Do you think a stroller would be more likely stolen decorated or undecorated?

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

DH and I have decided to bring our Graco Metrolite stroller for our trip in two weeks with our DGS. Our DD has a heavier full size stroller but we have all agreed our lighter weight mid size one would work out best.

Well to make it festive and easier to locate. I found some cute Thomas the Train stickers to put on it and wish to add a laminated sign with our name and a Thomas the Train icon (GS's favorite).Then tie some Mickey heads and ribbons to a few parts of the stroller. DH feels if decorated it will most definitely get stolen. I think it would be less likely. I know either way is no sure thing but would decorated it definitely make it more likely to get taken.

So wanted to know what you think? Has anyone else decorated their strollers?

Are their any precautions we can take?

 

[3girls4me05]

First of all I think that most "stolen" strollers are more often a case of mistaken identy. A parent takes what he or she thinks is their stroller and it can be awhile before they realize it is not. Then what to do? They return to switch it off and by then you think your stroller is gone and are not even in the area anymore.
Second of all I think that a decorated stroller is LESS likely to be taken. If you are a person seeking to steal a stroller you are not going to take one where the person will see you with it and be able to immediatly say "Hey that is my stroller!" A generic stroller that many people have is more likely to blend in and that is what a thief wants to do..blend in.
So I say decorate it! Have fun and it does make it easier to find in the stroller parking lot!
Oh and we did decorate ours. Not too much but with a sign and a scarf etc.. No one touched anything.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I agree that something obviously different is the way to go, but I also read a long time ago that the absolute best defense is to plant a FAKE "used" diaper in a plastic bag - left on the seat or tied to the handle. Nobody will take that stroller by mistake!

I never actually did it for fear of grossing out the poor CM who was assigned to straighten out the line of strollers that day, but we also never had a problem just trying a bandana on our stroller or using the name inserts on the rented ones.

We're past the stroller stage now, so I'm not sure if it's gotten to be a bigger problem, but I hope you won't have any trouble!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We will be at the World tomorrow...Yippee!!!

We are from the Bahamas, so I decorated each side of the handles with blue/black/yellow robbon pompoms and ribbons. Besides being too thight to just pull off they are zip-tied on. We also have 2 Mickey luggage tags that are zip-tied...one visable, one up under the seat. We have a lock too for the wheels if we are going to be parking the stroller for a long meal.

Decorate away!!!

I have read that the "dirty diaper" trick is common and known about...use a real one...hahaha.

 

[Belle4mygrl]

My coral pink Maclaren stroller was stolen last week right outside of Scifi. I thought a bright colored would not be stolen because of the unusual color and easy to spot walking out. It has been 5 days and has not been returned~no case of mistaken identity.

I don't think any of us are immune. But I would decorate to high heaven--make it as tacky and ugly as you can so it doesn't appeal to thieves. LOL