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Lothian Buses, an Edinburgh bus operator, publishes detailed rules for prams and pushchairs. They cover how wide a buggy can be, which way it must face, how many can travel at once and what happens when a wheelchair user needs the space. This guide summarises the operator’s Families page, its help-centre article and its Conditions of Carriage, which apply from June 2024. It covers Lothian Buses services in Scotland only, and other operators set their own rules. This is general information, not operator advice.

Which buggy suits a Lothian bus

Lothian recommends that customers travelling with young children use a small, lightweight and foldable buggy, saying these are safer, easier to manage and more convenient on buses. The Conditions of Carriage repeat that space on buses can be limited and that passengers travelling with a small child should use a smaller, easily foldable buggy where possible. The Families page adds that the narrowest point of the bus aisle is by the driver’s cab, which can be tight for double buggies. For a comparison of double designs, see the site’s guide to tandem and side-by-side double buggies.

The 0.75 metre space

According to Lothian, the designated accessible space and the shared space are each 0.75 metres wide, and any pram or buggy must fit fully within the space without blocking the aisle or other seats. The Families page says this includes attachments such as handles and bags. It says drivers have the right to refuse travel, or ask a customer to leave, if a buggy does not fit safely. The Conditions of Carriage say buggies, including pushchairs and travel systems, may be brought onto buses unfolded if they will not obstruct the aisle and there is space, and that the aisle cannot be obstructed at any time.

Lothian’s conditions say an unfolded buggy should be placed in the buggy space when one is available. If the bus has no buggy space, or the space is occupied, one unfolded buggy may be placed in the wheelchair space. The Families page says only one buggy or pram is permitted in the wheelchair-accessible space at a time, and the same guidance applies to the shared space. Passengers must also apply the brake, stay with the buggy and remove bags or other items that could make it unstable.

Positioning and securing the buggy

Lothian’s rules say the buggy should be positioned against the padded backrest with the brakes applied, so that the child is facing the rear of the vehicle. The operator says this is for the child’s safety in the event of a collision or heavy braking. Its Families page adds these steps:

• park the buggy in the dedicated space with the back of the buggy against the back support;
• if the vehicle has a fold-down or pull-out anti-tip bar, keep it in place for the whole journey, asking the driver for help if needed;
• apply the brakes, since the driver will wait until this is done before moving; and
• ring the bell when ready to leave, and wait until the bus has stopped completely before getting off.

The page adds that if a child is taken out of the buggy on board, the child must stay seated and supervised, and that their safety remains the responsibility of the adult throughout.

Buggy straps on new vehicles

Lothian says that with new vehicles introduced to its fleet in June 2026 it is trialling buggy straps as an additional safety measure. Parents and guardians travelling on those vehicles are encouraged to use one to secure the pram or buggy. The page’s steps are:

• remove any bags that may destabilise the buggy;
• position the buggy against the padded support with the child facing rearwards;
• select the most suitable strap and attach it firmly to a secure part of the buggy frame;
• adjust the strap until the buggy is secure; and
• reconnect the buckle when leaving the space, to prevent breakage.

The operator says the strap is recommended as extra securement and that the safety of the child remains the parent’s responsibility. Damage to a strap should be reported to the driver. Because the scheme is described as a trial on certain vehicles, it should not be assumed to be on every bus.

When a wheelchair user needs the space

Lothian says customers using a manual or powered wheelchair, or a specialised buggy, have legal priority over the wheelchair-accessible space. Its Conditions of Carriage say the driver has a legal obligation to take all reasonable steps to free up the wheelchair space. A passenger with an unfolded buggy in the space should then fold it and put it in the luggage rack, or get off the bus, in which case a ticket is issued so they can complete the journey free of charge on a following bus. The site’s guide to what Paulley v FirstGroup actually decided explains the court ruling behind such policies.

The conditions also describe a travel warrant for people who cannot fold their buggy because they, or the child in it, have a disability. A warrant holder will not be asked to fold the buggy, but the warrant gives no priority over other passengers when boarding.

Children who are not in a buggy

For children who no longer use a buggy, Lothian says many buses have parent and child seats at the front near the driver. It also says children should remain seated when the bus is moving, and that children too small to use the stair handrails should stay on the lower deck.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a double buggy on a Lothian bus? Only if it fits fully within the 0.75 metre space without blocking the aisle, and drivers may refuse travel if a buggy does not fit safely.

Which way should the child face? Towards the rear of the bus, with the back of the buggy against the padded backrest and the brakes on.

The bottom line

Lothian Buses expects buggies to fit a 0.75 metre space, sit against the backrest with the child facing the rear and the brakes on, and to be folded or moved if a wheelchair user needs the space. A small, foldable buggy is easiest, and new vehicles are trialling buggy straps.

Sources

• Lothian Buses, "Families"
• Lothian Buses Help Centre, "Travelling with babies and young children"
• Lothian Buses, "Conditions of Carriage" (from June 2024)

Pram and pushchair adverts are full of superlatives: the lightest fold, the safest harness, the most comfortable seat, tested to the toughest standards. Some are harmless enthusiasm, while others are factual claims that an advertiser has to be able to prove. This guide summarises how the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), which writes the UK advertising rules, treat claims of this kind, using the ASA’s published advice pages. The examples the ASA gives concern other products, so they show how the principles work rather than any ruling about prams. The rules apply to advertising in the UK. This is general information, not legal advice.

When a claim needs evidence

The ASA’s substantiation advice, updated on 21 September 2026, says that before an advertisement is distributed, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove claims that consumers are likely to regard as objective and that can be objectively substantiated, and that the ASA may regard claims as misleading in the absence of adequate substantiation. It cites Code rule 3.7.

