Pram / buggy shopping in South / South east London?

[Gingerandcocoa]

Hi All,
I live in the lewisham / blackheath area in London and want to do some pram testing before thebabyshow where i will hopefully manage to get one at a discount...
Which shops would you recommend? I know there is a mothercare and babies R us near old kent road, but do they have lots of options?
Ideally I'd just like to go to one or two shops, so recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

If ur near a kiddicare wld definately reccommend them as they had a huge range and very knowledgable staff

If you drive then the kiddicare at Lakeside is a manageable drive and will have the biggest range under one roof.

Mothercare Lewisham and Old Kent Road both have decent selections, but prob not as wide as kiddicare.

Lakeside is definitely an option, will see if I can go to Kiddicare then. Thanks!

I'd put in another rec for Kiddicare. They're a huge chain so you don't need to feel bad about taking their time up with a demo when you don't intend to buy, either. I'd not buy from them, personally, as though they seem fine on customer care they aren't a match for John Lewis or Lullabys and the prices are no better, but they do have a whopping great range.

One thing I would say about buying from the Baby Show - a buggy can cost more than an old car, so be really sure the people you're buying from have a good rep in terms of aftercare. Google them on your phone before parting with any £ - a credit card is good if they go belly up, but less help if they just won't sort out a wheel like a spannered supermarket trolley, for example, which can happen with any brand.

perfectstorm, I spoke to someone in Mothercare who said that they will match any lower prices during the baby show... I assume mothercare is quite reputable? Or has anyone had bad experiences with them?

Mothercare is on very thin ice financially, tbh. If you use a credit card you won't lose your money if they do hit the buffers (anyone else is an unsecured creditor and would be stuffed) but guarantees etc would be worthless.

We had a sofa workshop sofa a year before the company crashed (it was bought by another firm, who had no obligation to honour any guarantees) which was unfortunate as the back broke. Having it fixed wasn't cheap.

I say that as someone who thinks their plain white gros are the very best you can buy - stacks better than John Lewis, who charge twice as much - and who loves their Little Bird range as well as a lot of the basics. Mothercare is a good shop. But no, I'd not get a big ticket item from them right now, tbh, sad as I am to say so.

John Lewis may well price match, though! Worth asking. And they're solid as a rock and also a very good shop (and all profits are split between the staff, too, as they have no shareholders, so it's a very ethical place to buy too).

Didn't think much of kiddicare to be honest (went to the big one in Croydon) .... John Lewis out at bluewater much better (smaller selection but much more helpful staff)

If you go to Kiddicare Croydon then there's also a Mamas & Papas at the same retail park and a Mothercare at Valley Park which is only 5 mins drive away.
I bought my Bugaboo at Mothercare and found them helpful.

Ginger which baby show are you going to? Is it the one at Bluewater?

I'd highly recommend john Lewis. We've bought our pushchair, car seat and isofix from them. We get the guaranty with icandy & be safe, and a warranty with john Lewis too. They're staff I have found will go well out of their way to help you, and we got our pushchair at an amazing deal as it's an anniversary package for icandy

I would recommend John Lewis, they often price match as well. They are very good at letting you mess about with the buggies folding them and test driving them around the shop. Their customer service is also very good.

Another one for Kiddiecare at Croydon. Great staff, really helpful. We went during the week when it was less busy, I think weekends are a little manic and they dont get as much time to spend with you.

Kiddicare in Croyden is very good - and Mamas and papas and babies r us are right beside it.
If you are down there though we found the help/advice in Babynest VERY good. www.baby-nest.co.uk/
Its not in the industrial park but only a 5 min drive from it. Compared to all the chain shops their staff really knew what they were talking about (we have also done JL and the big Edmonton Mothercare - yes we are first timers and obviously totally mad).
I would say they would discuss price matching too, but we didn't ask.

I also got mine from babynest as they price match and have held the pram and car seat until we're ready to collect. I'd recommend kiddicare as staff are very knowledgeable too

John Lewis will price match (except possibly online deals?!) as they are Never Knowingly Undersold!

Yeah wherever you go to look jl will pricematch (unless its an online only offer). We ordered our uppababy from them and got £40 cashback because of this. I would definitely trust them for any future issues with the pram.