bad pram!!

[Nickster]

I just wanted to warn everyone about the Steelcraft Acclaim stroller. I have one and thought I just had a slightly dodgy model because when I walk faster than a relaxed stroll, the forward facing wheels wobble and shake like crazy. I met a lady today who had the same pram and she told me she had the same problem, and that when she complained to the manufacturers, she was told that it was because her newborn baby wasn't adding enough weight to the pram!! :mad: Grrr!! So I'm now wishing I never bought it, and would like to recommend to anyone when buying a pram that they take it for a fast walk around the store!!
That's enough of a whinge from me for now!! :o

[Supermum]

Hi Nickster ... I have no need to buy another pram but will ensure I'll tell all and sundry your story.

My issue is entirely different. I have a tandem Jeep - it's easy to manage and fold out/down but everywhere I go people comment on how big it is .. and it is. It's a vehicle in itself. I did actually take it for a whirl around the store - of course the saleswoman is not going to say ..."My that's a large vehicle you are driving, it's enormous" ... not when I'm about to hand over $350 big ones for the privilege of driving it!

If I had my time again I would have listened to my friends who had two kids close together and bought a Valco! That'll teach me.

[Nickster]

poor you, supermum, big hugs to you! I find it hard enough to get into some stores with a single pram, let alone a double!! I guess it's my own stupid fault for putting up with my pram for so long, instead of going back to the store while it was still under warranty and pushing the point with them, but motherhood has been a lot busier than I expected, and the store I bought it from is quite far away from us, so I just have to live with it.
Does anyone else out there have a 'bad pram' story?

[pinkandblue]

Hi

I had the same problem with the Steelcraft. The wheels kept wobbling and even fell off twice. I brought it back to the store I bought it from and complained and they eventually gave me credit in the store and I bought a Jeep 3 wheeler and havent had any problems with it (except I bought a smaller car and it doesnt fit in the boot).

I am looking at buying a Valco and I know that the wheels are a little wide and cant fit through some aisles and checkouts, but does anyone know of any other problems with the valco?

Thanks

[Supermum]

All I know is that Valco have a really good & secure toddler seat and as there's only 15 months between my two I needed to cater for my toddler. A friend at work has had two Valco's and swears by them.

[Chickadee]

We bought a Valco 3 wheeler and I haven't had any problems with it after 22 months. It is a little wide, we have to go through the wider checkout aisles. It's perhaps a little heavier than some others and access to the under-seat storage is nearly impossible when the seat is fully reclined. But it collapses easily and wheels come off quickly to put it in the car boot.

[Tea Lady]

I have the same prob with the steelcraft - and if you look in the manual thing that comes with it they actually say it's a design feature :confused: . Something to do with the suspension. It helps if you completely stop pushing the pram for a second - I walk with my arms out in front of me and then just relax my arms when it happens which brings the pram in closer to my body- then I can scoot it out in front again. Also helps if you put more pressure on the side it starts happening on. I find it's worst when you're walking on a path with a sideways slope - if a wheel doesn't have full contact with the ground all the time it does the shopping trolley thing. We went to Melb awhile ago and it was MURDER on the cobblestones in the city. Stupid 19th century people - why couldn't they just build smooth footpaths :D .

Anyway, it's a pain but I've found it gets better as you get used to it.

lucy

[Aprilsmum]

I have a stealcraft too, but its a 3 wheeler. We haven't had any problems yet! (Fingers Crossed). I often go off road on power walks with it as well as around the shopping centre etc.

Bess :o

[onabreak]

Wow I have the same problem with my pram. The front wheel wobbles if you go a bit off balance and it drives me crazy.

Also I have only had the pram for 9 months and on the part that folds down the plastic has totally snapped. So when you have the pram being pushed forward the handle on the left does not click in any more.

My dad reckons I should take it back because spending that much on a pram should last much longer than that. But the problem is I think it snapped when my dad didn't have a clue what he was doing when he was trying to close it up.

I think it is time my DD got one of those smaller cheap prams just for the quick dash into the shops.

[anotherlogin]

I have a Mountian buggy, it's a three wheeler it would "tip-over" when the bassinette was in, if I was on a slight slope (I live in Sydney's east where it's hilly). Also it is huge and takes up all the boot (we have a mazda Astina), it also doesn't stay "collapsed" when you fold it and you have to hold it to try and keep it together. My mum watched me struggle for 6 months and then said "that's it", we are getting you another pram. I bought the Maclaren and I love it, it folds down to nothing, weighs 6 kilos, came with a foot cover (for winter) and a rain cover as well.

[ElizaDee]

This thread is fantastic for us who are TTCing. I will remember not to buy the steelcraft.

Does anyone out there have any recomendations and how much did your pram cost?

Did anyone buy some of the 3 wheel prams from Target or like stores?

Do you prefer 3 wheels or 4?

Thanks :)

[~Chick79~]

Hey Lara!

In the beginning I had a steelcraft acclaim (yes ladies - I can sympathise I to had the same problem!!!) but the place i bought it from said there wasn't anything wrong with it and therefore wouldn't do anything about it!! :mad:

So i went down to my local Kmart store and I bought a MothersChoice Love n Care 3 wheeler and have had no problems what so ever! It is easy to collaspe and it is not at all heavy to put in the boot!!! Best thing was I only paid $199 for it (considering with the steelcraft my mum paid $300 and most joggers are around that price as well!!)!!

[SugarBlossom]

Hi guys,

I have a Mothers Choice "Baby Love" 3 wheel pram, and I love it, I can take it anywhere, and is not heavy at all, it does take up a bit of room when folded but i have an X-trail so that is not a problem.

I also have a Peg Perego - Venezia which is a terible pram! And cost a fortune!

[LucyE]

Scrapie
I've got a Bertini Bidwell and love it. It's only downside is that it's so heavy (about 16kg I think) but I've just gotten use to lifting it. You can pull it apart easily to fit into small boots and make it lighter to lift. I prefer the 4 wheelers because of the stability issue and I adore the way the Bertini steers.

The main features are:
* backrest actually reclines to flat which is important for a sleeping newborn
* firm supportive backrest with ventilation holes so is okay to use as a bassinet (again, one of the few that actually are)
* 4 wheel steering and the ability to lock into 'fixed' mode for rough terrian
* a proper brake that actually locks into place and not just tightens on the wheels
* pneumatic (sp?) tires and great suspension for a smooth ride
* large wire basket underneath which fits a surprising amount in
* adjustable handle height
* the covers come off easily and can be machine washed
* hood that you can adjust which can completely cover bub
* reversible bassinet so that you can have bub facing you (I found this important because I enjoyed watching/talking to bub while walking)
* can fit a toddler seat

It rrp for around $700 but negotiate with the Baby Shops because I got mine brand new for just over $400.

If I were to have bought a 3 wheeler (DH wanted one) I would have gone with the Adventure Buggy. Very well built (NZ made) and designed at a reasonable price. If money were no object, (and I could afford to fly o/s to get it) I'd get a Musty without a second thought :p

[Shazbutt]

Hi, i have a Love'N'Care X-Trail with a toddler seat which i find is excellent.... i found it a bit funny to unfold when i first got it, but now that i know how, its easy. It is one of the larger 3 wheelers, but as i have a dual cab, it fits easily in the back (you wouldn't want to have one with a small car...). I do find that in some shops that have little aisles, it doesn't fit, but thats only a few...Its steers excellently, and my 2 yr old daughter loves the toddler seat, she sits up there like she's the queen of sheba!!!! It cost me $500 for the pram and toddler seat, but i think its worth it....Good luck choosing! :)