The ASA says it considers the likely interpretation of a claim rather than the marketer’s intention. A claim can be ruled misleading without evidence even if the advertiser meant it as a subjective claim. For a pram, "folds to half the size of leading rivals" or "lightest in its class" reads as a measurable statement, so an advertiser would need measurements to back it.

Puffery and opinion

The ASA says obvious exaggerations, known as puffery, and claims the average consumer is unlikely to take literally are allowed, provided they do not materially mislead (rule 3.2). Claims that are clearly a marketer’s subjective opinion, and are unlikely to be read as objective, will not usually need supporting evidence, provided it is clear that the marketer is expressing an opinion rather than stating a fact (rule 3.6). Its examples are the claims "THE ORIGINAL AND BEST SINCE 2004" for a pillowcase and "The most comfortable beds in the world" for a mattress, both treated as subjective because the experience of comfort varies between consumers.

The ASA has also treated some superlatives as objective. It considered "the perfect network" to be an objective claim in context, and "best available tickets" to mean tangible benefits over other tickets. The lesson is that words such as best, perfect and lightest can move from opinion to fact depending on the context.

Comparisons and superlatives

The ASA says objective comparisons such as "leading", "best" or "cheaper" require evidence about both the advertiser’s products and the competitors compared, under rules 3.32 to 3.37. Where competitors are identifiable, the advertiser must compare products meeting the same need or intended for the same purpose (rule 3.33), and must objectively compare one or more material, relevant, verifiable and representative features, which may include price (rule 3.34). In one example, evidence relating to only three competitors and a small number of features was not adequate for a claim to be the best on the market. For a price-based comparison, the site’s guide to reference prices on prams covers the separate consumer-protection rules.

Safety certification and testing claims

The ASA’s baby-products advice says advertisements should not suggest that a product has been given a distinct safety certification, or that testing has been done to a safety standard established as relevant to the specific product, when that is not the case. Its 24 September 2026 advice for advertisers to new and expectant parents adds that claims that a product is certified safe, or tested to relevant British Safety Standards, need evidence of the relevant certification or testing, and that in the absence of that evidence such claims are likely to be problematic.

For pushchairs, the relevant standard is BS EN 1888, and a pram does not carry a CE or UKCA mark, so a listing that implies otherwise deserves scrutiny. The site’s guides to reading a pram’s labels and to why prams carry no CE or UKCA mark explain what to check.

Exaggeration, visuals and testimonials

The ASA’s exaggeration advice says advertisements must not mislead consumers by exaggerating the capability or performance of a product, and that visuals as well as text can create a misleading impression. It says genuine customer testimonials may be used, but these alone are unlikely to be sufficient to substantiate objective claims, and objective claims within testimonials must themselves be supported by evidence.

Green claims

The ASA’s baby-products advice says the basis of an environmental claim must be clear, that absolute claims such as "eco-friendly" or "100% green" need a high level of evidence, and that comparative claims such as "greener" can be justified only if the product provides a total environmental benefit over the advertiser’s previous product or competitors, with a clear basis of comparison. Claims must be based on the full life cycle of the product unless the advertisement says otherwise. A green claim on a pram listing should therefore make clear what it is based on.

Why this matters when buying

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says public statements about the specific characteristics of goods, including in advertising or labelling, are among the relevant circumstances when deciding whether goods are of satisfactory quality. A pram that does not match a statement in its listing may therefore give grounds to complain to the retailer as well as to the ASA. The site’s guide to faulty pushchair consumer rights explains the remedies.

Frequently asked questions

Is "best pushchair" always allowed? Not always. The ASA treats some superlatives as subjective opinion and others as objective claims needing evidence, depending on context.

Can an advert say a pram is "tested to British Standards"? Only with evidence, according to the ASA’s advice on baby products.

The bottom line

Under the CAP Code, objective claims in pram adverts, such as lightest, safest or best-selling, need documentary evidence, while obvious puffery and clear opinion do not. Claims of safety certification, testing to a standard or environmental benefit need particular evidence, so treat unsupported superlatives with caution.

Sources

• ASA | CAP, "Substantiation"
• ASA | CAP, "Exaggeration"
• ASA | CAP, "Don’t feel rattled about your baby-related ads" (24 October 2024)
• ASA | CAP, "Handle with care: Advice on advertising to new and expectant parents" (24 September 2026)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (Goods to be of satisfactory quality)

A faulty pram or pushchair that the retailer will not repair, replace or refund can become a court matter if the price justifies it. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives the buyer statutory rights across the UK, but the court process differs by nation. This guide summarises how a small claim works in Northern Ireland, using nidirect, the official government website for Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service’s Small Claims Guide. It covers Northern Ireland only; the site’s guides to a court money claim in England and Wales and a simple procedure claim in Scotland cover those nations. This is general information, not legal advice.

What counts as a small claim

Nidirect says the small claims process allows certain types of claim to be decided informally by the county court, usually without a solicitor or barrister. In general a small claim is one where the value claimed is not more than £5,000 and which does not relate to personal injuries, road traffic accidents, libel or slander, title to land, a legacy or annuity, or property of a marriage. If the sum at issue between the same parties is more than £5,000, the claimant must either abandon the amount above £5,000, which is expressly noted, or issue a civil bill in the county court for a full hearing, which nidirect says covers claims up to £30,000.

Nidirect describes two types of small claim. A liquidated claim is for a set amount, such as goods or services not paid for. An unliquidated claim is for an estimated amount, and nidirect gives faulty goods as an example, so a claim over a defective pram falls into this category. The Courts and Tribunals Service guide lists claims for faulty goods among the examples of claims that can be made. That guide’s text still refers to a £3,000 limit, which nidirect now gives as £5,000, so the guide’s figures should not be relied on and the current limit should be checked with nidirect or the court.

