Update @ 10pm: Here is the best list I could find of BPA-free bottles, sippy cups, etc found on SafeMama: “BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet”
Thanks to my readers, I have an update for you regarding the transition the baby products industry is making towards BPA-free bottles. If you want to read the study done by The Work Group for Safe Markets, here it is: “Baby’s Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Baby Bottles” and here is the website where I downloaded this report from: CHEJ. I want to remind you that these bottles have not been recalled and that I am simply passing along this information to you. If your Babies ‘R Us will not accept your bottles for a refund, then hang onto them in case a recall is issued in the future.
Here is what my readers told me, read the comments here and the comments over at Baby Cheapskate here to see what other readers are saying, the comments are pouring in today on this hot topic:
Jen shared with me what she got in her mailbox: “I also received from Playtex a free Playtex nurser bottle with 3 drop ins. When I sent for it I thought they were just sending the drop-ins not an actual bottle. I was pleasantly surprised. ” Although Playtex has received an “unprecedented demand” for their BPA-free product, they appear to still be offering this free bottle system that I told you about here.
Speaking of BPA-free bottles, you might be interested in hearing what Rosa told me “I know word has been going around but I’d like to confirm that Babies R’ us is taking back all bottles that have BPA and issuing a store credit for the full value…even if it’s used!!!! I just got back and returned 17 bottles with no problem at all. I live in NY but I spoke with the manager and she said it was a national thing, but I would advise your readers to call their local BRU before they head out.” I’ve heard that this is happening, but there is nothing on the Babies ‘R Us website stating this, just information about BPA and their transitioning to BPA-free products. I did find this useful post at Moms Journal about another first-hand experience taking your bottles back to Babies ‘R Us.
I found this site using [url=http://google.com]google.com[/url] And i want to thank you for your work. You have done really very good site. Great work, great site! Thank you!Sorry for offtopic
I just returned all of my Avent bottles to the BRU in Shaumburg, IL. (I had to take them along on vacation since my store isn’t doing the returns.) They will take them as long as you have all the parts – no packaging or receipt needed. The catch is that they won’t give you store credit only an exchange for new bottles. They tell you how much your old bottles are worth and you pick out new ones with the same value. I already have a ton of new bottles, so I did the exchange and then used that receipt to return them to a different store (bad of me? probably, but within the “rules” in their return policy. I would have happily taken a store credit to buy formula or a new car seat or even sippy cups.)
I found that in Durham, NC they are offering exchanges only on bottles with BPA. I asked which ones and she mentioned that the Munchkin triflow bottles I use (and bought most of at BRU) are not included, but said they don’t have a list or anything that they can hand out on the ones they will accept. So anyone tried to return Munchkin brand bottles? I know they no longer sell them, but in May when I orginally heard about this, they weren’t taking any back. Ugh.
I just returned my bottles to the store in Boardman/Youngstown, Ohio. They were extremely rude. They told my husband that no one else is doing this and gave me major attitude. My husband told her that we are the only good parents then!!!Acted like it has such a hassle!!! AHHHHH!
I just called the Braintree, MA store and was told they are only accepting ones purchased within the last 90 days with a receipt. If anyone knows of any stores in MA that are still accepting used ones without a receipt, I’d love to know where!
I returned $170.77 to BRU two days ago. The brands ranged from Avent, Dr. Browns, and Playtex Ventaire. I had a receipt for some but not all. I went in with all 33 bottles and 4 sippy cups all with needed parts, and exchanged them for store credit. I did provide them with the item # and UPC # from there website to speed the process along. The store employees were very pleased by this. My local store here in Columbus, Ga had just gotten in the Avent BPA free bottles. FYI, the new Avent BPA free bottles both 9oz and 4 oz come in two packs only and are $18.99 for the two packs. Avent isn’t offering the 11 oz. bottles, or any starter set BPA free yet. I am shocked to see that they bottles are so expensive compared to Dr. Brown’s BPA free bottles. My daughter will only use the Avent and she is almost 9 months, so I had to get them over priced as they are. I am also expecting our son in September and was torn between getting Avent bottles for him to use. I bought 2- 2 packs of the 4 oz, 3- 2 packs of the 9 oz, 2 medela feeding/storage sets, a extra formula container by Avent, 3- 2 packs of stage 4 nipples (to replace the ones exchanged on the bottles), a medela ice pack, 2 Avent magic trainer cups, and a lack assist. As long as I exchanged the BPA bottles for BPA free feeding bottles and accessories BRU did not mind. I am glad Avent finally came out with BPA free but dissapointed they have taken so long and how pricey they are and not much of a variety. The Avent BPA bottles are made from Polyether Sulphone (PES)- a BPA free material with a natural honey-colored tint. The only thing needed to complete teh return was a drivers license, and I had to use the amount of credit awarded that day towards BPA free products and nothing else. I am glad I did! This is not an advertised exchange program, I heard by word of mouth and I am not sure how long it will last. I wanted to get rid of my BPA bottles but knew I couldn’t afford to buy the BPA free bottles right now, and thanks to BRU they made this possible. Thanks!
