Since I'm in baby-buying mode, this is my new favorite website. Initially i registered with the BIG baby retailer, but after a bit of research discovered Right Start. I'm very glad that I did.

First, shipping is super fast despite the size of the item. I had one item backordered, but I knew it would not be available until a specific date when I added it to my registry. THANK YOU for the heads up... it allowed me to make an informed decision (I decided to wait for it.)

They are a member of UPromise with a 3% cashback reward. Granted, it does not apply to gifts purchased FOR you, but small price. What RightStart.com does offer is a 10% cashback rebate on all purchases from your registry. I received my first card a few weeks ago. I did not realize the card would be a rightstart card, meaning you can only use it on their site... but lets be real... I will be baby shopping and child shopping for years. It will not go to waste. And it is TEN percent back.

Shipping is free for all purchases over $49 (at this time) and there are always special offers in addition to this. I happened to buy several expensive items on the weekend they had a 10% off discount. OMG. Between the rebate, the discount, and UPromise... I earned 34% off (I used my UPromise Bank of america credit card which gave me an additional 11% cashback to my UPromise account.)

So let's talk about prices. I don't have a Right Start boutique near me (yet... surely DC/Northern Virginia will happen soon?) so I cannot comment on in-store prices. But the prices on-line are right in line with the BIG baby retailer and other retailers. This is not including rebates, rewards, discounts, etc... just retail pricing.

I've not had to use customer service, but there is a chat-option. I work during the day and don't have time for shopping, so I'm never on-line when CS reps are, but since I've not needed them... so be it. I'm happy. I cannot imagine this on-line retailer to be anything but professional.

One suggestion I would make to the site owners... consider an product suggestion section. I hate to have to buy anything from other retailers now (really!) and identifying my needs/wants would allow you to increase sales even more. There are high-quality, high-end products here... this is NOT a Walmart-quality store. This is for people with an interest and the means to buy the best for their kids; consumers who do research and are highly discriminating.

I might also suggest a product review section. The down side to other baby sites... you do not know what is a real vs staged review. I was able to write a product review on the BIG baby retail site without having purchased it or having it on my registry. It was real, but how do they know that? I bought it elsewhere. I also worry people who write negative reviews are often focused on the dollar point... which is very relative to the buyer/user. I suspect Right Start would provide reviews from like-minded, like-income-based consumers w/o the attitude of "at that price, it should never break and it should make you a latte, too."

This is my absolute favorite site right now. I cannot give it enough thumbs ups. Loving it!