Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about pushchair bought through private sale

28 replies

Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:34

I'll start by saying I don't drive so couldn't view before purchase as seller lives in middle of nowhere with no bus links.

She very kindly delivered pushchair to me on Saturday tea time. I used it yesterday for about 20mins and wasn't particularly pleased as the frame is very wobbly - it has one handle with folding mechanism in the middle and the whole thing moves backkwards and forwards.

Have gone to use it today on bus to take kids to school and I am pretty angry. The brake doesn't kick in right away, luckily I had wrist strap on on it wold have swung into gangway, I tried it when I got home and it takes about 2 seconds for it to kick in so pram moves forward still before brake kicks in. Coupled wih the fact that they've replaced the back wheels and I can't get them off to replace.

I know I should have viewed first but needed something fast. It cost me.£60. Don5 feel comfortable using it so it'll probably go to the tip! Should I message her first? WWYD?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 19/06/2017 09:36

Of course you should say it's not safe and unfortunately you would like a refund and for the pushchair to be returned.

However, unless you know who the person is you may not get any reply.

hellobonjour · 19/06/2017 09:36

Caveat Emptor.

youaredeluded · 19/06/2017 09:37

You could try, but I doubt you would get anywhere unless she is a particularly nice sort of person. I guess technically you could take her to small claims court but for £60 would it be worth it? This is why people like PayPal as you have some sort of buyer protection. I agree it is really shit tbough.

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 19/06/2017 09:38

Hellobonjour does that mean 'tough shit'?

Seniorcitizen1 · 19/06/2017 09:39

Sorry but "buyer beware- you dont have same consumer rights for private sales as if you buy from shop

FizzyGreenWater · 19/06/2017 09:40

No it means 'buyer beware'

ie - you buy privately like this, with no guarantee - this is the risk you take.

Good luck OP but I'm not sure you'll get anywhere.

hellobonjour · 19/06/2017 09:40

It means buyer beware. I've been stung before and it was tough shit. It's a pain in the arse.

Original poster
Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:42

I did think I'd just have to suck it up.

Very frustrating. Can't believe she'd sell it to someone like that, DH Hinksey it's been very well used and that's why they've replaced the back wheels. Ah well, I'll know in future to go over any purchases with a fine tooth comb.

OP posts:
PineappleScrunchie · 19/06/2017 09:42

What brand is it?

Migraleve · 19/06/2017 09:44

I wouldn't waste my time complaining. She obviously knew what it was like when she sold it on so is unlikely to be open to any sort of rectification.

I am slightly baffled at the fact that you parted with £60 without so much as trying it out though?

Original poster
Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:45

It's a phil and teds smart lux, think the tyres are from a sport

OP posts:
Original poster
Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:47

Migraleve so am I tbh. But she was in a rush i know what now and I was dealing with a screaming hungry baby so it was literally just her putting it up, showing me that the seat could turn around each way and how to fold. I literally just pushed it round the side of the house and went in to deal with the baby

OP posts:
Original poster
Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:47

Migraleve so am I tbh. But she was in a rush i know what now and I was dealing with a screaming hungry baby so it was literally just her putting it up, showing me that the seat could turn around each way and how to fold. I literally just pushed it round the side of the house and went in to deal with the baby

OP posts:
NotAnotherUserName5 · 19/06/2017 09:50

Did you buy on eBay? You may have buyer protection if so.

This happened to me once, it was a total heap of dangerous junk. I ended up taking it to the tip.

So bad people will sell things in that condition for a baby

Original poster
Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:55

No, Facebook.

I'd put on a post saying what I was looking for and she'd commented. Paid cash.

I really want to send her a message but know it'll make no difference. She's done me well and truly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ofglen · 19/06/2017 09:55

No, Facebook.

I'd put on a post saying what I was looking for and she'd commented. Paid cash.

I really want to send her a message but know it'll make no difference. She's done me well and truly.

OP posts:
missiondecision · 19/06/2017 09:56

It happened to me, my broken down and she met me, which was helpful, but I now know why she ran for the hills and I'm kicking myself I didn't check it over.
It's the nice person in you, she did you favour by dropping it off and you trusted her.
Sadly she won't give a shit.

missiondecision · 19/06/2017 09:57

I would send a message in the case of Facebook. Maybe word it how you did here on your op??

KungFuEric · 19/06/2017 09:59

The thing is, each opportunity you had to fully test and walk away you didn't take up.

You do hear of people who try it on immediately after receiving goods either that they've broken it in the brief time they've owned it or just fancy a refund.

Underthemoonlight · 19/06/2017 10:02

Op you can get some really good deals on some buggys for brand new from Argos and your protected if anything goes wrong

www.argos.co.uk/search/pushchair/

I know that doesn't help the situation but you could message her and see if she refunds you or cut your losses and get a new one

arbrighton · 19/06/2017 10:05

You bought it as you saw it, your problem

Lilicat1013 · 19/06/2017 10:07

It might be worth contacting her, I sold a pushchair on and I believed it was in full working order as it had been when I had last used and it and on the brief test I did when I cleaned it for sale.

The buyer contacted me the next day to say it was wobbly and we arranged for her to bring it back, I could see as she walked up it was definitely not right so I refunded her.

Sunshinegirls · 19/06/2017 10:12

You can always try, it's possible that she is so used to the quirks of the buggy that she didn't consider them to be to be faults iyswim. You might not get anywhere and I would prepare for that but she might also be a reasonable person and would be mortified that you aren't happy. Good luck OP

MrsMarigold · 19/06/2017 10:23

What sort of pushchair is it? For some types £60 could be a bargain, and you could get it serviced or sell on for spare parts.

SandyDenny · 19/06/2017 10:26

On my local Facebook sites people would post about what happened to warn others about the seller. You might find she's done the same thing to other people. You won't get your money back but it might make you feel a bit better