I just got back from the BRU in Houston TX at I-45 & 1960. I was able to return my Avent Nursers, no receipt required. I got a $66 pre-tax credit that I had to use on replacement BPA free bottles. I had hoped to get the new Avent BPA bottles but since they don't have them yet, I went with the Avent Tempo. I was also told that they are changing up the returns policies and that the BPA returns might not continue after that so if you are considering the swap out, do it quickly.
I just called Houston TX BRU located @ 1960 and I45 and I was told I can just bring the bottles in without receipt/original packaging. I have Playtex Vent-air (natural shape and standard). I was told that the on Playtex Vent-air that are BPA free are the ones that say “Advanced.”
I went to the Woodbridge, VA store yesterday. They will only take back with a receipt. Then I went to the Sterling, VA store. They gave me $165 in credit toward any feeding items. They said this policy could end any day when corporate calls them and says to stop. I recommend calling before going out. The clerks are hot and cold – some are really rude and nasty about it, and others are perfectly nice.
I returned 10 Breastflow and 15 Avent bottles to the BRU in Tyler, Texas today. No receipt was needed, and the manager and cashier were both very courteous and helpful! I got full price back on a giftcard – $117 and some change! I am very pleased!
Tried to return my bottles in Dallas Texas and they said only with a receipt. I called the 800 corporate number and was told that there was no problem with the bottles and that BRU had them tested and there is no problem and no one should be able to return them without a receipt. Was also told that this was just a Canada problem. Has anyone had any luck with returns in the Dallas, TX area?
I returned over 20 Avent and Playtex Vent-Air bottles to my local BRU in Evans GA 2 weekends ago and they were AS NICE AS THEY COULD BE!! I was so happy! They have always given me absolutely no problem no matter what I was returning. I was so happy. I got about $150 back on a gift card for later use. The only ones they could not return were the Soothie so I have 6 of those left. The reason they didn’t return them was they are no longer selling them at my store so they didn’t know what to give me back for them. I even returned one Dr Browns 2oz bottle that came as a sample and I got $4.99 back for it!!!
Just like what Heather said, I called a BRU in Fairfax, VA (DC suburb) and was advised we would get the store credit to purchase the equivalent in BPA free bottles. This was told to me by the random customer service guy that answered the phone so it sounds as if BRU has taken their official corporate stance on this and has communicated it to every customer contact employee. I bet you can buy a ton of Playtex liners and even some other baby feeding accessories with that credit though.
I called the BRUS in Schaumburg, IL, and they said Yes, they are accepting returns of used bottles with BPA, but only giving a credit towards the purchase of new BPA-free bottles. Works for me, I just had a new baby and had a drawer full of bottles from my last child that I haven’t been able to use. A couple of times I have even opened the drawer contemplating whether I should just throw them out.. thankfully I didn’t!
I got this update from Cheryl via email: “I called my local BRU in West Hartford, CT last week to confirm the bottle return and ask about the program. The person I spoke with told me that I could either pick out new BPA free bottles, or receive a store credit. I returned 24 bottles to Babies R’ Us last night. Since I am not ready to pick out new bottles, I told the cashier that I would like a store credit. She informed me that they just received a letter from management that stated there would be no more store credits issued. Without much insisting from me, the cashier agreed to honor what I was told on the phone and issued a store credit for ~$89. Just wanted to let everyone know that if they intend on asking for a store credit, they should return their bottles ASAP, before this policy becomes stringent.Also, just wanted to thank you for such useful and money saving information. I was concerned with BPA in my bottles, but was dreading the significant replacement cost. Thank you so much for making this an easy decision.”
I was able to return to BRU Danbury CT. No Problem. Fishkill, NY also told me no prob!
