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Parents putting together baby registries on Amazon have begun to notice a pesky problem, one that has resulted in parents receiving items they neither listed nor wanted. The online retailer has been placing sponsored products in baby registries, the Wall Street Journal reports, but because the ads look so similar to other registry items, people are purchasing them, unaware that the items weren't added to the registry by parents. Like added items, the sponsored products include an image, rating, price and a "0 of 1 Purchased" tag. The only thing that distinguishes them is a small, gray "Sponsored" label situated just above the item name.
[...] One new dad told the Wall Street Journal that he only realized Amazon had placed sponsored products in his baby registry when the Aveeno bath-time set arrived at his home. He said the ads were "blatantly trying to trick you." "Worst part is a friend spent money on something we didn't want. And Amazon profited," he added. While users can remove these ads from their registries, Amazon reportedly told advertisers that around 60 percent were left in place.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2018/11/28/amazon-inserting-sponsored-products-baby-registries/
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Thexalon on Thursday November 29 2018, @05:31PM (8 children)
If you want to help out a new parent who isn't a relative or very very close friend, give them one of the following:
1. Money.
2. Babysitting help.
3. Food to mom's specifications.
4. Assistance pushing away people who are fawning over the baby but are just making things harder.
If the new parent is a relative or a very very close friend, then have an actual conversation with them about what they need.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Freeman on Thursday November 29 2018, @05:46PM (1 child)
As a relatively new parent. I can definitely say that Money is always a welcome gift. Assuming, you're dealing with people well off enough to not care about money, sure go the whole caring, gifting route. Otherwise, give them some cash. Option #2 If you want it to "be special" or whatever, give them a interesting, cheap cool thing, and some cash.
In the event, you're worried about where the cash may go, that's when you buy them a gift.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 29 2018, @06:04PM
Agreed. Cash is always useful and is not tacky in any way.
Don't let the "gift industry" brainwash you into believing you HAVE to buy one of their products!
I would LOVE money for diapers or formula!
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Thursday November 29 2018, @06:25PM (3 children)
I appreciated receiving diapers more than any of the other gifts.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Thursday November 29 2018, @08:29PM (2 children)
Also: Clothes for 12+ months ...
Everyone wants to give the cute newborn outfts, which will be used once, maybe twice. But what really hurts the wallet, if you don't have enough hand-me-downs, is dressing them up after 6 months. Expensive as hell, still short lifespan.
Tell your friends those clothes will get used more. And passed down.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday November 29 2018, @08:37PM
My wife has gone to several baby / kids clothing sales. Nothing like quality clothes at Wal-Mart or cheaper prices. Don't be so bent on buying new.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Thursday November 29 2018, @08:39PM
Good point. I was fortunate enough to have three boys so all of their cloths were interchangeable, although in this glorious modern age we live in you could use boys cloths for girls. Right now though most of the handmedowns I have for the baby are full of holes because of our collie puppy, but they are kids so whatever.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 2) by VLM on Thursday November 29 2018, @08:25PM (1 child)
Agree 99% with your specs, to extend your remarks, gifting baby food is a logistical headache, but give mom and dad a gift card for pizza hut always works, its not even remotely healthy food but its fast and easy and inevitably new parents will need a quick meal due to baby problems sooner or later.
Lots of "whoops this week's pediatrician appointment is during normal food shopping time, what to do?" and a slightly healthier solution than pizza or Chinese takeout is grocery delivery service gift cert.
We did asynchronous sleeping when my kids were small; help with the logistics (aka, hang out at grandma's with the baby at weird hours while spouse catches up on sleep in blissful silence). That gift costs nothing but time.
I also played EVE Online with some friends and coworkers when I was up all night with my youngest (like back when EVE was brand new, LOL) and that helped with sanity. The baby and I might not be sleeping but at least I'm having fun. I suppose the modern equiv is if new parents can't travel to board game night anymore, at least play fortnite duos/squads with them sometimes. Again, this costs nothing but time. Surfing the net one-handed means something new and G-rated when you're up with a teething little baby.
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Friday November 30 2018, @04:37PM
I wasn't thinking food for baby: Baby is either getting formula or breast milk at first. This is food for the new parents who are tired and stressed and generally miserable. And while delivery is easier than cooking, if you're a good cook delivering a tray of lasagna or something wouldn't go amiss.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.