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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Full Size Conversion Rail Kit – Coffee Parker Lowest Price by MJC "mjc"

MJC "mjc" — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:39:44 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Overpriced, incomplete conversion "kit.", October 3, 2011

MJC "mjc" (Chicago) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: DaVinci Parker Full Size Conversion Rail Kit - Pearl White Parker (Baby Product)

Summary:
To me, a kit should include all the necessary parts to convert the DaVinci Parker toddler bed (or crib) into a full size bed that can hold a mattress. It doesn't. This is just two pieces of wood and eight fasteners. After you connect the rails to the footboard and headboard using the old DaVinci crib sides, it won't hold a mattress, in my opinion.

Also, shipping was very slow by Amazon Prime standards. Took about 10 days to arrive.

Details:

Granted, the two rails that make-up this kit might hold a mattress that is placed on a well made full size box spring that exactly fits the final dimensions, but it definitely won't hold a foam mattress and there's not much room for error. Here's why - these boards are quite flimsy. The rails have only about 1" upon which a box spring will rest along their lengths. If your kid (and friends) might bounce on the bed, be prepared for the force of jumping kids to easily bow the flimsy boards outward allowing the box spring and mattress to fall through. If you are going to use it this way, I'd suggest that you consider driving a few screws from the bottom of the rail into the box spring's frame in the middle 1/3 of each of the rails. That will probably keep the rails from bowing. Also, consider finding a thin box spring, as the rails raise the spring and mattress quite high above the ground, and kids who are transitioning from a crib or a toddler bed might roll out.

I know that the product sales page picture shows that it's just two rails with a bunch of predrilled holes, so it might seem that expecting the the final bed frame made using the kit would be complete and sturdy was expecting too much. But, here's the thing. Like so many products, the product page's picture of the kit doesn't show everything that arrives or that is used to make the final bed frame. For example the included fasteners are not pictured or listed on the page. Further, this kit uses parts from the crib, so I assumed it would use most of the parts to provide mattress support or other needed frame reinforcement. The crib parts and rails work together to create the bed, and there's nothing at the point of purchase that suggests what parts of the crib are used. Turns out that it ONLY uses the sides of the crib. They are the new bed's headboard and footboard. However, the crib has all these other parts that end up not being used: metal platform upon which the crib mattress rested, crib sides, crib side rails, and a bunch of fasteners. It was wrong but not totally unreasonable to expect that the predrilled holes shown in the product page combined with the forthcoming instructions would show that the (unused) crib sides and metal frame could be used to make a more complete full-size bed from this "kit."

What I had to do to complete the "kit":
We have a foam mattress for our child to use. As mentioned above, there's absolutely no way this kit will support a foam mattress (and it's doubtful that it will securely hold a box frame through the expected rigors of bouncing and play without additional reinforcement). To create a platform that will hold a foam mattress, I had to buy two 4x8 sheets of plywood at Home Depot ($12 to $20 each depending upon what you choose). For $2 HD cut each of those sheets into sheets that measure 53" by 38". I laid those two sheets between the rails to create a platform. I screwed each of them into the rails using four screws (eight total screws) to keep the rails from bowing outward and to increase the bed's rigidity as it is pushed around during room cleaning and rearranging. I also cut a 2x4 to 76" in length and ran it along the middle of the underside of the newly installed plywood, using metal brackets from HD to attach it to the headboard and footboard. The 2x4 might be overkill, but it's not uncommon at our house for two 6' adults and two growing toddlers to climb into the same bed at story time. Since story time is often accompanied by toddler bouncing, rolling, and giggling I wanted a little extra support. The instructions said this frame was rated to around 550 pounds, but a family of 4 combined with a 12" thick foam mattress are pretty close to that number.

What I wish I had done instead of buying this kit:
It would have been just as easy and cheaper to build a platform bed using 2x6's and plywood. I priced it at HD. Would have saved about $50 in materials. There are free DIY plans all over the internet for simple to fancy platform bed frames.

