Albee Baby

Full review
I have shopped twice with Albee. The first time, for a Peg Perego stroller (on big sale) was great. Speedy delivery, the stroller was brand new. I was happy and saved about $175 by ordering through them.

The SECOND time I ordered was a bit different. I ordered the Zanzibar 6-piece crib bedding set. Listed as "special order" I ordered it anyway. I received a call from them about 2 weeks later saying it would be another 2 weeks (the "end of July") before the item came in. "Fine" I said, "thanks for the call. Good service," I thought. Still no bedding at the last week of July. So I called, wanting to cancel my order. The first person I talked to said "the order isn't in yet and we told you the end of the July--we still have 4 days to fill it." (the last week of July isn't the end of July in business terms?) Then he tried to give me the brush off. If I wanted to pursue cancelling the order, I had to speak to a manager, so I should just let the order sit. (What am I, an idiot? Oh right--I was calling New York! Strong arm the customer and they will go away!) "Okay" I said, "let me talk to a manager." "One isn't available." "Okay, I'll wait. (I waited.)" "He's busy, can he call you back?" --By this time I was annoyed by what seemed to be an AOL-like plan to keep people locked into their purchases. I agreed to a call later, chiefly so I could complain about the customer service guy. However, in a sudden move, I received a voice mail later that day that my order had shipped. How nice.

The cancellation policy is really buried on the website so if something is special order, be careful. There are no returns on it either. After my first shop I'd give them 5 stars. After the second, maybe 2 or 3. A sudden order fulfillment after a request to cancel it always makes me suspicious. First the order wasn't in the warehouse, then it ships at 5pm? I think the next time I need something I will go with a different dealer. Th final transaction turned me off competely. Hopefully the bedding arrives new, without damages.