Before starting a claim

The Courts and Tribunals Service guide suggests trying first to settle directly with the respondent, the person or firm being claimed against. It recommends writing to them outlining the claim, keeping a copy of the letter and allowing a week or so for a reply. If the answer is not satisfactory, it suggests writing again to say that legal proceedings will follow unless the claim is settled, and then considering a claim.

The person who bought the faulty goods should be the one to make the claim, according to the guide. For the buyer’s underlying rights, including the 30-day and six-month periods, see the site’s guide to faulty pushchair consumer rights.

Checking the respondent can pay

Nidirect says the Enforcement of Judgments Office can, for a small fee, search for a person or firm before a claim starts. The search shows whether any enforced judgments have been registered against the respondent within the last six years. Nidirect warns that even a successful claimant may not get the money immediately, if at all, where the respondent has other judgments lodged. It adds that the court does not pay the amount awarded: it only decides who is liable.

Making the claim

The guide says the application form is available from the courts website or from court offices, Citizens Advice, Trading Standards or local advice centres. The claim may be issued in the county court division where either the claimant or the respondent lives or carries on business, and the respondent’s name and address should be accurate; for a limited company, the guide says to use the full company name and registered office address. A respondent that lives outside Northern Ireland but within the UK can still be claimed against under the Northern Ireland process, according to nidirect.

The Civil Processing Centre in Laganside Courts processes all cases at the start, and if a case is disputed it is then transferred to the office named in the application for a hearing. The fee depends on the amount claimed. If the claim succeeds, the respondent is ordered to pay the sum awarded plus the application fee and any other costs awarded, but an unsuccessful claimant does not get the fee back.

What evidence to gather

The guide says copies of invoices, receipts, written agreements and other documents supporting the claim must be submitted with the application. The guide says that where possible, the faulty item itself should be brought to the hearing.

What the respondent can do

Once the application is verified, nidirect says the respondent is posted a small claims pack with a copy of the application. The guide explains that the respondent may:

• settle the claim directly;
• admit liability, sometimes with a request for time to pay;
• dispute liability;
• counterclaim; or
• ignore the claim.

If the claim is disputed, the case is listed for a court hearing before a judge. If the respondent does not reply by the return date, the claimant can apply for a decree, and for an unliquidated claim such as a faulty pram the amount is assessed by the judge at a hearing. Nidirect says a decree made by the court is a County Court Judgment and may affect a respondent’s credit status.

Frequently asked questions

What is the limit for a small claim in Northern Ireland? Nidirect says it is generally £5,000.

Does the court collect the money for me? No. Nidirect says the court only decides who is liable and does not pay the amount awarded.

The bottom line

In Northern Ireland a faulty pram claim of up to £5,000 can go through the county court’s small claims process, usually without a solicitor. Write to the retailer first, gather receipts and evidence of the fault, check whether the retailer can pay, and remember that the court decides liability but does not collect the money.

Sources

• nidirect, "Small claims process"
• Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, "Small Claims Guide"

Renting a pushchair for a week’s holiday, a city break or a short spell of visiting family can be cheaper than buying or flying with one. Because a hire is a contract like any other, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to it when a business hires goods to an individual. This guide summarises what the Act says about hired goods, using the text on legislation.gov.uk, which shows the provisions as applying across the UK. Hire from a private individual is not covered, and a hire company’s own terms cannot cut these rights down. This is general information, not legal advice.

Does the Act cover pushchair hire?

Section 6 says a contract is for the hire of goods if the trader gives or agrees to give the consumer possession of the goods, with the right to use them, subject to the terms of the contract, for a period set by the contract. A pushchair or pram rented from a baby equipment hire company, a shop or an airport service fits this definition, provided the company is acting as a trader and the person hiring is a consumer.

Section 3 says the relevant Chapter of the Act applies to sales contracts, contracts for the hire of goods, hire-purchase agreements and contracts for transfer of goods. Section 9 says every contract to supply goods is treated as including a term that the quality of the goods is satisfactory, and that term applies to hire contracts as well as sales.

What satisfactory quality means for a hired pushchair

The Act says goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would consider satisfactory, taking into account any description, the price and all other relevant circumstances. It lists aspects of quality that are relevant in appropriate cases:

• fitness for all the purposes for which goods of that kind are usually supplied;
• appearance and finish;
• freedom from minor defects;
• safety; and
• durability.

For a hired pushchair, safety and durability matter: a brake that does not hold or a fold mechanism that will not lock may be matters of quality. The site’s guides to pushchair brakes and five-point harnesses set out what RoSPA recommends checking. The Act says the term does not cover a problem that was specifically drawn to the consumer’s attention before the contract was made.

Fit for the purpose you mentioned

Section 10 says that where the consumer makes known to the trader, expressly or by implication, a particular purpose for which they want the goods, the contract is treated as including a term that the goods are reasonably fit for that purpose. A renter who explains that the pushchair will be used on cobbled streets, on a plane journey or with a newborn should say so before hiring, so that the company’s answer forms part of the bargain.

Matching the description

Section 11 says goods supplied by description must match the description. It also says that information the trader provides about the main characteristics of the goods, as listed in the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, is treated as a term of the contract, and that a change to that information is not effective unless the consumer expressly agrees to it.

What can be done if the hired pushchair is faulty

Section 19 sets out the remedies where goods are not of satisfactory quality or do not match the description. They are the short-term right to reject, the right to repair or replacement, and the right to a price reduction or the final right to reject. The short-term right to reject is time limited: for a hire contract, section 22 says the period ends 30 days after the first day following the moment possession has been transferred and the goods delivered, and any installation the contract requires has been notified as done. A holiday hire is likely to be shorter than 30 days, so a fault found on arrival should be reported at once, in writing.