Able to return Avent and Palytex bottles at BRU in Chula Vista-San Diego with no problem
T – I recommend checking the cheat sheet I put at the top of this post to see if your bottles are BPA-free. You can also check with the manufacturer.
help! im not sure if mine is on the list, but i use playtex drop in premium nurser bottles and easy feed nurser.
I was told by the store in San Diego (La Mesa/Fletcher Parkway) that they are only doing it if they are off a registry or you have the receipt.
I saw this last night and I just took mine back to a BRUS in St. Louis and the only requirement was that I had put the bottles (Avent) on my registry. None of the bottles were actually documented as purchased on the registry (which was opened in Sept. 07) but they still took them back. I got a $98 store credit. thanks for the tip!
I returned my Avent bottles to the Bellingham, MA ToySRu today without a receipt. Got $139.00 in store credit. Thanks.
Can anyone tell me what stores in NY you were able to return to? I live in Long Island called my local store and they are only taking back with receipts.Thanks!
I returned my Avent bottles to my BRU in Brooklyn, NY. I called before going there and spoke with an assistant manager. I had no receipt or boxes. They took them back and gave me full value for them ($90). I had to exchange them for 2 boxes of bottles and any other various merchandise. They wouldn’t give me a credit to the store.
I just exchanged 4 bottles at BRU in Evansville, IN. They will exchange the bottles for BPA-free bottles in store. The manager was very friendly & helpful. I was skeptical, but it worked. I did not have receipts. Mine were Avent. . .about 2 years old. (I told them they were old).
I just returned mine to BabiesRUs in Greenville, SC with no problem. Mine were all about 3 years old, and I had no receipt or original packaging, but they didn’t even ask about it. I had 15 Dr. Browns and 6 Evenflo and VentAires, and got a gift card back for $87. I called and spoke with the assistant mgr. first. When I got there, the girl at customer service told me to pick out the bottles I wanted to exchange for, but when I told her that they were out of the Dr. Brown’s BPA-free plastic ones, they just gave me a gift card instead. Awesome! Thanks so much for posting about this.
The store in Chattanooga, TN took mine back with no problem, no hassle at all and gave me a $43.08 store credit. I had no receipt, no boxes–I just took them to customer service in a plastic bag. I did call first and speak to a manager, who was friendly and verified that they would take the bottles back.
Josefina – if the types of bottles you have are not on the “BPA-Free Cheat Sheet” I posted the link to, then you should try taking them back to your local BRU to see if they will offer you a refund or exchange.
does anyone know of a complete list of bottles that should be returned?
hotmomma and anyone else in the Houston area:I took my 9 used Avent bottles to the BRU at 290 and Hollister today 05/28/08 and they took them back for me and issued me a merchandise credit…no receipt, just asked for ID. The girl at the Guest Service Desk was very nice and helpful. I called in advance and had spoke to someone else about the BPA issue and they had told me to just bring them by. Hope that Helps!
Update: I posted a few days ago that the BRU in Bensalem, Pennsylvania was not taking back the bottles. I decided to call today just for the heck of it and they are taking them back. They will give you merchandise credit. Right now they are only taking Dr. Brown’s and Advent.What I did was rubberband three bottles together at a time and the cleaning brush. They were not checking too closely, but just in case do have all of the parts together. For every three I got $12.99 back, full retail price. That is also the cost of two glass Dr. Brown’s bottles. We did not need a receipt, but did have to show our driver’s license.Thank you so much to the reader who posted that Cherry Hill is taking back bottles because it encouraged me to call one more time.Both Bensalem and Chery Hill locations are easily accessible to Philadelphia. Good luck everyone!
I just called the BRU in San Diego (Fletcher) and they said they will give me full credit for all 20 of my used Dr. Brown’s bottles. I hope they have the glass ones.
I just spoke to Stephanie at the Tampa, FL store and she said that they will exchange the bottles for ones that are BPA free without a receipt or the original packaging. She said make sure to bring the parts and they will let you exchange them right then(they will not give store credit). She said that all of her employees are aware of the policy.
I returned Avent bottles to the store in Cherry Hill NJ yesterday. $80 worth. All were used and no receipts.
I returned all of my used Avent bottles and even the microwave sterilizer and received a $120 store credit. No receipts were required. Check with each store, I have heard it is at the Manager’s digression. (Williamsburg, VA)
I got my free playtex bottle today in the mail. It was an 8 oz bottle with 5 liners…also a coupon for $1 off more liners!
