Can anyone review M&P Sola?

[Nocoffeenoworkee]

I had a quick look at the Mamas and Papas Sola today and was pretty much sold. It ticks all the boxes for me:

1. Lightweight travel system
2. Smallish
3. Suitable from birth without really needing the carrycot
4. Parent facing and rear facing options

Can anyone give me an "I've used it and this is how it is" review?

I'm also considering the iCandy Cherry and the Babystyle Oyster so feel free to provide comparisons.

Thanks everyone, I'm sick of this!

I want to know this too. I am going to look at them on saturday but I saw the Oyster today and now I can't decide!

Between this and the Oyster I'd go with the Sola. Have only head bad things about the Oyster. Plus I like the shiny frame .

I looked at the Sola and it was nice but I didn't like the 2 part fold, also I didn't think it was that small folded. The straps were also on the small side I thought. I looked at the oyster today and I wouldn't buy that as my 7 month old filled the seat so it wouldn't last long.

Thanks ladies, I dragged my poor long suffering DH along to shops to see all 3 today and we're both happiest with the Sola. Reasons for this are it just seemed so robust by comparison to the Oyster we tried out - considering it can only have been in the shop for less than a year it was a sorry sight. One of the clips for the seat to click into the frame had broken and the handle that allows you to drop the seat back felt like it was just about to go. In all a rubbish way to sell a pram! The iCandy was good and I really like it, but the Sola just edged it with the ability to lay the seat back completely flat and it was a bit lighter with bigger wheels and seemed a lot more streamlined.

Phew! Let normal life recommence...

We went to look at them today too and we have also decided on the Sola. It was the bigger seat, better recline and the hood which sold it to me.

Well, high fives all round I think

We have ordered a Sola today - it was the best one we saw all day (having looked at 15!), but more importantly the only one that could fit into the boot of our car without the need to remove the parcel shelf! (We had to un-do the wheels too, but that is a REALLY quick job!) Quick to fold and assemble, a really sturdy carry cot and an unbelievably helpful and informative assistant made it a really simple purchase.

On the down-side... www.very.co.uk are advertising the system INCLUDING carrycot for £100 less. Will investigate to see if it is a mis-print and let you know! )

Okay, here is the low down.... I spoke to M&P AND Very.co.uk to explain the situation. Very.co.uk are certain that the CarryCot is included in the system for £250 (saving £100 immediately) HOWEVER if you add the promo code xx958 at checkout you receive a whopping 20% off, so saving an extra £50 - a grand total of £150!!! (plus £3.95 P&P)

I'm not sure how long this code is valid for, but my Sola is now ordered through Very. Cancelling M&P order tomorrow, because all warranty is covered through M&P anyway!

Feel slightly guilty taking away business for M&P after great cust service, but babies are expensive! The saving will pay for our car seat! (to be bought through M&P probably.... )

Bargain kloncia, shame only green or pink though

Thanks for the heads up Kloncia, I too had ordered my Sola package from M&P but just called Very to check if the pushchair comes with the carrycot for £250 and they confirmed it does. Amazing value!

I too am going to cancel my M&P order and go through Very. Let's hope their advisors are right about the carrycot being included...

I have seen this pushchair online and i love it too! Does anybody know if you have to take the seat off to fold? Or can you just do it all in a one?

Yep, it folds with the seat attached, I tried it out in the shop.

Thanks do you happen to remember how small it folds, and how easy? just because i would have to take it on bus and such.

Well it wasn't exactly tiny, but it was very easy to fold up. It takes 2 hands but was incredibly straightforward. Have a look at this picture

Oops, try this link

Worst case scenario is the carry cot is not included, but using the discount code you get £50 off the chassis price. Still a good deal!

thanks nocoffee does anybody know what the max handle height is? my partner is 6'2 so don't want him uncomfy pushing it

seems like a good bargain, but does anybody have experience actually using it?

sturdy? lightweight? what about the tires are they good, do they puncture?

Just a warning ladies, I ordered through Very.co.uk (same as Argos Additions) and it DOES NOT include the carrycot after all. Very frustrating as order placed couple of weeks back and only now telling me. Also website still states "included". Grr!!! Think this is a Trading Standards issue, so emailed them and will see what response I get.

Can you let us know what trading standards say please as I had the same phone call myself this morning as did 2 friends who have also ordered it.

I basically quoted the Trade Descriptions Act stating it had been described incorrectly and it was my right to receive it with the carryout or a refund of £100 to buy the carrycot elsewhere. However, immediately after sending the email and by coincidence had another call from Very to say having spoken to the managers they are offering everyone a refund of £100 so looks like they know they are in the wrong! It may be worth a call back if they do not contact you.

Sigh... what on earth is going on here?! I too have a Sola on order through Very and have, having read your posts, just called up to find out if the carrycot is included. The customer services rep I spoke to couldn't see anything on the 'system' to indicate that it's not included so has referred my query onto the buying department. I should get a response in 7 days...

In the meantime, do let us know if you receive anything admitting fault in writing or an actual refund as this might help customer services to let the rest of us know the status of our orders!

Anyone know the order time on a sola carrycot through Mamas and Papas? Equally, I notice that Littlewoods are selling the same package as Very for £250 so it would be interesting to see if they definitely include the carrycot.

I have read on other forums that people have phoned up to check the carrycot is included and the advisors say it is - after all they are simply quoting what the description says. I am sure you will get a call soon to say it is not - I placed my order a week and a bit ago and only got called today.

Very.co.uk, Argos Additions, Marshall Ward, Great Universal and Littlewoods are all the same catalogue. If they offer £100 refund to everyone, they are going to be thousands out of pocket. I am guessing someone is in big trouble here for wording the description wrong....!

Hey everyone. Hope this thread is still active. If you read this you may have had a call from very.co.uk about their mistake in the description. I am very unhappy about this and think everyone should get together and contest this. If you want to join a possible group of 'troublemakers' read this:
community.babycentre.co.uk/post/a6198305/bought_sola_vey.co.uk_vey_mad

It just gets worse....

Having offered me the £100 discount via telephone, when I phoned today to ask for confirmation to be sent to me, they are denying it!

Have suggested they listen to the recording of that call and get back to me - just hope it was recorded.

Not sure where I stand now. Having again quoted the "Trade Descriptions Act 1968" they have said that the pushchair will be removed from sale and as I have not actually received the product, they are not in breach of anything.

I was mad yesterday, can't even describe how wound up I feel now!