Or ... it would have been even cheaper to just buy a couple 2x6's at HD along with some white paint instead of this rail "kit". A 12 foot long 2x^ of better quality was less than $8. Having it cut into two boards of 76" each would add $1. I have lots of extra white trim paint around the house, so I didn't bother to price it, but suffice it to say that painting them white and bolting them to... Read more

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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Espresso Best Price by AngelaH "Angela"

AngelaH "Angela" — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:45:06 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Beautiful!, September 22, 2011

AngelaH "Angela" (Eagle Pass, TX) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Espresso (Baby Product)

This crib is beautiful! I bought it for my 2nd child because my daughter is still in her full size crib. I love the way this one looks and it will be perfect for when my daughter can use it as a twin size bed. It's sturdy and the color is perfect in our nursery. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that the directions are really unclear, I had a SUPER hard time making sure I had the pieces in the right place.

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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Espresso Best Price by R C

R C — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:12:24 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Very sturdy and cute, May 9, 2009

R C (Colorado) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Ebony (Baby Product)

After an exhaustive search for the right portable/mini crib I decided on the Da Vinci Annabelle for two reasons:

1) I have the full-sized Da Vinci Anastasia crib that I am very satisfied with, and
2) reasonably priced.

None of the collapsible cribs were very sturdy in my opinion (I also looked at these in stores). I ordered this for a long visit at gma and gpa's house. Baby slept great!

I would recommend the breathable baby bumper, and the Da Vinci coil mattress to go along with the crib because it is small and the breathable bumper will fit it PERFECTLY (it comes in two pieces and you only need to use the large piece), and the coil mattress is very comfortable and comparable to a decent full-sized crib mattress.

Do note however that baby will probably grow out of the crib fairly fast. I was using it when my average-sized baby was 5 months, and he fit nicely, but I'm guessing it may only fit him for one more visit and then it will need to be converted into the regular bed.

Great purchase, would recommend!!

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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Espresso Best Price by W. Baker

W. Baker — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:44:46 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Perfect for tight living!, January 12, 2011

W. Baker -

This review is from: DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib in Espresso (Baby Product)

Space was a huge issue for us in our small bungalow. This crib fit the bill! It was relatively easy to assemble and it looks great! It certainly is not one of these huge, fancy, sleigh cribs, but when you're working w/ tight quarters, who cares? It's also light enough that we can move it around if we need to when we have guests staying with us.

My son is in the 80th percentile in height for his age and STILL fits in it perfectly fine at 18 months. So, whoever's kids wasn't fitting in at 14 months...
It's also the only mini crib I found that turns into a twin bed (you do need to buy the rails separately).

The reason I didn't give it five stars was that the mattress that comes with it is terrible (but it was easy to find a replacement at our local store for $30)

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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Reagan 4 in 1 Crib with Toddler Rail, Oak for Sale by maxsam

maxsam — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:47:48 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Bolts came out after 10 months of use, December 9, 2010

maxsam -

This review is from: DaVinci Reagan 4 in 1 Crib with Toddler Rail, Cherry (Baby Product)

After about 10 months I noticed the side rail was moving. When I checked the crib more closely I discovered most of the bolts were loose and some of them I could pull completely out. We are very careful when assembling things for our baby and we are very mechanically inclined so I am convinced it wasn't "operator error". We now keep an allen key in the nursery so we can tighten the bolts as needed. I had another crib for my first baby and it never came loose,even after 2.5 years of a very active boy. This was a pretty expensive crib so I was pretty disappointed when I found this issue.

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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Reagan 4 in 1 Crib with Toddler Rail, Oak for Sale by R. Flannery "Flan Clan 3.0"

R. Flannery "Flan Clan 3.0" — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:42:46 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Sturdy?, April 10, 2010

R. Flannery "Flan Clan 3.0" (Millersville, PA USA) -

This review is from: DaVinci Reagan 4 in 1 Crib (Baby Product)

Well, this crib looks nice and the fact that it's convertible is nice as well. However, after less than four months of my sub 15 pound baby boy sleeping in it, the handrails started becoming loose. I inspected the crib and found that slowly, all of the bolts were coming loose, the worst giving about a half an inch. I will now regularly check the crib for sturdiness. I know my son moves around a lot, but come on guys!

