I'm sorry to say this but I am considering shutting down the swaps and I DON'T WANT TO!!!! Uncaring swappers are breaking my heart and disappointing every swapper after them! It's really laying hard on me today.
I'm really upset with the way things are happening. This are high grade strollers. They aren't those cheap lil umberella strollers...these are $200 strollers! The original 4 lasted from July 2008 until March 2009 without any issues. Care was taken in their use, pride in their appearence, and swappers were awesome about using them and handing them over in the best of thier ability.
From March 4th to date it has been issue after issue. Here is a journal of issues:
#1 is minor issues which is understandable due to it's age, I think replacing the seat and redoing the handle is totally acceptable due to the extensive use of the stroller plus it's age. Still trying to figure out the string thingy.
#2-staining and broken backboard. How does a backboard become broken? Children standing up in them while they are in recline position possibly, as I see no other way a backboard/backrest can be broken. Staining? I have a stroller here at home that is almost 9 years old and other then a lil wear on the tires, there isn't a stain on it. Is it just me that worries about the appearance of my stroller. Do ppl actually not mind pushing around a stained stroller. And GUM? Gum isn't even suppose to be in the parks, that is why you can't buy gum at DISNEY!!
#3 Was put into commission on Jan 25th-not even 4 months old. It has a wobbley wheel which means the weld was broken. How does the weld break on a front wheel...not tipping it back when going over a curb...just ramming it up over the curb. Then I get a call today that the front bar is missing. How does that happen????
#4- You guys are going to LOVE this one. #4 is three weeks old and today I get this report from cmaee:
The stroller that we picked up from luggage services (left by beaches1098 - Carol Mathewson) was not a new stroller. If it was new, then I would be completely shocked. The fabric was stained and didn't look like new fabric at all. Both of the seat backs were broken - right above the bottom shoulder strap holes, the backing board was broken there on both seats. That part of the seat just flapped backwards. My brothers who had planned on putting their 5 year old and 2 yr old in it did not use it at all. The seat was stained, but the issue they had with it was that the seats were not comfortable for the kids to use. If they fell asleep, then their heads would have no support. We ended up just using Royal Carriage 3. My 2 yr. old and my brothers 2 yr old rode, while we made the older kids walk. When we were taking Royal Carriage 4 to the next resort, we noticed that the wheels sqeaked quite badly. The stroller also seemed to tilt sideways to the right...as though a really heavy kid were in that side. The only accessories with Royal Carriage 4 was the bar that went across the front and a mesh net.
Lovely huh for a stroller that is only three weeks old? There is a wieght limit for a reason and I thought-hope-prayed that ppl would be honest enough to follow the wieght limits placed on the strollers. I guess not. From what was just explained to me on the wheel, it is either bent or the weld is broken.
#5-which was bought new in Feb. had not only a damaged front wheel but a bent axle. Again the only way this can happen is ramming the strollers over the curb.
Tinkerbelle swap- less than 2 weeks old and again a broken backboard/backrest. Again, a child standing in the stroller while it is reclined? Is there any other way that a back board can be broken? If there is, someone please share with me how else it can happen.
When a backboard is broken, you can't just replace the board. It is a sealed unit so the entire seat has to be replaced. Luckily, I ordered 3 of them last week which will take care of #1, #2, and #4. I ordered a new one for the tinkerbelle swap out of of my pocket-which I know the tinkerbelle swap isn't part of this swap but since I am on a roll...I'm going to grump about it too. So that leaves me replacing #3, #4, and #5's front wheels which I will be calling and ordering from instep along with the front bar for #3 which is lost-which will make us BROKE once again. Not even going to go into the hundreds of dollars in missing accessories. I'm never going to be able to replace these items if care isn't taken when ppl use the strollers. Everything will be ate up just replacing damaged stroller parts. SAD!
What can I do? I know of a couple of swaps that basically have a retainer. If the fridge/stroller is where it is suppose to be, undamaged, and clean you get your money back. But it is only $10 in those swaps. Would $10 coming back to swapper make any difference? Would it make ppl use care when they have strollers knowing that they will get their money back or a portion of their money back. I don't think it will make any difference and why should good swappers have to pay extra because someone doesn't care. Doesn't seem right to me.
Every penny that has ever come to me from this swap has went directly into these swaps. Plus some...yes, I have put my own money into these swap because first and foremost I EXPECT TO GIVE SWAPPERS A SAFE, SOUND, and CLEAN stroller. If I won't put my DD in it, then dang it I don't expect you to put your precious children in the strollers either. Maybe it is my OCD but I pride myself in taking care of things. I have several pairs of jeans that are 3+ years old and look brand new...so expecting a three week stroller to look new isn't nothing. The second reason I am doing the swaps is because I
LOVE helping ppl/children. Think of the money it would cost you to
rent a stroller at DISNEY or Orlando rentals. Heck of alot more than the measly $20 to help purchase the strollers and accessories in these swaps. I
LOVE knowing that by me taking time from my family (I can spend up to 2 hours a night on the swaps) I have helped someone who might not otherwise be able to buy that souvineer for lil Johnny because they had to spend $300 on a stroller to push him around.
From October- March 4th, I only had one issue and that was one slacker swapper not caring to follow through with the exchange and the stroller was disposed of. Since March 4th...I've had issue after issue after issue and 75% was due to uncaring swappers who treat the strollers as disposible objects. HELLO!!!! Yes, they aren't your problem after you use them but what about the other 50 ppl after you who depend on that stroller.
Tell me...someone...anyone...how can I get ppl to understand the importance of using these stroller as their own? How can I get PRIDE in the condition of these strollers into some swappers. I've worried, I've been sad and a couple of times I have cried when I find out one of my swappers recieved a bad stroller from a swapper who recieved it in perfect condition. I have seen other swaps close because of damaged strollers....we don't want this to happen to the Royal Carriage Swaps, do we? NO WE DON'T!!!!
Spread some sunshine on me and this swap. Bring the fun and laughter and PRIDE back to this swap, because honestly today I am so depressed over the two new strollers being damaged that I want to hide under a blanket.
Tomorrow is another day...just hold my hand and help me through this and I will be fine. Please everyone...promise me that you will use care when you have the stroller and turn it over to the next swapper in the condition you find it. My #3 swapper paid $20 to use the stroller one day and she finds a low tire and no bar to protect her lil ones while they are in the stroller. I feel so bad for her and for cmaee to pay for two stroller and one was completely damaged where they couldn't use it.
DEPRESSING
Maddi
. as soon as I open them up, I'll PM you with which swap you are in for your trip
Had a wonderful trip. 
The stroller was just wonderful.
As you can see DD5 and DS3 were fine in it and were able to sleep in it too!!!
very sweet.
DH wants to try AKL, but I just loved the POFQ 
and would love to stay there again. DH also wants to maybe try October, have Monday off for Columbus Day, take 2 personal days and 2 days no pay since he is a teacher. But that is still far, far away. 
