ajh88
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,462
OP, I don't have any first-hand experience to help you here, but I wanted to say a couple of things and maybe something will turn out to be helpful anyway.
First, a seller can change their "selling" location manually in ebay. I don't know why you would want to and I don't want to make unfounded accusations. However, in theory, it would be possible for a seller to lead you to believe they are from the same area as a certain company, when in fact they are not. You can also change the return address in PayPal when you ship, so you could cover it from both areas. Not really relevant to the discussion entirely, but just because the person "appears" to be from the same location as the manufacturer, it does not mean they are.
Second, I completely understand that MacLaren will not honor a warranty from something purchased more or less second hand (even if it was still brand new). However, from the photo you showed, this (IMHO) appears to be defective and not the result of wear and tear. Even if the ebay seller purchased it as a floor model or discontinued, I wouldn't think MacLaren would be happy to know that a defective stroller was sold, period. At the end of the day, it gives their product a bad name, no matter how much you paid for it or from whom.
Third, is it possible an entire "black market" of non-authentic MacLaren strollers exists? It seems strange that a person could really be making a profit on these - even if they buy a $250 stroller at 75% off, that is still $63, then selling it for $80 - doesn't even seem worth the trouble. Just a thought that occurred to me while reading.
And finally, I think your only official recourse is through ebay/PayPal, and if the time has elapsed for a claim, through the seller if they will stand behind their "guarantee" (whatever that means specifically). Personally, I would still write a letter to MacLaren and include the photos you showed here. I would let them know that you understand they cannot honor the warranty but that you think they should be aware of the products being sold with their company name on them and the quality you have received. I wouldn't expect to "get" anything from them, but if nothing else, maybe you will alert them to a safety issue that they didn't know about before.
ETA: I also don't think that if you buy a "deeply discounted" stroller because it is a discontinued model that you should have to be concerned it may have problems. I believe there are safety regulations in terms of baby items that should still apply (if you are purchasing them new from a retailer - discontinued or not). However, those regulations get a bit blurry when you start buying second hand (or from a non-authorized retailer) - like if they have kept up on recalls, etc.
Good luck and I'm glad your baby is OK!
First, a seller can change their "selling" location manually in ebay. I don't know why you would want to and I don't want to make unfounded accusations. However, in theory, it would be possible for a seller to lead you to believe they are from the same area as a certain company, when in fact they are not. You can also change the return address in PayPal when you ship, so you could cover it from both areas. Not really relevant to the discussion entirely, but just because the person "appears" to be from the same location as the manufacturer, it does not mean they are.
Second, I completely understand that MacLaren will not honor a warranty from something purchased more or less second hand (even if it was still brand new). However, from the photo you showed, this (IMHO) appears to be defective and not the result of wear and tear. Even if the ebay seller purchased it as a floor model or discontinued, I wouldn't think MacLaren would be happy to know that a defective stroller was sold, period. At the end of the day, it gives their product a bad name, no matter how much you paid for it or from whom.
Third, is it possible an entire "black market" of non-authentic MacLaren strollers exists? It seems strange that a person could really be making a profit on these - even if they buy a $250 stroller at 75% off, that is still $63, then selling it for $80 - doesn't even seem worth the trouble. Just a thought that occurred to me while reading.
And finally, I think your only official recourse is through ebay/PayPal, and if the time has elapsed for a claim, through the seller if they will stand behind their "guarantee" (whatever that means specifically). Personally, I would still write a letter to MacLaren and include the photos you showed here. I would let them know that you understand they cannot honor the warranty but that you think they should be aware of the products being sold with their company name on them and the quality you have received. I wouldn't expect to "get" anything from them, but if nothing else, maybe you will alert them to a safety issue that they didn't know about before.
ETA: I also don't think that if you buy a "deeply discounted" stroller because it is a discontinued model that you should have to be concerned it may have problems. I believe there are safety regulations in terms of baby items that should still apply (if you are purchasing them new from a retailer - discontinued or not). However, those regulations get a bit blurry when you start buying second hand (or from a non-authorized retailer) - like if they have kept up on recalls, etc.
Good luck and I'm glad your baby is OK!
