07/10/09

Cool Local Store, No Organization, Questionable Service

by saramagomes

What I love about Austin Baby is that it was developed by a group of mothers who want to help other mothers make wise choices when it comes to raising babies. It is full of information about cloth diapering, offers what looks like a wonderful diaper service, and almost everything you find in there is high quality stuff. You can also find many things organic, hip baby clothes, and used diaper covers!

Now for the cons. The service at this store lacks in organization. Wanting to support local business, I placed an order through the store at the end of May rather than order directly from the manufacturer. I tried to do this online, but the checkout page wasn't sized correctly and I couldn't see it all. I placed the order by phone. A few days later someone called thinking I ordered something I didn’t. After clearing this up, “the order was placed.” By the end of June I hadn't heard anything so I called the store and the woman who answered said she had just been looking at the order and was going to call me. But I had to call? She told me she wasn't sure the order had been placed, she'd need to talk to the owner and would call me back that day. Two days later I still hadn't heard anything, so I called. The person who answered said she'd look into it and call me back that day. A day later I received a call from the person I believe to be the owner, stating that the reason they didn't have the order was that the company didn't have it in stock. That was absolutely NOT TRUE. I had been to the company website myself and it was in stock. Why not be honest, and own up to forgetting to place the order? She told me she'd attempt to place another order. She called back, told me she placed the order, and since I had to wait so long, they'd drop it off at my house. In early July, the order arrived and I was told I could pick it up. I didn’t remind them they were supposed to drop it off at my house.

In this time, I remembered that when I set up diaper service 6 months ago, I was told that the monthly direct pay agreement would be mailed to me by the owner. I followed up to see whether they had received this authorization (as I didn't recall receiving it). Sure enough, they didn't have the authorization form; I never received it!

At the store, I asked the sales person whether they had any Bac-Out. They did not. She told me that they sell out of it quickly, and when I asked when she expected to have more in, she replied "It's an item we regularly stock." So I asked her whether deliveries were made on a certain day, to which she responded that they weren’t, but that they regularly stock the bac-out sprayer. So helpful, thanks! Then I asked if the small baskets of diaper covers were all they had in stock (aside from the used ones). They were, “why?” There were about 2 covers of each size except small. I didn't even ask when she thought they'd have more smalls in. As much as I love to support local businesses, I had to go home and order Bac-Out and diaper covers in appropriate sizes from the internet! And before I left, I requested the credit card authorization form so that there would be no excuse for them not having it!

• Pros: Cloth Diaper Service, Free Cloth Diaper Workshops
• Cons: Unorganized service, poor inventory

04/10/09

could be better

by am49

i registered here before i had my baby. kept hearing from my friends that when they went to buy things off the registry, they didnt have it in stock. i've gone myself on several different occasions to buy diapers or doublers or liners and each time they are on back order have a wait of 2 or more weeks. when i go on line to different websites im able to order what i need and have it delivered in 2 days, dont get why they cant. its hard to wait on diapers or supplies for your baby when you need them. bad business, have lost a lot of business from us. not impressed, but could be great.

• Pros: local, polite staff, free diaper class, green
• Cons: horrible inventory, they have very little choice

05/29/08

Best baby store in Austin!

by hcarlson73

this is the best baby store ever! All natural prooducts, revolutionalry products u dont see anywhere else except online and can buy here! Cloth diapers, baby carriers, toys, cute baby and toddler tees, shoes, natural insect repellant that works, nursing items, furniture (round crib) etc. Great tye-dyes that say "Hippie"! The staff is great very friendly and helpful! Great play area for kids and babies! My kids played for an hr, no prob! Park right up front. Local mom's makes some items!

• Pros: products, customer service, ambience, parking