Q. I have seen used stairlifts and wheelchair lifts on eBay and other used equipment sites, do you sell used equipment?
A. We do, however, we prefer to keep it local. There are some things to think about when purchasing ANYTHING sight unseen.
- First of all, you are going to think you are saving money by buying direct over the internet. Why would you buy a piece of equipment that requires professional installation and service from someone you are not sure is even legit? Are they what we call a "brick and mortar" dealer? In other words, do they actually have a store, a showroom, parts and service department? BE VARY CAUTIOUS WHEN DEALING WITH COMPANIES SELLING DIRECTLY OVER THE INTERNET!
- The World Wide Web can be a wonderful place to conduct business. But, it is a vast ocean of opportunities full of pirates who are ready to separate you from your hard earned dollar. Contact a reputable, local, dealer and find out WHAT the difference is in what you are looking for and why it is available on the internet. Ask these questions:
Does it require professional installation? A BIG RED FLAG is someone who states "it can be easily installed by any handyman". Most reputable manufactures will NOT warranty equipment not sold and installed by an authorized dealer.
Is it a bargain because it is for an odd application or obsolete? Only a reputable dealer will ask YOU the right questions to make sure the application is correct. We hear from people all the time that have purchased used lift equipment only to find the application is wrong, parts are not available and no one will install it because of liability issues.
Q. When I do an internet search for a local dealer for mobility equipment, most of the time a large dealer, many miles away, pops up first. Whats the difference between the big dealer in a large metro area and my local dealer? Why are the prices at the larger dealers sometimes less?
- Contact them and find out. You may find that your local dealer sells the exact same item but it may cost a bit more because of volume sales by the larger dealer. Maybe the manufacturer gives the larger dealer top billing on a "Find your nearest dealer" search for the exact same reason. Do you want to drive an extra 50 or 100 miles for service to save a few bucks on the initial purchase? In the case of a stairlift or vertical platform lift, the larger dealer may not charge extra when they install it, but the service call from 50 or 100 miles away will be very expensive. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
- Your local dealer is better equipped to handle your installation AND service. Is the out of town dealer even licensed and insured to install stairlifts and platform lifts in your city. Call your city building inspection department, they can usually tell you right away if they are licensed and insured.
- We get calls daily from people who have bought scooters, power chairs and lifts and "Got a good price" and are wanting service or parts. In most cases these are victims of direct sellers and the damage is done. Not much can be done without factory support and DISTANCE is the method some unscrupulous dealers use to insulate themselves from the obligations of a respectable dealer.
Q.
I see that you sell portable ramps. Can I just put a portable ramp on the door of my van instead of buying an expensive lowered floor van?
A. Maybe, it depends on what you are trying move in and out of the van. For an unoccupied wheelchair or scooter, it might work. For an occupied wheelchair or scooter, the situation is completely different for several reasons. First is safety, a ramp short enough to store in the van will probably be too steep to ascend safely. Remember, if someone is pushing someone else up too steep of a ramp in a manual wheelchair and they slip, TWO people get hurt. Second are the laws of physics. A minivan side door opening is between 40" and 43" tall. Can the person in the wheelchair duck their head far enough to clear that? A full size van door opening is between 46" and 59", but the floor is also another 6" - 10" higher from the ground than a minivan, which is between 17" - 20" above the ground.
Some Things to Consider:
Length of ramp - will it be too steep? The anti-tip wheels on wheelchairs or scooters will physically prevent them from going up too steep of slope.
Do you have the room and the ability to fold and store the ramp in the van? A typical 8' folding ramp weighs 50 pounds.
Q.How do I know how long of a ramp I need?
A. Most ramp manufacturers recommend between a 1:12 and 2:12 slope. A 1:12 slope means for every inch of height, you need 1 foot of ramp length. ADA requirements usually require a 1:12 slope.
NOTE: If you are installing a ramp on a building or dwelling, some building codes require a permit and railing for any ramp with a rise of 6" or more.
Banner Mobility Resources, Inc. 231C SE 53RD St, Topeka, KS, USA 66609-1020
Toll free 866-365-3070
