so you know you've entered a whole new phase in your life when your must-have status symbol is no longer a designer handbag but a designer stroller. i'm not gonna lie - the aesthetics is just as important as function to me. but at the same time, i'm also not ridiculous enough to spend $1000 on a stroller (ie the bugaboo). maybe i'd consider it if i lived in nyc, but seeing as how i live in the corn-fed midwest, it is just way too pretentious.
what i have in mind is a stroller with nice clean lines (preferably european design) that is functionally more than your typical mall-crawler - we live in a pretty pedestrian area so i want something that can deliver a smooth ride even on bumpy sidewalks. but it still has to be easily collapsible and light enough to throw in the trunk. after much research, i was finally able to narrow it down to these two:
quinny buzz
valco runabout tri-mode
i haven't actually seen either one in person so i've had to purely base my decision on reviews and published specs. they both get rave reviews, and the quinny is more of a headturner in terms of looks, but i decided to go with the valco. its winning points: 5-position reclining seat, better storage basket, more compact fold, attachable toddler seat that turns it into a double stroller (sold separately)... and the clincher - hundreds of dollars less expensive.
the quinny sells for $550. the 2008 model of the valco retails for $480 - but albee baby is selling the navy/plum version for $299.99. not sure if this is a mistake since it's only this color that's on sale and the 2008 models just came out. this wouldn't have been my top color choice, but definitely worth the $180 savings. i was originally going to wait a few months until after the baby is born to buy a real stroller (planning to use the infant carseat + snap n go in the beginning), but i was afraid this deal wouldn't last so i ordered the valco today.
honestly, i can't believe i'm so excited about a stroller. so weird.
Comments