Under section 23, if the consumer requires repair or replacement, the trader must do so within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to the consumer, and bear the necessary costs. A consumer who asks for one remedy cannot demand the other, or reject the goods under the short-term right, without giving the trader a reasonable time to carry it out, unless that would cause significant inconvenience. Section 24 provides for a price reduction, or the final right to reject, after one failed repair or replacement, where neither repair nor replacement can be required, or where the trader has been too slow. For a holiday, waiting for a replacement pushchair may not be practical, so the renter may want a replacement or a partial refund agreed in writing straight away.

Terms that cannot remove these rights

Section 31 says a term of a contract to supply goods is not binding on the consumer to the extent that it would exclude or restrict the trader’s liability under the satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and description provisions, or make the enforcement of those rights subject to an onerous condition. So a hire agreement that says all equipment is hired "as seen" with no refunds cannot remove a renter’s statutory rights.

Frequently asked questions

Do these rights apply if I hire from a neighbour or friend? The Act covers contracts between a trader and a consumer, so private hire between individuals is not covered.

Can a hire company say I have no right to a refund? Under section 31 a term is not binding on the consumer to the extent that it would exclude or restrict the satisfactory quality, fitness and description terms.

How long do I have to reject a faulty hired pushchair? Section 22 sets a 30-day limit for the short-term right to reject, starting from the day after possession and delivery.

The bottom line

When a business hires a pushchair to a consumer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires it to be of satisfactory quality, fit for any purpose the renter has made known and as described, and hire terms cannot exclude those rights. Report faults immediately in writing, ask for a replacement or a price reduction and keep evidence of the condition on collection.

Sources

• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 3 (Contracts to which Chapter 2 applies)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 6 (Contracts for the hire of goods)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (Goods to be of satisfactory quality)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 10 (Goods to be fit for particular purpose)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 11 (Goods to be as described)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (Time limit for short-term right to reject)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 23 (Right to repair or replacement)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 24 (Right to a price reduction and final right to reject)
• Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 31 (Liability that cannot be excluded or restricted)

Nottingham has two local public transport systems that parents with pushchairs are likely to meet: Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses and the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram. Each publishes its own rules, and they differ on folding, on how many pushchairs fit and on what happens when a wheelchair user needs the space. This guide summarises what NCT’s pushchairs page and NET’s Conditions of Carriage say. It covers services in Nottingham, England, only. The NET document was updated on 22 August 2022, so its wording should be checked against the operator’s current conditions before travelling. This is general information, not operator advice.

Pushchairs on NCT buses

NCT says unfolded pushchairs can be carried on its buses when the bay is not required by a wheelchair user, up to the maximum number shown on the bus. If the bay is full, the driver will give the passenger the opportunity to collapse the pushchair and store it in the luggage rack. NCT says it adopted a new policy following a 2017 Supreme Court ruling, under which priority for the bay goes to a wheelchair user, and that passengers should be prepared to collapse a pushchair if the driver asks so that a wheelchair user can board. The ruling is explained in the site’s guide to what Paulley v FirstGroup actually decided.

If a passenger cannot collapse the pushchair or move to another part of the bus, NCT says the driver can issue a complimentary ticket to allow boarding of the next bus.

How NCT counts double and triple buggies

NCT uses overall width to decide whether a larger buggy counts as one pushchair or two towards the limit on the bus. Its page gives four examples:

• a double buggy with two children side by side counts as two pushchairs;
• a double buggy with one child above the other counts as one;
• a double buggy with one child behind the other counts as one; and
• a triple buggy with two children side by side and one above counts as two.

The site’s guide to tandem and side-by-side double buggies compares the two designs.

Rules while travelling on an NCT bus

NCT says passengers must make sure that:

• the pushchair does not obstruct the gangway;
• the brake is applied;
• the adult remains with the pushchair at all times and the pushchair is occupied by a child, since unoccupied pushchairs must be collapsed and stored in the luggage rack; and
• the handles are not overloaded with bags, as this may cause the pushchair to tip over.

The last point matches the wider concern about overloading, covered in the site’s guide to the tipping hazard RoSPA warns about.

Pushchairs on the NET tram

NET’s Conditions of Carriage say the tram system is designed to be fully accessible for people with impaired mobility, including customers with young children or pushchairs. Access to all platforms except Nottingham Station and Queen’s Medical Centre is either level access or by sloping ramps, and at those two places a lift is available. Access from the platform to the tram is level with only a minimal gap between the platform edge and the tram.

On board, NET says there are two bays specifically for wheelchairs and pushchairs. For safety, wheelchair and pushchair users should be positioned correctly in the bays, with their back towards the backrest, as shown in diagrams in the conditions. If a NET authorised person considers that a wheelchair or pushchair parked otherwise is causing an obstruction, the customer must relocate as directed or take a later tram. NET also says wheelchair users have priority over other customers in the designated bay, and that a customer must vacate the bay if a wheelchair user needs it.

Luggage rules for prams and buggies on trams

NET’s luggage section says a passenger may, at the discretion of staff, take pushchairs, buggies and prams, provided they do not cause an obstruction and are not put on seats. Items it does not allow include unfolded bicycles or scooters, anything over 2 metres long, and any item the passenger cannot carry themselves, including up and down stairways. NET says it can refuse permission for any item to be taken on a tram, and advises contacting NET Customer Services for advice before travelling if in doubt. Manchester and Edinburgh’s approaches are compared in the site’s guide to pushchairs on Metrolink and Edinburgh Trams.

Frequently asked questions

Must I fold my pushchair on an NCT bus? Not if the bay is free, according to NCT, but a driver may ask for it to be collapsed when the bay is full or a wheelchair user needs the space.

