Does higher price equal higher quality? Or is it all about "designer" brands?

[CurlyCasper]

My question is pretty much as the subject states. I'm starting to look for our first pram/stroller/travel system (no idea which!) and it seems that the greatest appetite and best reviews are for really expensive products, and you hear little about the affordable, own brand (say Mothercare) ones available.

Any advice from experienced mums would be welcome, please!

Very hit and miss.

Maclaren I would say hand on heart, fantastic durability would not consider any other brand for a stroller.

Mamas and papas, used to be very good quality, now dreadful and the aftercare servive is shockingly bad.

Bugaboo - I can't fault, worth every single penny.

Graco - is cheap for a reason, terrible plasticky quality avoid at all costs.

There will always be people who disagree or don't like your choice. You will get some honest opinions from the pushchair addicts on here who have had pretty much every make/brand/model!!

Thanks carrie, I did wonder why Graco seemed so reasonable. Wierdly though, it's one of the few brands I'd heard of before all this pregnancy lark!

i agree with pp

some brands are brilliant, maclaren, icandy, p&t,

But mamas and papas are poor now, silver cross is getting rubbish too alot of my friends have been very disappointed in them, quinny buzz is often slated, loolas are lovely (i have one) but rickety.

Mothercare itself is hit and miss, the old urban detours were fantastic, the new mychoice is a nightmare.

Graco, cheap for a reason although the trenton delux is very popular and i know a few people who are happy with theirs.

Yes it depends. Will add some of my views:

OBaby are good value, good choice for a second pushchair as cheaper than a Maclaren but have better spec than some other cheap umbrella folds. (Don't know anything about their larger prams)

Bebeconfort good, though have recently been sold to Maxi Cosi, not sure whether they have changed quality or not. I am very happy with my Loola Up and don't find it rickety. I have a good impression of the company, as they brought out the Loola, then very evidently listened to their reviews as the Loola Up (the next model) kept all the good features and solved 90% of the problems people were having with the old Loolas.

Have heard from friends that Britax pushchairs are another good mid-price-range model.

Gracos are popular because they are cheap, but as mentioned they are a bit cheap quality. You could easily get something better by shopping around and spending just a little bit more.

I think Gracos have a different reputation in the US - friends over there use them and they don't seem to be considered poor quality

Thanks all - think we've chosen now. all help was much appreciated.