ParentGiving - www.parentgiving.com

This review is not in regard to the actual product, as the product itself seems to be good (except for sizing), but in regard to the lack of customer service this company has. The individual I care for typically wears a size small in adult diapers, so I ordered a small size from Parentgiving. However, these proved to be much too small. Considering this, I opted to return them and purchase a larger size. The packing slip said I needed to call Parentgiving in order to initiate the return process. I did so and was then provided an email with the return address and reference number and was instructed to go to either UPS, FedEx or USPS and fill out a return label as one was not provided. I understood this to mean that I would be responsible to pay for shipping costs. I was willing to do so as the mistake was my own. The post office is 7 minutes from our house so was the best option- particularly since the person I care for has dementia and does not like leaving home. I had ordered three packages of adult diapers, so they came in a fairly large box which I was specifically instructed to use for the return. That being said, the shipping was $49.00. As the diapers themselves were $79, this seemed a rather exorbitant shipping price and, in hindsight, I would have been better off donating them to a local nursing home rather than paying that much to return them; however, when you're in the middle of a crowded place trying to take care of something as quickly as possible to avoid a dementia-induced tantrum, you just do whatever needs to be done to get it over with. The other home health aide I work with was, understandably, pretty annoyed with me that I paid such a high shipping price. However, I was not going to drive around town to FedEx and then UPS to compare prices, determine which was the cheapest, and then return to that location to complete the return. In just the short 7 minute drive to the post office, the person in my care was frantically trying to open the car door to get out while the vehicle was moving because she didn't want to leave the house. My coworker then called Parentgiving regarding this pricing issue and was told that we were provided the option to have the return picked up from our home for $13. This was not true. To prove it, I forwarded the email I was sent to the customer service manager who insisted we were given this option. She then told me that it would not have been mentioned in the email, it would have been mentioned in the initial phone call. It was not! How convenient they should reference something which cannot be proven and is my word against the customer service rep's. The "resolution" was to offer us $20 worth of in-store credit. Of course, in order to purchase anything, I would have to pay for shipping costs again. All told, I paid $79 for the diapers, plus $5.95 shipping. I then paid $49 in return shipping. That comes to $133.95 for 56 diapers I cannot use and am no longer in possession of. My return credit is expected to be $59.25 as one of the packages I ordered was, obviously, opened and ineligible for refund. That means this experience cost me $74.70 and I have nothing to show for it except frustration and $20 in-store credit- I may as well have used that cash as diaper wipes.

I ordered an item and it came quickly enough and it was a good item, but as soon as I saw it I knew it would not work for my purpose. Their returns process is very rigid and strictly limited and you have to pay shipping. For example, it had to be in the original wrapping. Good thing I didn't even open the plastic! But I think that's a bit much. They seemed very reluctant to do a return. For this reason, I would not recommend them. When shopping online you should not have issues with returns.

I have to start with the customer service, because I have gotten so sick in life of having to punch in numbers, sit on hold and wait, just to be treated as subhuman. Not here. From my first call when I came across the site and needed to order some incontinence supplies and ever since, the customer service reps have been so helpful, thorough, sensitive to the not so pretty subject, and also so knowledgeable that they pointed me in the direction.

Since that first encounter, they’ve been my go to for first aid and medical supplies, the prices can be slightly high, but its normally offset by the free shipping when compared to other sites, of course there are always deals to be found somewhere.

The Parentgiving.com library page consists of articles and newsflashes centered around caregiving and an Expert tab with lawyers, doctors, caregivers and other, well, experts, who have contributed articles, how to’s, and answered questions that I didn’t even know were common among those of us caring for our parents. Where the shopping side is totally focused on products and purchasing. The best part about the site is that you can avoid the shopping all together, getting lots of good information and help from the library side without the annoyance of being pressured to buy anything. Of course there are always the customer service, whom I already praised, and buyers guides if you decide to go the shopping route, which I recommend, just remember to always shop around. All in all, a great, helpful site that’s made my life and mom’s easier all around!