We’ve been beating up Babies R Us for the last few weeks over the Jardine recall, so let’s take a second to applaud the chain when they do something right: reader Elizabeth F. writes in today with word of a free (and unadvertised) bottle exchange program at BRU.
As you remember, BRU (along with other major retailers) announced they were phasing out polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA in the coming year. But what if you bought $100 worth of BPA bottles before they made that announcement? Elizabeth writes:
I heard something from a mom in my playgroup that Babies R Us was allowing customers to bring in their BPA containing bottles of any brand, and exchange them for BPA-free bottles at no cost. I thought that was too good to be true, but I thought it was worth a try. I sent my husband in with 9 bottles, a mix of Avent and Dr. Brown’s – and he came home with 9 new BPA free Dr. Brown’s bottles for free! It is true.
All you have to do is bring in complete bottle assemblies – caps, nipples, bottle, etc. – and BRU will exchange them, bottle per bottle, for any BPA free bottle. It is quite amazing. I thought your readers might be interested in this, as BRU has not published anything on their website or advertised this policy to my knowledge. I wouldn’t have known about it if that mom hadn’t told me. I hope you find this info useful.
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This BRU program varies by store. My local store will only do an exchange of bottles if you have the original receipt… not too helpful for those of us who bought the bottles months ago. I keep calling them to see if they have changed the policy yet, but no such luck. I have talked to moms in other states and have found the same thing– some stores will take them back, no questions asked, others require the receipt.
This BRU program varies by store. My local store will only do an exchange of bottles if you have the original receipt… not too helpful for those of us who bought the bottles months ago. I keep calling them to see if they have changed the policy yet, but no such luck. I have talked to moms in other states and have found the same thing– some stores will take them back, no questions asked, others require the receipt.
This is true for my Babies R Us in Fort Worth. However, something that is not mentioned above:
They will give you full price for the bottle you are returning, but that does not mean you can just pick any bottle at any price for no cost.
If your Dr.Brown cost $4.99, they will give you $4.99 towards a new bottle.
They also rung up my bottles in their favor. For example, I had 3 Dr.Brown bottles so they rang that up as a 3 pack of bottles. However they only had non-Bpa Dr.Brown bottles sold in singles, so they were more expensive. In the end it cost me $20 to exchange my bottles, while it was not “free” as some people have stated, it was still a reasonable price to pay for exchanging used bottles with no receipt.
I just wanted to make sure people understood this, as some of the non-BPA options are more expensive.
This is true for my Babies R Us in Fort Worth. However, something that is not mentioned above:
They will give you full price for the bottle you are returning, but that does not mean you can just pick any bottle at any price for no cost.
If your Dr.Brown cost $4.99, they will give you $4.99 towards a new bottle.
They also rung up my bottles in their favor. For example, I had 3 Dr.Brown bottles so they rang that up as a 3 pack of bottles. However they only had non-Bpa Dr.Brown bottles sold in singles, so they were more expensive. In the end it cost me $20 to exchange my bottles, while it was not “free” as some people have stated, it was still a reasonable price to pay for exchanging used bottles with no receipt.
I just wanted to make sure people understood this, as some of the non-BPA options are more expensive.
My husband was able to “return” old Dr. Brown’s bottles for a giftcard. He went to Toys R Us…the Babies R Us in the area was only doing an exchange. The giftcard gives a lot of flexibility, since we’d already bought the new BPA-free bottles.
My husband was able to “return” old Dr. Brown’s bottles for a giftcard. He went to Toys R Us…the Babies R Us in the area was only doing an exchange. The giftcard gives a lot of flexibility, since we’d already bought the new BPA-free bottles.
Do you know how recent the bottles have to be? If I still have bottles from my son who was born in 2005 will they exchange them for BPA free bottles for my next child?
Do you know how recent the bottles have to be? If I still have bottles from my son who was born in 2005 will they exchange them for BPA free bottles for my next child?
At our BRU the bottles just had to be ones that they carried. We did not need a receipt. I exchanged all my daughter’s bottles from 2005 for new BPA-free bottles for the baby we’re expecting. At our BRU they would only let us exchange them for BPA-free bottles, nothing else. I was very happy as I was planning on buying new bottles for this baby. They gave me $66 in credit for my bottles.
