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Everything from baby nappies to online baby games is blanket-marketed to the world. Anything connected with babies has an industry attached to it.
Besieged parents have every right to be a bit skeptical. The good news is that you can do some selective hunting of your own for good deals and good quality. This is also the world's most competitive market, and a good shopping instinct can go a long way in this environment.
Baby essentials
Baby shopping lists come in various forms, but the essentials are always the same. You need the diapers, the wipes, the spare everything, and to remain sane and solvent while getting them.
Some more good news- If you're on a budget, be as tough as you like. You'll still find the things you need, buying online. The best thing about this ultra-competitive market is that it reacts very quickly to consumer demands, and the best sellers of baby products are well aware that family budgets aren't infinite. Good quality isn't hard to find, even at low prices, because even the major brand manufacturers have got that message, loud and clear.
The shopping process
* Prices: When shopping online, do some price comparisons as a basic benchmark, but also look for range and quality of products. Good cloth nappies can save a lot of money over time, and important basic things like nappy covers also become economic on a quality basis rather than price.
* Product range: Always look for product ranges, because it's a lot easier to shop in one place than many, and you can also coordinate your buying with your budget and credit card costs. A good product range means you can really stock up on everything you need, which is not only good economics, it's good organization. If you can get everything you absolutely must have in one order, you're covering a lot of different needs at once, and you'll also have some spares around when you need them.
* Services and terms of purchase: The top line baby supplies companies, particularly online have very clear terms upfront. You'll see something like "30 day refunds, if packaging not opened", which is actually correct consumer practice. The really good suppliers also have a "30 day exchange or replacement" if you got the wrong size or wrong item, very handy.
(Note: Don't expect refunds on shipping, because those costs aren't recoverable by the suppliers, either. The refunds and exchange can only apply to the goods, not shipping.)
* Customer service: You'll find that all the best suppliers are also very easy to do business with. They're usually well established businesses which know the issues, understand parental concerns, and will respond quickly and efficiently. If you've got a problem, they'll listen.
So start shopping. Don't be surprised if you find your budget's looking a lot healthier, and you're feeling a lot better about buying baby's important things.
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