A $700 stroller from Needless Markups is the first step toward an Ivy League education for your little one. This may have permanently set your child back -- you should sue.

I was going to say "OP hating starting in 4...3...2..." but it appears I was too late.

I can see them being disappointed after being promised a new item for free, but seriously, a brand-new high-ticket item AFTER a full refund? Usually you get one or the other--refund or replacement, not both.

Ah, the smell of entitlement in the morning...

How dare Neiman Marcus treat you in this manner!!! Everyone to pitchforks and torches!!!!!

Are these strollers plated in gold or something?

Just goes to prove that lousy customer service exists even when you are paying three times the price for the same goods.

Ridiculously high prices!= good service.

\\wouldn't go into to Neiman Marcus for anything. Ever.

@SF_iris:

I believe the reason they were waiting for the funds to clear was so that they could buy the product again at the same discount. They were not expecting a free stroller.

Who spends $700 on a stroller? Do you live in midtown Manhattan and have a dog walker?

Neiman Marcus sucks. I never shop there. Except at their restaurant for thier awesome orgasm inducing Lobster bisque. Other than that Neiman Marcus sucks @$$.

There is absolutely no fucking reason that thing should cost $700 dollars. No reason at all. Those parents are going to spoil the shit out of that kid.

for $700 i would expect the stroller to change diapers and breastfeed.

Yea, that kid is totally spoiled. Next thing you know he'll be going to classical music concerts and drinking wine. Damn elitists.

While us common folk piss and moan about $4 gas this guy spends $600+ on a stroller that will work no better then a $100 stroller from Walmart....

I just cant bring myself to feel bad here.

@wickedpixel: Still a better deal then their cookie recipes.

It's worth 700 dollars. It has the Viper anti-theft system installed (The Speaking Model) and has both front and side airbags.

Sounds like Mia went out of her way to try and find you a replacement, but was unsuccessful. What more do you want? I think it's unreasonable to complain that you didn't get more than you were entitled to.

I don't think Neiman Marcus will miss having you as a customer.

whatever happened to buying those cheap, yet indestructible umbrella strollers?

Whatever-Bugaboo. If they want a Stroller of Awesomeness, they should look at the Stokke Explory.

[www.stokkeusa.com]

Drop a grand on the stroller, and then complain.

Also, I heard Destiny's Child is starting a lawsuit for copyright infringement and trademark dillution

Once again, all of you haters are missing the point. Neiman Marcus sent their customer a used stroller when they paid for a new one. If they had wanted to purchase a used stroller they would have gone to craigslist. Then they were made a promise to replace it that was not kept. They are entitled to spend their money however they please, regardless of how much gas costs. And you get what you pay for. An expensive stroller will perform better and last longer than some piece of crap from Wal-mart. And since when do Consumerists advise shopping at Wal-mart, anyways?

Yeah, uh Bugaboo is a way overpriced yuppie status symbol. I'd spend good money on a quality car seat but overpriced strollers serve no purpose. Finding it very hard to feel any sympathy here.

not hating on the OP, thye were clearly wronged by NM...
but $700 for a stroller?
seriously.

Sounds like a huge bottle of Whine. You bought a stroller, returned it, received a full refund, with an apology, and still found something to complain about. This letter makes the writer sound like a pompus a$#. Perhaps they should buy a expensive stroller for around 200$ and give the rest of the money to children shelters. Quit wasting our time?

@BathroomDuck: I was thinking this as well. Customer Service Mia was apparently trying to fix the problem, but it was not quick enough, so you piss her off and lose the deal, but it's still THEIR fault???

Finally, I get to blame the OP where you can actually see that they deserve the blame.

People need to lose this bullshit sense of entitlement just because they have money or shop at some 'class' stores.

The fact that someone bought a stroller which cost $700 is beyond me. I mean common, they'll use it for a couple of years and then what? You'll sell it at a garage sale for $25? Seriously people, no stroller is worth $700.

700 bucks for a stroller! PT Barnum was correct. There is a sucker born every minute.

@Dobernala: @wickedpixel: Maybe it has a built-in LCD screen and DVD player.

And for those saying that the extra cost is for the quality, not according to the used one they received! Go buy a cheap one and put the extra towards a college savings.

NM may have refunded the money like they should have, but a manager said they'd find a replacement and eat the difference in cost. They didn't find a replacement at all, then didn't return phone calls and called them liars. I think they have a valid complaint about that.

Simple way to end the problem all together. Stop reproducing.

I know of cheap umbrella strollers, but they tend to be pretty cheap and not so much indestructible. More importantly, they are not safe for infants. A lot of people wouldn't bat an eye at spending this much for a treadmill or other item that allows exercise. I don't see why it's absolutely unbelievable to spend this kind of money on a safe, quality item for the couple's first child. I especially don't see why the crowd who thinks apple items are worth their markup are so up in arms over this purchase. Right guys, spending extra for a brand name and world-class reputation is ridiculous? Look in the mirror, jerks.