At our BRU the bottles just had to be ones that they carried. We did not need a receipt. I exchanged all my daughter’s bottles from 2005 for new BPA-free bottles for the baby we’re expecting. At our BRU they would only let us exchange them for BPA-free bottles, nothing else. I was very happy as I was planning on buying new bottles for this baby. They gave me $66 in credit for my bottles.
Has anyone contacted Babies R Us Corporate to determine how long they plan to have this policy in place? I have a whole set of Avent bottles and I’ve been happy with them. I’m not really interested in switching to Dr. Brown’s or the glass Born Free bottles. I figure it’s just a matter of time before Avent comes out with a BPA-free bottle… I’d love to wait but I’m afraid to miss out on the opportunity!
Has anyone contacted Babies R Us Corporate to determine how long they plan to have this policy in place? I have a whole set of Avent bottles and I’ve been happy with them. I’m not really interested in switching to Dr. Brown’s or the glass Born Free bottles. I figure it’s just a matter of time before Avent comes out with a BPA-free bottle… I’d love to wait but I’m afraid to miss out on the opportunity!
I just went to my local TRU (Camp Hill, PA). The associate called the manager on her walkie-talkie and was told that as long as they sold the item, to issue a store credit. I had looked online ahead of time and wrote down the UPC code and Item #s, which helped speed the transaction along.
I retured 1 Avent, 11 Playtex Ventaire, and 12 Polycarbonate Dr. Brown’s Bottles and was given a full credit for all of them – $112! (I didn’t even return all of the bottles that we had purchased. I had 9 Dr. Brown’s bottles that were frequently used and had “scale” from hard water and we had thrown them away before we read about this exchange.) The Ventaire bottles my son had refused to take as a newborn, so they were a waste to me, but now I have a great credit.
This has done a lot to make me feel better about BRU/TRU after the Jardine recall. I’m still annoyed about our cribs. I don’t understand how they can be so flexible with the bottle exchange (they took everything back without receipts or packaging) and so inhospitable with the crib recall.
I asked how long they would be offering credit for the bottles and the associate had no idea. She didn’t even know if they were still giving credits for the bottles until she called the manager. I definitely think that TRU is probably more flexible than BRU and for us the nearest BRU is a 30 minute drive, so I am very thankful that they issued me the credit.
I just went to my local TRU (Camp Hill, PA). The associate called the manager on her walkie-talkie and was told that as long as they sold the item, to issue a store credit. I had looked online ahead of time and wrote down the UPC code and Item #s, which helped speed the transaction along.
I retured 1 Avent, 11 Playtex Ventaire, and 12 Polycarbonate Dr. Brown’s Bottles and was given a full credit for all of them – $112! (I didn’t even return all of the bottles that we had purchased. I had 9 Dr. Brown’s bottles that were frequently used and had “scale” from hard water and we had thrown them away before we read about this exchange.) The Ventaire bottles my son had refused to take as a newborn, so they were a waste to me, but now I have a great credit.
This has done a lot to make me feel better about BRU/TRU after the Jardine recall. I’m still annoyed about our cribs. I don’t understand how they can be so flexible with the bottle exchange (they took everything back without receipts or packaging) and so inhospitable with the crib recall.
I asked how long they would be offering credit for the bottles and the associate had no idea. She didn’t even know if they were still giving credits for the bottles until she called the manager. I definitely think that TRU is probably more flexible than BRU and for us the nearest BRU is a 30 minute drive, so I am very thankful that they issued me the credit.
We went to the BRU in dublin, CA and were told that they don’t do the exchange anymore – they stopped it two months ago.
We went to the BRU in dublin, CA and were told that they don’t do the exchange anymore – they stopped it two months ago.
I just did an exchange on 7/18 at BRU in Maine. I got dollar credit for each of the used 15 Dr. Brown polycarbonate bottles I returned. I then had to use that credit toward the purchase of any BPA-free bottle I wanted. The credit could only be used towards bottles and you had to pay the difference once you use up the credit. Ultimately, I got 9 born free bottles (3 triple packs) and paid $11 difference between my credit and the retail price of the triple packs.
I just did an exchange on 7/18 at BRU in Maine. I got dollar credit for each of the used 15 Dr. Brown polycarbonate bottles I returned. I then had to use that credit toward the purchase of any BPA-free bottle I wanted. The credit could only be used towards bottles and you had to pay the difference once you use up the credit. Ultimately, I got 9 born free bottles (3 triple packs) and paid $11 difference between my credit and the retail price of the triple packs.
