A plea for someone in Stratford-upon-Avon...

[elk4baby]

I'm helping an expecting friend to buy a buggy. I've found the one she's been after for months, but the seller is refusing to accept a courier collection. I've even offered to send him a suitable box, and tried bribing him with a higher price. He's just not budging - says he's too busy to bother.

So here's my last desperate attempt and plea out to Mumsnet to find a way to get it out from Stratford-upon-Avon to where we are - Kent.
Is there anyone who would be able to pick it up from the guy (everything will be paid for in advance, of course) and have a courier pick it up the next day?

This particular colour is quite rare...P&T Explorer in ALL APPLE (typical woman, huh? all about the right colour). Please feel free to tell me I'm insane for even entertaining the idea of going through this much trouble for a used buggy.

Of course, if you have an ALL APPLE Explorer you're looking to sell, let me know ;).

There's one for sale in Maidstone: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Phil-And-Teds-Sport-Buggy-Apple-Green-With-Double-Kit-/290753364579?pt=UK_Baby_BabyTravel_Pushchairs_GL&hash=item43b2404263#ht_500wt_951

Thanks for the link!
But this is the Sport, and we're after the Explorer - has quite a few improvements.

If you don't find anyone to help out, would you consider picking it up yourself? I know it would be a day on the road for you but at least then you'd have the pushchair you really want. I've done a 4 or 5 hour round trip before for a good deal on something I really wanted...

If you don't find anyone to help out, would you consider picking it up yourself? I know it would be a day on the road for you but at least then you'd have the pushchair you really want. I've done a 4 or 5 hour round trip before for a good deal on something I really wanted...

Oops, sorry..I'm not familiar with the Phil and Teds....it says Explorer in the description below??

The Explorer has a different shape hood :) and has another small hood covering the little one at the back too.

You know, I'd really rather pay someone to have it picked-up and then arrange a courier, than spend 5 hours in the car with two toddlers. My friend is not driving, as she can barely fit behind the wheel, so that's not an option either.

If I were to drive out there, it'd be pretty difficult to set up an exact pick-up time - the longer the drive, the more difficult it is to predict traffic conditions. And juggling two toddler schedules (nursery, naps, etc.), it's that much more complicated. And this seller is clearly a very busy man, as he said they're in the middle of moving and he's running his own business. I really don't want to 'step on his tail' anymore than I already have done.

Maybe try posting in MN Local?

I imagine you'll have a lot of difficulty finding someone who is willing to collect a pushchair from a man who is that busy (and therefore will have to fit in with his schedule) for a stranger. Has he given you any indication when he is free or if he'd be able to deliver to somewhere within a certain distance?

Have you owned either an Explorer or Sport? By all accounts, the Sport is a much better pushchair even if it is a bit older. There also haven't been any recalls on the Sport I believe, unlike every other model of P&T pretty much.

The issue with this particular one was the brakes - they've since replaced the frame and fixed the issue. And it's been on the market for a while now, so I doubt there will be more problems.

Why do you say the Sport is a better option?!

I'm quite surprised to hear this, as the explorer folds smaller and much easier, has a better hood and an extra one at the back and has a plastic footrest. I can't remember the other differences, but even just those are quite attractive.

(btw, personally, I'm not a fan of P&T and prefer the side-by-side. But the girl I'm helping buy this has different requirements and the P&T is the best option for her)