OT: for those of you who have purchased Maclaren strollers on eBay

[sherry7]

This is slightly off-topic, but I know that a lot of people on the Budget board have purchased Maclaren strollers on eBay...specifically from the seller "babyproductstore".

Back in March of this year, I purchased a 2009 model Maclaren Quest from them. You can't use that particular stroller until the baby is 3 months old (because of the recline), so I just recently started using it. Last week, I put my 4 month old daughter in it for only the 3rd time. We rolled about 10 feet away from the car, and it partially collapsed with her sitting in it. (Thankfully, she was not hurt.)

Upon closer examination, it looks like a connector (rivet?) is missing from both of the hinges on each side of the stroller. (I mean the "amputee" hinge that is normally covered by the zippered hinge covers.) Each hinge has one rivet, but there is a space for another, which is missing on both hinges. Also, when it collapsed, the rivet to one of the sunshade connectors also popped off, which makes the sunshade unusable as well.

This morning I called the Maclaren customer service number. The rep asked me where I bought the stroller, and I told him. He then told me that since the stroller was purchased on eBay, the warranty does not apply. This was a bit of a surprise to me since the eBay listing said it was guaranteed. And this particular eBay seller has sold almost 12,000 Maclaren products on eBay, which ship out of Norwalk, CT which is where Maclaren's US headquarters are located. The "rumor" here on the DIS was always that this eBay seller was Maclaren's themselves, and this was the way they rid themselves of last years strollers.

I emailed the eBay seller earlier today, so I still haven't received a reply from him.

Has anyone else experienced a problem with their eBay Maclaren stroller? If so, what kind of hoops did you have to jump through to get it fixed?

 

[Ava]

If the eBay seller isn't willing or able to help you, I think your only option is to file a claim with your CC company or PayPal & try to get a refund of your purchase price. It may be past the time limit to do that however, since the stroller was purchased several months ago.

Did you get any warranty information with the stroller when you purchased it?

 

[Swimalie]

I don't know if this involves what happened to yours but the stroller was recalled in 2009. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10033.html

 

[3boymthr]

If the item was recalled then the warranty would not apply and the recall would.

Word to the wise the warranty is not valid for most items sold on e-bay. We had a couple of e-bay items that were sold as having a warranty that we've then been told had an invalid warranty - a Kodak camera and a Citizen watch. Both companies told us it was because all their items have words that state the warranty is only valid for the person to whom the item is originally sold. Since in retail terms e-bay sellers are considered re-sellers as far as most manufacturers are concerned the warranty terms are invalidated - even if the company is a registered retailer. For this reason I've stopped buying most items on e-bay for which I want to be assured have a warranty - it's worth the extra money I pay retail to be sure I'm going to get the warranty.

 

[sherry7]

Thanks for the replies. The 2009 recall for the hinges was for a simple zip-on cover - which was included with the stroller already. My repair issue goes far beyond that (detailed in my original post).

I think I am probably just out of luck. It's been too long (bought it in March) to file a claim with Paypal. I emailed the seller, but I haven't gotten a reply back. Maclaren themselves won't give me the time of day, even though this is a HUGE safety issue. I guess it takes kids getting hurt before they will do anything. I could pay for repairs at the closest authorized Maclaren repair shop, but I have to pay for postage both ways, plus the cost of the repair. At that cost, I might as well just buy a new stroller. (Which, by the way, will definitely NOT be a Maclaren.)

Another option I am looking into is getting it repaired at a local stroller repair shop so I don't have to pay shipping. However, I haven't found one yet in the Pittsburgh area.

I only paid $80 for the stroller, which normally retails for $250+...so at least I'm not out a fortune. I know that a lot of DIS'ers have purchased Maclaren's from this particular eBay seller, so I wanted to make you all aware that the warranty doesn't exist. From what I've learned, the Maclaren's sold at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc aren't covered by the warranty either.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's been too long (bought it in March) to file a claim with Paypal.

You may still be able to file a claim directly with your credit card company (assuming you used a cc through PayPal).

It is true that many companies do not honor warranties on items sold through eBay, even if they are new. This information will be stated directly in the warranty information.

