One of the first things I did after learning I was pregnant was research the various baby registries that are out there. It is not that I am greedy or eagerly anticipating receiving gifts. Instead, I am using our baby registry as a shopping guideline for myself because otherwise I am positive I would go overboard and purchase way too much baby gear.
Since there are others that I am sure are currently researching baby registries or wondering what the differences are between those that are available, I put together a quick run-down on five of the biggest baby registries out there.
Amazon Baby
Personally, I liked the idea of Amazon Baby because I do most of my shopping online but the one thing that held me back from immediately going with this registry is that many of our family members prefer to do their shopping at the stores. Luckily, there is a way to print out the registry so that those shopping in-stores can still find the items you want. Then, if they are tech-savvy enough, they just need to go back on the Amazon website to indicate which items were purchased elsewhere.
Another reason I was interested in Amazon Baby is because their prices are frequently cheaper than at other stores, and shipping is free for Amazon Prime members. Amazon Baby is a universal registry, meaning you can add items from any online store to your Amazon registry.
Another benefit is that after everything is said and done, Amazon offers a 10 percent discount on select items that were never purchased off the registry. That “completion discount” could be as high as 15 percent for those who are members of Amazon Mom (which is a wonderful service in its own right, offering free two-day shipping and a 20 percent discount on automated diaper deliveries). The completion discount will become available 30 days prior to the baby’s due date and may only be used once.
Babies R Us Registry
Babies R Us is perhaps the most well-known of baby stores and it seems to carry pretty much everything one could need for little ones. The registry comes with a few great perks, including a Price Match Discount. If you head to your local store and show them a competitor’s printed ad or website with a lower price, the store will match it.
Babies R Us recently introduced a new perk that could save parents-to-be big money on future purchases. When the parents-to-be or others purchase items from the registry, parents will earn up to 10 percent back via a gift card that can be spent on future purchases at Babies R Us. The gift card will arrive via email approximately 10 weeks after baby’s due date.
Like Amazon Baby, Babies R Us offers a 10 percent completion discount for any items that were not purchased from the registry. This is a one-time-only coupon that cannot be used in combination with any other coupons.
Buy Buy Baby Registry
One of the biggest perks to registering and shopping at Buy Buy Baby is that it is a sister company to Bed Bath & Beyond, which means that it accepts any and all Bed Bath & Beyond coupons. Bed Bath & Beyond is notorious for sending out coupons valid for 20 percent off any one item, which can add up to big savings for the parents-to-be (and those purchasing gifts off the registry), especially on big ticket items.
Buy Buy Baby offers an incentive for those who encourage their friends to open up a Buy Buy Baby Registry by way of a coupon for $25 off any $100 purchase. Buy Buy Baby also offers two different completion discount coupons. The amount of the coupons seems to vary from 10 to 15 percent. These coupons can typically be used with other coupons for double the savings.
Kohl’s Little Ones Baby Registry
Kohl’s has a good baby registry, especially online. It carries some of the most coveted brands that can occasionally be purchased at prices lower than anywhere else thanks to Kohl’s generous coupon policy and frequent Kohl’s Cash promotions.
Kohl’s frequent release of coupons can really help those purchasing gifts off a registry, but Kohl’s also offers registry shoppers a coupon valid for 20 percent off a $100 purchase that is valid on in-store purchases. Kohl’s also offers a 15 percent discount on all items remaining on the registry that have not been purchased. The coupon will be mailed just before the baby’s due date and is valid for three months.
Target Baby Registry
One of the great things about registering with Target is that with 1,800 stores in the United States, almost everyone has one nearby, but registries can also be accessed online. One thing that may be worth noting for parents-to-be setting up a new registry is that the baby selection can be much better online than it is in-stores.
Target also offers one of the most generous completion discounts. Approximately six weeks before your due date, Target will send out a coupon good for 15 percent off any unpurchased items remaining on the registry.
In addition to these five store registries, there are quite a few universal registries, which allow you to register at any retailer, out there. Regardless of whichever registry ends up interesting you the most, be sure to take into account factors like completion discounts, return policies and store locations before deciding on the perfect one for you.
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How to Pick the Best Baby Registry for You originally appeared on usnews.com
