Stroller Info

Huge Maclaren Recall - Protect Your Child's Fingers!

2009-11-17T10:13:02-06:00

On November 9, 2009 the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of all Maclaren strollers sold between 1999 and 2009 - almost a million strollers total.

The problem: Children placing their fingers in the stroller's hinge mechanism during the opening or unfolding the stroller. There have been 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the U.S. alone.

The Solution: Maclaren is offering a repair kit to consumers via their website: http://www.maclaren.us/recall
or by contacting your local Maclaren dealer.

The kits, and the shipping of the kits, are free of charge.

A Tip: Make sure your child is not handling your stroller while opening or closing it - little hands and fingers are fragile and can be injured!

For more information, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website.

The Weight of Things: Orbit Baby Stroller System - Certified Heavy

2009-08-24T16:48:38-05:00

This is the first of StrollerInfo.com's continuous look at the weight discrepencies between a manufacturer's published stroller weight specifications and the weight specifications tested by StrollerInfo.com - in house.

We will begin by reviewing the weight of the Orbit Baby Stroller System:

STANDARD COMPONENTS:

Orbit Baby Chassis:

PUBLISHED: 14.7 pounds

ACTUAL*: 21 pounds, with cargo pod

DIFFERENCE: 6.3 pounds!

One of the heaviest seatless stroller chassis in the US.

Orbit Infant Car Seat:

Note: The weight measurements listed are without the car seat base.

PUBLISHED: 9.8 pounds

ACTUAL*: 14 pounds

DIFFERENCE: 4.2 pounds!

Put this baby on the chassis = 35 pounds!
Infant Carrier + newborn/growing baby = 20 pounds and growing!

Orbit Infant Car Seat Base:

PUBLISHED: N/A

ACTUAL*: Coming Soon!

DIFFERENCE: Coming Soon!

AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES:

Orbit Bassinet:

PUBLISHED: 8 pounds

ACTUAL*: 12 pounds

DIFFERENCE: 4 pounds!

Bassinet + Chassis (without baby) = 33 pounds!
This weight, plus that for a newborn - growing baby = an exercise.

Orbit Toddler Stroller Seat:

PUBLISHED: 9 pounds

ACTUAL*: 14 pounds

DIFFERENCE: 5 pounds!

Toddler Seat + Chassis = 35 pounds!

Orbit Baby Toddler Car Seat:

PUBLISHED: 21.5 pounds

ACTUAL*: 24.5 pounds

DIFFERENCE: 3 pounds!

Getting the toddler car seat in and out of the cahr with child = at least 40 pounds and growing!

--------------------------

Conclusions: Individually, as well as operable stroller systems, the Orbit Baby products are some of the heaviest on the market. Even by the European market's standard disregard for weight, these pieces aren't light!

Think about it: the everyday chassis with the toddler seat attachment is a wopping 35 pounds!

Orbit Baby Stroller Systems = CERTIFIED HEAVY

This does not represent a complete review of the Orbit Baby Stroller systems, it only accounts for the Orbit Baby product weight specifications.

* = as tested on an industrial digital scale by StrollerInfo.com.

Do you want us to weigh a stroller or stroller system? Do you want to read a fresh review of a particular stroller or system? Let us know!
StrollerInfo@gmail.com

Stroller Tip #1 - Always Keep The Receipt!

2009-08-22T17:20:16-05:00

Tip # 1 : Always keep the receipt! Even though your stroller is under warranty, many stroller companies want a purchase record to accompany any warranty issue requests. This allows the stroller company to log issues that may be occurring in certain demographic areas, and/or with certain retailers It also allows them to be certain of exactly when the stroller was purchased - some warranty guarentees are time sensitive. Make sure to look through your stroller's manual to find out exactly what is coverd and for how long.

You may also decided, after a mover or a little more research, that you want to return or exchane your stroller for a different model or brand. In this case, your having the receipt is crucial. Without it, you may be forced to try and sell the stoller online or to a friend.

REMEMBER: If you received your stroller as a gift, make sure that you have kept and filed away your gift receipt. Even better: ask the buying party for a copy of the original receipt - just in case! You registered/requested the stroller - you know how much your family/friend(s) splurged. There is no harm in asking for the receipt just in case there are any problems down the line.

