What about those $40 child car seats from Kogan/Dick Smith?

wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 11:17
Last edited 01/09/2020 - 13:16

They are 5-10x cheaper than the big brand ones sold at the offline stores? They look like booster seats, but the description says "suitable for under 5, below 15kg". Are they safe and licensed to be sold in Australia??

E.g.: https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/smartlife-mumugongzhu-co…

Searching for it on YouTube brought up this one designed in Germany, made in China, sold in the UK and, oddly enough, has a kangaroo as its logo. The reviewer there uses it with her 2-yo, and the description on Amazon says it's "suitable for children weighing 9-18 Kg."

Update 1: Many commenters here referred to AS/NZS 1754. Indeed "it is illegal to use an overseas model or restraint that doesn’t meet this standard." Isn't it odd, though, that North American and European standards are deemed illegal, while the Australian one is put on a pedestal? Seems like a protection racket to me. NZ doesn't make that distinction.

Update 2: Further evidence that there may be a material (i.e. $$) incentive for North American and European standards to be made illegal in Australia is that the main source of safety rating people use (www.childcarseats.com.au) is a .com domain. OTOH, for those who say "safety is paramount" while also saying "just make sure it meets Australia's super rigorous requirements", have a look at what that very same source has to say about it (emphasis mine):

All child car seats on this website meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754. However, this sets the minimum safety requirements for child car seats, and CREP encourages consumers to choose and use child car seats that far exceed these minimum requirements.

Update 3: In further researching this issue of standards, I found this recommendation (in a US website) quite interesting:

If you can safely keep your child in a harnessed car seat for a while longer, do it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids use a car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight for that five-point harness. This is usually not until at least age five. Three-year-olds are not ready to ride in a booster seat, even if they fit within the manufacturer's height and weight guidelines. …

Many convertible and harness-to-booster car seats have harnesses rated to hold kids up to 65 pounds. In fact, children in the U.S. today can often stay in a harnessed car seat until age six or beyond. Thanks to advances in car seat safety technologies, four-year-olds that might have been moved into a booster 10 years ago can still safely ride in a rear-facing car seat.

Even fairly tall children can remain rear-facing through toddler years and then switch to a forward-facing harness until kindergarten age. For most kids, even those in the 95th percentile for weight or height, there shouldn’t be a reason to move to a booster before age five.

Update 4: Upon recommendation from a few of us here, I did send the query to Kogan regarding AS/NZS 1754 certification, and Kogan responded passing it on to the seller. To those concerned with my son's safety, I thank you and trust you may be assured to find out I just bought the InfaSecure Rover from Baby Bunting for $169 (minus 3.5% cashback and $10 COTD voucher).

Toys & Kids Baby Car Seat

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Kogan
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Comments

  • JimB on 27/08/2020 - 11:25
    +8

    No way I'd use any child seats that hasn't been tested in Australia and approved for use here.

    They cheapest ones are like $150 odd at Target.

    • tissue on 27/08/2020 - 12:11
      +3

      Not necessarily. The one in the linked video looks similar to our cheap untethered boosters like these - https://infasecure.com.au/products/traveller

      Currently for sale from Kmart and Big W for $49.

      That one from Kogan/Dick Smith doesnt even have a plastic shell from the look of it. Even the old brown bum booster seats from the 80s/90s here had a plastic seat base.

      • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 12:27
        -1

        … which is exactly why it made me think it's an outdated design perhaps (already ditched in Europe, and still worshipped in super-cutting edge Australia).

  • thatonethere on 27/08/2020 - 11:26
    +4

    You could ask Kogan (or their market place seller Smartlife) if it has a certification for Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754

  • cooldude123 on 27/08/2020 - 11:27

    Would consider carefully whether they meet (fairly strict) Australian standards, which are mandatory: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/standards/child-restraints-…

  • Archi on 27/08/2020 - 11:35

    yeah… Nah

  • Belgarath on 27/08/2020 - 11:37
    +4

    Its your child's safety. No way I would be skimping on that

    • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 11:45

      Of course. Is it really "skimping", though? The German one I linked above looks similar—as in much less bulky than Australian ones—and probably safer too.

      • Belgarath on 27/08/2020 - 11:49
        +2

        Its a piece of foam with restraints. Surprised it meets any standards.