I heard that BRU isn’t take anything without receipts anymore, do you know if that’s true????
I heard that BRU isn’t take anything without receipts anymore, do you know if that’s true????
I was at the BRU in Greensboro, NC today (8/2) and asked about this. They are doing the exchange until 8/10/2008. As this is the date their store policy changes for accepting returns.
While there I checked the bottles out and Avent now has BPA free bottles!!! Dr. Brown does as well, but they are only the 9oz and not the smaller ones.
I was at the BRU in Greensboro, NC today (8/2) and asked about this. They are doing the exchange until 8/10/2008. As this is the date their store policy changes for accepting returns.
While there I checked the bottles out and Avent now has BPA free bottles!!! Dr. Brown does as well, but they are only the 9oz and not the smaller ones.
I returned my bottles on 7/24 with no recipets or boxes. I first called to ask if they were doing this, and the associate I spoke with said they were not becuase they hadn’t been recalled and the purchase was a personal preference, but that if the items were on my registry or I had a recipet they would issue a return for store credit. However, when I got to the store, the manager who took my bottles said that they only needed to have been purchased at BRU to recieve the credit toward bpa-free bottles, but that obviously that didn’t really matter becuase they’re not requiring boxes or anything. Then, when I told the last manager who rang up my exchange that it was so great that they were doing it, she said (in kind of a snotty way) “well, it came down from corporate, so we kind of have to”. So my understanding of that statement would be that it’s a corporate policiy–so don’t be afraid to take those bottles in–sometimes the first person you talk to isn’t giving you the right info. If they don’t do it, I would ask to have them connect you to someone at corporate. I did this when my preemie son was born so that I could get the 10% registry completion coupon early and their corporate people were WAY more helpful than the store associates!
I returned my bottles on 7/24 with no recipets or boxes. I first called to ask if they were doing this, and the associate I spoke with said they were not becuase they hadn’t been recalled and the purchase was a personal preference, but that if the items were on my registry or I had a recipet they would issue a return for store credit. However, when I got to the store, the manager who took my bottles said that they only needed to have been purchased at BRU to recieve the credit toward bpa-free bottles, but that obviously that didn’t really matter becuase they’re not requiring boxes or anything. Then, when I told the last manager who rang up my exchange that it was so great that they were doing it, she said (in kind of a snotty way) “well, it came down from corporate, so we kind of have to”. So my understanding of that statement would be that it’s a corporate policiy–so don’t be afraid to take those bottles in–sometimes the first person you talk to isn’t giving you the right info. If they don’t do it, I would ask to have them connect you to someone at corporate. I did this when my preemie son was born so that I could get the 10% registry completion coupon early and their corporate people were WAY more helpful than the store associates!
I tried to return quite a few Dr. Browns to my BRU in early July, but was told that I needed my original reciept (which I have) and that they must have been purchased within the year (they were not). But after reading the comments here I think I’ll give it another shot. And if BRU won’t take them I’ll try TRU. Fingers crossed!
I tried to return quite a few Dr. Browns to my BRU in early July, but was told that I needed my original reciept (which I have) and that they must have been purchased within the year (they were not). But after reading the comments here I think I’ll give it another shot. And if BRU won’t take them I’ll try TRU. Fingers crossed!
This worked at the BRU in Sterling, VA. I had to describe it pretty specifically before the manager would acknowledge that it was true (i.e., “I heard that you have a corporate policy to exchange bottles with BPA in them for BPA-free bottles”). Then she said yes, but the program ends 8/10. You have to bring all parts of the bottle — cap, nipple, ring, bottle — and can only exchange them for BPA-free bottles. No general store credit, at least not at that store.
This worked at the BRU in Sterling, VA. I had to describe it pretty specifically before the manager would acknowledge that it was true (i.e., “I heard that you have a corporate policy to exchange bottles with BPA in them for BPA-free bottles”). Then she said yes, but the program ends 8/10. You have to bring all parts of the bottle — cap, nipple, ring, bottle — and can only exchange them for BPA-free bottles. No general store credit, at least not at that store.
I returned 13 bottles to BRU in Irvine (close to my work place) and exchanged + paid the different for the new BPA-free 10 bottles. They gave me the gift receipt after that. I then kept only 4 bottles that I need and returned the rest of the bottles to another BRU near my house and got the store credit to get other things that I needed.
