When did strollers become a status symbol?

[Anonymous]

Which graco strollers are you ladies using? Again, I think they have made improvements over the years, but a lot of the travel system strollers have not been well put together.

I had one that was I think their first attempt at an umbrella stroller travel system. It was ok, but I was so happy when I got a lighter weight umbrella stroller.

[Anonymous]

I think the Bugaboo is awesome for city living, but I really don't see the appeal of the Uppababy strollers. I don't think they handle well at all. I much prefer my City Mini GT. I live in the burbs and its perfect for getting in and out of the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the Bugaboo is awesome for city living, but I really don't see the appeal of the Uppababy strollers. I don't think they handle well at all. I much prefer my City Mini GT. I live in the burbs and its perfect for getting in and out of the car.

I love my uppababy stroller. Using it for child #3 now. The basket is huge. I can do my grocery shopping with the baby very easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I purposely avoid the moms who have high end strollers. Who wants that kind of shallow in their lives?

That's ridiculous. You have no idea anyone's reasoning was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's ridiculous. You have no idea anyone's reasoning was.

I'm not PP, but as I said earlier, I lived in Chicago, car-free. Nobody with an urban lifestyle "needs" a high end stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the Bugaboo is awesome for city living, but I really don't see the appeal of the Uppababy strollers. I don't think they handle well at all. I much prefer my City Mini GT. I live in the burbs and its perfect for getting in and out of the car.

I'm sorry, PP, but I'm going to assume you don't have much experience with the Uppababy Vista, because it kicks the pants off the brands you mentioned for maneuverability and durability. It folds easily, rides well, and is all around a wonderful stroller, with great rear tires and details down to the quiet magnetic check-in flap. It's an entirely different class of stroller than the City Mini GT. I understand people who take issue with the Uppa price, and its corresponding expensive accessories, and I respect those who just won't spend that much on a stroller. But pretending you "much prefer" a City Mini for any other reason is silliness. I'm not into status symbols. I don't wear expensive brand name clothes. My economy car is seven years old. But everyday, I am glad that I splurged on the Uppa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I purposely avoid the moms who have high end strollers. Who wants that kind of shallow in their lives?

15:56 here. This makes me feel even better about my Uppa splurge, and I always appreciate the irony of being called "shallow" by someone who uses stroller choices to select her friends. Thanks, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Bugaboo is awesome for city living, but I really don't see the appeal of the Uppababy strollers. I don't think they handle well at all. I much prefer my City Mini GT. I live in the burbs and its perfect for getting in and out of the car.

I'm sorry, PP, but I'm going to assume you don't have much experience with the Uppababy Vista, because it kicks the pants off the brands you mentioned for maneuverability and durability. It folds easily, rides well, and is all around a wonderful stroller, with great rear tires and details down to the quiet magnetic check-in flap. It's an entirely different class of stroller than the City Mini GT. I understand people who take issue with the Uppa price, and its corresponding expensive accessories, and I respect those who just won't spend that much on a stroller. But pretending you "much prefer" a City Mini for any other reason is silliness. I'm not into status symbols. I don't wear expensive brand name clothes. My economy car is seven years old. But everyday, I am glad that I splurged on the Uppa.

I have to disagree. I was gifted the uppababy vista and I really can't stand it. While it has a large basket, it's a pain in the ass. It's difficult to collapse and awkward to carry collapsed, it's heavy and too big. My inlaws have the city mini and i LOVE IT. only thing uppa vista has on city mini is the large basket. I have no idea what the hype is and maybe I have some sort of defected stroller, because I really am not into it.

[Anonymous]

Haven't read the thread because the whole fancy stroller thing fills me with too much rage, but to answer the title question.... My baby was born in early 2009, and when I researched strollers, there were some people who opted for the $500 or $800 strollers, but most of the Amazon reviews from actual owners said they ultimately were no better (and sometimes worse!) than cheaper models. I went for a $250 stroller that had ALL the possible features and great reviews but was half the price because it wasn't one of the yuppie-chic brands. Somewhere around 2010 the tide turned, and somehow now the ridiculously priced "status" strollers have become the must-have and now my otherwise sane mom friends aren't even interested in recommendations outside the few status brands. I shouldn't care because my kid is now out of strollers and it doesn't affect me, but watching the escalating stroller prestige wars, even as just a bystander, makes me crazy. So much unnecessary conspicuous consumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's ridiculous. You have no idea anyone's reasoning was.

I'm not PP, but as I said earlier, I lived in Chicago, car-free. Nobody with an urban lifestyle "needs" a high end stroller.

I live in DC car-free and made a list of criteria and then researched them and found only one that met my criteria. Basically, I wanted something that would work for a commute that involves both the metro and a fairly long walk. Found one in Uppababy Cruz and bought it. If you've decided that you know what works for me, you don't understand my priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the thread because the whole fancy stroller thing fills me with too much rage, but to answer the title question.... My baby was born in early 2009, and when I researched strollers, there were some people who opted for the $500 or $800 strollers, but most of the Amazon reviews from actual owners said they ultimately were no better (and sometimes worse!) than cheaper models. I went for a $250 stroller that had ALL the possible features and great reviews but was half the price because it wasn't one of the yuppie-chic brands. Somewhere around 2010 the tide turned, and somehow now the ridiculously priced "status" strollers have become the must-have and now my otherwise sane mom friends aren't even interested in recommendations outside the few status brands. I shouldn't care because my kid is now out of strollers and it doesn't affect me, but watching the escalating stroller prestige wars, even as just a bystander, makes me crazy. So much unnecessary conspicuous consumption.

Beautiful post. Thanks for commenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in DC car-free and made a list of criteria and then researched them and found only one that met my criteria. Basically, I wanted something that would work for a commute that involves both the metro and a fairly long walk. Found one in Uppababy Cruz and bought it. If you've decided that you know what works for me, you don't understand my priorities.

Obviously not. We obviously have different priorities. I don't feel the need to convince myself that I "need" a status stroller.

[Anonymous]

I roll my eyes when I see these status strollers and think "shallow-minded sucker."

The Maclarens are and were wonderful city strollers, without the "look at me" factor.

[Anonymous]

Has it occurred to some people that others might simply *gasp* like the stroller for the features, and not for the status? I actually returned my UB Cruz for a BJ City Versa, I liked the features of the latter better. But it was never about status. It was need.

I always felt there is a bigger market than we have in DC for different types of strollers. If you walk/push in NY more than you drive, or may want to stroll on the beach because you live on the water, features like ride, wheels, fold, storage capacity, adapters, etc. were worth an additional investment. Especially if you can use the stroller for more than one child. The biggest appeal to the Bugaboo Chameleon was that it rolled over sand easily and turned into a beach chair. That is less equipment to have to lug, depending on your lifestyle and where you are.

Everyone has unique living/family situations, not sure why it is so hard for people to understand that. Sometimes there is a product need for these insanely priced items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has it occurred to some people that others might simply *gasp* like the stroller for the features, and not for the status? I actually returned my UB Cruz for a BJ City Versa, I liked the features of the latter better. But it was never about status. It was need.

"Need" is just about the overused word in the English language.