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Comment on Low Price DaVinci Reagan 4 in 1 Crib with Toddler Rail, Oak for Sale by C. Kadera

C. Kadera — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:10:29 +0000

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Love both of the cribs, February 2, 2011

C. Kadera -

This review is from: DaVinci Reagan 4 in 1 Crib with Toddler Rail, Oak (Baby Product)

I purchased two of these cribs about four months before my second daughter was born (she is now 11 months). Our first crib for my first daughter was recalled twice for drop down rail suffications which scared the living daylights out of me so I just purchased two new cribs without the drop down side rail. My toddler jumps around and plays in her crib as well as climbing all over the outside as well. We haven't had a problem with the side rails on either crib becoming loose. I love the way the cribs look. They have a beautiful oak finish and I'm hoping with the conversion they will both last many many years. We are going to be converting our toddlers crib to a toddler bed in a few month so I cannot speak to how the conversions have gone at this point, but I do know that we are extremely happy with both of our cribs, the way they look and their safety.

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Comment on Discount DaVinci Elizabeth II Convertible Toddler Bed in Espresso Lowest Price by Suzmquz

Suzmquz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:49:59 +0000

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Gone thru 2 kids..., May 26, 2009

Suzmquz (California) -

This review is from: DaVinci Elizabeth Toddler Bed (Baby Product)

We 1st purchased this bed nearly 4 yrs ago. Loved it then, still love it now. Our 2nd child has just about outgrown this great toddler bed and we're getting ready to to sell it. It has certainly taken some abuse. Toys have been banged and thrown at it & it does have some dents/small gouges on it, but I think any kind of wood furniture would have that b/c lets face it, kids are not gentle with toys. Both kids jumped on it(together) and it's still holding up well.
I also loved how I could remove one of the side rails when they were ready to be a little more independent. A great bed.

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Comment on Discount DaVinci Elizabeth II Convertible Toddler Bed in Espresso Lowest Price by Angela Szalkowski

Angela Szalkowski — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:23:20 +0000

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

Great first bed, September 14, 2007

Angela Szalkowski -

This review is from: DaVinci Elizabeth II Convertible Toddler Bed in White (Baby Product)

We purchased this bed for our daughter because we had to return a borrowed crib. We started her in the bed when she was 15 months old for nap time. Using all the rails and turning the bed around prevented her from getting out. Once she was used to the bed we removed one of the rails so she could get in and out on her own. She has been in it ever since. It was a 2 person project to put together, but nothing that 2 non-handy people couldn't handle. She is now 27 months and still loves her bed. It is low enough that even if they do get out at night, there is little chance that they will hurt themselves. We are getting ready to convert it to a bed since our daughter is tall and nearly reaches end to end when she stretches out!

I would recommend this bed for a first bed. Look around though, there is one site (Kelley Furniture) that offers free shipping!!!!

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Comment on Discount DaVinci Elizabeth II Convertible Toddler Bed in Espresso Lowest Price by Nancy Hofmann

Nancy Hofmann — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:34:02 +0000

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

Pretty, but soft wood., February 21, 2007

Nancy Hofmann -

This bed is nice looking and works ok (I've had to retighten all the screws after some use), but the wood is so soft that ANY banging on it leaves a mark. You have to be very careful during assembly not to scratch and dent it. And, my toddler (who isn't too wild) has left lots of marks all over it.
It is not worth paying a premium for the fact that it is convertible to a full sized bed since it will be pretty beat up by the time it gets to that point. I wish we had spent half as much on a toddler bed and then just gotten a bigger bed when we needed it.

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