The worthlessness of Consumerist comments is getting more and more off-putting. This couple paid for a new quality item and did not receive what the company promised. The company offered to provide above and beyond customer service to make up for the inexplicably used item they shipped, and then went back on their promise and insulted their customers. All the guy is asking for is an apology.

While the woman in the accompanying photo appears to be tightening the infant seat, she's actually performing a bris.

"You will be happy to know that my wife and I did get our Bugaboo Stroller for $700.

Can't say that I am, actually. However, I must force myself to maintain focus on the principle of the matter here instead of succumbing to the natural desire to scorn the purchase of a $700 stroller in the first place.

...On second thought, I can't do it. Bad timing I guess. I just recently read that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt purchased a $60 million chateau in France so my ire is currently raised regarding frivolous purchases by the overindulgent.

You'll be happy to know that I know it's wrong of me to feel this way. But, oh well.

Mia did the correct thing except for not following through properly. Customer retention is critical for a business. I had a small business and would do the same type of thing for customers that got wrong/defective items. Make it right and give something extra as a way of saying "sorry." You might give away the profit from the sale, but the customer will be loyal and, most importantly, tell their friends - that is how a good business grows. The problem here is that Mia was not able to follow through easily and she dropped the ball. For my company, when this type of thing happened and the freebie/upgrade/replacement/etc. turned out to be unavailable or delayed, I made it happen even if I had to run to a competitor, buy it, remove the stickers and deliver it myself. Never break a promise to a customer.

Most of the customers happily took the freebie and continued to be customers - a few became our best marketing vehicle by directing many customers to us.

If Mia could not make it happen, she should have called to apologize and offered another "sorry" - gift certificate, baby sun shade, diaper bag, etc.

As for the cost of this stroller; for some people, an expensive stroller (if it is expensive due to quality and features and not due to designer logos) is worth it. There is a great saying: "cheap isn't." [ie. the 17" monitor I am looking at while typing this is 10 years old and is on all day almost daily - the image is still crisp and bright. It cost about double the price of the "bargain" monitors. I'll admit, now that the larger flat screens are affordable and dependable I will get one soon, but it is hard to give up on this one while it still works great.]

Another part of the story, and one that I have experienced countless times, is the "someone will call you back today" line, which is often thrown about and rarely true.

I can't tell you how many times Nokia told me they'd call back and never did. Next up, a gratifying destruction of the offending piece of hardware - video at 11.

@ohyeahright: I think you might be a relative of the person who sent this story in, because it certainly seems like it. Quality? $700?! I decided to look at Neiman Marcus' strollers on their site, those aren't worth anywhere near $700 or over a grand I've seen in some cases on the site.

@ohyeahright: Sorry, but I'm having a hard time dredging up any sympathy for someone who is willing to waste $400 on a brand name ($300 for the stroller). They got shipped a used stroller, they got a refund, good enough. The CSR tried to provide "above and beyond" service and failed. These things happen. It's not like Neiman Marcus kept their money.

The difference between this stroller and, say, an iPhone, is that Apple's designs generally are significantly different (and superior) to other company's designs. A stroller is, pretty much, a stroller. I'm not saying they should buy the cheapest one on the market, but you can't tell me that there aren't any good quality, solidly built strollers on the market for under $300. Also, Apple products aren't usually two to three times as expensive as a comparable product.

Oh, and Wal-Mart shoppers piling the hate on "high-cost" NM: the OP saved a whopping $18 on a $800 item. Granted, NM should send them a $20, but the fact remains that NM isn't as expensive as you WallyWorld denizens try to paint it.
Don't bathe in envy, you'll only curdle. It ain't pretty.

Although, $800 strollers are absurd. When I breed a whelp, I'll tie him papoose-style on a skateboard, attach the other end of my dog's leash to the front truck, then hurl a ball in the direction where I'm heading. Because my kid? Future X-Games superstar!

@AnneofAndover: Yes I know, I got one of those expensive strollers from one of you rich people for really cheap because you didn't have another kid to use it again. Your loss my gain. Idiots.

Wow why do people care what other people spend money on? Who cares if they spend $100 or $2000 on a stroller? What's next, why do people buy bmw's when they can buy a Geo?

If someone CAN afford a $700 stroller without going into debt, then they are entitled to purchase it. I sure as hell can't. However, when I ordered my stroller from Wal-mart I expected it to be brand new (it was). If ordering from Neiman Marcus you would expect the same or better.

Can someone explain why an stroller costs $700 is it really that much safer then a regular stroller? I doubt it any safer then a cheaper stroller that you can get for maybe $200?

Or is it like designer bags and stuff.

Promises on the phone that get denied later, are the reason I'm considering recording any customer services calls I make, that way I have proof if I want to force them to keep there word

lol, u expect world class service from NM online? They completely suck compared to the service u get in the stores. You only get great service in the stores because you develop a relationship with your salesperson.

@missdona: I have an Xplory. Had it for more than two years now. Spent about $750 w/tax on it. That was about half of my bonus that year, and instead of another HDTV I thought I'd splurge on something for my newborn daughter.

