Penny Pinchers Beware: Used Wheel Chairs
Used wheel chairs can be a great way for someone to get a nice set of wheels for a fraction of the cost of a new wheel chair. However, when looking for used wheel chairs it is important to remember that you cannot believe everything you hear. You might see some classified ads for used wheel chairs that give a regular price that is not even close to what you can really find the wheel chair for. This description can end up costing you a lot of money if you are not careful. Always be aware that you can be scammed at any time. Always check the price given for previously owned wheel chairs, you find in the classifieds against the cost of a new model of that same kind.
The most difficult aspect of buying used wheel chairs is knowing its condition. This is especially true for powerchairs. While most used wheel chairs are purchased from out of your area, the Internet allows us to at least view pictures of the product you are looking for. It's a good idea to request a few photos, preferably from all angles. You should also request a picture of inside the battery box. If the battery looks corroded, it is a sure sign that the chair has not been properly taken care of. Look for signs of abuse. If the pre-owned wheel chairs have bent joysticks, or ripped upholstery, or many scuff marks, you can bet the rest of the chair is in bad shape as well. Usually, if the chair has a bad appearance, it will not run well.
If you can inspect a powered wheelchair in person, check the drive shafts for damage. Most used wheel chairs will have a small amount of and dirt around the shafts and motor, however if there's an excessive amount of gunk buildup in these areas, the wheel chair's probably been through a lot of heavy use without and hasn't been properly maintained. Also, check the used wheel chair control sick housing; if it's worn in anyway, you know that chair has been through a lot of use. Its little things like this that can give you a good idea of whether or not the powered wheelchairs is a good buy for you.
Bottom-line is to be careful when it comes to pre-owned wheel chairs of any type. There are a lot of people out there looking to take advantage of a others. Don't trust everything you hear just because the ad seems good or you liked how polite the person you talked to on the phone was. Do your homework. No matter how old used wheel chairs are, you can still usually find a site on the internet that will give you a pretty good idea of what the chair should cost. Think of looking for used wheel chairs the in the same way that you might look at buying a used car. That way you can make sure you don't end up with a lemon that makes you unhappy every time you sit in it.
|
