The hell hole that is BCF

So, I have been desperately looking for a jogging stroller for the kids.

My Combi Twin Savvy has really taken a beating on the trails & even going around the block. My husband has also managed repeatedly kick the middle wheels in the back when he's pushing it.

When I bought it at Buy Buy Baby I was sold on the fact that it would fold in half, like a golf bag, and slip into my trunk. The fact that it only weighed something like 24lbs was also a big selling point! Even though it's never been "one handed" folding like they claim, it is still pretty easy to pop open and shut, and throw in the boot.

I got a bunch of referrals from my local mommies group who all had various experiences with the different models. I even joined a "stroller swap" group. Who knew that snobbery existed so strongly among moms about "makes and models" of the stroller. Apparantly there is the crowd who just have to have all the latest bells and whistles - you know the Phil & Ted E3 kind that cost around $550, versus the real life, stay at home moms who value the dollar, and still think they can be stylish with a lesser model. Each group has it own's reasons for hating the other.

SO, because I need to fit it in the boot of my car, and not remove the wheels to do so, and because I desperately need to lose another 30lbs, I bit the bullet and headed to Burlington Coat Factory after a call from a mom who said they had them, assembled, light weight, good price, and ready to go. Well that took care of my Amazon quandry - I simply didn't want to get a stroller without trying it out, nor did I want a stroller that *I* would have to put together. So the kids and I took off on our most excellent adventure yet... NOT...

The place itself is a logistical nightmare in the layout. I couldn't get my stroller down the "wheel chair accessible ramp" because that's were they decided to set up their displays & signs... DUH!!! How is a mom of two with a double wide supposed to get down 5 or 6 steps into the store otherwise? Secondly, as a mom with a double wide, you need to be able to navigate aisles - forget it at this place. Thirdly, the "baby depot" is upstairs, and they've hidden all signs for the elevator. I watched as one mommy loaded her Peg Perego and new baby onto the escalator, because she'd given up looking for the elevator! Gasp, shock, doesn't she know how dangerous that is??? LOL, if only I coulda figured a way to get the combi stroller onto the escalator, I too woulda tried it. However, their escalators are wide enough for one skinny lady to ride.

Eventually I found someone who worked there... they don't wear a uniform, and are all in hiding, trying to do as little work as possible, obviously. Was directed to elevator, but had to move racks out of the way to get to the doors, and then roll over a bunch of broken hangers and crap on the floor. Finally got upstairs to baby depot, and found that was in even more of a mess than downstairs had been. Baby sh*t everywhere! It was a nightmare. Why can't discount places look like the inside of Nordstroms? I mean does it really have to be this unorganised? It was literally like a mine field trying to find the stroller department.

I don't know if it's because I've got ADD issues, but for me, just getting through this store would make me NEVER want to go back. I will for sure NEVER go back with kids in tow. I may go back if I'm bored and want to clean up someone else's crap.

Found the InStep Safari TT, but had to move 20 strollers out of the line up just to get it out into the aisle (where I'd left my stroller and kids unattended). Loved that it was so lightweight, and fairly easy to fold. It is a mammoth size stroller though for sure. Nothing else will probably fit in my trunk if that's in there. The combi only takes up half of the space, so I always have room for "junk" in the trunk.

Got the kids into it, and played with the straps, all the while looking for a sales person to come help me out. I asked two people - one I found hiding in a storage room, and the other one who was talking on his cell phone to page someone to come up to the stroller dept.

About 20 minutes later, I was ready to just abandon ship when finally a guy came over. I explained that this was the stroller I wanted, and would like to pay for it, and have him wheel it out to my car. He told me I couldn't have the model that was already put together, and they DON'T put together products for their customers. I could have it in a box, ready to assemble myself. I told him first off that I could have bought it from amazon.com - same price, free shipping, and not had to navigate all the hassles of coming to the local BCF, but for the fact that they would either sell me the display model at full retail price, no less, or put a new one together for me... but nope he wasn't going to budge.

Thus far I'd invested several hours, getting there, unloading the kids, navigating my way around their screwed up store, waiting around for a sales associate, and as much as I just wanted to leave, I just couldn't do it. I know... I shoulda not only left without buying it, but I probably should have written them a letter about my experience! Might I just also say, that if their price and Amazon.com's prices are the same, then they cannot have a store that looks like a bomb hit it, with their excuse being that they are a "discount" store.

SO... here I am, a day out, with a stroller still in the box. I am overwhelmed & stressed out at the thought of attempting to put it together. My husband is of course away at some rugby thing or another for the weekend, not that he would be any help in that department if he were here.