I am having a huge problem with rusted chrome on my Smoothy Big Boy Buggy ($240) purchased as a birthday gift for me just under 2yrs ago. The rep for Smoothy tells me it is normal wear and tear, all chrome will rust out and to clean the buggy with metal polish from the auto shop. Cleaning the buggy will be time consuming and with no guarantee that the rust will be removed and/or will not return to look even more unsightly. The buggy has been under cover apart from when it is on the golf course.

Has anyone else had problems with their buggy or am I the odd one out here?

Chrome is always going to pit. I have also experienced the same problem. Its not a matter of having it under cover, the moisture in the air will is what will cause it. Perhaps you could become the golfer who lives in the bubble! Really how long do you expect things to last for?

I’d be very annoyed if the chrome on my car started rusting in less than 2 years. Thankfully, it’s still fine after nearly 30 years. A matter of quality maybe?

I expected this buggy to look good for a long time to come. I did not expect it to become a shabby looking piece of work within 2 years. I have a 30yr old Pilgrim buggy in the shed and the chrome on that is in better condition than on the smoothy. Perhaps you have become like a lot of others apathetic about quality and just accepting of the rubbish that is sold to us. If I had paid $50 for this buggy I would have expected it to perform like a poor quality item. I didn’t buy a cheaply priced item but it would seem like I bought a cheaply made item at a high ticket price.

A couple of my mates bought chrome Smoothy’s about 1 year ago and both have severe pitting. One looks really tatty already. They both rave about how easy they are to use, but I’ve held off buying one because of the deterioration in looks. Maybe the black or blue painted ones are better but I haven’t seen one secondhand to compare.

Got a smoothy as well, but not a chrome one. Mine is blue in color and has not had any problems like the chrome.

Don’t buy chrome.

I expected this buggy to look good for a long time to come. I did not expect it to become a shabby looking piece of work within 2 years. I have a 30yr old Pilgrim buggy in the shed and the chrome on that is in better condition than on the smoothy. Perhaps you have become like a lot of others apathetic about quality and just accepting of the rubbish that is sold to us. If I had paid $50 for this buggy I would have expected it to perform like a poor quality item. I didn’t buy a cheaply priced item but it would seem like I bought a cheaply made item at a high ticket price.

Well then put slicks on the pilgrim and trot it out. The difference between the smoothy and the Pilgrim is that a Pilgrim of that vintage was made here in Australia not in ASIA. Now even a proud Australian company like Pilgrim manufactures overseas to become competitive but they sacrifice on quality. This is because people in general are not prepared to pay more for a similar looking but superior product. The same thing has happened with MGI buggies, these were made here in OZ but to compete with all the cheap Asian imports they moved offshore now the quality is upto S#*T. In sydney metro they now have two repair vans that are flat out, previously they had one van who had enough work to keep him busy.

Gosh, I cannot remember the last time I had a buggy. When I retire, going to get an electric cart with a fridge on the back, a small TV with a dish on top and a stereo, maybe a small laptop in it..That would be nice. Made in china perhaps…

I had a no name chrome one that also ended up bubbled.

After playing in Scotland, I now carry my clubs just like almost everyone I played with over there, old b%%%%s and young alike. I get more exercise and feel freer, at one with the course, able to wend my way over hill and dale without fear of the whole lot toppling over. OK – if your back’s given out, then get a battery operated dalek, but otherwise get a stand bag and leave the pram at home.

I had an older Pilgrim Pro made in Australia and used to looka fetr it fairly well. After 10-15 years I decided that the bearings in the wheels were wearing and pensioned it off to a son and purchased a new chrome one. What a mistake. Heap of Sh**! Not only was the chrome inferior but the metal used on the handle was thinner and the size was actually smaller. Had to but another and went for the black painted one. Still disappointed in the quality of the materials used. Have mended the handle 5 times. It now has a solid metal rod down the centre that I braised on. Pity we could not have the same quality that we had 15-20 years ago.

I’ve had my chrome Smoothy for 3 years with no problems. Regular cleaning is all I have done.

I’ve had my chrome Smoothy for 3 years with no problems. Regular cleaning is all I have done.

I don’t think cleaning is the whole answer. Rusty water poured out of my seat frame when I went to assemble my buggy the other day. I know someone who has had a buggy for 4 yrs without problems, Maybe the preparation of the frames was better then or maybe its the luck of the draw. You are fortunate if yours is not rusting.

After playing in Scotland, I now carry my clubs just like almost everyone I played with over there, old b%%%%s and young alike. I get more exercise and feel freer, at one with the course, able to wend my way over hill and dale without fear of the whole lot toppling over. .

Bully for you!! When in Rome etc – perhaps a bit of peer pressure? You wouldn’t want to look like weakling would you? But at 70 I think I have earned the right to push a ””pram” and I also think I have a right to expect quality in what I purchase

Yep ive got the same buggy and its completely f&%$ed after about a year. rusted and pieces falling off everywhere.

Bully for you!!

Sheesh. Just offering an alternative way of playing the game. When I started playing I thought you had to have a buggy, but always ended up feeling frustrated when it fell over trying to negotiate steep slopes or rough ground.

As it happens I have a sore shoulder at the moment, so I’ll be borrowing a buggy from the pro shop this Sunday.

Ihave a smoothy in chroe with no dramas but regularly clean it, as i do my clubs…......

These things run across damp turf (oftern fertilised etc etc) all the time!

With the chemicals and salts its exposed to you can’t expect not to clean it and have it last….....

I have one of the original aluminium compact foldup buggies and its 14 years old this year. Still doing well and needs a minor wheel alignment but not problems with rust etc.

I would be mighty pi$$ed if I paid so much for something that rusts in less than a year.

The Fox is right the chemicals on the course may speed up the rusting and some TLC from time to time…

then again my steel chrome plated shafts and forged clubs have not rusted so perhaps it is poor quality control….

I had a black smoothy until this week,when the thread and nut seized on the cradle and I could not do it up to hold the bag properly.In 3 years I have had new suspension springs,2 cradle frames, one frame back, handle snapped so was shortened to fit and in the end the black frame was a faded grey. They have a quality control problem, and as said on a previous post, low quality at a high price,look good when new , but deteriorates quickly from then. Not worth anything like $200.Would recommend to anyone, buy another brand, but then if they are all made averseas, then they could all have the same quality problem. I bought a three wheeler for $90 on special to replace it.

I bought a black smoothy. Looks good. works well. and is cheaper than the chrome. too easy

Bought a chrome BagBoy in April 2004 paid $199 less trade, best buggy I’ve ever had.Only one problem I bent the handle where it joins the frame pushing it over a steep gutter one day. Cut off the bent section by two inches and its as good as new.Mine doesn’t have a brake as this was the first model no problem though.

Have had a black Smoothie for a fair while. Never had any problems with it , One of the best buys I,ve made