Shopping online
Part of the fun of having babies is the shopping. Not as fun when it empties your wallet but you’re only a dad once so go on and enjoy yourself. As soon you discover the missus is pregnant no doubt the two of you will be off to Mothercare within weeks to start planning and, yes, gasping at the prices. Baby kit can be expensive.
Shopping online can help save on the expensive items such as furniture, push chairs and car seats, though it’s essential you test drive these products to suit your practical needs. A good idea is to do the window shopping first and then defer to each retailers online store to make your orders.
The advantage of course is online shopping is usually easier and delivery is free (or provided at a small additional fee). If you’re unable to get to a local branch this is a handy way or getting a quick delivery of extra bottles, clothes, even formula!
Here are some of the most popular and best online sites offering e-tailing.
Mothercare
Mothercare is Britain’s leading baby retailer with a wide range of essential, educational and entertainment products for ages up to about eight. They have branches across the UK and a comprehensive online store full of many of their own custom lines.
www.mothercare.com
Lullabys
Voted UK Nursery retailer of the year in 2004, this company’s website offers great prices on all sorts of baby products and is easy to use, with plenty of product info but occasionally slow to upload.
www.lullabys.co.uk
BabysRus.co.uk
An offshoot of the American toys Rus chain, this site is not quite as user-friendly as the others but you might find some bargains here.
www.babiesrus.co.uk
Hamleys
The self-styled ‘finest toy shop in the world’, also sells online if you’re unable to visit their famous Regent street shop in London. They’re not the cheapest nor is their website the best but when it comes to toys and edutainment products you just can’t beat Hamleys.
www.hamleys.com
Argos
If you’re strictly looking for budget busters Argos is an institution for catalogue and online shopping and their site has a dedicated baby section with a nice colourful appearance and plenty of toys and accessories for all ages. You may not have a chance to test or see the products you are buying but you’re unlikely to beat the price anywhere else.
www.argos.co.uk
ebay
Yes, good old ebay is always a good option for finding second hand items (of which there are plenty in the baby world) and helping with tight budgets. They have an extensive selection of products and good backup system to ensure you’re not cheated. You’ll have to look in the clothes and accessories, toys and games, books, health and beauty or home and garden sections as there isn’t a particular area dedicated to baby-ware. New and used items are sold here.
www.ebay.co.uk
Amazon
Another online institution with a wide range of items, not just books and music, including a market place for used items. This is good for ordering books, child music and other resources where you benefit from previous customer’s recommendations.
www.amazon.co.uk
Buying the right tackle
The cost of kids
Child care
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