One Stop Baby Shop?

[SiR_YOI]

We're expecting our first in 3 months and starting to seriously look into all the stuff we'll need (stroller, cribs, car seat etc..) was wondering if anyone has recommendations to a place that we can go to that has fair prices on all kinds of baby stuff? or better yet, or person they can recommend that can "hook me up" :)

I've always known it isn't cheap for baby stuff, but didn't realize some of the bigger ticket items like strollers can cost $1000+ :(

I live in the West End (Milton/Mississauga), so preference would be in this area, but I'm definitely open to suggestions within the GTA. Also, recommendations for a place to sign up for a registry would be great as my wife's baby shower is coming up too! Thanks in advance for the advice/input!

[zeddy]

Everything except the carseat you can buy used. Ask friends and family what they have that they aren't using anymore. Register for a carseat somewhere easy like Sears or ToysRUs. Hopefully if people don't go together and get one for a shower gift they will at least buy gift cards you can use towards one. Having a shower before the baby is born is a whole other issue with me but since it is already planned you might as well us it to your advantage.

[SiR_YOI]

Everything except the carseat you can buy used. Ask friends and family what they have that they aren't using anymore. Register for a carseat somewhere easy like Sears or ToysRUs. Hopefully if people don't go together and get one for a shower gift they will at least buy gift cards you can use towards one. Having a shower before the baby is born is a whole other issue with me but since it is already planned you might as well us it to your advantage.

Ya, we have a bunch of clothes and other misc items we are getting from friends/family. I think I need to make a detailed list on what things will be given/lent to us before shopping for stuff for sure.

You don't agree with baby showers? you mind me asking why?

[ginabobolee]

Toysrus or Babysrus has great sale this week. Not sure if it ends tomorrow (Thursday) so you better check out today or tomrorow. (Go on their website to see the flyer). Baby shower is something I disagree with too. I am having our first baby next Jan and we are not having shower. You probably can get most of the stuff on your own and you get to pick whatever you like.

Walmart is another place where you can pickup pretty much everything....generally cheaper than Babysrus but when Babysrus has promotion, it's worth to check out.

[nufan]

We're a bit further out than you are but have already begun the hunt for good deals :) I find that walmart.com (US site) has a way bigger selection than anything I have locally and at far better prices. You can order it all online, pay using paypal and have it shipped to your closest wal mart and skip across the border and load up :) This of course applies to everything except the car seat which needs to be purchased in Canada. That's most likely what we will be doing though you might have a better local selection available to you. When pricing it out even paying Duty coming back from the states we are going to save a bundle on baby furniture etc.. and at the same time get the same or better quality products.

[mmhassa2]

We're a bit further out than you are but have already begun the hunt for good deals :) I find that walmart.com (US site) has a way bigger selection than anything I have locally and at far better prices. You can order it all online, pay using paypal and have it shipped to your closest wal mart and skip across the border and load up :) This of course applies to everything except the car seat which needs to be purchased in Canada. That's most likely what we will be doing though you might have a better local selection available to you. When pricing it out even paying Duty coming back from the states we are going to save a bundle on baby furniture etc.. and at the same time get the same or better quality products.

Exactly what we did last year. Walmart.com is amazing for baby items. I'm dropping by buffalo this coming Monday for some outlet shopping, so I ordered the Angelcare monitor through them and it's all ready for me to just pick it up. The monitor here is $160+ taxes at BRU and $108 with taxes at Walmart.com. If you can cross the border I suggest going this route, MUCH cheaper and a wide range of selections.

[SiR_YOI]

Exactly what we did last year. Walmart.com is amazing for baby items. I'm dropping by buffalo this coming Monday for some outlet shopping, so I ordered the Angelcare monitor through them and it's all ready for me to just pick it up. The monitor here is $160+ taxes at BRU and $108 with taxes at Walmart.com. If you can cross the border I suggest going this route, MUCH cheaper and a wide range of selections.

Didn't really think about crossing the boarder to get baby stuff. We live in Milton, so we're not TOO far from the Buffalo boarder (about an hour and 15 mins). Was just worried about getting killed with duties etc coming back making it not really that worthwhile. Especially if it's just a day trip type thing. Is the rule still the same?