Of course, if you get no satisfaction from the seller, you can file a small claims court action, but for $80.00 would probably not be worth your while.

 

[Nahanni]

Thanks for the replies. The 2009 recall for the hinges was for a simple zip-on cover - which was included with the stroller already. My repair issue goes far beyond that (detailed in my original post).

I think I am probably just out of luck. It's been too long (bought it in March) to file a claim with Paypal. I emailed the seller, but I haven't gotten a reply back. Maclaren themselves won't give me the time of day, even though this is a HUGE safety issue. I guess it takes kids getting hurt before they will do anything. I could pay for repairs at the closest authorized Maclaren repair shop, but I have to pay for postage both ways, plus the cost of the repair. At that cost, I might as well just buy a new stroller. (Which, by the way, will definitely NOT be a Maclaren.)

Another option I am looking into is getting it repaired at a local stroller repair shop so I don't have to pay shipping. However, I haven't found one yet in the Pittsburgh area.

I only paid $80 for the stroller, which normally retails for $250+...so at least I'm not out a fortune. I know that a lot of DIS'ers have purchased Maclaren's from this particular eBay seller, so I wanted to make you all aware that the warranty doesn't exist. From what I've learned, the Maclaren's sold at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc aren't covered by the warranty either.

Not sure about the hole size for your rivet but you may be able fasten the hinge using a self-locking (vinyl lined) nut and bolt. Check periodically to make sure it doesn't work itself loose.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

This is slightly off-topic, but I know that a lot of people on the Budget board have purchased Maclaren strollers on eBay...specifically from the seller "babyproductstore".

Back in March of this year, I purchased a 2009 model Maclaren Quest from them. You can't use that particular stroller until the baby is 3 months old (because of the recline), so I just recently started using it. Last week, I put my 4 month old daughter in it for only the 3rd time. We rolled about 10 feet away from the car, and it partially collapsed with her sitting in it. (Thankfully, she was not hurt.)

Upon closer examination, it looks like a connector (rivet?) is missing from both of the hinges on each side of the stroller. (I mean the "amputee" hinge that is normally covered by the zippered hinge covers.) Each hinge has one rivet, but there is a space for another, which is missing on both hinges. Also, when it collapsed, the rivet to one of the sunshade connectors also popped off, which makes the sunshade unusable as well.

This morning I called the Maclaren customer service number. The rep asked me where I bought the stroller, and I told him. He then told me that since the stroller was purchased on eBay, the warranty does not apply. This was a bit of a surprise to me since the eBay listing said it was guaranteed. And this particular eBay seller has sold almost 12,000 Maclaren products on eBay, which ship out of Norwalk, CT which is where Maclaren's US headquarters are located. The "rumor" here on the DIS was always that this eBay seller was Maclaren's themselves, and this was the way they rid themselves of last years strollers.

I emailed the eBay seller earlier today, so I still haven't received a reply from him.

Has anyone else experienced a problem with their eBay Maclaren stroller? If so, what kind of hoops did you have to jump through to get it fixed?

Oh that totally stinks! I bought two strollers from them, I had no problems. I feel badly because I've recommended them several times. I hope it gets resolved for you quickly!!

 

[woodkins]

Maclaren tells you on their website to only purchase their products from an authorized seller. They will never back you up on an Ebay purchase.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Maclaren tells you on their website to only purchase their products from an authorized seller. They will never back you up on an Ebay purchase.

I am pretty sure "BabyProductStore" on eBay is Maclaren. I ordered the Volo accessory pack from them on eBay and the town it was sent from in CT was the same town as Maclaren US headquarters (Mystic, I think).

 

[Michigan_Minnie]

Subbing

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I am pretty sure "BabyProductStore" on eBay is Maclaren. I ordered the Volo accessory pack from them on eBay and the town it was sent from in CT was the same town as Maclaren US headquarters (Mystic, I think).

I know, I think the same thing! I think it's Norwalk? Either way.. that's too coincidental or someone's gonig in and robbing Mac's US Headquarters on a daily basis!

