Tag: prams

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Seven steps to find your buggy its new home.

SAFETY FIRST

A scratch here and there? A mark on the fabric? That’s all good. It just shows how loved your buggy has been. But it is essential that its safety features are top notch. And if not, flag that to your potential buyer. They must be clued up on any flaws before they decide if to proceed. So here is the small print: all buggies should have working brakes, a five point harness which connects in its entirety and there shouldn’t be any corrosion on the frame. 

PITCH IT RIGHT

Do your research before you post. In person; online; on Facebook groups. See who else is selling your buggy (or a similar model, in a similar condition) and price yours accordingly. Too expensive you risk being left on the shelf. Too cheap and you invalidate everyone else trying to sell at market price. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

Make your buggy look presentable. We’re all busy, I get it. But don’t underestimate the power of looking good. I’m not saying you should splash the cash on a steam clean, but do pop a removable cover in the wash for a quick freshen up. And if you get a chance to hose the mud off the wheels then all the better…  

PICTURE PERFECT

Photography is key for online sales. Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes: what would you want and need to see from the photos to tempt you to buy it online? I won’t lie, it can be a bit of a faff to set it all up and take the right shots, but it is so worth it! Someone must trust that what they see is what they will get. Pick your moment to take your photos: ideally in daylight (or somewhere well lit if you’re inside) and preferably not when you have kids hanging off each leg.

GIVE IT THE BIG SELL

Honesty about its condition; flagging the flaws as well as bigging up the best bits. The more effort you put into your advert, the more confidence the potential customer will have in what they are buying into. 

COLLECTION V DELIVERY

Buggies are big ticket items so most likely a buyer will prefer to collect in person. But don’t discount the option of getting a courier to deliver it if you don’t make a sale around the corner. Couriers aren’t as pricey as you might think and it might help you nail that sale! But always ensure you cover the cost of delivery in your sale price and make it clear what your £££ includes. 

GAME OVER

Be honest about the state of your buggy. If you think it would be a better fit for the scrapyard rather than another child, I urge you to do the right thing and source your local council recycling scheme. There are many parts of a buggy that can be reused so no need to just dump it and run…

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Adventures underground

According to Marie Curie, “nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.’ I’m pretty sure she wasn’t talking about the London Underground system, but when it comes to me and the Tube, her words ring all too true. When my eldest was three and my daughter eighteen months I’d taken them on the Tube twice. In total. And not even at the same time! I was ashamed of my cowardice because there is just so much to explore in and around London, especially as the grow up. I didn’t want them to miss out due to my fear of the struggle.

But I did always feel the travel struggle was real. Clambering on the Tube with kids in tow? Fretful. I’d be flustered at navigating the steps and stairs. Minding the gap to spare their little feet and my big buggy. Looking so hapless and helpless that a kind commuter would have to save me, my children and all the ‘essentials’ I’d have on board. The cultural ‘shame to be saved’ may be a British thing, but I’m sure many of you taking young ones on the Underground would also ‘get the ick’ asking a stranger for help.

When I have taken the train, I’ve planned out my route in meticulous detail. And by that I mean I went the long way round to make it as step free as possible from platform to pavement. Add to the mix that I really do not like crowds and the fact the Tube seems to house half of London’s population (plus almost every tourist in the UK). Truth be told, I just avoided the whole situation as best and as often as I could.

Yet possibly the worst part of it all: my son adores the Tube! We spent a not insignificant amount of his second year hanging outside Willesden Green station simply to watch the trains speed by. To watch. Yet not to brave jumping on board. And to think back then I only had him to look after…

A little while ago my daughter and I stepped outside my comfort zone. We dared to take the Tube to Central London. Please believe me when I tell you this: it was so easy! In fact, I was somewhat aghast at how I had built it up to be something it honestly wasn’t. Simple, and actually quite pleasant. Of course it wasn’t seamless. I had to hike her up the stairs at Great Portland Street. But she’s little, the buggy is light and my personal training is clearly paying off. We arrived earlier than expected and, for the return journey, took full advantage of ‘zone one’, enjoying a sunny stroll through Regents Park to catch the Overground home.

This adventure taught me to embrace my fear more often. I will certainly go again. And next time I’ll take both kids and plan to be out for longer. I will pack less, be lighter on our feet, and remember to have options for my kids of different ages, ability and stamina. Taking our wheeled board and a sling I can alternate between walking, sitting, being pushed and being carried dependent on, you know, tiredness, mood, need to nap etc. (And that’s just me…!)

Pro tip: if you do do this often, invest in a lightweight stroller. It doesn’t have to break the bank. There is so much choice for easy-to-collapse, foldable, carry-on-your-shoulder models. ‘Fully reclining’ is a bonus so you won’t be held hostage by nap times.

My no longer fearing the Tube has (re)opened a whole window of possibilities for me and my two. So watch out, Daddy. We’re coming to meet you for a lunch date soon. Marie Curie would be proud!