Where did you register/are you registering?

[MrsSlocombe]

I'm trying to decide whether to use a universal registry or not.  I was hoping I could just find 1-2 good stores, but I'm having trouble.  Perhaps your choices will inspire me.  Thanks!

[cristeen]

IME, most people don't even look at a registry unless they can walk into the store (like BRU).  That being said, I stick to Amazon for registries - you can use it as a universal registry, but they also just have everything.  But I'm also the type of person who uses the registry in part as a shopping list, since I don't expect other people to even look at it. 

[MrsSlocombe]

  That is really disappointing.  The same thing happened to my friend when she used MyRegistry, which is why I was going to go with Amazon if I used a universal list at all.  It's an awkward situation in that I know that no one is required to buy me anything, but if they are going to do so, it might as well be the things I need.  Sigh.

I've been to Babies R Us and just not liked it at all.  Everything is made in China, not to my tastes at all, and there were very few eco-friendly choices.

When you went with Amazon, did even half of the people who bought you baby presents go by your list?  It is easier to use than MyRegistry, though having used the non-baby wish list function before, I know that some people don't remember to come back and mark that they've bought the item, leading to duplicate purchase.

[cristeen]

I only had a few people buy us anything at all for the baby, and the only ones that used it were grandparents (one of whom took the initiative to look for it and the other of whom I sent a link to the car seat we wanted).  But we used it for our wedding/shower too, and I think 3 people bought off of it then (although that was almost 8 years ago, before everyone had internet at their fingertips). 

[BeachLove]

We did Babies R Us and Target with DD.

We probably won't be having a shower or registering for this one. If we did, by some crazy chance - I would also probably register at this really awesome natural baby store that recently opened in my city.

[sjdragonfly]

Bummer. I've been wondering about registries as well. I live in Canada and have relatives and friends in both the US and Canada just to make it trickier. There are a lot of online stores that won't ship to Canada and if they do, we get charged a really high customs tax. Not sure what I'm going to do about registering. I don't want to use Babies R Us, either and we don't have Target in Canada yet, though I wish we did! 

[MommyMatsumoto]

I have registered at Babies 'R' Us and Diapers.com.  With Diapers.com, if someone orders from your registry they don't pay for shipping.  The Babies 'R' Us one is mainly for the people that want to go into the store.  

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by cristeen 

IME, most people don't even look at a registry unless they can walk into the store (like BRU).  That being said, I stick to Amazon for registries - you can use it as a universal registry, but they also just have everything.  But I'm also the type of person who uses the registry in part as a shopping list, since I don't expect other people to even look at it. 

This has been my experience, as well. We even registered a local baby/kids store and nobody was willing to go there instead of Babies R Us. (As if they're the end all be all, ya know?) This was true even for the people that lived close to the other store.

This time I've registered at Amazon, and at BRU. I'm going to ask my sister to send out invites in plenty of time for people to buy online, but I doubt they will.

[Belia]

I'm planning on registering at Babies R Us, Target, and Buy Buy Baby..... not because I want or expect anyone to actually buy me anything from those places, or even know that I have done it, but so I can get some free stuff and coupons and get on the good Target mailing list.

I'm all about the free stuff.  Whatever I don't use or need, like formula (knock on wood), I will donate to the food pantry.

But this is #2 for us, so I don't really need much.

[cameragirl]

I should rephrase what I said. I don't really expect that they have to buy something, but they will. I'd just rather family spend money on things we really need than clothes or toys if they're going to spend.

[cookie_]

I used My Registry because I wanted to have options from lots of different places. It worked out pretty well for us, in terms of receiving practical/needed gifts (cloth diapers, swaddlers, etc) from family members who live far away and wanted to be able to order over the internet. Our friends mostly bought us little special things from local baby stores, which was great. I don't remember anyone complaining about it being difficult to use.