Mamas and Papas - bad or good place to shop?? Seems to have a reputation...

[BristolRabbit]

Hi all,

Just wanted some opinions on the Mamas and Papas shop, as first timers to all this we are not sure what to believe... We have chosen a travel system from M&P (Ultima 8 in 1 MPX) and were just about to order it when someone mentioned that M&P had a really bad reputation. Apparently they have a terrible policy/company ethic about returns/refunds even if something is broken.

I have done a quick web search and found a couple of posts that support this, but wanted your views. Am I mad to consider buying from M&P?

Thanks for any help!

Bristol rabbit x

Well we have a M&P Pramette. It's been pretty good (a bit flimsy, but then it is lightweight) so we haven't had to deal with them since. My main comment about M&P is a lot of their stuff is unnecessarily expensive IMO.

m&p is overpriced imo.

Agree - not great quality.

Although, do love their baby giftwear and furniture is excellent.

not re M&P especially, but have you test-driven the Ultima?
we liked the look of it initially (nice comfy suspension etc but
it was v pricey
the carseat didn't fit dh's car
it was hard to steer as no swivel wheels
I thought the 'floating harness' in the pushchair was a bit crap
my mother made the good point that if you'd been out in the rain with the pram would you then want to put them to bed in the soggy carrycot?
and you may find you prefer a stand that rocks

so we got a different pushchair with carrycot, a separate car seat and a moses basket with a rocking stand.
And it worked out £200 less than the Ultima package. Sorry.

Hi Mrs Badger, thanks for your mail..

It seems to be on offer at the moment (£540) and when all totted up is not really more expensive than a quinny and many others with car seat to buy as well... The wheels we have seen do swivel, but you can lock them in place as well.. but I agree you wouldnt use the pram if wet as a bed... but I am thinking of being quite extravagent and buying a cheap moses as well.... Which one did you buy in the end?? It seems to be such a minefield!

Bristol rabbit x

I do think most of their stuff is overpriced - they have a nice cafe though - usually an oasis of calm, especially after battling your way through Hamley's...

Ah, I was thinging of the X-cel chassis, the wheels of which don't swivel - obv the MPX does.

Ultima package (Chassis, Carrycot, Seat, Apron, carseat, stand, Insect net) £545
Footmuff £50
Raincover £35
total £630

Maclaren MX3 (chassis, seat) £145
Carrycot with apron & raincover £75
Footmuff £40
Maxi Cosi Cabrio £100
moses basket £30
stand £30
total £424
(all from John Lewis, bet it would be cheaper from somewhere online)

The one thing it doesn't do is click the carseat onto the chassis, but even if we could I don't think we'd use it - the carrycot is much comfier for dd as well as being better for her back / lungs etc. They're not meant to be in the carseat for more than a couple of hours.

I love their stuff mainly but have never had their pram or car seats - didn't think their carseats did that well on the which? reviews. Agree with Guitargirl about the cafe though, shh don't tell everyone. I keep thinking I will turn up there one day and it will be full of the seething hordes like the rest of Oxford St.

I originally wanted the Ultima pram until I saw how big it is. It's huge and cumbersome and won't fit in many car boots.

We decided to go for the pramette instead. It's lighter, smaller and easier to handle. And it's won loads of awards - more than the Ultima has.

M&P is a bit pricey for their stuff but it is nice too.

Sorry I should have said we have chosen the Pliko Pramette.

hey Bristol rabbit, we're first timers too so have no bloody idea about any of this stuff but watching all the debates on mn to pick up advice....

slightly off the point but am guessing from your name you are based in Bristol? (just call me 'Sherlock'!! )

how many weeks are you? I'm in Bristol (Redland,) am 35 weeks on thurs... thought I'd say hello

I have heard alot about their returns policy and after care service, in that it isnt great.

I also think their stuff is highly overpriced.

We have the pliko pramette, and are chuffed with it.

We also had to contact their Customer Service Team as we has an M&P cot that was over 9 years old, and one of the latches on the cot side was damaged. They were very helpful and popped a new set in the post straight away free of charge.

I have had no problems with my M&P travel system and like their stuff. However my sister has a problem with hers and like you said no refund/return policy and ended up with a broken pram that was costly. Its hard to know what to do..just have look around..

Hi all,

thanks for your words of wisdom! I think DH and I have decided not to risk buying from M&P - its just not worth the hassle if it breaks... but we may change our mind once we have spent yet more time checking out the other options! Went back to John Lewis last night, and they have a few options there we might consider... DH quite likes the Quinny now - but its quite spensive once you have bought all the bits and pieces...

Hello ChunkyPudding - yes, I am in Bristol!! Live not far from Redland, am in Westbury Park (just off Henleaze road).. Am 29 weeks so just behind you too! We should meet up!

Bristol Rabbit x

I have always found service and aftercare from m and p fab.

if you have your heart set on the m&p then buy it from a smaller retailer- they will help you out if there is a problem!

That said, (i am an independant retailer!) we ditched M&P from our range as the quality is awful and they are in general stuck up their own arses! I'm not sure so many smaller places are still stocking m&p

BR, if ytou want M7P stuff, there is a good place in Keynsgham called baby and co where you can buy it

We boiught our parm (not an m&pone) from there, and their service was excellent

M&P stuff seems a bit flimsy. Not really suited to the nitty gritty of looking after a baby. John Lewis is good, although so good it can be disgustingly expensive. We got most of our gear from mothercare, again not cheap and it was a pain getting it delivered, but there was a far wider choice and I spent many afternoons trying out prams in the shop. Thank goodness thats all over!