Ragazzi update: Storkcraft buys name, plans relaunch





Stork Craft, the Vancouver-based crib importer, has bought the name rights to Ragazzi and Bambino Reale and plans to relaunch the brand in January 2007. As reported her earlier, Ragazzi (based in Quebec) closed in May 2006 after a 34 year run as a high-end nursery furniture maker.

We will have a full report on the "new" Ragazzi in our next edition; meanwhile, many readers have asked about parts and warranties for their Ragazzi cribs. We have heard conflicting stories on this---when we attended a recent trade show, a Storkcraft executive told us they were NOT going to honor any old Ragazzi warranties or fulfill parts requests. This apparently has changed in recent days. A Ragazzi sales rep emails today with this news:

For those customers who have current Ragazzi products and wish to add more to their collections, they can contact their local Ragazzi dealer to check on existing inventory that Stork Craft purchased. In the future, if they are in need of parts, the new Ragazzi, may be able to assist them but will need to be determined on a case by case basis.

So, if you have a problem with a Ragazzi crib (need a part, etc), give Storkcraft a call at 604-448-3304. And email us with what you hear.

Here's our take: since Storkcraft has bought the Ragazzi brand, they should honor ALL its warranties and fill any requests for parts. We don't care if they technically only bought the name rights or certain assets. It will be a major PR blunder for Storkcraft to tell Ragazzi customers (some of whom spent $800 or more on a crib or dresser) that it's just their tough luck if they need a part or service. If Storkcraft expects to make money off the Ragazzi brand in the future, they should make sure Ragazzi's past customers are taken care of.

Update 11-14-06: readers continue to report that Storkcraft is NOT filling requests for Ragazzi parts. Reader Jennifer B. emails:

I just contacted Storkcraft, and was told that I am out of luck on replacement hardware for my 7 year old $600 Ragazzi crib. Because they only purchased Ragazzi’s name (otherwise known as the “goodwill!”) and not the operations, they feel that they are not responsible for supporting any past products.

Again, shame on Storkcraft for giving past Ragazzi customers the shaft. To say this will affect our future rating of the "new" Ragazzi is an understatement.

Posted: Tue - August 8, 2006 at 01:27 PM          

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