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Original poster

Bugaboo Chameleon - Any advice...

55 replies

Teensy · 06/01/2008 20:17

Hi There

I have just started to look at prams and the Bugaboo Chameleon has caught my eye as being on of the highest rated on the market. I looking for a puschair/ travel system with the following features:-

  • lightweight
  • easy to fold - will need to use car a lot
  • will use a train sometimes so will need to be train friendly
  • suitable from birth
  • suitable for use on beach and a bit of off road use
  • does not need to be too compact as large boot in car (audi A3).
  • option to have baby facing to front and towards pusher
  • carry cot
  • extendable handle bars!!

Any advise would be great!!

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fluffymummy · 07/01/2008 12:41

We bought the Frog just before the Chameleon came out - 2.5 years on and we still love it, use it loads, never needed the puncture repair kit. Took me a little while to master the folder, can now do it in my sleep, pretty much one handed ! Anyway, highly recommended...although also acquired a McClaren for shopping and holidays and a Phil & Ted prior to arrival of DC2 . I should mention that the P&T was free, btw....!!!

spugs · 07/01/2008 13:22

theyve changed the design recently and the wheels are now foam filled so no more punctures, theyve also changed the folding mechinism so its more like the frogs which is apparently easier.

still havent decided on a colour but leaning towards the bright blue canvas with blk bottom

ACS08 · 07/01/2008 13:26

I was told recently that maclaren are bringing a buggy out soon that is compatible with a car seat (and rear-facing). I'm thinking this would be the perfect solution as all my friends with bugaboos have ended up buying a maclaren as well - I really only want to buy the one!

Anyone know anymore?

paranoidmummy · 07/01/2008 13:49

puppydogeyes can i ask which online shop you went for? i'm looking to get mine in next couple of weeks and really unsure where to get it from as heard bad reviews for many websites. ladybugs lookes good - do u know anything about them? if not just where u got yours would be fab

SazzaK · 07/01/2008 14:26

Adore mine but I am a London mummy who walks everywhere. My daughter is 20 mts and faces me all the time - we used to switch about but we talk as we go along. I work (only PT) but like seeing as much of her as possible! It is great to push but not ideal to fold. I keep a maclaren in the boot and use that for holidays, it's not great to push like the bugaboo but does the job. I would always have a pram for a newborn, not a facing outwards buggy.

PinkPussyCat · 07/01/2008 16:53

Try www.twoleftfeet.co.uk

They are meant to be the uk's biggest stockists of Bugaboo stuff. They also have deals which inlude car seat etc.

HTH

Original poster
Teensy · 09/01/2008 12:55

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice!! I actually went in to John Lewis yesterday to try out the folding mechanism. I can confirm that the 2008 version must be a lot better as I found it really easy to pick up and not sore on the thumbs at all!! Thanks again!! I had better start saving though..didnt realise the fabric was extra!!

OP posts:
paranoidmummy · 09/01/2008 13:08

thanks pinkpussycat that was where i originally looked but i have heard some terrible things about them and goods not turning up etc too scared to risk it. thank you tho

has anyone tried ladybugs? i have started a new thread about it but if anyone here has any feedback that would be great...

jeanjeannie · 09/01/2008 13:31

I got mine in a fab deal from twoleftfeet...I got a maxi cosi car seat and the fabric thrown in - basically it ended up cheaper than the Silver Cross I was going for. Although once I'd ordered, I read loads of awful stuff about them on the internet and was paranoid i'd never see it - but it all turned up on time - which was just as well as DD was 7 weeks early

paranoidmummy · 09/01/2008 13:46

it is very tempting jeanjeannie as SO much cheaper from there but i would just be so pissed off if it didn't turn up! and quite poor too!!

can i ask if you ordered recently?

mairseydotes · 09/01/2008 13:54

No not two left feet.....they NEVER refunded me and I never received my goods

PinkPussyCat · 09/01/2008 13:59

OMG I had no idea about them being bad for service etc. Although I went to them because was let down by Mothercare (who ordered item for me in store 27th Nov, no sign for ages, called them 28th Dec to be told that oh yes, the order was cancelled as they didn't have stock. No communication, no refund for ages, blah blah blah)
So apologies for bad recommendation!

freddiesyummymummy · 09/01/2008 14:50

I have a chameleon - great for when they are small but it is very heavy and bulky. I swapped it for a Mclaren when DS was about 1. have ket it for the next one but will only use for the pram bit then go into the mclaren again - much easier lighter and more compact!

Original poster
Teensy · 09/01/2008 16:00

..mmm that is slightly concerning...quite expensive for just a pram!!

