In my own opinion they are a compleat waist of money. I know many mom's who bought them at $80 each and said after they waisted their money on them. Bumbo's are great for helping them sit, but as soon as they move even a little they can be very dangerious. I know one of my friends DS's fell out of it and hit his head, he ended up with a split open head
needed stitches and all. Don't get me wrong, used the way they're intended most people wont have a problem, but in all fairness they really only get a couple months use at the most anyway.
We had one of those bath rings with the suction cups on the bottom and used it on the floore while we were there. It was only $3 and she used it for baths and on the floore for play. She also couldn't fall out because there was a bar on the front that held her in. She loved it.
Bouncy chairs are a great way for your LO to have a new very, and excersaucers are great when they're older too.