What if the driver will not let me board with my pushchair? NCT says the driver can issue a complimentary ticket for the next bus if the pushchair cannot be collapsed and the passenger cannot relocate.

Can NET refuse my pram? Yes. Its conditions say it can refuse permission for any item, and that pushchairs and prams are carried at the discretion of staff.

The bottom line

In Nottingham, NCT buses take unfolded pushchairs only while the bay is free and count side-by-side doubles as two, while NET trams have two bays shared with wheelchairs and carry prams at staff discretion. In both cases a wheelchair user has priority, so be ready to fold the pushchair or move.

Sources

• Nottingham City Transport, "Pushchairs"
• Nottingham Express Transit, "Conditions of Carriage" (updated 22 August 2022)

A pushchair is one of the most expensive things a family buys for a baby and one of the first things outgrown, so it is natural that they are among the items baby banks handle. These community charities collect pre-loved baby and children’s essentials and pass them to families who need them. This guide summarises what the Lullaby Trust, the Baby Bank Alliance and two individual baby banks say about pushchairs, for people who want to donate one and for families who want to ask for one. It applies across the UK, but each baby bank sets its own rules, and it is general information rather than advice.

What baby banks are

The Lullaby Trust describes baby banks as community-based organisations that provide essential items for babies and children free of charge. It says there are around 400 or more of them across the UK, supporting families facing financial pressure, difficult circumstances or simply in need of a helping hand. The items they distribute include prams, buggies and baby carriers, alongside clothing, cots, feeding equipment and toys. The Baby Bank Alliance supports and advocates for baby banks across the UK, and its page lists buggies and pushchairs among the items baby banks often need.

If you want to donate a pushchair

The Baby Bank Alliance says to find the local baby bank, check which items it is currently accepting, and remember that many have guides to the donations they can take and the quality and safety standards they apply. Its test is whether an item is clean, undamaged and compliant with the baby bank’s safety standards, and whether the donor would pass it on to a friend. The Lullaby Trust gives a similar checklist: donations should be clean, complete and in good quality, safe condition, for example with no rips, tears, or broken or missing parts, and should be dropped off at the right time because many baby banks have specific donation days and drop-off points.

For a pushchair that means checking the following before offering it:

• the fold, brakes, wheels and harness all work, and no parts are missing;
• the fabric is clean and undamaged;
• the pushchair is not the subject of a safety notice; the site’s guide to checking pram and pushchair recalls explains how; and
• the labels, including the fire safety label and standard reference, are still legible; see reading a pram’s labels.

What one London baby bank says it takes

Little Village’s donation guide is a useful example of the level of detail. It lists buggies, slings and carriers among the items it can accept. Among items it cannot take, it lists car seats and accessories, and hiking-style carriers. It asks for nearly new, good quality pre-loved items to be gifted to families. Its donate page says that for bigger items, such as buggies and beds, it has a London-wide collection service, and that small bundles can be posted.

What one Bristol baby bank says about travel systems

Baby Bank Network in Bristol explains its reasons in more detail. It says its insurers do not allow it to accept second-hand car seats, even if they have not been in an accident, because it cannot verify their full safety history. It adds that if a travel system is otherwise complete, with a chassis and a bassinet or pushchair seat, it gratefully accepts them so new mums can take their babies out and about. So a donor with a travel system can donate the pushchair parts while keeping or recycling the car seat elsewhere. The same page says everything donated should be clean and in good, safe condition, and offers a simple test: if the donor would be proud to pass it on to a family member for their baby, it is welcome.

If you need a pushchair

The Lullaby Trust says each baby bank works slightly differently, so it is best to check directly with the nearest one. It says support may be available through a referral from a care professional or by self-referral, where the family contacts the nearest baby bank directly. The Baby Bank Alliance has a map for finding a local baby bank. Baby banks do not always have stock of every item, and availability depends on donations.

Baby banks and second-hand safety

The Lullaby Trust says that when accepting or using second-hand baby items it is important to be aware of baby safety guidance, and that some items, such as second-hand car seats and used mattresses, are not accepted or distributed by baby banks because of safety concerns. For pushchairs bought second-hand from other sources, the site’s guides to what to check and to private sales versus traders cover the same ground.

Frequently asked questions

Do all baby banks take pushchairs? Not necessarily. The Baby Bank Alliance lists them among items often needed, and Little Village and Baby Bank Network both accept them, but each baby bank sets its own list.

Can I donate a car seat with a travel system? Baby Bank Network says it cannot accept second-hand car seats, and Little Village lists car seats among items it cannot take.

Do I have to be referred? The Lullaby Trust says families may be able to get support by referral from a care professional or by contacting the baby bank directly.

The bottom line

Baby banks are a route both for passing on a pushchair that has been outgrown and for families to find one without paying. Check the local baby bank’s list first, offer a clean, complete pushchair with no safety notice against it, and keep car seats out of the donation.

Sources

• The Lullaby Trust, "Baby banks"
• Baby Bank Alliance, "How to support your local baby bank"
• Little Village, "Donation Guides"
• Baby Bank Network, "The donations we can (and can’t) accept at Baby Bank"

Buying a pram in a shop is a big decision made under time pressure, and it is common to get it home, fold it in the hall and wish it were lighter, wider or a different colour. Whether the shop has to take it back depends on why it is being returned. This guide summarises what GOV.UK’s guidance on returns and refunds and Citizens Advice’s England page say about changing your mind after a shop purchase, and how that differs from a faulty pram or an online order. Citizens Advice publishes separate pages for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, so this guide follows its England page. It is general information, not legal advice.

