Pram shopping...help!

[bluebird3]

I can't decide what to do. The pram we like the most is the Bugaboo fox which comes in at about 1k. It has all the features we want, excellent reviews and looks like it could last awhile. But...1k! Are we crazy to spend this much? Part of me thinks just go for the mothercare journey at £300 and then buy a stroller when they outgrow.

Can I please have your advice/thoughts?

Look for the one you want second hand? I spent 1/3 of the cost of my pram new on a gently used one and no regrets!

Buy secondhand! I've done that for my last 3 prams and then once baby had grew out of them or I wanted a change, I resold them for pretty much what I paid.

There's always good deals on EBay and Facebook Marketplace!

Definitely look secondhand. We got our pram for less than a third of the original price and it’s in great condition with lots of extras we probably wouldn’t have stretched to if buying it new. Ours is an Uppababy Vista. It’s worth looking at the Bugaboo Cameleon if you like the Fox as that’s the latest model and I imagine there’s not many available secondhand yet

Nearly 7 years ago we had the same issue with DD pram. We got the iCandy peach jogger which cost us nearly £1000 with the car seat. However we looked after it and managed to sell the pram second hand for £300 and another £60-70 for the car seat and base. So really a £630-640 expenditure as it was the only pram we needed as it did DD for the three years till she was walking. Compare that to friends who got cheaper prams. Then a stroller. Then a lightweight stroller. Even though our initial outlay was eye watering initially we probably spent about he same.

Just about to have DD2 and after looking at loads we've gone for the new iCandy Peach which isn't cheap but working on the same logic.

Alternatively can you buy second hand?

We bought the Fox it’s amazing worth every penny and should last for a few years and hopefully if in good condition will have good resell value. We found it cheapest online on Lesters.

I've been through loads of buggies and the Mamas & Papas Ocarro wins my vote hands down.

The fox is very new so doubtful you’ll find many second hand. We have the fox and I think it was worth every penny. The journey has crap reviews... get the fox!

Thanks everyone. I've had a look but haven't really seen any secondhand available as the Fox just came out as the new 2019 model. We had a look at the cameleon but thought the shopping basket looked a bit small and you have to remove the seat to collapse - both selling points of the Fox. Baby is due beginning of March so not much time to wait for a sale. Glad to know those who bought it feel it's been worth the money. Just going to have to think on it a bit more I suppose.

I want a fox. We have a cameleon from DS and whilst I love it, the fox is definitely better. Have you looked at the buffalo? You get a fair few second hand now and a lot of the issues with the cameleon are resolved by the buffalo.

Have you had a chance to see it in the flesh and play with it? I fell in love with the bugaboo bee when researching it online, but didn't like it at all when I tried it out. Absolutely love the Mamas and Papas Armadillo flip xt which we got instead.

We've just been through this exact same dilemma and we were deciding between the bugaboo fox and the UPPAbaby vista. We also looked in Mothercare and mamas and papas to see whether we were being ridiculous spending the money. In the end though, the cheaper ones seemed to have drawbacks in comparison (mediocre and bad reviews, small storage, felt like they wouldn't last as long)

We went for the UPPAbaby in the end as it had the possibility of working for a toddler and newborn if we have a second child (which is the plan if this first one doesn't put us off!). It also seemed a little bit easier than the bugaboo. We got a deal in John Lewis with £135 off a car seat when we bought it which made the car seat free in the end so that softened the blow. Also my Mum is giving us about half the money towards it as well which is really generous.

We also reasoned that it would be worth the money to see us all the way through potentially two children to toddler age rather than having something cheaper which would end up being replaced. If we look after it then it should have a good resale value so we can get some of the money back later. Obviously up to you what you do - with these things it often comes down to the fact that whatever choice you make would be absolutely fine for the baby and really it's you and your finances that need to feel ok with the decision.

After 7 months I didn't want to use the park as a stroller was all that was needed by then and much lighter and more practical.

The shops say it'll last you 3 years but in my experience the only people using big proper buggies at age 3 are those determined to get their money's worth - it's really not practical or convenient.

