Our pushchair is in at Mothercare for repair.
When I took it in a few weeks ago they gave me a P&T Explorer as a courtesy buggy. I got as far as the shop next door and had to take it back as the rear tyre had gone flat. They inflated it, I left, and ten minutes later had to go back again as it was flat again.
They swapped it for a Mothercare Excursion. One of the front wheels seemed a bit wobbly but I thought maybe it was just me and headed home. Three times on the way home the front wheel jammed sideways and the forward momentum of pushing the buggy made it tip right up (thank Christ DD was properly strapped in or she'd have gone head first out of the bloody thing). I thought it was maybe user error and got DH to check them for me, the swivel setting, etc. however it kept happening. The front wheel was wobbling all over like a dodgy shopping trolley and would randomly lock in a sideways position and the buggy would tip. It also did this if it hit any sort of bump in the path and going down curbs too.
Needless to say, we took it back.
They have now given us a Quinny Buzz. When we got it home and took it out for the first time this weekend we noticed its making a continuous clack-clack-clack sound. The reason? The brake is stuck half-on. It won't disengage fully (or engage fully for the matter) so the wheel is constantly clacking as it turns and it's really hard to push.
I emailed Mothercare customer services to complain, pointing out that I don't expect a courtesy buggy to be pristine and that a certain amount of wear and tear is understandable but that I do expect it to be safe and fit for use. So far none of the buggies provided have been (I get the feeling they are buggies that other people have sent back), they've been faulted in ways that make them unsafe to use - working wheels and brakes are prettying essential - and are in dire need of repair. I don't think they should be used as courtesy buggies when in the state.
Mothercare replied to my email saying that I need to understand that courtesy buggies will have had some use by other customers and that stores cannot offer the full range of pushchairs, just what's available in store, however they've passed my feedback to the relevant store, thanks for contacting us.
I've replied pointing out that this is no way addresses my complaint and suggesting they re-read my original email.
AIBU to be annoyed that the buggies provided have been damaged/broken? And where should I go from here as they're not even addressing the complaint, just fobbing me off that I can't expect a 'perfect' courtesy buggy (which I didn't expect in the first place, but I do expect something with working brakes and wheels that don't lock!)