‘Vespa’ Spotting: Mini-Scoot in S&R @ The Fort

Last month, I got a heads up from my sister-in-law about a mini-Vespa being sold at the newly re-opened S&R (formerly PriceMart) at The Fort. We were told about it’s price tag but I still checked it out with my wife and daughter that following weekend to see the toy for ourselves.

Here’s what we saw:

It’s really quite cute. Wanna know how much this mini-scoot is? Check out the next photo.

That’s P11,999.95!!! Steep eh? The toy is actually tagged as a mini-Vespa and comes in two colors: powder blue (for boys) and baby pink (for girls). It is powered by a rechargeable battery (just like the four-wheel types) with its own headlight. There’s a standard hand break just like in any bike. I assume a child has to twist the handlebar to accelerate since I didn’t notice any pedal for throttle just like in an actual scooter. The legshield has the classic curvy line like a Vespa but the toy scooter looked more like a Yamaha Vino to me more than Piaggio’s Vespa.

There was a ‘PLEASE DO NOT SIT” sign on that pink scoot so I asked my daughter to stand for this photo instead. It could have been the perfect toy scooter for her: pink, just the right size for her height, and it sorta looked like (they actually market it as) a Vespa.

But there are far more personal reasons that made us not buy it. First and foremost, we simply don’t have the needed space for my daughter to ride it. Also, the toy-scoot doesn’t come with training wheels for those who cannot balance on 2-wheels yet. Actually, the size doesn’t seem to be age-appropriate since it’s too small for kids who already know how to bike; but just the right size for children who are simply too young to learn how to balance. Although, I think the screw on the rear wheel as an ample allowance to accommodate training wheels if one decides to buy and attach a pair. Lastly, the price is no easy money even for Santa Claus. I’m actually glad that my daughter never insited in buying it.

I never bothered the S&R staff for my daughter’s test ride since (aside form the balancing issue) I had no intentions in buying, hence my product review is purely based on aesthetics. But it is from a brand called Bismarktech which also made the Electro Racer (for pre-teens) which Speed magazine reviewed here.

So if you got the cash, the space, and the patience to teach your kid to ride this mini-’Vespa’, then better head on to S&R and check if there stocks are still available! With the Christmas just around the corner, I wouldn’t be surprised if these toys might already be…

… going… going… gone!

-o-
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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com