Evaluate how well a Stroller meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a stroller and you've learned about the different features of strollers. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of stroller - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the strollers available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed strollers to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Stroller meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available strollers in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any strollers that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any strollers that clearly exceed your price limit.
Choosing the right stroller for you involves more than going to the store and buying the one on sale - or choosing the one your friend uses. Buying a stroller is a very personalized decision. Only you can say which features you need the most.
How you will use the stroller? If you don't have a car, you will be walking everywhere with it. You may need to get in and out of cabs, up and down subway stairs, etc. If this is you, then a lightweight model that folds up quickly is a definite must. You may also want to consider a stroller with a basket for groceries and other items.
Do you have twins, or multiple young children? Then you may want to consider a stroller with multiple seats. You can choose a tandem option (one seat in-front of the other), or a stroller whose seats are side by side.
Tip: Side by side strollers can be difficult to get through a doorway, while tandem strollers can be hard to get over a curb. Decide which option creates the least amount of difficulty in your life.
The next biggest question you need to ask yourself is, how big is your budget? You can spend as much money on a stroller as some people spend on a used car. Since this is an item you will be using regularly, buy with an eye toward quality. Your stroller should last for a good 5 years if you buy a quality model.
Tip: A more expensive stroller isn't automatically better. A nice mid-range model can be used for years before it becomes worn out.
Your comfort using the stroller is almost as important as the comfort of your children. Make sure the stroller is tall enough for anyone using it not to have to stoop or that the handles are fitted too close to the body of the stroller that you kick the stroller each time you take a step. Many modern strollers have both height and handle adjustments.
Consider how much of a beating the stroller is likely to take. If you intend to take it 'off road' or use it extensively everyday you will want a stroller that is built of durable materials with good wheels and firm joints. A light weight, plastic wheeled stroller is likely to fall apart very quickly under constant use.
Once you know what your special needs are and have come up with a budget, you are in a better position to consider the following list of features. Choose features that will be useful for several years, but don't over buy. If you keep these tips in mind, you will find a stroller that serves your family well for a long time.
When you were considering your requirements in a stroller it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as stroller type, safety features, weather protection, comfort and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various strollers meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Stroller Types
- Traditional Strollers (conventional design, not appropriate for children under 6 months because it doesn't recline)
- Umbrella Strollers (also not suitable for babies under 6 months. These are named after their handles) One of the lightest weight models.
- Travel systems (Stroller/infant car seat combination) These tend to be the heaviest models. They are appropriate for infants and older children.
- Jogging Strollers (Three wheel models) - are larger and hard to manoeuvre in tight spaces, they tend to have minimum storage.
- All-Terrain Strollers (Three wheel models with rugged suspension, air-filled tyres, with the option of having the front wheel swivel.)
- Seat Carrier Frames (A bare frame designed to snap to the infant's car seat)
Safety Features
- Safety belt (At minimum you need a belt with a crotch strap. The best models include a 5-point harness that will keep baby from slipping out or crawling out when you aren't looking)
- Locks for the wheels
- A handle brake
- Closable leg holes (for infants)
- Good balance - A stroller shouldn't tip if groceries are placed in the carrying compartments
Brakes
- Especially important while jogging
- Hand brakes
- Foot brakes (Single or double action)
- Single action foot brakes are engaged by a bar at the rear
- Double action brakes require you to step on a foot pad for each brake
Handle Bars
- Umbrella style
- Adjustable for different heights
- Padded
- Cushioned
- Reversible (So baby can ride facing you
- Single cross bar allows one-handed steering
- Two separate handles require two hands to steer.
Number of Wheels
- Two wheels are easier to turn, but may not be as sturdy
- Three wheels (with a fixed wheel front) are good for jogging but can be hard to turn
- Three wheels with a swivel front wheel is easier to manoeuvre
- Four wheels are stable but can be hard to get off a curb
Wheel Size
- Smaller wheels fit in your trunk better but can be harder to get around on
- Larger wheels ride over obstacles easily, but eat up a lot of trunk or boot space.
Fabric
- Choose a stroller whose fabric is easy to clean, and or has a cover than is removable and machine washable
- Dark colours show fewer stains
Trays
- Choose a tray that swings or comes off - it will be easier to get your child in or out of the stroller
- Optional toy attachments may keep baby occupied
Convertible
- Parents who use the subway or cabs will want a stroller that folds away quickly and easily (i.e. using only one hand)
- Parents with cars may like the versatility of a travel system which can transform a stroller to a car seat or baby carrier.
Warranty
- Frame up to 20 years - lifetime
- Soft goods and wheels usually 1 year
- Plastic parts 1 to 5 years
- Some strollers have a general warranty of 1 to 10 year but it can have limitations (check the fine print)
Other Considerations
- Canopy - either a sun roof model, or an all-encompassing plastic model
- Cup holders for the parents
- Basket for groceries, etc.
- Shock absorbers for a smoother ride
- Foot rests
- Seat adjusts to flat for infants
- Pre-assembled or needs assembly
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your stroller needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a stroller.
Once you have finished evaluating the strollers available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the strollers one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Stroller compares with competing Strollers
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of strollers that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of strollers that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which stroller on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these strollers best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed strollers has the best warranty?
Which stroller is the easiest to use?
Which of the strollers seems of the highest quality?
Which short-listed stroller has the best safety features?
Which stroller do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating strollers that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the stroller, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the stroller is put together. Check the assembly - is the stroller solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the stroller from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the stroller prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the brakes and handle bars easy to use? Make sure the stroller is user-friendly - some strollers look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - easy to use and accessible
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as accidental damage.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need a weather cover, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- What else will you need to fully utilize the stroller?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of strollers that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
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