I returned 13 bottles to BRU in Irvine (close to my work place) and exchanged + paid the different for the new BPA-free 10 bottles. They gave me the gift receipt after that. I then kept only 4 bottles that I need and returned the rest of the bottles to another BRU near my house and got the store credit to get other things that I needed.
Just wanted to let you know that I was able to return all of our BPA bottles (including old ones given by a friend) for BPA-free bottles last weekend (August 30th)in Highlands Ranch, CO. We were given the retail price of the bottles to use for new bottles. Of course the BPA-free bottles are more expensive, but we got what we needed and then some.
Just wanted to let you know that I was able to return all of our BPA bottles (including old ones given by a friend) for BPA-free bottles last weekend (August 30th)in Highlands Ranch, CO. We were given the retail price of the bottles to use for new bottles. Of course the BPA-free bottles are more expensive, but we got what we needed and then some.
I returned 6, 4oz Dr. Brown’s bottles today at my local BRU (Naperville, IL) and received retail price for the bottles. They don’t have the 4oz. BPA free bottles in yet (my local Target did), but they exchanged them for the 8oz and told me that if I save my receipt, I can trade those in for the 4 oz. when they arrive.
I returned 6, 4oz Dr. Brown’s bottles today at my local BRU (Naperville, IL) and received retail price for the bottles. They don’t have the 4oz. BPA free bottles in yet (my local Target did), but they exchanged them for the 8oz and told me that if I save my receipt, I can trade those in for the 4 oz. when they arrive.
Not happy here…. I just called my Babies R Us in Jacksonville Florida. I spoke with Carrie at 8:50 pm tonight and she told me they are not doing the bottle exchange program anymore. Boo on them. They said that they stopped exchanging the bottles at the end of August. I asked how long they did take exchanges and she said only from “about mid June until the end of August.” She said I need to contact the manufacturer and see if they will exchange my bottles. Not happy with our BRU…. I also asked her if they had advertised the start or stop of the program so that customers like me would have known about it. She said they did not advertise. While I admire that BRU actually had a program in place, I am upset that they did not advertise it. Why couldn’t they include it in the e-mail solicitations they send out? What about including it on a mailer that was sent to me?
Not happy here…. I just called my Babies R Us in Jacksonville Florida. I spoke with Carrie at 8:50 pm tonight and she told me they are not doing the bottle exchange program anymore. Boo on them. They said that they stopped exchanging the bottles at the end of August. I asked how long they did take exchanges and she said only from “about mid June until the end of August.” She said I need to contact the manufacturer and see if they will exchange my bottles. Not happy with our BRU…. I also asked her if they had advertised the start or stop of the program so that customers like me would have known about it. She said they did not advertise. While I admire that BRU actually had a program in place, I am upset that they did not advertise it. Why couldn’t they include it in the e-mail solicitations they send out? What about including it on a mailer that was sent to me?
I am soooo disappointed. I bought the 7th addition of the Baby Bargains book and blindly bought the Avent Isis manual breast pump based on the authors’ recommendation. I find it highly ironic that this pump is made from polycarbonate plastic and its storage bottles are also, when the authors recommend not using this type of plastic. Of course, when I registered for it, I was not aware of this. While I can get PBA free Avent bottles that fit, the PUMP ITSELF is not PBA-free. Now I have to try to get a refund on the pump and breastfeeding essentials kit from Babies R U, and I opened the sealed pump box earlier to read instructions for use (before I knew I’d need to return it). I just found out last night at my breastfeeding class that Avent bottles are not PBA-free. Denise and Alan Fields, please adjust your recommendations in the next addition accordingly!
I am soooo disappointed. I bought the 7th addition of the Baby Bargains book and blindly bought the Avent Isis manual breast pump based on the authors’ recommendation. I find it highly ironic that this pump is made from polycarbonate plastic and its storage bottles are also, when the authors recommend not using this type of plastic. Of course, when I registered for it, I was not aware of this. While I can get PBA free Avent bottles that fit, the PUMP ITSELF is not PBA-free. Now I have to try to get a refund on the pump and breastfeeding essentials kit from Babies R U, and I opened the sealed pump box earlier to read instructions for use (before I knew I’d need to return it). I just found out last night at my breastfeeding class that Avent bottles are not PBA-free. Denise and Alan Fields, please adjust your recommendations in the next addition accordingly!