    • Stopback on 27/08/2020 - 13:24

      as long as it meets the standards its good.

      The type of car you drive (old used) probably has just as much of an effect

  • bobbified on 27/08/2020 - 11:42

    Would you really trust your kid in a $40 seat?

    • xuqi on 27/08/2020 - 13:37
      +2

      It's $39 delivered from overseas, so more likely a ~$15-$20 seat.

  • Hithere on 27/08/2020 - 11:47
    +5

    Would you trust your child's safety in anything sold by Kogan?

  • Peter Enis on 27/08/2020 - 12:00

    It doesn't even have proper restraints, just some nylon straps with plastic clasps.

    • bobbified on 27/08/2020 - 14:06
      +1

      If they were to use proper restraints, they would have to price the seat at $41 or $42! Definitely not worth the extra couple of bucks for more safety! lol

  • GG57 on 27/08/2020 - 12:01
    +1

    All these comments appearing to equate $ versus safety; that is not always the case surely.

    As thatonethere mentioned, ask Kogan (or Smartlife) if it has a certification for Australian Standards. They will either say yes or no, and you can take it from there.

    • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 13:05
      -1

      Yeah. Imagine thinking things are worth what they sell for, where would we be?? Not on OzBargain, that's for sure!! XD

      (Then again, the community here seems to have changed along the years—OzBargainers used to be much more thrifty and sceptical 10 years ago. Now all I see here is people chasing rotating "sales" that come and go every other week.)

      • brendanm on 27/08/2020 - 13:41

        There's thrifty, and then there's stupid I suppose.

  • trex on 27/08/2020 - 12:03

    Just take a close look at those black seat belt clips. No way it would hold a child's weight in the event of a crash. One in the YouTube video is different and looks more suitable.

  • Caped Baldy on 27/08/2020 - 12:05
    +3

    Why not make your own out of a milk crate and pillows?

    This isn't a product you want to cheap out on.

    • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 12:16
      +1

      I chuckled. And now remembered going in the boot all.the.time when I was a kid 😄

  • pegaxs on 27/08/2020 - 12:26
    +4

    This is in the same real as helmets… do I get the $800 Arai or the $59 Aldi lid?

    • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 12:43
      +1

      Yes. Especially considering bicycle helmets are not even required in most of Europe.

      • pegaxs on 27/08/2020 - 12:53
        +3

        I guess it al comes down to asking "how much is my head worth?" The same goes for your kids. Are your kids worth $30 seats or are they worth $150 seats? My kids, for the most part, deserve to ride in the boot… :D

        • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 13:02
          -1

          :D

          So you believe things are worth what they sell for?? That's unOzBargainer!!

          • pegaxs on 27/08/2020 - 13:33

            @wisdomtooth: Not what I said at all. But I do believe that there is a reason why an Arai motorcycle helmet is $800+ and an Aldi helmet is $59.

            Would I pay RRP for an Arai helmet, hell no. But would I substitute an Arai helmet with a plastic bucket with a hole cut in the front of it for 1/10th the price, no.

            Some things have an inherent value to them, such as safety related items. There is only so much I am willing to sacrifice when it comes to safety. The value comes from performance, and when it comes to protecting my safety or that of my family, I want to buy the best equipment my money can afford, not to buy something at 1/3rd the price because "bargain"…

            • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 13:39

              @pegaxs: Or you could buy a $169 seat rating safer than a $700 one.

              Surely, that would be the OzBargain way =D

            • GG57 on 27/08/2020 - 14:54

              @pegaxs: I think the point overlooked is that there are a variety of bike helmets, for example, that all meet the required Australian standards.
              If Aldi sells a helmet for $59 that meets the standards, then other features should be assessed to determine if the additional $750 or so is worth it.

              • pegaxs on 27/08/2020 - 15:16

                @GG57: My example is a bit extreme (as there are plenty of good helmets in the $300~$400 bracket), but it was to point out that the price is usually a good indicator of quality when it comes to safety items. And there is a HUGE difference between "meeting" the AS/NZS and "exceeding" it.

                Sure, some things you are paying for the name, but in turn, you are also paying for their reputation. So, I know with an Arai, I am getting that reputation of safety and quality. With Aldi, I'm getting that plastic bucket + hole in the front with an AS/NZ 1698 sticker on it.

