Purchasing everything you need for a new baby can be a costly process. Many parents wonder where to buy travel systems for babies for the best possible price. In this article, we'll take a look at how you can get fantastic deals on travel systems and car seats and help you to decide if a travel system is right for you.
Where to buy travel systems for babies
Most mother and baby shops stock a variety of travel systems, both in brick and mortar stores and online. You might prefer to see a system in person before purchasing to check the quality and get an idea of how comfortable it is to use. In this case, after viewing the product in a store, you could still search for it and order it online to find the best possible price. When shopping online, you can look for reviews and recommendations on parenting blogs, forums, and social media. This can help you to get an idea of the quality and functionality of a travel system without actually seeing it in real life.
Are travel systems more cost-effective?
Part of the big appeal of travel systems is that they're more cost-effective than buying the parts individually. Even though it may seem a little daunting to lay out so much money all at once, you can expect to save a good amount of money overall when you invest in a travel system. Generally speaking, the larger the bundle of products, the more savings you will make. Some travel systems include the very basics - a stroller frame, a carrycot and a car seat. Others offer the full works and include additional accessories, such as a car seat base, changing bag, footmuff, rain cover, cup holder, wheel covers, and car seat adaptor. Keep in mind that you might not need all of the elements included in the larger travel system bundles. It can be tempting to opt for the most comprehensive bundles just in case, but if you have limited storage space or simply don't know if you'll use everything, you might be laying out extra money unnecessarily.
How to save money on travel systems
Buying from an online store such as For Your Little One can help you save money. Online retailers have lower overheads and they can pass these savings onto their customers with more affordable prices. Once you have found a travel system you like, look out for deals, sales and discount codes that will help you to save some money. You can also look out for free shipping offers to help you save a few extra pounds, particularly since the cost of shipping bulky products can be fairly high. For example, here at For Your Little One, we provide free shipping on orders over £50, which means all of our travel systems are delivered for free. When researching travel systems, you might notice that those from big, well-known brands are more expensive than those from smaller brands and independent businesses. The quality of a product doesn't necessarily increase with price and a great deal of what you pay for could be the renowned brand name. If you want to save money, consider forgoing the luxurious brands and opting for an affordable and practical independent alternative.
Is it safe to buy a used travel system?
It is not recommended to use second-hand car seats for babies. This is because it is impossible to know for sure whether the seat was involved in an accident, in which case it may have sustained damage that could make it unsafe should it be in an accident in future. For this reason, it can be tricky to buy a second-hand travel system. You could simply replace the used car seat with a new one, and still save money when it comes to the pram and carrycot. However, be sure to take the time to find a new car seat that is compatible with the rest of the travel system. All prams and car seats are slightly different in terms of their dimensions and fixing methods, so you'll need a compatible new car seat to ensure it works with the second-hand stroller frame.
Is a travel system right for me?
Travel systems offer a convenient way to ensure you can move baby from car to stroller with minimal effort. They're ideal for parents who take frequent car journeys, and they take the stress and hassle out of buying the elements individually because you only have to make one purchasing choice. However, travel system strollers tend to be quite big and bulky because they have useful features such as one-hand fold and extra storage space. This may not be ideal for parents who have limited storage space in the home. If having a small, compact and lightweight pram is important to you, it might be better to focus on finding a stroller that completely suits your needs, and then buying a car seat separately. Keep in mind also that travel systems for babies will only be useful for a limited period of time. As your baby gets bigger, you'll have to replace it. Check the weight limit and age suitability before purchasing so that you know how long you'll get use out of it for and assess whether it is the most cost-effective solution for your family.
