Baby Business - Prams

I think I am in the wrong industry. Everytime we go shopping, looking for baby gear, I'm astounded at the copious varieties, brands and styles of baby gear available. I won't whinge about prices here, because baby gear, like any other industry has an entry level, mid level, and 'the global financial crisis hasn't got me yet' level. It's an excellent business to be in. As long as sex continues to be enjoyable (I have a hunch it will) and not everyone uses contraception, its a win/win enterprise. A bit like being a funeral director I guess - everyone dies at some stage (and it's recession proof!).

Back to the baby gear. We visited a certain warehouse (which will go unamed as we are not working on cash for comment...YET!) and came across a variety of goodies. There must of been at least 20 types of strollers and prams to have a look at and 'road test'. Forget the new Beamer, I'm road testing strollers now baby; great handling, great fuel efficiency, unlimited kilometre warranty....but I digress...

Perusing these strollers and prams is a task in itself. So many options, so many questions and not a staff member in sight. When I first learnt that we were expecting a baby, I had grand dreams of getting one of those power prams that have the big wheels, iPod docking station and cup holders so I could take the baby off-road. If I couldn't afford a monster truck in real life then I'd have the baby version....until Kos brought me back to earth..."I'll be one using it the most and want something light to get in and out of the car."
I want the Hummer Pram (if a branded one exists even better) and she wants the Holden Astra Pram. We are yet to purchase a pram and I'll be taking both points of view into consideration...Hummer it is!

Buying the nice things for baby is one of the best (and stressful) things that parents can do. Going shopping for the new addition to the family is fun most of the time and even if you are just window shopping it can be a dilemma. I think all parents want the best baby funiture and gear for their child, however when it comes down to it, a baby won't care less about the ride he or she is in as long as it is safe and comfortable. Materialism and branding is something we humans instill at a later age... My cousin recently summed this point up quite well. He told me, after I had painted the walls in our house for a bit of a spruce up and in preparation for the arrival, "The baby won't be looking at the walls and commenting on your paint job or thinking 'who chose this colour scheme?" A good point indeed.

Ebay I'm told is a great source of baby gear. Who cares if a few other brats have crapped and thrown-up in it right? I'm kidding... as along as it is clean (Dettol anyone?) it will do the job. Half this stuff will become redundant after a few months or years so think twice before paying top dollar for minor items.

I'd still like the 'Hummer' pram though. Bright red if anyone sees one!