                The point still stands. Do your homework. Could there be a cheaper option out there that does the same job, probably, but is it worth it to just blindly buy the absolute cheapest because "bargain", no.

                • GG57 on 27/08/2020 - 15:21

                  @pegaxs: Of course, do the research and go for the most appropriate / relevant and cheapest item that meets your requirements. That's why I (and others) suggested that OP should contact the seller and ask if the product meets the regulations. Asking on this forum if it is any good is largely a waste of time, because most responses have assumed that the product doesn't meet the regulations

                  If Aldi's 'plastic bucket' is as bad as you suggest but has an AS/NZ sticker on it, then the regulations may be the problem.

                  • pegaxs on 27/08/2020 - 15:34

                    @GG57: The testing regulations for helmets in Australia is an absolute joke. It's how these $59 helmets even get sold here. A hollowed out bowling ball could pass these tests. Doesn't make it safe, but hey, it's round, it's $29 and has an AS/NZ 1698 sticker on it…

                    And I don't care what AS/NZ stickers something has on it until I have worked out what market prices are. Ok, we go from $29 to $169. The top one does not mean it is the best, but it's usually a good indicator that it has more features and exceeds safety standards. I then work down the price list as the price drops until the features are either gained or not lost and stop when features are either lost, or safety is compromised. I then balance it out. What I don't do is go "ok, AS/NZ 1734 is my bench mark, what's the cheapest I can get for that standard…"

                  • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 15:37

                    @GG57: That's why I (and others) suggested that OP should contact the seller and ask if the product meets the regulations.

                    I did, upon your and others' suggestion. I sent the query to Kogan (but am not holding my breath for a reply). I also searched online for the manufacturer and its safety seals, to no avail.

                    Asking on this forum if it is any good is largely a waste of time

                    Perhaps someone would've already done the homework, in which case it wouldn't. Isn't that why we are here for, to compare notes?

                • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 15:33

                  @pegaxs: Do your homework.

                  I'll agree to that. Don't just take the price tag at face value. That's what OzBargain is all about (or used to be).

        • Krankite on 27/08/2020 - 15:44
          +1

          It doesn't work like that though, after a certain point you are actually paying for the cute pastel print instead of any actual safety.

  • xuqi on 27/08/2020 - 13:09

    "Marketplace - Sold by Smartlife
    This item is located outside Australia"

    "This product is a Third Party Seller product and Dick Smith is not the seller. The Third Party Seller is responsible for the sale and dealing with any claims or any other issue arising out of or in connection with the product. For further details about the Third Party Seller’s terms and conditions of sale, please visit the Third Party Seller's terms and conditions located on the product listing."

    https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/safety/car-pedes….

    "By law, all child car seats used, bought or sold in Australia must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. The Standards label should be on the packaging of new child car seats and on the car seat itself."

    It's cheap Chinese rubbish, that's not going to protect the child, or meet any Australian safety standards (none of the ad's mention certification) for a seat:

    https://www.gearbest.com/baby-care/pp_493987.html

    I wouldn't place a pet in this, let alone a child.

    • GG57 on 27/08/2020 - 14:56

      The seller has not stated if the seat meets the Standards or not.
      You may be correct; you may not be, but you are making an assumption.

  • Bid Sniper on 27/08/2020 - 13:11

    Nah I like my daughter

  • slow on 27/08/2020 - 13:26
    +3

    More expensive does not automatically mean safer. When they are all tested sometimes some of the cheaper ones come out better.

    Some baby stuff is ridiculously overpriced - like everything else you are just paying for the name

    Check out reviews and ratings

    $169 seat rates safer that $700 seat
    https://www.childcarseats.com.au/

  • tissue on 27/08/2020 - 15:46
    +1

    With your updates, if you are looking around the world it is all generally around the top tether (or lack of). The laws in the USA vary state-by-state but generally they don’t require top tethers for rear facing and are mixed around top tethers for forward facing. The EU is similar to here other than they tether the rear facing seat to the base of the front row seat (called Swedish tethering I think). What this means is that seats you buy overseas may for example not even have a top tether hence wouldn’t pass Australian Standards. I would argue that our standards are higher than the rest of the world then, hence why we cant accept any old seat.