 

[bumbershoot]

On their listings it does say "100% Guaranteed". So I'd take the seller up on that.

 

[squirrel]

OP-Could you post some photos of the problem areas? Maybe someone here can help you find a way to fix it.

 

[woodkins]

I know, I think the same thing! I think it's Norwalk? Either way.. that's too coincidental or someone's gonig in and robbing Mac's US Headquarters on a daily basis!

It is possible that they have an outlet type store there or do warehouse sales every month or so and a local is going there and buying up inventory to resell. The Elizabeth Arden headquarters and factory is located near my home and one of my neighbors goes to their monthly warehouse sale and buys up perfumes, makeup etc & resells it on Ebay. The shipping and Ebay address for her items is the same as the headquarters too, but she isn't them.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I bought our Volo from them and also the accessory pack with no problems. Good luck, OP. Keep us posted. I hope you get this resolved.

Did you pay with a paypal balance or with a credit card through paypal?

 

[sherry7]

OP-Could you post some photos of the problem areas? Maybe someone here can help you find a way to fix it.

Here is a pic of the problem area. It's a little hard to tell in the pic, but there should be connectors (rivets?) through both of the holes on the hinges. But, there's only a rivet in one hole and the bottom one is empty. The hinges on BOTH sides of the stroller look like this. Since they had the cloth zippered hinges cover over them (issued by Maclaren to take care of last years recall for fingertip amputations), it isn't readily apparent unless you take those cloth hinge covers off. Also, it's pretty apparent after the stroller partially collapses with your 4 month old baby in it!

So much for the vaulted Maclaren quality. This stroller was only used 3 times with a small baby (14 lbs). It appears that the 2 hinge rivets were left out during manufacturing.

The connector (rivet?) that holds one side of the sunshade in place also popped out when the stroller collapsed. I don't have a picture of that, but I imagine it would be an easy fix with a rivet gun. The hinges are the main concern since it's a major safety issue. I can't think of any way to safely fix it myself.

A couple of people asked if I used a credit card. I looked up my Paypal receipt, and I paid for it with my checking account.

I emailed the eBay seller on Monday morning, and haven't even gotten the courtesy of a reply from him/her. For a seller with almost 12,000 feedback, this is very disappointing.

 

[3boymthr]

In looking at your photo it appears that there is something wrong with the holes the rivets would go in as well - the divets radiating out from the holes would make me wary that the plastic might collapse even if you were able to fix the missing rivets.

I would keep trying to contact the seller. Often sellers doing that much business don't read thru all the e-mail they get and have a slow response time. In addition, if the ebay item still appears on your my ebay page file a claim thru e-bay. You may get a response from either e-bay or the seller.

As a PP noted I don't think this seller is actually Maclaren. I'm thinking they're either donating their overstock to a local charity who is selling the items on e-bay or someone is going to their warehouse clearance sale, buying mass quantities and selling them on e-bay. I used to work next door to a national clothing retailer which sells personalized items for companies and they had a warehouse clearance sale 2x/year and would sell stuff at 75% off retail (more if it was personalized) plus it there were coupons for even more off. A friend who worked there told me they would donate the really old stuff to a local charity. You would not believe how much of this showed up on e-bay and at the local flea market. All the stuff on e-bay had the same location as the retailer.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

He is selling from the Mac store mentioned previously. the bulk of the strollers sold are out of date and several floor models. I just bought the owen ryder from marshalls for 149 it is a 2006 model, I also have the 2010 volo in majesty and the 2010/11 Yellow Submarine Quest is on its way, both of them have been purchased from babyproductstore. I took the risk of purchasing these strollers at deeply discounted prices knowing the possiblity of them having problems but essential that is what it boils down to a deep discount or full price in which case Maclaren would have handled this situation promptly. I am sorry you have had such a bad experience w/ your first mac but they truely are wonderful strollers. I have several different models right now well all but three. I also have several other brands and several that I have sold off in the past few months.

 

[libraryfreak]

Ok, I've got my flame suit on.

What if the OP told Mclaren her stroller was a gift, and she didn't have a receipt?