This tip may save you a whole lotta pain down the road - you don't want to have to ask the retailer or your best friend if they can find a copy of the transaction months down the road. You'll have enough to worry about!

As Right Start Stores Begin to Close, Future Remains Uncertain

2009-02-12T10:08:56-06:00

In an apparent attempt to begin liquidating asses, Right Start has begun closing stores and announcing others will have liquidation sales.

Six of Right Start's stores have now been closed and their merchandise apparently moved to nearby locations:

Lombard - Lombard, Illinois
Naperville - Naperville, Ilinois
Sugar Land - Sugar Land, TX
Dulles - Dulles, Virginia
Washingtonian - Gaithersburg, Maryland
Rancho Cucamonga - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

The company's corporate office is still relaying to the remaining employees that they are "motivated to do [their] best ... to find a buyer."

They have also begun "Clearance Sales" to liquidate the assets of poorly performing or "Island" stores. The following locations have begun selling all strollers and gear at 20% OFF and everything else at 30% OFF:

Clinton Township - Clinton Township, MI
Natick - Natick, Maryland
Palo Alto - Palo Alto, California
St. David's - St. Davids, New York

Today, Right Start Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy... Closing?

2009-02-03T20:15:51-06:00

Today, Right Start filed for Chaper 11 bankruptcy. This following the closing of babystyle.com, tinyride.com and the apparent stop in all RightStart.com transactions. All items on RightStart.com are Out Of Stock!

Right Start is now looking / speaking with potential buyers of all brands. This does not initially affect the use of Right Start credits, but this will surely change soon.

We hope all the best for the Rightr Start brand families and jobs in this economically stressful time...

Use your Gift Cards / Merchandise Credits as soon as possible.

More to come...

babystyle Website Closed For Business... as are more babystyle stores

2009-01-29T17:58:55-06:00

It seems that babystyle has officially closed their website for good. Recently purchased by Right Start, babystyle has been a brand in trouble for a while - having filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in March of 2008.

As of 28 January 2009 the caption on the babystyle website states:

"We're sorry but we have suspended operation of our site.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We hope we'll be back soon.

Any pending orders that have not yet shipped have been canceled and your credit card will not be charged."

-babystyle.com

There has been much discussion about the use of your babystyle gift cards - since there is no longer an ecommerce site it is recommended contacting your local babystyle freestanding store location.

Here is a list of store locations that are believed to still be open:

BELLEVUE, WA
168 Bellevue Square
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425-462-2811

NEW YORK, NY - CADEAU
254 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-994-1801

DENVER, CO
3000 East First Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
Phone: 303-333-0385

BURLINGAME, CA
1319 Burlingame Avenue
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone:650-342-1534

NEWPORT BEACH, CA
1103A Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: 949-759-1129

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA
3200 Sepulveda Blvd. #C-5
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: 310-802-0224

SANTA MONICA, CA
1324 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: 310-434-9590

SHERMAN OAKS, CA
14006 Riverside Drive
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Phone: 818-986-1588

SANTA CLARA, CA
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: 408-246-9703

SHORT HILLS, NJ
1200 Morris Turnpike
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Phone: 973-921-1115

SCOTTSDALE, AZ
15215 N. Kierland Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: 480-596-9201

SCOTTSDALE, AZ
7014-2304 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

CLOSED

If you are unable to reach the stores above, some have been saying that Right Start stores are accepting the gift cards. Contact your local babystyle/Right Start store and see if they will honor them or the Right Start corporate office @ 1-888-548-8531.

Our thoughts go out to those that have unexpectedly lost their jobs in this very tumultuous economic climate.

MORE TO COME:

StrollerInfo.com

The Weight of Things - Keeping Stroller Companies Honest

2009-01-26T12:56:08-06:00

Does the stroller you've read about ever seem a little heavier in person than the weight published on the stroller company's website?

It usually is.

In trying to give consumers the most accurate information possible, StrollerInfo.com will now begin a new section titled: The Weight of Things. We are in the process of weighing strollers on a proper scale and will publish our findings - and they might surprise you!

Many stroller companies only weigh their prototypes - yet to be modified to satisfy varying safety regulations and/or material changes. Some don't even weigh the stroller with fabric. In an effort to have a published weight in the market to create desire, many strollers end up being much heavier than companies initially publish.