Pram not park

Agree with @PleaseLetMummySleep
I've had a few prams and pushchairs and now have the mountain buggy duet - youngest is now 5 months and I want a stroller. The only reason I'm keeping the blasted duet is because it's narrower than a double stroller! It's so cumbersome and heavy though.
With dd she used her stroller mostly from about 7/8 months as it really is easier and lighter

We went pram shopping and I would have paid whatever within reason. We looked at the Bugaboos but I didn't like them as much as the Mountain Buggy models so we bought the MB Swift. I bloody love it. So lightweight and compact and easy to manoeuvre. I couldn't get the Bugaboos over curbs as easily as the Swift. Did you try the Fox?

I'd go second hand if you really want a premium brand like Bugaboo. Same as a pp, I don't see many people using a big proper pram with an older baby or toddler- vast majority of people seem to progress to a buggy once the baby gets to about 7 months.

We have a Silver Cross Wayfarer for DD, which was fantastic for when she was tiny. As she grew, I grew to loathe it- when she got bigger it got harder to push, especially with the nappy bag etc onboard.

The only reason I didn't buy a nippy buggy was I found out I was pregnant again when she was 8 months and I didn't want to be spending money unnecessarily when I was ultimately going to have to buy a double.

Unless you are minted then I think its daft to spend 1k on a pram. Get a good condition second hand and spend the difference on a nice family break during your mat leave. If it's second hand you won't worry so much about it getting dirty when you go for walks in the park/beach and slinging it in the back of the car with your wet, muddy gear.

I have the blush pink Mothercare journey. Came with a car seat all for £300 and I loved it (DD now in a stroller) the carry cot of the journey adjusts up into a sitting position, for when baby gets bigger, can be 2 way facing, lots of room underneath the pram too. I loved it, I really did. I had my eye on the icandy peach2 when I originally went pram shopping, but I'm glad I didn't pay all that money for it. It's up to you OP, you'll be the one using it daily.

Everyone has raised some good points. DH is really fussy and has ruled out most other prams (icandy, uppababy, etc) but could be swayed by the much cheaper options. So it feels like it's either or rather than finding something in between.

If I thought we'd use it for a 2nd I'd be tempted but we faced years of infertility and multiple failed ivf before somehow falling pregnant naturally with this little miracle. So while I'd like a second baby it is in no way guaranteed. We have the money but are normally quite frugal so it goes against the grain. Then again we have bought almost everything else for the baby second hand so part of me thinks we can splurge. I guess we'll just have to make a decision!

I walk everywhere so the right pushchair is very important to me. I bought a premium brand new but 4 yrs on its still going strong for dc2. I know they are expensive but if you have the money and are sure it is the most practical choice then I'd get it! If you hate it quickly it will have a good resale value.

The Fox is too new to buy second hand. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security re resell value. You've got a fairly good chance of the Fox being able to be resold at a decent price in the future due to a lack of them available second hand but there are plenty of Bees and Chameleons selling for less than £100 on ebay (I was watching a chameleon that sold for £35 a few months back despite having many extras)

On the plus side of buying new you have a warranty which if you are a heavy pram user is useful.

Prams cost a fortune and yep like people say you’ll likely move to another type of buggy down the line but hey life is short so if you want the pram go and buy it :-) otherwise you’ll always be looking longingly at other foxes....

I bought an expensive pram and do regret it a bit. I do like it and it looks smart but the wheels dont have air in them and I feel where we live pavements are particularly bumpy and its not perfect. I also felt that I couldn't change it as we would lose so much money on it.
I also haven't used my pram all that much, had a fussy baby who was in a wrap most of the time and we live upstairs so since he has been walking we often just take him out without pram.
However I am one of those people who has never switched to a stroller. I find them really poor to push and prefer my pram. I dont drive a lot so getting in and out of car is not an issue.

Best bargains I've seen are mothercare's ex display sale ( much better than mamas and papas) and they also sell parts that have been ordered and returned so you might get a colour pack or bassinet or cosy toes there cheaper. One of my friends asked the staff at John Lewis if they had any ex display/returned orders that they were selling off when sale wasnt on and she got an icandy pram (colours were not perfect but literally no one cares) for like £300. On the other hand you have waited a long time for this baby and if you have the cash and both want it go for it! Congratulations

I let my husband have the final choice and he chose the Fox.
If it helps a lot of the mothercare stores are closing down and have 30% off everything including the bugaboo foxes so it might be worth seeing if one of those stores are near to you.