Bassinet-Warning
Consumer Product Safety Commission released this photo of a Simplicity bassinet that was recalled by six major retailers after being linked to the deaths of two babies. Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us stores are offering 25-percent discounts on purchases of new baby items in exchange for used, potentially unsafe and possibly recalled items like this one. The promotion is at all of its U.S. stores and runs from Feb. 1 through 29.
(Associated Press file)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores will offer discounts on baby gear in exchange for old, secondhand and potentially unsafe baby items and furniture at all 863 stores nationwide from Feb. 1-29.
The nation's largest toy and baby products retailer is promoting the in-store-only "Great Trade-In" as a chance for families to get rid of older, possibly-recalled baby items, and trade up to newer ones that meet stricter safety standards.
For every baby item turned in, Toys "R" Us Inc. is offering a 25-percent discount off the new items, in the hopes that parents will also pick up diapers, baby food, clothing, and other baby necessities while they're there.
Members of its Rewards "R" Us loyalty program can get in-store discounts starting Friday, Jan. 29, by showing their Rewards 'R' Us cards at the checkout.
Stores will accept used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, high chairs, baby swings, bouncers, travel systems, walkers, entertainers, play yards, and toddler/twin beds. Customers will receive a 25 percent discount on a new version of any of those items at regular price. One discount per trade-in, with no limits on the number of items.
Discounts are also transferrable, meaning that someone could turn in an old item and give the discount coupon to an expectant friend. Coupons expire on Feb. 29
"R" Us Credit Card customers can also get a 30-percent discount if they charge the purchase on their "R" Us Credit Card. The 30-percent is instead of, not in addition to, the 25-percent discount.
Participating brands include Baby Trend, Britax, Chicco, Evenflo, Graco, Safety 1st, and Sorelle. Daycare centers or other organizations that want to exchange many items should call their local store before returning items to make sure there is enough new merchandise in stock.
Discounts are not available on: Halo bassinets and Maxi-Cosi car seats; doorway jumpers and infant carriers; Baby Jogger, Bugaboo, Mamas & Papas, Peg Perego, Quinny, Stokke; clearance and Red Hot Deal items.
Also excluded: Mattresses, gliders/ottomans, special orders and clearance items.
No secondhand baby items to trade in? Get a 15-percent coupon at Babiesrus.com/GreatTradeIn, redeemable in-store or online, starting Feb. 1.
"One of our cornerstones as the world's leading dedicated baby products retailer is our commitment to help keep kids safe," said Reg McLay, senior vice president of Babies "R" Us, in a statement. "We are extremely proud that through our Great Trade-In program, we have enabled parents and caregivers to remove more than 1.1 million potentially unsafe items from the marketplace."
"As we strive to help parents make the best possible choices as they care for their babies, we look forward to once again hosting this program at our stores nationwide. We strongly encourage parents to use this time to check their baby gear and trade in old items for new ones that meet or exceed current safety standards."
Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us have used the event, held since August 2009, to spotlight the number of baby items still in use that don't meet today's safety standards. Many of the items that have been turned in were damaged or missing parts, while others were decades old and shouldn't have still been used.
"Items brought to our stores will be disposed of properly, so they can't be put back into circulation. We consulted with product safety organizations, and they agreed that disposal of these items is necessary," a spokesman said.
The company lists safety information and recalls about the products it sells at ToysRUs.com/Safety, and on Safety Boards posted in its stores.
Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us are asking customers to spread the word via social media using the hashtag #BRUGreatTradeIn via Facebook.com/BabiesRUs, Pinterest.com/BabiesRUs, and @BabiesRUs on Twitter and Instagram.