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Aw...crapballs
I emailed USPS to get the official word on how much it would cost me to buy the Baby Jogger city Mini Double in the USA and get it shipped over here. Because of the size of the box, I only have one option and that will cost $382 (retail)/$343.80 (online). So the total cost of a $399 stroller becomes: $742.80 USD / $807.86 AUD
CRAP.
I can buy one here for $749. The odd thing is, I SWEAR they were cheaper here when I was looking at them last year...like $600, maybe even a little less? Or maybe I'm delusional. Although all the strollers now say "2010 model!" on them, so maybe it really was cheaper last year (unfortunately I can't find a 2009 model for sale - I checked in the hopes that it might be cheaper, but they don't seem to be stocked anywhere).
*sigh* This really puts a cramp in my stroller-buying plans. I reeeeeally wanted this one because it has such good reviews for a twin stroller - it's slim and durable and much lighter in weight than other models. I just don't know if I can justify spending over $700 on a stroller (I'd absolutely buy one used, but I can't find one anywhere - people seem to hang on to them).
Mamas, would you tighten up a bit elsewhere in your baby plans and still buy it? Or would you go for a cheaper stroller and spend the money on something else? I don't plan on using it for actual jogging (I'm more of a brisk walker lol), but since I'm having a decent amount of time off work, it WILL be used quite a bit...so although I'm having a heart attack at the money, at the same time I don't want to buy something that will fall apart in a short amount of time, or that is too unwieldy/bulky/heavy to manouver through doorways and stores. Thoughts?
Re: Aw...crapballs
Honestly? I am a total budgetzilla, but in this case I'd say spring for it. You've obviously done your homework and at this point, if you get something else just because it's cheaper, odds are you're going to wish you'd gotten the one you wanted and may end up spending the money to do so anyway.
Go for it. We've been REALLY good about getting ready for Libby on a tight budget, but there are somethings that, although I could've got them used or cheaper, I chose to pay full price. As long as you're not doing that with EVERY purchase, you should be fine.
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Malia & Dave & Alexa
Happily married since 2-17-08! Three since 9-9-09!
Baby Blog
this was my initial thought after reading this...maybe you can find it cheap on Craigslist from the US? or from the multiples board?
my dad may be going to Australia in May/June or something like that - if he does, I can see if he'd bring it as checked luggage for you
or what about when your mom comes out there to visit? didn't you just buy the ticket? 
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
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Like Jaime mentioned, could your mom possibly bring this with her when she comes to visit?
But if there really is no other way to get the stroller for cheaper, I'd suck it up and get it. Cost per use would totally justify the amount and unlike something super expensive that you just want (like ridiculously expensive fabulous shoes
), it's actually something you need and is something that will make your life a lot easier. Totally worth it and great buy, if you think about it that way.
This! Exactly what I was going to suggest. I think you should still go for the stroller but get someone to bring it out to you from the U.S. Even if they hafta pay $25-$50 to check it in (which you can reimburse them for), it beats $300+, which is quite a hefty difference. So hopefully/maybe your mom can do it, or someone else going to Australia sometime before you deliver.
great advice from everyone. If possible have your mom bring it?
But like Malia said - it's not something you need right away so maybe keep watching the sales (in Australia) to see if any sites come up with last year's model on sale or have some crazy good deal at some point. Even 10-20% off $700+ would be great.
I'm just wondering why everything is so expensive in Australia? Is is an exchange rate thing? Not to get personal - but do you make more money over there as compared to a like job here? I just can't imagine having to pay the prices you do for baby items and everything in general.
My mom will be the first person coming out to visit, but it won't be for at least 4 weeks after they're born...maybe even longer (depending on how early they arrive). If we were just having one, I'd just wear/carry the baby for that amount of time, but it's simply not feasible with two.
That said, buying an el cheapo double stroller until someone could bring me the better one on their flight is an idea I hadn't thought of! I'll have to mull that over, and see how cheaply I can get a double stroller (keep in mind that even the "cheap" stuff here is still expensive - but I'll definitely check this out). ETA: I just looked on my handy dandy guide to double strollers in Australia, and even the cheapest double is over $200! *sigh* Having twins in this country is going to send me to the poorhouse...
Nope, no Craigslist here. Well, I shouldn't say that. Technically it does exist in major cities like Sydney, but it's not really used - it's mostly just spam posts. eBay is really the only major online hub for selling goods online, but even that is primarily centered in the capital cities.
Good question. It used to be an issue with exchange rates, back in the days when the USD was worth double the AUD. Now they're practically equal, but the prices still stay high, presumably because everyone is just used to paying more. I think there are certainly still high costs associated with importation, but I also think that because there's basically a captive audience here, they can simply charge whatever they want - if you really need something, you have no choice but to pay, you know?
And no, we don't really make more money. Well, I shouldn't say that. SOME occupations do - especially in the service industry, like waitressing. Teachers also tend to make more, I believe. However, someone in the IT industry (like Ben) or who works in a library (like me) often makes less than we could in the USA. The cost of living here is just insanely high. When my dad and stepmom visited us a couple of years ago, they nearly had heartattacks at the price of, well, everything. Food, clothes, gas - it's all just really expensive. I have to be honest, when I see a family with like 4 kids, I have no idea how they do it without selling kidneys!
thanks for answering my question - I didn't want to seem nosy but it really interests me. For example my old assistant is in the process of moving to the UK to be with her husband and she always complains about the cost of things there. I lived there for a study abroad - so I'm well aware of the issue but always just chalked it up to the sucky exchange rate b/c I know a couple of people from college that now live and work there and with their job there they make a "normal" UK salary that evens out to allow them a normal way of life (i.e. nothing is insanely expensive when considering the GBP to USD ratio) well as normal as living in a high cost area like London will allow. So when we would meet up at a pub they thought nothing of paying 4GBP for a beer because that was just like spending $4, whereas I was paying about $8usd.
But I remember some of your blog and nest posts about the insane cost of food and figured it was more than just an exchange rate issue.
Anyways... back to the stroller dilemma. I'm sure you looked but do you have an moms of multiples groups in the area (or even in Australia in general?) I just wonder where all the used double strollers go out there?! Surely people eventually pass them on or resell.
Even if your mom comes at 4 weeks I would *think* you might be able to live without one until then. You really only need to leave the house for an appt. or two before then, and I'm thinking Ben might be home with you for those. 4 weeks will fly by. It might not be ideal but it sounds like a workable solution. Many babies can't really be placed in a stroller unless you use the infant seat attachment or a bassinet type thing until they are older anyways. Maybe ask on the multiples board how often they used a stroller in their babies' first month to get a better idea, since I clearly have no experience with this...
No problem! The cost of living here does seem to be in a bit of an imbalance compared to the average wage - I'm not sure why it's not more even (like in HCOL areas of Europe or the USA). It's definitely a PITA though! It also sucks because the import taxes on "luxury items" (which is anything from jeans to baby cribs to wedding dresses) are super high.
There's a national multiples association, but I haven't managed to an actual MoMs group, either locally or nationwide (I have seen some in Sydney, Melbourne, etc.). I'm going to keep looking though, because you're right - these strollers have to go SOMEWHERE!
I'm also strongly considering getting my mom to bring the stroller over. Because even cheap double strollers are over $200 here, I don't think it would be financially worth it to buy one of those in the interim, but if I think we can manage without it for 4 weeks or so, then that might be the best option.