A cot saga!

After Bella outgrew her MosesBasket we out her in a swing crib that has been passed down the family a sort of "family airloom" it was perfect and going great until she started to move around more. She's a very active baby, more active than Ava, as Ava was still able to be in it at this age. 

Recently she had started standing up in it and with the edge of the swing crib coming up to her waist it was becoming very dangerous. Sunday morning the danger came to a head when Bella flipped herself of the edge, luckily I caught her but it was way too close to home. I decided there and then that, that was it its time for a cot and I would be getting one that day. 

We decided that we would try mother care, tho I am not a huge fan as I find them way too over priced for things you can get cheaper else where. We looked around and come to the conclusion that we could only get a very basic small cot as we would obviously have to buy a mattress and the prices for them are quite high considering your buying the cot aswell. 

Well we had decided on the cot but wanted to purchase and get advice on mattress sizes types ect. So we had stood there waiting to speak to someone and looking at the cot, I mean they usually and should come up and ask if they can help well safe to say they didn't. 

Instead a group of about 5 sales assistants stood in the middle of the shop having a chat like they was on a break or waiting for a bus. A couple of them actually looked at us a couple of time but decided having a social catch up in working hours was a better option than helping customers. By doing this they allowed Tommy to search for different cots on his phone which he did and found a better a deal at smyths toys shop. After having enough of the shocking customer service at the Thurrock retail park mother care store, and a better deal found elsewhere we got out of there like a shot. Luckily and unfortunately for them smthys was five mins away so that's where we decided to go. So thanks to the staff at this mothercare store putting their social needs first during work hours mothercare have lost a sale. 

A happier time of the day was getting into smyths and realise they had this certain cot in and the deal of cot and mattress ( and yes it is a decent nice good mattress ) for £99.99 was still on. Went in there and purchased it straight away. The staff there asked if they could help as soon as we showed interest in the item. He also then went and got the item straight away all this took under 10 mins. The young lady at the checkout was also very polite offering someone to help us out taking the item to the car which we did not need but the offer was lovely. The staff where polite efficient and quick and theprices where great. 

I had then decided that I needed to dress the cot. I took myself to asda living to have a look at their red kite range. I remember having the mobile when Ava was a baby and I LOVED it. I remember for a three peice bumper set in mothercare the cheapest I could find I store was around £40. 

I found in asda (red kite range) a 5 piece the size of a cot bed bumper set for just under £30 I got in that a 

Bumper

Fitted sheet 

Non fitted sheet 

Blanket 

Fleece blanket 

I also found the mobile I had when Ava was a baby which costs only £11 with batteries. It's good quality too. So All together it was about £41, the price of a three piece bumper set in mothercare. So safe to say I got more for my money. 

In returning home Tommy put the cot up. It was easy to assemble and took him 10 mins. I then put on the bedding and bumper. It looks lovely so pretty and girly and Bella loves it. 

She finds the mattress so comfy she's slept in it longer and napped in it longer she looks so comfy! 

I am very happy with the combination of purchases from smyths and asda living.

I think if I was a first time mum I would have stuck it out at mothercare as you don't realise that other places sell these things and you think mothercare is the only option. 

But if I'm honest you can get just as good for better money and better deals you have to shop around. I'm not going to lie and say I've never shopped in mother care because I have and if I need to get something and they are the only place that sell or have it in stock then I will go there. But as far as the bigger items are concerned, you kno the types of items you need help with, shop around. When buying these items you want help from a sales assistant who can give you all the info and more. But you just don't get it well at least you don't at the Thurrock retail park store. So if you want to go to mothercare I do not recommend this store as they obviously prefer you to "self help" 

If you want to go to one in Essex I say the Romford store is a better option... They may be more but these are the only two I've visited. 

However on a better happier and lighter note smyths toy shop is the place to go they have affordable prices, sell practically everything and their staff are very friendly! 

LotsOfLove

Beth...xxx