And this weight has a huge impact on your purchasing decisions :: if it is published at 21 pounds and actually weights 31, you may be in for more of a workout than you bargained.

If you would like us to weigh a stroller that has suspect specifications, let us know!

strollerinfo@gmail.com

Right Start, babystyle, Tiny Ride CLOSING?

2009-01-23T13:15:06-06:00

AN ANONYMOUS TIP! HERE FIRST!

As of this morning, Right Start told its corporate employees that they are being laid off. All but the COO, Logistics Manager, Human Resources and IT.

All of the area and regional managers are being laid off.

The entire Babystyle corporate office, and Blue Lava.

This is another sign of the financial times... No credit is being given to manufacturer's of products, or retailers to purchase them.

It would be a good idea to USE YOUR GIFT CARDS NOW!!!!

More info to come!!!!

StrollerInfo.com

UPDATE:

Right Start Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy! It's Official! See Above....

2 FEB 2009

Right Start stores are now closing:

Dulles
22000 Dulles Retail Plaza Suite 140
Dulles, VA 20166
703-430-7458

HAS NOW CLOSED ITS DOORS

30 JAN 09
Right Start said to be in talks with Vested Group, "a Private Investment and Management Company that specializes in e-Business and Real Estate" in Orem, Utah. The Vested Group just recently purchased BareBabies.com from bankruptcy. If this tip is true, they are said to be purchasing the Right Start, babystyle, and Tiny Ride assets . It is still not known, if they are going to be purchasing their assets, whether stores will remain open and the brands will remain intact.

*Tiny Ride's website now mirrors that of babystyle, no longer directing potential shoppers to Right Start (which remains OUT OF STOCK ON EVERY SINGLE ITEM), but saying instead:

We're sorry but we have suspended operation of our site.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We hope we'll be back soon.

Any pending orders that have not yet shipped have been cancelled and your credit card will not be charged.

28 JAN 09::

*babystyle website is now OFFICIALLY CLOSED. The website states: "

We're sorry but we have suspended operation of our site.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We hope we'll be back soon.

Any pending orders that have not yet shipped have been cancelled and your credit card will not be charged.

Babystyle seems to now officially be closing.

5:00 PM EST 26 Jan 09::

*babystyle still has a skeletal page on amazon.com, but are not listing any products.

*Right Start still has a shop on amazon.com, but it is pretty bare as well.

*We are getting reports that most shops do not have much in the way of merchandise. If you have registries with Right Start, check to see if the items on it are still available to purchase.

6:06 PM EST:: *www.TinyRide.com is no longer up and running - it directs shoppers to the NOTORIOUSLY OUT OF STOCK www.RightStart.com website.

*www.babystyle.com is no longer up and running - where did all of that great merchandise go?

Properly Inflating Your Stroller's Tires :: Maintenance Tips

2008-10-02T14:40:37-05:00

If your stroller has pneumatic (or air-inflated) tires, it is important to remember to use a small hand pump to inflate them if they become flat.

DO NOT USE AN ELECTRIC PUMP OR AN AIR COMPRESSOR. Because your stroller's tires are small, they will pop and/or cause the wheel casing to warp or fracture. Even if your compressor has options to preset the inflation rate, your tire's tube may still tear or pop.

Any hand pump will work. You can even use a larger bike tire pump, just make sure not to over-inflate the tires - this may cause the tires to bubble or warp, impeding a smooth push while strolling. Each wheel as a psi rating on the tire to let you know how much air the tire requires. Consult a tire gauge if you have one to make sure you are not over-inflating the tube.

If you have any specific questions about stroller maintenance, feel free to ask us. We are beginning a Maintenance Tips section to answer these questions.

strollerinfo@gmail.com

New Reviews - New Concepts

2008-07-24T12:22:58-05:00

We have taken a little time away from www.StrollerInfo.com to focus on the future of the site. We plan to begin introducing new reviews very soon. These reviews will be more extensive, including photos and other multimedia to better explain and compare different stroller brands. We are also going to begin fluid updates on previous reviews/information pages, as many stroller companies have been increasing their prices mid-season.

NEW Reviews - Look for them this next week:

Bumbleride Indy Single
Valco Runabout Tri Mode Single
Baby Jogger City Double

If you would like to see a stroller reviewed, please do not hesitate to tell us! You can email us at strollerinfo@gmail.com.