At Long Last A Crib!By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Sunday, January 15, 2006
 | | At long last: a crib! |
The good news is a crib has arrived.
The baby, however, is five days late.
The crib showed up earlier this week within the time frame specified by Wal-mart, the company that ultimately accomplished what, in this instance, J.C. Penney could not: deliver a crib that was not damaged without any uncertainties.
There were compromises.
Those who have followed the crib drama may recall that the original intention was to purchase a crib from Sears. That plan was terminated in November, after Sears employees working at the Berkshire Mall-based store refused to accept cash payment and insisted that only a Sears credit card could be used to pay for the purchase.
Cash was accepted by the folks working at the J.C. Penney store, but the crib did not ship on its’ anticipated Dec. 2 shipping date, and precisely when it would ship was a mystery until Dec. 23. On that date, I was notified that the crib was ready for pick-up at the Bennington, Vt.-based store, and after a few minor nuisances, the crib was retrieved that day. During subsequent unpacking, significant damage was discovered. There was additional difficulty; Penney’s employees said it was possibly possible [no, the preceding is NOT a typo] to acquire replacement parts while the crib manufacturer informed me that the parts for the specific crib were not available.
The crib was returned to the store for a full cash refund.
Meanwhile, crib shopping on-line became a lifeline, and an Ariel 3-in-1 crib offered at the Wal-mart Web site was ordered. The ordering was easy, e-mail confirmation of the order and the actual shipping was prompt, and the crib arrived unscathed.
I am very pleased with the crib. But despite my best efforts to keep the purchase on a cash basis, I was ultimately required to use a credit card.
Here’s a very big thank you to all the folks who e-mailed Internet links and other information focused on crib purchases. Many of you have experienced similar shopping difficulties and your empathy and support are so appreciated.
My three children were all born on their due dates, which is a highly unusual occurence. I had hoped that through some genetic kindness, my daughter would follow suit but a due date delivery was not to be. We are very much looking forward to a happy, healthy, delivery of baby Mackenzie [girl] or Zachary [boy] in the near future. The newest twig on our blended, extended, sometimes up-ended family tree will be a sibling to 7-year-old Kaitlynn, and a cousin to pre-schooler Matthew and infants Jacob and Hunter. Grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles are waiting to welcome another child to our fold.
And finally, a bed is ready.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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