The starting point: no automatic right

Citizens Advice says there is no automatic right to get your money back if you just change your mind about something you have bought and there is nothing wrong with it, and that this is the same however expensive the item was. It says it is down to the seller whether they offer anything. GOV.UK’s guidance for businesses is consistent: a retailer does not have to refund a customer who no longer wants an item, for example because it is the wrong size or colour, unless they bought it without seeing it. Bought in person, a pram is an item the customer could see, so the shop’s obligation to refund a change of mind does not arise by law.

Where the shop’s policy comes in

Many shops have their own returns policy, which is a commercial choice rather than a legal requirement. Citizens Advice says lots of shops allow returns within 14 or sometimes 30 days as long as items are not used. It adds that the policy might be written on the receipt, on the shop’s website, or available by calling the local branch, and that shops often shorten the return period for items bought in a sale. Its advice is to check the policy before buying, which for a pram means asking the specific questions that matter: whether an unused pram can be returned in its box, whether a demonstrated or opened display model counts as used, and whether the return is for a refund, an exchange or a credit note.

Citizens Advice says a shopper stands a better chance with the receipt and the original packaging, and that it is up to the shop what to offer, so the customer decides whether to accept it. It also says rights are the same even if the item could not be checked or tried on before buying.

What does not change

Three points from the guidance apply regardless of the shop’s returns policy:

• Faults. GOV.UK says a business must offer a full refund if an item is faulty, not as described or does not do what it is supposed to. Citizens Advice notes that shoppers are still protected if something is faulty even when a sale period has shorter return times. The site’s guide to faulty pushchair rights explains the stages.
• Sales. GOV.UK says customers have exactly the same rights to refunds when they buy items in a sale as when they buy at full price.
• Misleading notices. GOV.UK says it is illegal to restrict or take away customers’ rights or to mislead them about their rights, for example by displaying a sign saying the shop does not accept returns or offer refunds. A “no returns” sign therefore cannot remove the right to a remedy for a faulty pram.

If the pram was bought online but collected or returned in store

Citizens Advice describes a different rule for something bought online, over the phone or by mail order: an automatic 14-day cooling-off period when the item was not seen in person, starting the day after the order is received. GOV.UK says the customer must tell the seller within 14 days of receiving the item, has another 14 days to return it, and is entitled to handle the item as they would in a shop. The site’s guide to the 14-day cancellation right for prams covers that route in detail. Citizens Advice also says a customer may be able to return an online order to a shop in person and, if they do, does not have to pay for postage. A purchase made face to face in the shop does not get this cooling-off period.

Practical steps before paying

• Ask for the returns policy in writing, or find it on the receipt or website.
• Test the fold, the boot fit and the weight in the shop; a shop purchase is the customer’s chance to check.
• Keep the receipt and packaging, and avoid removing tags or protective wrapping until sure.
• Ask what happens with display models; the site’s guide to ex-display and clearance prams explains that a “sold as seen” label does not remove rights on faults.

Frequently asked questions

Can a shop refuse a refund because I changed my mind? Yes, unless its own policy promises one; Citizens Advice says it is down to the seller.

Does a 14-day return period apply to shop purchases? Only if the shop’s policy says so. The 14-day cooling-off period Citizens Advice describes applies to items bought without being seen in person.

What if the pram is faulty? GOV.UK says a business must offer a refund for a faulty item, and repair or replacement can apply within six months.

The bottom line

A pram bought in a shop can be returned for a change of mind only if the shop’s own policy allows it, so read the policy and keep the receipt and packaging. The law protects against faults, not second thoughts, and online purchases have a separate 14-day cooling-off right.

Sources

• Citizens Advice (England), "Changing your mind about something you’ve bought"
• GOV.UK, "Accepting returns and giving refunds: the law"

Sale banners are a fixture of the pram market: a travel system marked “Was £400, now £250” looks like a bargain, but only if the higher price was a real price. Trading Standards guidance for traders explains how a saving claim is tested, and the same tests help a shopper judge a claim. This guide summarises the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) guidance for traders on pricing practices, which it says was reviewed and updated in April 2026 and covers England, Scotland and Wales, together with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) letter to online sellers. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not decide whether any particular price is misleading.

The rule behind the banner

The CTSI guide says pricing practices that are false or misleading, in a way likely to cause the average consumer to take a decision they would not otherwise have taken, are prohibited by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA). It defines reference pricing as price promotions that aim to show good value by referring to another, typically higher, price. Its rule of thumb is that if a promotion explicitly or by implication indicates a saving against another price, the trader must be able to satisfy itself that the quoted saving is genuine and therefore not unfair. The guide adds that consumers are unlikely to have recorded the earlier prices, so reference pricing calls for a high level of trust and integrity.

Four kinds of comparison

The guide lists four examples of reference pricing, all of which can appear on a pram listing:

• “was / now” prices, which compare the current price with a price the trader charged before;
• after-promotion or introductory prices, which compare with a price the trader intends to charge later;
• recommended retail prices (RRPs), which compare with a price suggested by the manufacturer or supplier; and
• external reference prices, which compare with another trader’s price for the same product.

How a “was” price is tested

The guide gives a non-exhaustive list of issues, each with a “more likely to comply” and “less likely to comply” pattern:

• How long the higher price applied. A comparison shown for a period that is the same or shorter than the period the higher price was charged is more likely to comply than one shown for a materially longer period.
• Where the higher price was charged. A comparison against a price never charged in that store is less likely to comply.
• How recently. A price charged less than two months ago with no intervening prices is the guide’s example of a genuine reference; prices charged many months earlier may no longer reflect the item’s current value.
• Season. A trader that sets a higher off-season price and then lowers it ahead of the expected demand is less likely to comply.
• Sales at the higher price. A retailer that repeatedly uses a reference price while knowing it did not sell a significant number of units at that price is less likely to comply.