Time out of country Exemption Limits
Out of country within 24 hours CA$0
More than 24 hours, but less than 48 hours CA$50
More than 48 hours, but less than 7 days. CA$400
More than 7 days CA$750

[Genia11]

You can try Safety Superstore (http://www.babyproofingplus.com/), they are located at 403/Dundas area... it's huge!!

[mmhassa2]

Didn't really think about crossing the boarder to get baby stuff. We live in Milton, so we're not TOO far from the Buffalo boarder (about an hour and 15 mins). Was just worried about getting killed with duties etc coming back making it not really that worthwhile. Especially if it's just a day trip type thing. Is the rule still the same?

Time out of country Exemption Limits
Out of country within 24 hours CA$0
More than 24 hours, but less than 48 hours CA$50
More than 48 hours, but less than 7 days. CA$400
More than 7 days CA$750

The first time we picked up about $1500 worth of baby items and paid around $150 of taxes. But the savings are worth way more than $150 so that wasn't an issue. Since then we've gone every 3-4 months to pick up other stuff we need for him like extra playard/mini swings for grandma's house and many times didn't get pulled over for taxes. Also if you do decide to buy, order it online and pay through paypal. Their actual stores have VERY limited selections and often prices are higher.

[SiR_YOI]

The first time we picked up about $1500 worth of baby items and paid around $150 of taxes. But the savings are worth way more than $150 so that wasn't an issue. Since then we've gone every 3-4 months to pick up other stuff we need for him like extra playard/mini swings for grandma's house and many times didn't get pulled over for taxes. Also if you do decide to buy, order it online and pay through paypal. Their actual stores have VERY limited selections and often prices are higher.

good to know! so they'll just ship it out to the walmart store you're going to even if they don't stock it??

I'll definitely have to check it out... hard to buy stuff online though without actually touching and feeling it and seeing it in person... but I guess if I see something I like here I can compare what prices would be like in the US.

[nalababe]

You really don't need much....

For both of our kids, we started with a stroller/car system and a Co-Sleeper (arms reach) the rest is not necessary....

[dayna]

There are lots of good deals and freebies and coupons at the Baby Time Show. There's one happening in November http://www.babytimeshows.ca/ I think it's worth it to make a trip there.

[ahong]

I recently bought my stroller and car set at Cana Bee Baby - http://www.canabeebaby.com/. They are located on the north west corner of Woodbine and Hwy 7. They have huge selection and no tax if you pay cash. I believe they are having a sale now on strollers.

[random pattern]

The first time we picked up about $1500 worth of baby items and paid around $150 of taxes. But the savings are worth way more than $150 so that wasn't an issue. Since then we've gone every 3-4 months to pick up other stuff we need for him like extra playard/mini swings for grandma's house and many times didn't get pulled over for taxes. Also if you do decide to buy, order it online and pay through paypal. Their actual stores have VERY limited selections and often prices are higher.

Nice tip.

You and NUFAN both specifically recommended using paypal - any particular reason (visa not possible or preferable?)? Thanks in advance.

[nelsonmp5]

You can try Safety Superstore (http://www.babyproofingplus.com/), they are located at 403/Dundas area... it's huge!!

+1

we were there almost every week, maybe more looking and buying... very helpful staff. The website doesn't do the store justice, but its a start.

[nelsonmp5]

You really don't need much....

For both of our kids, we started with a stroller/car system and a Co-Sleeper (arms reach) the rest is not necessary....

We used the pram that was part of our stroller, but otherwise I agree. Most other things can be bought off ebay, kijiji or craigslist.
We used to say "oh I can't get that used for my child," but now that she's older, we've realized like many parents that "new" is over rated. Things like gates, strollers, bouncy chairs, bassinets, rockers, playpens, (bumbo) seats, carriers (babybjorn) are perfectly ok buying used, we've sold most of our newborn stuff, even the breast pump. Really after you sanitize it, what's the harm? Car seats should be bought new and must be CSA tested (US models may not be), and I think the law prohibits getting used due to possible safety recalls.