Unsafe Baby Seat Install

I bought a Safe and Sound Meridian from Glen Huntly Baby Carriages and took advantage of the $25 fitting on seats bought from them. Worst. Decision. Ever.

We needed the Meridian installed rear facing in a Subaru Forester. A very common seat in a very common car.

The install took about 40 mins and 3 attempts. Each time the installer asked if the install was ok for me?!? I figure that the the installer should be telling me 'job done' not asking if I am happy with the install but I gave the seat a cursory wiggle - it felt quite loose and slipped around on the seat. So he did it again. Second time he forgot to use one of the seat belt clips that hold the belt locked and in the path required. When I pointed this out he then told me they weren't really necessary but at my suggestion did it again. Third time he told me it was the best it would get and gave it a small wiggle. I gave it a slightly firmer wiggle and felt even more movement than the first time. By now he was over it and he told me it was because I had leather seats and that the person he had seen before me had the same problem. I left, wary but wondering if our seats were the problem and what we could do about it. On getting home the seat had moved about 45deg off square. I gave it a wiggle it was even looser.

I went back to the store and asked for a refund, they told me it should be fine, he has been doing it for them for years and is qualified. I said it was not fine and insisted on a refund. The installer came out to the car, not cos he wanted to check the install but to uninstall it in case I was trying for a free install. He then implied I had made it loose...
I took the seat to another store (Baby Train on Warrigal Rd if you are looking but we also had our capsule installed by Baby Bunting and were very happy). The install took 15 minutes and is rock solid with just the small amount of play at the head end that it is meant to have and none at the base of the seat. It just feels secure and does not slip around on our leather seats at all.

It concerns me greatly that the installer at Glen Huntly Baby Carriages sent me off with a dangerously 'installed' seat. Had I believed his assurances, I would have put my baby in a very unsafe position and I hate to think what may have happened to him in the case of an accident with the seat slipping around as it was. I also wonder about the person before me with the leather seats with the 'same problem' - I hope they also had the sense to question his assurances.

It also concerns me that the staff at Glen Huntly Baby Carriages were so quick to defend the work of the installer without checking his work themselves (at no point did they come out to see the quality of the install despite my suggestion they may like to) but continue to use him as their installer. At $25 their install price is cheaper than any going around but that does not justify a lesser service in such an important matter.

DON'T let them install your seat! The $14 or so extra it will cost elsewhere is such a small price to pay...