OP posts:
paranoidmummy · 09/01/2008 16:12

oh no even mothercare have a bad review then?! this is poo!!! i had them as my last resort if all the cheaper deals appeared too dodgy!

jeanjeannie · 09/01/2008 16:16

I did order from them in summer 06 - and they had a reputation back then (little did I know)..So bad they've not got better. I went there in person so DP and me could test drive the buggies - not sure if ordering it in person had any effect, rather than off the net.

Sounds like mairseydotes's experience is all too common. I'm expecting again - before DD1 will be walking properly and am looking for a Phil & Teds double buggy - but truthfully I haven't got the nerve to order from them again - just in case I'm not so lucky again! It'll be a second-hand ebay jobby - much less ££...!!

mrspnut · 09/01/2008 16:22

But mothercare haven't appeared on watchdog because of their dodgy customer service practices though.

I'm about to take twoleftfeet to the small claims court because they've been pissing me about for ages. I bought a Jane Energy from them in May - they took nearly 4 weeks to deliver it, and then only because I threatened them with legal action at the time.

When we went on holiday at the beginning of september one of the hood clips broke and I emailed twoleftfeet the minute we got back and told them I wanted it replacing.

I forgot about it for a while and realised near the end of november that I hadn't had a response. They've dicked me about since and keep telling me that Jane don't know when they're going to get new hoods in and their latest one is that Jane won't be getting new hoods in and can I send off my hood to be repaired.

bagpuss · 09/01/2008 16:23

paranoidmummy, ladybugs isn't too far from where I live and I have bought a few things from their shop in the past 6 years or so. They are very good on the whole and carry quite a bit of stock for such a small store. I haven't ordered online from them before though but they are very efficient in real life . A friend had a cameleon for her dd and it seemed a very well built pram although £££s. She did like it but has reverted to a normal buggy now as it takes up quite a bit of boot space.

mrspnut · 09/01/2008 16:27

Have you thought about the Hauck Infinity instead of the Bugaboo?

I wanted a Bugaboo and very nearly ordered one but my Yorkshireman of a husband saw the price before I managed it, and he wasn't impressed.

Then I saw the Hauck, and had it recommended by a few people as well so i bought one.
It's ultra light, turns on a sixpence and mine still looks like new even though I used it to walk miles and miles on country lanes in the Dales.
The seat faces both ways, the carrycot folds down flat to store and the carseat fits on with adaptors.

The basket's really small but so's the Bugaboo's and I managed to push it for 4 miles back to the car with a puncture and the only problem was that the steering felt a bit heavy.

spugs · 09/01/2008 16:30

ive ended up getting mine from mothercare as there nursery plan means you can have 6 mths to pay for it before its delivered iyswim. means the price doesnt feel quite as shocking

paranoidmummy · 09/01/2008 16:54

hmmm i think 2left feet is a def no-no. I can't deal with all that hassle!

yay bagpuss, sounds like they are pretty good then. I'm going to give them a call next week and find out their delivery times etc. i'll see if i can sound them out on the telephone! plus find out what their delivery costs are too!

seaside72 · 09/01/2008 17:03

Just wanted to say I have ordered all my big stuff (inlc bugaboo Cam with a very good deal) from 2leftfeet and it all came fine - they held it for me in stock and dleivered next day when I asked for it. They were really communicative via email

Sorry for everyone else's bad experiences.

Cant give a full big review as it is still in box

seaside - 38+1

seaside72 · 09/01/2008 17:04

Sorry meant to type "full bug review" !!

DonDons · 09/01/2008 17:41

as an alternative to bugaboo (was put off by the weight) I've bought a cosatto mobi 3in1 which seems pretty good to me although not started using it yet. managed to get a free car seat with on-line deal.. would love to hear any views if anyone else has one...

PuppyDogEyes · 09/01/2008 18:05

Hi Paranoid mum - sorry didn't read your post earlier.

yes, i went with a company called 'lady' bugs/birds, i can't quite remember, it was a few months ago and i lost the invoice receipt. i was recommended by a family member.

i looked online, but had so many questions, rang up and spoke to them and then rang back and made an order.

i have to say they were excellent. i got the impression that they are small company, but very friendly, helpful (knowledgable re:products) and pretty efficient.

they called me to let me know that delivery could be arranged early and if that was conveniant.

you get so used to bad service, that when you get good service it really makes you still back and take notice.

i've also heard (not experienced) not the best about two left feet, unless you shop instore. i just can't be bothered to go that far!!

re: car seat, remember adapters (to use on the Bugaboo) come seperately. so add that to the cost.

after saying that, i really hope we are talking about the same company!!

oh, can i just add that, spent 30 mins practicing (i know! its a bloody pram) folding and unfolding and using the car seat and i have it down!!!

and one last thing, don't let an impatient husband assemble it.

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