RRPs and after-promotion prices

On RRPs, the guide says traders must take extra care, should clearly say the higher price is an RRP rather than a price they charged, and must not create an RRP purely to present the appearance of a discount. It says an RRP must represent a genuine selling price, and that traders should consider obtaining substantiation from suppliers. On after-promotion prices, the guide says the practice is likely to be considered unfair if the price is not subsequently increased to the advertised after-promotion price. For introductory prices, it says a “new” or “introductory” claim should not run so long that the price becomes the normal selling price.

What the CMA’s letter adds

The CMA’s 2023 open letter to online sellers was written when the earlier Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 applied, before the DMCCA replaced them, and the CTSI guide still points readers to it. It defines a price reduction claim as any discount or special offer price that refers to a higher comparison price, and gives worked examples of claims likely to mislead. Among them are: the higher price was charged only briefly compared with the time at the promotional price; very few items sold at the higher price; the price flip-flopped between two figures; the product had been sold at lower prices since the comparison price; the higher price was a short-lived hike; and the comparison price was charged a long time ago. It also says the higher price must be a genuine and realistic selling price that the business can demonstrate, and that conditions attached to an offer must be clear and prominent upfront.

Using this as a shopper

A shopper cannot see a retailer’s sales records, but a few checks follow from the tests. Note the “was” price and date when a listing first appears, take a screenshot before buying, and compare with the RRP and other retailers. The guide says the DMCCA is enforced by Trading Standards services in England, Scotland and Wales, and the site’s guides to who to contact and to false urgency banners cover related routes, and the guide to advertised pram prices covers delivery fees and the total price.

Frequently asked questions

Must “was” prices have been charged for a set number of days? The CTSI guide sets out factors rather than a fixed period; length, recency and sales volume are among them.

Is an RRP a price the shop charged? No. The guide says traders should tell consumers clearly that the higher price is an RRP.

Does this apply in Northern Ireland? The CTSI guide says it is for England, Scotland and Wales.

The bottom line

A “was” price on a pram should be a genuine, recent price at which the item really sold, not a figure created to make a sale look bigger. Trading Standards guidance tests length, recency, place and volume, and treats RRPs and after-promotion prices with the same caution, so treat the discount as a claim to check rather than a fact.

Sources

• Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Business Companion, "Guidance for Traders on Pricing Practices" (updated April 2026)
• Competition and Markets Authority, GOV.UK, "Using urgency and price reduction claims online" (open letter, 29 March 2023)

A retailer that has refused to repair, replace or refund a faulty pram has not necessarily had the last word. Between an unanswered complaint and a court claim sits alternative dispute resolution, usually shortened to ADR, in which an independent third party helps settle the dispute. This guide summarises how Trading Standards guidance and the ADR providers describe it, and what a retailer has to say about it. It covers the whole UK, with court references noted by nation. It is general information, not legal advice.

What ADR means

Trading Standards’ Business Companion guidance defines ADR as any method of securing or facilitating an out-of-court resolution of a consumer contract dispute, carried out by an independent third party who acts in relation to both parties. It lists common forms as mediation, arbitration and adjudication, early neutral evaluation and ombudsman schemes. The guidance says ADR is usually free for the consumer, and that if there is a cost it will be considerably less than using the courts. It also says procedures are often confidential and less confrontational than court proceedings.

What a retailer must tell you

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) applies to almost all contracts between a business and a consumer. Business Companion says that if a business’s internal complaints process has not resolved the dispute, the business must inform the consumer if there is an ADR or other arrangement available, whether that is a legal requirement, a trade association membership or simply voluntary. It says the information should be given in a durable form such as a letter or email, when communicating the outcome of the complaint. A trader that is not willing to engage in ADR does not have to give information about it, and a trader cannot compel a consumer to use ADR. The guidance adds that where a case goes to court, a business’s lack of engagement in ADR may affect the outcome, and that a court may impose costs or sanctions.

What changed on 6 April 2026

Business Companion says the DMCCA replaced the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 on 6 April 2026. Under the old system providers did not have to obtain approval. Now providers must be accredited by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) unless they are exempt. The guidance says traders can refer cases to providers approved under the earlier regulations until 5 October 2026, or until an accreditation application is granted, refused or withdrawn if the provider has applied. So a retailer may name a provider that is still in transition rather than one that is fully accredited.

Which provider for a pram

CTSI publishes a list of approved ADR bodies. It describes Retail ADR, a trading name of Consumer Dispute Resolution Limited, as an independent organisation and authorised ADR provider that provides consumers with redress for complaints relating to consumer rights in the retail sector, and says the service is free for consumers. A retailer that belongs to a trade body or code of conduct may instead name that body’s own scheme. Business Companion notes that for some sectors, such as estate agents and telecommunications, joining a redress scheme is required.

How RetailADR says its process works

RetailADR describes its own process as follows. The consumer complains to the trader first. If the trader’s response, or lack of one after eight weeks, leaves the consumer unsatisfied, the consumer can bring the complaint to RetailADR. It says that within 60 days of receiving all the information and evidence it decides who is in the right and what is owed, and that if the consumer accepts the decision it becomes legally binding. It also says the decision is not binding on the consumer unless accepted, leaving the consumer free to pursue the complaint in court. Complaints can be made online, by post or by phone. These are the provider’s own statements about its scheme, and time limits and fees vary between providers, so each should be checked.

How ADR fits with other routes

ADR is one step in a sequence. The site’s guides cover the rest: the rights themselves, Section 75 and chargeback where a card was used, and the court routes: a money claim in England and Wales or Simple Procedure in Scotland. Business Companion notes that court protocols require parties to consider whether ADR will let them settle, and that traders and consumers may be asked to show they considered it. It names the small claims track of the County Court in England and Wales and the simple procedure in the Sheriff Court in Scotland as the relevant court routes.