It keeps her up high so her grandmother doesn't have to bend down to try to get her in and out of it. It doubles as a high chair at a lot of restaurants. It allows her to see stuff besides a fence when we go to the zoo or the fair. It's light and easy to manouver. It comes apart easily and folds up like scissors, making it easy to transport.

When she was young, the seat faced us so we could interact with her while we pushed her. As she grew bigger, the seat reversed, and now she faces forward and points stuff out to us.

She can be in it for long periods of time, because it's comfortable. If need be, the seat can be completely reclined so she can nap laying down.

After several hundreds of miles of walking, it's still in great condition. I'll have no trouble using it for another child, which my wife and I are planning for now.

I spent as much on a stroller as some of you pay for half a year of cable. Get over it.

@JennQPublic: You probably have not used strollers that often because just like with Apple products, it's the minor details/functions that make the huge difference (that isn't to say that you're not paying for the name). Many substitute products for iPods can be purchased at much lower prices, as low as 1/2 or even 1/3 of Apple's cost.

The company failed to perform as expected, a manager made an unfulfillable promise, then dodged the OP. She could have avoided this by calling the OP, admitting they couldn't get a stroller, and offering a gift card. Seems like she chose to weasel instead of admitting her inability to keep her commitment.

If you live in NYC (of SF, etc...) such a stroller is admittedly an indulgence, but not unreasonable given the abuse it will take.

Finally, people who live self-indulgently shouldn't throw stones. Many posters are righteously upset at their insurance companies or broadband providers, but this appears ridiculously self-indulgent to those parents who can't afford shoes for their kids. So stop calling the kettle black until you rid yourself of all worldly posessions and devote your life to succoring the poor and ailing.

Not that I'm bashing the OP, people can spend $$$ on whatever they choose. And no matter how expensive it seems to us, there is no excuse for bad customer service. Sounds like Misa tried and then gave up.

I would think that people would educate themselves first though. Pricey doesn't always equal quality.

"There's nothing pint-sized about the price tags on some of the baby strollers we tested. The three most expensive models, the Bugaboo Gecko (discontinued but still in stores), Bugaboo Frog, and Stokke Xplory, cost from $680 to $800. They got high marks for maneuvering through rough as well as flat terrain, on concrete steps, and in narrow spaces. And they came with handy extras--such as full rain shields on all three and maintenance kits for the Bugaboo models.

But for a fraction of the price, baby can get a smooth--and safe--ride on the Safety 1st Acella Alumilite and the Evenflo Journey, at $55 and $70, respectively. Those strollers are CR Best Buys, topping our Ratings (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers) with very good overall scores. Plus, when Consumer Reports panelists put the strollers through tests simulating everyday use--including folding and unfolding--those cheaper models were judged more convenient. All three of the highest-priced strollers required multiple steps and had to be taken apart to fold most compactly."

I don't think the issue is about the price, however extravagant it may be. They shipped them a used item, where for the high price they paid, they should have recieved a shiny new one, minus the scuffs and human hair wrapped around the axles. Would I buy a $700 stroller? No. But just because the op paid what most would consider too much, it doesn't detract from the fact the Neiman Marcus didn't send them what they ordered (a NEW stroller), did not replace it with a new stroller, and then stopped returning their calls. If you think they have their money back, and that's that, what about the stress on the pregnant woman, and the time wasted, and the emotional distress of being lied to? Yes, they've got their money back, but it doesn't mean they have to be happy about it. They wanted a freaking stroller! Not 2 weeks of hassle.

I don't think the cost of the stroller has anything to do with the story. What difference does it make if the stroller was $70 or $700? I think you should just take the price out of this story and read it again.

I just did, and think the OP is RIDICULOUS. Because the manager didn't get back to them in a few days is reason to go ballistic? Your baby is due in November!!!! If it took Mia two weeks to find another stroller, what difference would it have made? Sheesh........

For 700 bucks that stroller shouldn't even need wheels, it should hover above the ground. And if they don't have the item in stock there is nothing they can do. The only thing you have a right to be mad about is them trying to give you store credit when they ran out of the item. That should warrant a cash refund so that you can buy the item elsewhere. And when she told you to google another store, why did you snap? It seemed she was still offering to buy it from another store as long as you could find it. It would seem they were working with you, but you threw the first stone. Next time don't threaten someone trying to help you. If you were upset over this situation, you should have just asked for your money back. If you couldn't easily find a replacement at another store, how did you expect them to? OP owes someone an apology.

Ok, so I'm one of those "idiots" who bought the $700 stroller. I've used a Maclaren before and the multiple configurations for the Bugaboo has made it well worth it. The items that it is packaged are definitely helpful to have around (tire pump has been used well).

In addition, the customer support that I've had has been excellent. When ours arrived it had a small dent. When I called, they were apologized profusely and promptly sent an entire new frame out to use next day. At least for my family this has been well worth it.