    You also cant get a LATCH/ISOFIX seat for older than a 4 year old in Australia, whereas in the USA they can go up to 25kg child weight (probably a 8-9 year old).

    There is no conspiracy here to make money for Australian seat manufacturers – we just have higher standards that were in place earlier than the rest of the world.

    • wisdomtooth on 27/08/2020 - 16:05

      Excellent explanation. It doesn't explain why Australia doesn't accept European standards as NZ does, though.

      • tissue on 27/08/2020 - 20:25
        +1

        If we accepted the EU standard, it would be lowering the standard of seats here? AFAIK the EU doesn't test seats in "inverted" position like in a rollover, hell they even developed new standards to closer match the AU standard but still sell seats that only meet the old standard - they haven't even phased it out yet. You can still buy backless booster seats there. Or seats with only a 3 point harness.

        NZ is a basket case. It seems to be the only place were you can use seats from more than one standard. So in EU you can't use AU or US seats, AU can't use EU or US and US can't use AU or EU. But NZ openly sells both AU and EU seats. And there is no cost difference over there either.

        • macfudd on 27/08/2020 - 22:15
          +1

          The NZ thing is probably related to tourism. You're a lot more likely to travel to a country for a holiday where you can whack the kids into your carseat that buckles into the airplane seat, then take that same carseat and legally put it into the rental car. You then have a car seat you know and trust, not stuck with a $40 seat the rental company bought from Kogan.

          I wish the standards allowed for isofix to be used past 4 years old. Not looking forward to when my kids turn 4 and we have to switch. I swap our carseats pretty frequently between cars and it's gonna make it a right bastard.

  • mjwills on 28/08/2020 - 09:39

    Further evidence that there may be a material (i.e. $$) incentive for North American and European standards to be made illegal in Australia is that the main source of safety rating people use (www.childcarseats.com.au) is a .com domain.

    I don't understand this argument. What type of domain would you like it to be? And why does it matter?

    Seriously - when buying car seats, buy the safest one. It isn't rocket science. That doesn't mean buy the most expensive one (when I bought car seats, the safest one was one of the cheapest). But given the whole purpose of child car seats is safety then you may as well buy the one that is actually the most safe.

    If money is tight, hire a Safe n Sound capsule for < $100 for 6 months. Then save up money for a good quality car seat / booster for after that.

    • wisdomtooth on 28/08/2020 - 09:46

      What type of domain would you like it to be?

      .org.au

      Seriously - when buying car seats, buy the safest one. It isn't rocket science. That doesn't mean buy the most expensive one (when I bought car seats, the safest one was one of the cheapest).

      Precisely. Hence why I asked.

      • mjwills on 29/08/2020 - 11:04

        Precisely. Hence why I asked.

        Perfect. If only there was a website which tested them all and helped you know which was the safest one. ;)

        • wisdomtooth on 29/08/2020 - 12:28

          Excellent. If only that website did indeed test them all, and didn't have glaring omissions (e.g. Mother's Choice Joy, Safety 1st Pace, etc).

          • mjwills on 01/09/2020 - 09:02

            @wisdomtooth: In the meantime, you can either buy one of the safely tested and recommended ones - or a $40 strap from Kogan.

            It's your call. ;)

  • MontyMacaw on 28/08/2020 - 09:52

    So your kid is only worth $40? They must be in for some wonderful birthdays and Christmases.

    • wisdomtooth on 28/08/2020 - 10:03
      +1

      Imagine actually believing things are worth what they sell for! And that people's worth is measured by the pricetag of things you buy for them!! 😂

      • MontyMacaw on 28/08/2020 - 15:30

        Imagine that. Yes that would be a pretty one dimensional view. What has that got to do with my comment?

        • Archi on 01/09/2020 - 12:59
          +1

          what is the value of the car seat you had when you were growing up?

          • MontyMacaw on 05/09/2020 - 16:03

            @Archi: I didn’t even have a seat belt way back then. I used to count dinosaurs to help get to sleep too ;)

            • Archi on 05/09/2020 - 17:56
              +1

              @MontyMacaw: So by your logic you worth nothing? Because you didn't have a seat belt

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