Frequently asked questions

Must a retailer take part in ADR? Not under the DMCCA. Business Companion says neither party is obliged by the Act to use ADR, though a trade body or regulator may require it.

Does ADR cost anything? Business Companion says it is usually free to the consumer; CTSI describes RetailADR as free for consumers.

Can I still go to court after ADR? RetailADR says its decision is not binding on the consumer unless they accept it.

The bottom line

When a pram retailer rejects a complaint, it must tell the customer about any ADR arrangement available, and that written information is a useful prompt to try a free, out-of-court route before a court claim. Since 6 April 2026 providers are being accredited by CTSI, so check the provider named and keep the retailer’s letter.

Sources

• Business Companion (Trading Standards), "Alternative dispute resolution: Introduction"
• Business Companion (Trading Standards), "Alternative dispute resolution: The ADR process"
• Chartered Trading Standards Institute, "ADR Approved Bodies"
• RetailADR, "What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?"

If a retailer will not repair, replace or refund a faulty pram or pushchair, the last resort is a court claim. In Scotland the route for a consumer claim of this size is called Simple Procedure and it runs in the sheriff court, not the county court used in England and Wales. This guide summarises how the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) and Citizens Advice Scotland describe the process, for a claim about a pram bought for personal use. It applies to Scotland only; the English and Welsh process is covered in the site’s guide to a court money claim in England and Wales. It is general information, not legal advice.

What Simple Procedure is

SCTS describes Simple Procedure as a court process designed to provide a speedy, inexpensive and informal way to resolve disputes. The person making the claim is the claimant, the person or company it is made against is the respondent, and the decision is made by a sheriff or summary sheriff. A solicitor is not required, although one can be used. A claim can be made for payment of a sum of money where the value is £5,000 or less. Claims worth more than £5,000 follow ordinary cause procedure, which is a different and more formal route. Citizens Advice Scotland lists compensation for faulty consumer goods among the most common types of claim, and says that if the case is legally complicated it may need a different procedure and an experienced adviser.

Steps to take first

SCTS says that before raising a claim it is important to have tried to settle the dispute, for example by writing to the company and trying to agree a settlement. Citizens Advice Scotland makes the same point: contact the shop first, and use the court only if negotiation fails. SCTS also mentions Alternative Dispute Resolution as another possible route. It lists questions to ask before starting:

• Is the respondent likely to be able to pay?
• If it is a company, has it ceased trading?
• Is the claim being raised against the correct person or company?
• Is there time to prepare for a hearing if the claim is defended?
• Can the cost of enforcing a decision be afforded, since the court cannot do this for the claimant?

The substantive question, whether the pram is legally faulty, depends on consumer law rather than court procedure. The site’s guides to faulty pushchair rights and to Section 75 and chargeback cover the routes to try before court.

Which court

There are 39 sheriff courts in Scotland. SCTS says that in most cases the court that hears the claim is the one for the area where the respondent lives or has a place of business, and that a special rule applies in most circumstances to consumer contracts. Its example is a shop selling goods on instalments: the consumer can raise proceedings either in the court for the area where they live or in the one for the shop’s area, but if the shop wanted to sue the consumer it could only do so in the court for the consumer’s area. Citizens Advice Scotland says a consumer claim can usually be made in the sheriff court nearest to where the claimant lives.

Making the claim

A claim should be submitted through Civil Online, the SCTS portal. If that is not possible, a paper Simple Procedure Claim Form (Form 3A) can be used, but SCTS says the claimant must send two copies and a short note explaining what prevents online submission, and the sheriff decides whether the claim can proceed on paper. Citizens Advice Scotland gives examples of good reasons, such as having no personal device, very poor internet access, or a disability that prevents use of online forms. SCTS advises including as much information as possible so the sheriff can fully consider the claim and the respondent has fair notice.

Fees

A fee is paid when the claim is submitted. On the SCTS fees page, fees payable from 1 April 2026 are £23 for a claim for a sum of money of £300 or less and £127 for all other claims. If the claim is rejected, an online fee is refunded automatically. SCTS says a claimant may be exempt from fees, for example if receiving certain state benefits, and there is a fee exemption form. Service by a sheriff officer, where needed, costs £15 plus the officer’s fee.

What happens next

The sheriff clerk checks the claim form. Problems that can lead to it being returned include an incomplete form, the wrong sheriff court, or a request for more than £5,000. Once registered, the claim is given a case reference number and a timetable with two dates: the last date for service and the last date for a response. The claim form must then be served on the respondent. The claimant cannot do this personally; an individual or sole trader can ask the sheriff clerk to serve it by recorded delivery, or a solicitor or sheriff officer can be instructed for a fee. If the respondent does not respond, the claimant may apply for a decision within two weeks of the last date for a response. SCTS says that since 21 May 2025 all claimants must lodge an account of expenses before a case will be decided. If the respondent disputes the claim, a hearing follows, and if they admit it they may ask for time to pay by instalments.

Frequently asked questions

What is the limit for a Simple Procedure claim? £5,000 or less for a claim for payment of money, according to SCTS.

Can the claim be started by post? Only with a paper form and a note approved by the sheriff; the normal route is Civil Online.

Can the court collect the money for me? SCTS says the court cannot enforce the decision on the claimant’s behalf if it is not complied with.

The bottom line

A Scottish consumer with a faulty pram worth up to £5,000 can use Simple Procedure in the sheriff court, filing through Civil Online with a fee of £23 or £127 depending on the sum claimed. Try to settle first, consider whether the retailer can pay, and remember that enforcement is the claimant’s responsibility.

Sources

• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, "Guide to Simple Procedure"
• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, "How to make a claim with Simple Procedure"
• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, "Sheriff Court Fees"
• Citizens Advice Scotland, "If someone owes you money or compensation"