BJCM - which and where to buy?

[aliphil]

We're pretty much sold on the Baby Jogger City Mini, and even better, my MIL says she will contribute, but does anyone have any views on whether the 3 or 4 wheel version is better?

And where is the best place to buy it? John Lewis has the 3 wheeler for £225 and DH inclines towards getting it there as they're reliable, but on the boards here I see people mentioning other sites but as I've never heard of them I don't know if they're any good - don't want to pay over the odds, but also don't want to be left with no redress if something goes wrong!

Finally, accessories - more money! We definitely want to get the carrycot, but what about the rest? Do we need to get the raincover while we're still using the carrycot?

We have just bought the 4 wheel from John Lewis, and we love it. Friends have the 3 wheeler, and although I've only briefly had a go with theirs, to me the 4 wheeler seems easier to manouvre.

We were originally going to get it from the Oxford Pram Centre, but there wasn't much difference in cost (about £20 I think?), so it was just more convenient to get it from John Lewis, as in the end we needed it in a hurry!

I didn't realise that the "official" raincover doesn't work with the carrycot, so I would say don't worry about buying the raincover yet if you are planning to just use the carrycot for a while. I've ordered one of those universal carrycot raincovers which I hope will suffice for now.

Comments on the BJCM so far (we've only been using it for a week!):

• LOVING the one-handed fold; bit faffy with the carrycot, as you have to take it off first, but still very clever
• the carrycot brackets which clip into the pushchair frame have a habit of coming out when we detach the carrycot, which is a little annoying
• it is quite bumpy/jolty on rough terrain
• it is super manouvreable; DH can't stop exclaiming how brilliant it is that you can pretty much turn 360 on the spot!
• the shopping basket isn't as big as I would have hoped, but there you go
• the handle height works for both me (5'4") and DH (6'4"), but tall people with short arms might find it a bit uncomfortable. DH also pushes it whilst walking alongside it as he says he would be kicking the wheels all the time otherwise.

But in summary, we love it . DH is so ridiculously proud pushing it around!

P.S. Had I not needed it for a couple more months, I might have held out for the BJ Versa which is due out in the summer, as that has a parent-facing option for the pushchair/stroller seat... But I figured I will be using the carrycot for the next 5 months anyway, then if I really want the Versa I can try and justify it to myself then

I just got my 3-wheeler BJCM from John Lewis at £225. I tried to get a price-match with Winstanleys PramWorld who had it in stock at £215, but JL were so slow to respond that it went out of stock in between enquiries. I still went with JL tho because of the service if any faults/repairs req - and as there's a Waitrose in my town I wouldn't have to pay any courier fees (Click and Collect).
It's a great buggy, I'm thrilled with it. I was very keen on the GT, but am glad I stuck with the standard City Mini as I'm carrying it folded up stairs with one hand - those extra 2kg would've really counted!
I have found the 3-wheeler a little tippy on sloping pavements, but I've only been using it a week, I'm sure I'll get used to it soon. If you live somewhere hilly, maybe the 4-wheeler would suit you better - I know Tiggy (the BJCM expert on here) says the 4-wheeler is def better when using it as a travel system.
Happy shopping! :)

re being the BJCM expert :) Thanks Tiddly!!

I have had both the BJCM3 and 4 and I swapped to the 4 specifically after finding the 3 a bit tippy - not much but just at certain times - for example if you can picture pushing the pushchair up to the car door forwards, lifting the baby on in the car seat or into the carrycot, and then you need to do a sharpish turn away from the car to close the door and set off. Thats one occasion where I found the pushchair tippy. Ditto if I went to put something in the car boot and then turned away. So it was more sharp turns with me that caused a problem rather than the pushchair feeling tippy in general IYKIM. Although I did notice it a bit with kerbs as well, and also pushing one handed with the car seat on, on uneven ground eg unmade car parks.

IMHO if you are buying for use with a newborn with a carrycot and / or car seat, then get the BJCM4. For an older child it really doesn't matter.

However I have got the BJCMGT here at present and that does feel more grounded. I ought to try it with the car seat on (makes mental note to do so tomorrow). I do think, that the GT is worth looking at especially buying from birth to last until the end of pushchair days. It just has the extra comfort in the ride, the adjustable handle, the extra PE board in the seat base, the handbrake, the better basket access - I can get a large handbag through the back or the sides of the basket because its elasticated - I got tons in it today - the high sides stop things falling out.

BUT if you have time, and have the money, I would hold out for the Versa - its really will be the Nirvana of pushchairs, and the Versa GT is even better. Having had most of the Baby Joggers now, the Versa is really the merging of all the best bits in one - and there are a lot of best bits to have. Having had the BJCMGT, I can't wait to see the Versa GT.

Just to add, I wouldn't worry about redress - yes JL have fab service and I recommend them, but Kooltrade the UK Baby Jogger distributors also have a fab reputation for customer service, spare parts, generally being lovely. The Baby Joggers come with a lifetime warranty on the chassis, so you can buy with peace of mind. If anything does need replacing long term eg wheels, fabrics etc. then you can buy the necessary parts.

Thank you, Tea, Tiddly and Tiggy! (How come everyone except me on this thread begins with T?!)

I don't think we can afford the Versa, sadly, plus it might not be out in time (DC due in August). The GT is tempting, but still a bit expensive - though I can see if it would last several years it would be worth it. The trouble is, MIL wants to buy a specific item and order it herself rather than just sending us a cheque, even if we swear to put that money towards a pushchair! DH discussed this with her and said we were thinking of a BJCM, and she had a look and assumed we must mean the 3-wheeler. So she is prepared to get us that, but I think asking for more could be a problem. In fact I was surprised she made as generous an offer as she did - not because she's mean, but I didn't think she was very well off.

I just wanted to let you know, I had my BJCM3 2012 model from preciouslittleone.com, for £186.95! It was only £199.95 full price, but I had 5% off from a code on their facebook page when I clicked "Like" (only did that for the discount, haven't been back to the page since ) They also have the BJCM4 if that's what you go for, at the moment you have to email them for the prices of 2012 models, but they get back to you almost immediately :)

Thanks, that's definitely worth knowing, and they are a good bit cheaper!

I saw the Baby Jogger rep today and they said the end of August for the regular Versas with the GTs a month later. No price yet :S