Hiring a carrier can be the perfect way to
- determine whether a carrier really works well for your whole family before you buy
- borrow a carrier for a trip or event without needing to invest in one of your own
- borrow newborn specialist sling or carrier (such a stretchy wrap or Caboo) for the whole 4th trimester without needing to invest in something that will only last a couple of months, allowing you to save your money to invest in the next step sling instead
All of the carriers in the library collection can be hired directly through the website here. I offer both postal hires and doorstep collections. Simply choose the carrier or carriers you wish to hire, select the desired dates, add to basket and then select postage or local collection at check out as appropriate.
Or any of our slings and carriers can be hired directly from any of our sling clinic sessions, private consults, workshops, or following an online consult. If you are coming to one of my in person sessions and do want to hire something please let me know so I can ensure it is available for you to try and hire on the day. The in person sessions are great if you are deciding a few options and want to have the opportunity to try each on, ask questions and receive tailored adivce. Likewise an online consultation is also a great option if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by choice and would like some input on what makes sense to try for you to try. But you don't need to come to a session to hire and there are full descriptions of each an every sling and carrier on its individual hire page, including which ages and stages it works best for, weight testing and lots of other helpful information. So feel free to dig in! Likewise, I have a great many reviews and you can find these plus comparision articles linked from this page.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends of the carrier type, and the duration of the hire. Carriers can be hired for 2, 4 or 12 weeks. You can start at just two weeks and extend at anytime and simply pay the difference to extend your hire. The full list of carriers we have and cost to hire each can be found here, as well as price of each individual carrier being displayed on its unique hire page.
If you'd like me to post the carrier to you, you can choose between Tracked48, Tracked24 and Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Currently Tracked 48 is £3.60, Tracked 24 is £4.70, while Special is £9.20 (note that these prices do change from time to time and the most accurate price will be found at check-out as this is linked to the Royal Mail system). Please note that generally I can fit 2 carriers in the same parcel and post them at the same time to save on postage if you are hiring 2. For more than two it can depending on what and normaly need to split into 2 seperate packages. This is auto-calculated at check out so please do check there if you would like to confirm cost.
Regardless of whether you collect or I post - everyone who hires received a discount code that can be used in our online shop. And if you ultimately choose to buy something I don't sell, I have discount codes for many other small independent retailers too. But for those I do sell you will receive a discount code equivalent to a 2 week hire in the confirmation email. Meaning you can try before you buy risk free and you don't lose out if you ultimately decide to buy.
How does Hiring work?
You can check availability and arrange a hire directly through the website here. Simply choose the carrier or carriers you wish to hire, select the desired dates, add to basket and then select postage or local collection at check out as appropriate.
If you are unsure about what to hire or have questions please do get in touch. If you are feeling quite overwhelmed by choice please do consider booking an online or in person consultation or coming along to a clinic session for personalised advice, but for quick questions please feel able to drop me a quick message and I'll be happy to help. Likewise if something is unclear while trying to book please do ask.
Once you've booked your hire, if you selected post I will post the carrier to hopefully arrive with you on or before the date selected. If you are going away please note the day you will be going in the notes box so I know and can act accordingly, and please select your hire to start a couple of days before just in case to ensure the carrier has time to arrive with you (just in case Royal Mail randomly takes a few extra days!). If you are collecting, the carrier will be placed in the porch for you to collect on the first day of your hire and I will email you my exact address. If desired and if available you may well be able to collect a day or two earlier too, simply let me know in the comments box at check out if you'd like to do this and I will advise. My hire system forces hires to start from no less than 3 days to give me time to post carriers, but if you are collecting and don't need me to post it is normally possible for you to collect earlier if needed/desired. And you still get the full 2 weeks after the official start date - perk of collecting verses post!
During your hire period if you have any questions or worries please do get in touch so I can help and support you during your hire. If you'd like to send a photo or two for a quick fit check, please do. For those able to collect, I offer free swaps during the hire period. So if the carrier you've hired isn't feeling right or you'd like to compare it with another (subject to avaibility), simply get in touch to arrange your swap. Swaps work exactly like a doorstep collection - you let me know what day you will be coming and what you'd like to try next and I pop this into my front porch for you to collect at a time that day that works for you. Please note I am unable to offer free swaps via post, this is only an option for those who are able to collect from my doorstep or at a session (simply because the time spent in the post unfortunately makes this non-viable).
At the end of your hire period please return the carrier to my home (either by post or carriers can be dropped off at any time of the day and simply left in my front porch, no need to coordinate a specific time). The address and full details on how to return are in the confirmation email you will receive when placing your hire. Or carriers can be returned to any Sling Clinic session or other session type as agreed at the time of hire. If you'd like to extend your hire, simply email me at sheenslings@gmail.com to arrange and I will invoice you accordingly. You'll will be able to pay online (via card or PayPal) so no need to return to a session to extend. If your having difficulties returning ontime, please email and let me know.
If you'd like to buy your own you can do this via the Sheen Slings online shop and you will find a discount code in your hire confirmation email. If you hired from us in the past and don't have a code please do email and ask! For carriers we don't sell, I have discount codes for many other small independent retailers so do get in contact and I'll be happy to pass these on.
Happy Hiring!