Took mine back in Utah and got $137 19 Avent bottles and about 20 extra nipples. Got store credit. My friend called right after I left and they said they were not doing it any longer unless they were purchased within the last 90 days.
Is anyone having any luck with this in the north houston area, by chance? Thanks so much!
I took some back to the Mentor, OH Babies R Us today with no problem. The bottles are over a year old (I stopped using them months ago, but hung on to them.) They wanted me to spend the credit on other bottles, but my kids a just over a year and use cups. They let me get other feeding stuff with it….sippy cups, plates, and utensils. They were very nice about it and didn’t give me a hassle. I noticed there was still Dr. Browns stuff on the shelf that was NOT BPA free!!!
Evans, GA is taking them back with no problem. Manager was super nice, cashier made me feel like the scum of the earth!! Good luck to all!!
I called my local BRU in Wyomissing,PA and they said they will take the bottles for store credit.I’ll be going there later on today and hope it works out!
I just got off the phone with my local BRU (Rivergate, TN) and the store manager said that it is not an advertised thing, but they are accepting the bottles and sippy cups back if it is a concern to you. So, I am running down there today or tomorrow to get my money!! I just love free money!!!
Hi,I also live in RI and I called the Warwick store. I spoke with an assistant manager named Kathy. She told me that they would take back no more than 2 bottles and only if you were buying 2 new bottles (like the born free non-bpa).
I tried this at my local toys r us and babies r us and they both told me the same thing. There is no real evidence that BPA causes any problems and that they will continue to sell these products, so if I didn’t have the receipts (dated within 30 days.)and boxes for the bottles there was nothing they could do. They were of course very strict about their being rude policy…. lol. Oh well, it is good to know that these locations do not care about safety issues like this though.
Make sure to call your BRU/TRU first b/c not all of them will do it. We did a post about it about a week ago or so if you wanted to see. :)Mindywww.mommieswithcents.com
Exactly what kind of bottles are you guys returning? I have advent and dr. brown bottles…
I was able to return my Dr. Brown bottles at BRU here in Louisville, KY with no problem and got a store credit. The only BPA free bottles they carry are glass and they were out of them. I was able to find BPA free plastic Dr. Brown’s bottles across the street at Toys R Us and they were on sale for 15% off with in store coupon.
I just returned my bottles and nipples (all Advent)to my nearest BRU store and they were very nice. I called them in advance to make sure they would allow it and she said that they would all me to exchange for another BPA free brand but that I couldn’t just get store credit. Fine by me. I had 24 bottles, a little over board I know (got most of them from baby showers), and several packs worth of nipples…all used (I haven’t used these in over a year but am pregnant with baby #2 and were planning on using them — of course I didn’t tell them how old the bottels were). I ended up getting more expensive bottles because the ones I wanted were sold out, it still saved me from spending $140 of my own money. I did bring up to the manager that not all stores were honoring this (i.e. my sister’s store in Charlotte, NC, and she said they must be nice). I don’t know how long it will last but if you live in the Orlando area, the Altamonte Springs store is honoring the exchange of bottles that have BPA in them.I think it is crazy that some stores are doing it and some aren’t. They are a national/corporate store and they all should be doing the same thing. BRU’s website says that they are even phasing out products that contain BPA in them by the end of 2008.
I just got back and received a $111.00 store credit. I was able to buy BPA free bottles and have money left over, as I did not get Dr. Brown’s like I had originally had, due to the store not having BPA free ones. My baby seems to like the bottles that I did purchase. I am sorry that not everyone was as lucky as myself. Not all of the BRU stores in my area is participating. Calling before you go is a must!Thanks for this tip Heather! You allowed me to do something that I had wanted to do, but did not have the money to do!! You’re the best!
I called my local stores today, Thanks to this post! One Toyrsus said yes bring them and they will exchange them for store credit. I called a Toyrus and a Babiesrus in another city and they both said no as it is not an offical recall. So I went to the one accepting them and was able to return my Dr. Brown Bottles and the PLaytex ventaire, all together $104 in store. Crazy thing is the store was still selling some that have the BPA in them. It also didn’t not have the BPA free Dr. Brown bottles. So I will have to order them online. So my suggestion is to just call the stores around you. If they say they are ask details for how long and get a managers name that said they are.
