survive two children. The only reason I would order from them again is because I’m sympathetic to people with medical problems and she seems really earnest and is trying to earn a living.
But, for the price and unknown wait time, the product is not a good deal. She should at least wait to charge for the product when it’s ready to ship so that people don’t get the impression that the website is a scam.
I bought a Chubby Seat a little over a year ago, and I also bought a Buggy Bagg through a third party on Amazon. The Buggy Bagg is much better. It’s easy to put on, easy to put away, and it has handy pockets. The BuggyBagg velcos around the crotch post, making it stable and providing good coverage. The Chubby Seat was a real pain to pack and unpack into the pocket attached for that purpose, and the leg holes slipped around. I’d highly recommend BuggyBaggs instead of Chubby Seats.
I bought a Chubby Seat a little over a year ago, and I also bought a Buggy Bagg through a third party on Amazon. The Buggy Bagg is much better. It’s easy to put on, easy to put away, and it has handy pockets. The BuggyBagg velcos around the crotch post, making it stable and providing good coverage. The Chubby Seat was a real pain to pack and unpack into the pocket attached for that purpose, and the leg holes slipped around. I’d highly recommend BuggyBaggs instead of Chubby Seats.