Do you think a back carrier for a child should last 6 years without falling apart?

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

When my dd was little we bought one of those expensive (£120) carriers for her to be used when we went hill walking. We maybe used it 4 or 5 days a year max.

She's outgrew it by the time she was 4 so harly any use and we gave it to my brother and SIL last year. They were going to use it for the first time the other week and luckily had a practice in their front room. As they went to put it down something inside seemed to snap and my nephew lurched to oen side. An internal metal pole has snapped - looks like metal fatigue.

Do you think I can complain to the manufacturer after this amount of time (and no receipt). Its dangerous for one thing. He's lucky he didn't fall out.

Yes I think it should last 6yrs. I have an expensive backpack (so similar kind of back system) that I've had for 19yrs which has been round the world a few times and generally mistreated by baggage handlers/rickshaw drivers etc and it still works fine. Admittedly not used much in the last 3yrs with babies in tow

Don't know how lucky you'll be with the manufacturer? Maybe threaten to write to Which? or something?!

I'm going to buy a back carrier today, can you tell me which one it is please, so I can avoid it.

Thanks

We have a fab back carrier we bought 2nd hand over a year ago and which dh has used with ds1 loads - even hanging shopping bags off it too. It is still going strong. It's a US make (Tough Traveler).

I don't think they would have any legal obligations to you, but that really isn't good.

Its a BushBaby one.

My sister's bushbaby had a frame that snapped, they had used it loads, they use it every day with quite heavy children. But the manufacturers replaced the broken pole for free. They do come with a "lifetime guarantee".

I don't think you can complain but you should be able to get the pole replaced.

Our bushbaby lasted 6 years and had lots of use and is still in near perfect condition.

Mmmm thats a shame in a way as my brother has bought a new one now as they were going on holiday a couple of days later. I don't really need a reconditioned carrier, could always ebay it I guess.