I just contacted the headquarters and they were very RUDE! The woman I talked to said they had not been recalled therefore unless they were in the original packaging or if you had your receipt they would return it. SO they would not return used bottles. She said they are fazing out all the BPA bottles by the end of the year, which she thought would make me feel better and it didn’t. I told her then why should we have to keep ones that contain BPA that they will no longer carry? I registered at Babies R US and have spent thousands of dollars there, but yet they know that the BPA bottles aren’t safe and will not take them back unless they are recalled. She told me if I wasn’t happy then I need to contact the FDA! Needless to say I was fuming when I got off the phone with her.Definitely call your store and talk to the manager, hopefully you will get a nice manager and will allow you to return your used bottles. The stores in Charlotte, NC will not return them. But my sister’s store in Orlando let her return all 24 of hers with no complaints.
I just called the TRUS at Castor and Cottman Ave and they have not heard of this and are not accepting returns. The BRUS in Bensalem on Bristol Pike (both located in or close to Philadelphia, PA) has heard that some stores are taking it back, but they are not. The manager said that the bottles have not been recalled and that their store “stands by the original bottles and that they are still safe for your kids”. I find it interesting that BRUS in other states, including NY, are accepting back bottles but mine isn’t. I plan on writing a letter to corporate and encourage everyone here to do so as well. If anyone else who reads this blog is in the Tri-state area, could you please let us know the location of your BRUS and if they are accepting returns? I’m willing to travel a reasonable distance.
I live in RI and I just called and they said that they were not taking the bottle back. They seemed confused by the phone call. I will try back in a couple of weeks.
Mine let me return them to, without a receipt. Got about $35.00 back. Thank God for BRU… I was just going to throw these away, glad I didn’t
I have a ton of Avent bottles and equipment that I won’t use because of the BPA’s. I called my local Babies R Us (Staten Island, NY) and I was told that they are not accepting the bottles for return because they have not been recalled and are still being sold. The bottles are subject to the normal B.R.U. return policy (must be unopened, with a receipt dated within the past 90 days).I then called the Babies R Us toll-free number. I was told that B.R.U. had been accepting the bottles and equipment for return (used, without receipt, whatever) but only until May 12. After May 12, since the bottles were not recalled, they stopped accepting them for that type of no-questions-asked return. I got the same return policy info from her (unopened, with receipt dated within the past 90 days).I think I may try it anyway. It can’t hurt to try! I just wish I’d heard about this before May 12!Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the link! I just wanted to mention that I got my tip from a craigslist posting from Atlanta. I returned mine at a Seattle area store.
Today I returned 10 Dr. Brown’s bottles today to my BRU in Clearwater, FL. These bottles were purchased 18-24 months ago and I did not have a receipt. I called first and spoke with a manager who said yes they would take them. When I got to the store the cashier asked the nearest manager (not the one I spoke to on the phone) about it but she didn’t want to refund them saying that there was not a recall on the bottles. The person I spoke with on the phone was not in the store when I went (just 30 minutes after my phone call. I think he was outside on a break) When I said I had called and been told they would take them back the female manger relented and gave the cashier the okay. They gave me credit for 3-3 packs and a single. The total was $47.04. I was saving the bottles in case we have a second baby but I wouldn’t use those bottles again anyway because of the BPA.
I just called my BRU in Bakersfield, CA, and asked about returning bottles and they said “no” because they never sold bottles with BPA. I find that hard to believe!
Mine said only with a receipt.
No receipt is necessary. I returned about $80 worth of bottles. They did ask to see my license as I believe is standard with most returns. They didn’t give me any problems at all! (Toledo, OH)
Yes, this is true!! I live in Brea, Ca and returned 18 used bottles to my BRU, they issued me store credit for $60!!! No problem!! I’ve heard that they wont be doing this for long so go now! You DO NOT need a receipt and they can be used and not in sets!
definitely call BRU first. our local one is not taking them back and said each store got to decide if they were going to take them back.
Amanda – I’m sure it would help to have your receipt but people are reporting success doing this without a receipt. It’s a safety issue that BRU is addressing, and they want their customers to know that they are committed to safety.Here’s a few reminders:* Each store may be handling this refund differently* BRU has not posted anything about a refund on their website* You may want to speak to a store manager if you take bottles back to BRU, they usually offer better customer service than other store employees* Remember to always be polite, even if a store employee is rude to you
I assume you have to dig in the old archives and find your receipts?? or are they return friendly as usual at BRUs – and are therefore willing to award giftcards to non-receipt holders??