A TikTok creator’s second-hand score is sending parents into full-on nostalgia mode after she revealed the features of a 1990s Graco stroller she bought for just $60.
At a Glance
- Jolene Garrett paid $60 for a vintage Graco stroller at a resale store
- The seat faces the parent, has a clear rain canopy, and removes for easy cleaning
- She says similar models sell for $300-plus on eBay
- Why it matters: Parents are questioning why modern gear costs more yet feels less user-friendly
Jolene Garrett, known on TikTok as @jolenedoeshair, posted a video walk-through of the stroller and quickly racked up thousands of comments from parents praising the throwback design.
Easy-Clean Interior
Garrett starts with the feature that sold her: the interior fabric lifts out completely.
“The interior is completely removable,” she says, pulling the padded liner free in one motion. Underneath sits a waterproof plastic shell, so spills and crumbs wipe away instead of soaking in.
Modern strollers often require spot-cleaning or pricey replacement liners, she notes.
Rain-Ready Canopy
Next she unfurls the adjustable canopy fitted with a clear plastic panel.
“So baby’s not gonna get wet,” she explains while snapping it into place. The transparent window lets children see out while blocking wind and rain-something she says many current high-end models achieve only with add-on accessories.
Parent-Facing Seat
Garrett’s favorite detail is the reversible seat. With one pull of a lever the entire bucket flips so the child faces the person pushing.
“How freaking cool is that?” she asks. She argues newer travel systems make the same switch complicated, often forcing parents to detach the seat, adapters, or even the canopy.
Height-Friendly Handle
At 5-foot-7, Garrett says many contemporary handles hit too low and cause back pain. The vintage bar raises by several inches with the press of two side buttons, accommodating taller caregivers without extra purchases.
Storage Surplus
She then pans to the under-carriage basket, side pouches, and an elasticized rear pocket.
“More than your average stroller’s amount of storage,” she claims, stuffing in diapers, wipes, and a blanket to demonstrate. Parents in the comments echoed frustration that many 2024 strollers charge extra for parent consoles or cup holders.
One-Step Fold
Garrett finishes by stepping on a rear pedal; the chassis folds forward and locks. She lifts the collapsed unit with one hand.
“Just as easy, if not easier, than the current models,” she says, comparing it to a friend’s $450 frame that requires two hands and a specific sequence of latches.
Bargain Price vs. Resale Value
Garrett calls the find “a steal,” noting that completed eBay listings for similar 1990s Graco strollers range from $250 to $350 before shipping. Hers still had factory plastic on the handle, suggesting it sat unused for decades.
Comment Section Reactions
Viewers flooded the post with memories and envy:
- “I kick myself for donating my daughter’s polka-dotted 1995 Graco stroller … I called it her first Cadillac!”
- “Would change my 600 dollar stroller for this any day!”
- “I swear today’s strollers are horrible!!”
Garrett replies to several, agreeing that modern gear often favors style over straightforward function.
Bassinet Conversion
She also demonstrates a flat recline achieved by unclipping the seat edges, creating a bassinet-like bed for infants without an additional carrycot purchase.
Garrett, a hairstylist and mom of one, tells News Of Los Angeles she discovered the stroller while browsing a local resale warehouse. The store priced it at $59.99 because the box was open and the barcode missing.
She left the price tag in the video as proof, prompting dozens of duet videos from other parents unearthing their own vintage models from attics and basements.
The clip ends with Garrett pushing the stroller down her driveway, captioning it: “Like, why don’t they make it like this anymore?“
Marcus L. Bennett reported that Graco has not announced any plans to reissue the retro line, but the viral response highlights a growing online community of parents swapping tips for finding discontinued models on resale sites and garage-sale groups.
Key Takeaways
- Vintage Graco strollers from the 1990s offer reversible seats, built-in rain covers, and machine-washable inserts
- Parents say comparable convenience in 2024 models can cost five to ten times more
- Garrett’s video has reignited debate over whether baby-gear innovation always equals improvement
