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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a buggy to be able to go up and down stairs?

62 replies

Octonautstotherescue · 27/08/2014 15:49

Purchased a Joie brisk and just about toppled over the buggy pulling it up a set of stairs to my house. The break overhangs and catches and then jams on! Not a good design. Informed the manufacturers and they say it is not designed to be used with stairs! I must use the disabled ramp! What ramp - it's a house!! What about getting it on a bus? Or train? Must you have a car and live on the flat to own this buggy??

OP posts:
partialderivative · 27/08/2014 15:51

Sounds like it's not really fit for purpose

PorkPieandPickle · 27/08/2014 15:54

I agree it's not fit for purpose, steps are everywhere- can it not be taken up and down curbs then??!

awsomer · 27/08/2014 15:57

That sounds like a silly design! Make sure you pop this in pushchairs to let others know.

Gen35 · 27/08/2014 16:02

Yeah that's a dreadful pushchair, I'd also take your complaint further with the company and try and get a refund so you can get a new pushchair...

SaucyJack · 27/08/2014 16:08

We have a fold up stroller for the back of DP's car that's like that. I think it's a fairly standard design for umbrella buggies.

My main pram chassis has wheels like dinner plates. Makes such a difference seeing as I have to get it up two flights of stairs before setting foot outside the front door.

CrohnicallyDepressed · 27/08/2014 16:23

Most umbrella strollers I've used are like that. They go up kerbs/single steps fine forwards or backwards because it's the step above that catches. To be fair, I don't think buggies are designed to go up and down stairs, it's a bonus if you find that you can. If you are going to be taking it up and down stairs regularly (eg if there's stairs outside your home) then the onus is on you to find a buggy that can manage them.

Notso · 27/08/2014 16:37

What Crohnically said.
Get a micralite.

CurlyBlueberry · 27/08/2014 16:40

YANBU to want a buggy that can go up and down stairs, as they do exist, but... if you have stairs up to your house, did you not consider this before buying the buggy? We live up a flight of stairs and ease-of-bumping was one of the top priorities for prams/buggies. (We have a Stokke Xplory... a DREAM to get up and down the stairs, it's brilliant... and a Maclaren Techno XT, also very easy, if that helps.)

Original poster
Octonautstotherescue · 27/08/2014 17:42

Bought from Glasgow pram centre who are being rubbish about getting back to me and there was nothing on the website description about the buggy not being suitable for stairs . I agree it is silly to design a buggy this way as stairs are unavoidable. Beginning to think this is a massive get out clause for Joie. Trade descriptions next??

OP posts:
Unexpected · 27/08/2014 17:57

YABU. No buggy is designed to be pulled backwards up a set of stairs. A single step, kerb etc into a shop or onto a pavement is completely different. The average size of riser on a set of steps is 6 or 7 inches which is higher than a normal kerb. However, some buggies will work fine on stairs so you have unfortunately bought one which isn't. That doesn't mean it isn't fit for purpose.

Isandri · 27/08/2014 18:05

The stokke xplory has a stair mode. I've never needed to use it on mine but on their website they have a demo of a man taking it up a long flight of stairs outside.

icymaiden · 27/08/2014 18:16

Of course pushchairs are not for a flight of stairs for very obvious safety reasons!

Notso · 27/08/2014 18:17

Surely though there was nothing on the website to say the buggy was suitable for stairs either though.
I don't think the purpose of a buggy is to go up and down stairs. If you had been advised to buy it by the store because it handled stairs then you might have a case to complain but otherwise it's surely not their fault.

ArsenicyOldFace · 27/08/2014 18:19

Since when do buggies go up stairs?!

LumpenproletariatAndProud · 27/08/2014 18:26

I have a pushchair that does the same. When trying to get it up the stairs the break peddle gets caught so's stopping the process altogether.

And when you bounce it down, it undoes the break obviously.
However, its such a good pushchair (and Ive owned so many its unreal) that I just grin and bear it.

callmewhatever · 27/08/2014 18:29

YABU. Most buggies are not designed for that purpose, it puts a lot of stress on the frame of the buggy and can result in bending it.

beccajoh · 27/08/2014 18:46

Why would a buggy be designed to go up and down stairs? I'm genuinely baffled you're describing the buggy as not fit for purpose. Its purpose is to roll along pavements.

RedToothBrush · 27/08/2014 18:53

Has anyone ever seen a description of a buggy that says "suitable for use on stairs"?

Honestly?

If someone can find one perhaps they should link it here....

YABU

PushPineapple · 27/08/2014 19:16

No pushchair is designed to go up a set of stairs.

They are designed to hold a child while you are pushing it while you are out of the house.

By bumping it up and down stairs you are causing stress to the frame of the pushchair, and the wheels as well.

How many flights of stairs do you have to go up?

bananaleaf · 27/08/2014 19:32

I drag my buggy backwards up 3 stairs every time I come home, and do a controlled bump down to get out, both directions with the baby in it. YANBU

Tiredmumno1 · 27/08/2014 20:19

This is what you need Grin

ArsenicyOldFace · 27/08/2014 20:26

banana 3 steps is different from stairs though.

Justgotosleepnow · 27/08/2014 20:30

Joie aire+ is fine on stairs. Prob coz it's not an umbrella fold. Ask them to swap it?

tethersend · 27/08/2014 20:33

Second the micralite suggestion.

Most people carry umbrella strollers up and down stairs, only the ones with larger wheels can be easily bumped.

MummyRaptor · 27/08/2014 20:53

Whoa there, I'm baffled! Surely everyone needs to get up and down steps sometimes AND with their baby. My umbrella fold Maclaren Techno has been on many flights of tube steps ... Can't ever remember seeing a disabled ramp on an underground platform. Over 5 years of constant use with two children all this stress I've apparently been putting it under hasn't damaged it at all. I think you're being entirely reasonable to pursue the company to at least let you exchange it for something practical.

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