Buy this and sparks will fly! (Mothercare Basic Buggy)

Member Name: nomie

Product:	Mothercare Basic Buggy
Date:	08/06/01 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Small, Fairly inexpensive

Disadvantages: Difficult to fold, brakes not v. good, Expensive raincover, Electric shocks!

I'm afraid I can't give the Mothercare buggy a better rating than either of the other two ops! I purchased mine after a minor disaster with my three-wheeler which left me with only two wheels. Although my mum borrowed a pushchair for me, it was rather nasty and I didn't feel confident being seen out in public with it!

I've had my Mothercare stroller for about 3 months now. It cost 30pounds which wasn't too bad, although there was an even cheaper one at 14.99 (goodness knows what that would've been like!). The buggy is available in zesty blue and lime green, or with coloured elephants over it. We chose the blue and green one, as I think the elephants would've been annoying after a while!

After being shown how to fold it down, and not really watching properly, we were off! When I got used to the swivel wheels at the front (which can also be locked), I found the buggy relatively easy to push. It was nippy enough to negotiate through crowds compared to my bus-like three wheeler. However after not very long using it my back got quite sore.

The seat reclines slightly and so can support an older baby while asleep. It is not suitable for babies younger than about three months though. My eight month old seems comfortable enough in it though, and it gives him a different view of things from his other pram.

There is a small net basket underneath, although anything you put in it tends to poke into the baby's back and push the seat forwards. As per usual I overload it and will probably end up breaking the buggy!

After not very long, our buggy developed a squeak, which can be quite annoying. Also, I do not find the brakes easy to use, and have to bend down to release them with my hand, rather than my foot. The buggy is also very difficult to fold down. Ours seems to be very stiff and refuses to budge, especially when I'm on my own and need to fold it in a hurry! I actually had to go bac
k to the store and ask how to do it again because I thought it was broken. When folded it isn't as light as it looks.

By far the worst thing about this buggy for me is the amount of electric shocks I get off it! I constantly get shocks off lift buttons and even my baby's head- it's ridiculous. Apparently you can get things to diminish the static, but Mothercare don't sell them!

You can buy several accessories, namely a raincover and a parasol to fit this buggy. However, the raincover costs 25pounds, nearly as much as the buggy itself, which I find a bit silly! I have to decide which pram to take out, and if it looks like rain, bring my three-wheeler.

For me, one of the only points in favour of the buggy is that it is easy to get on and off buses, and handy when in town shopping. I wouldn't necessarily tell people not to buy it, just not to rely too heavily on it, and whatever you do don't hang plastic bags on the handles- you'll be in for a big shock!

Summary: