Stairlift Reviews

Having a stair lift can drastically improve the quality of living of the disabled and the elderly. Stair lifts allows them to be more independent. Stair lifts provide opportunities for them to interact with their family and friends more. Yet for all the benefits the stair lift provides, one drawback is their price.

A brand new stair lift can set you back anywhere from $2000 and up, depending on the model, features, and manufacturer of the stair lift. This price may or may not include installation costs. Then there is the question of if there is a need to modify or remodel the existing living area. This in itself can translate into additional costs.

A second hand or used stair lift can go as low as half of that brand new price. Strictly from a price point of view, it is a no-brainer. The existing low-price of the stair lift can be reduced further if the seller is receptive to haggling.

The low price of used stair lifts is not indicative of its performance – not always anyway. As long as the buyer has done his or her homework, solidly made stair lifts can be had at a fraction of their original price.

But brand new stair lifts do offer a certain number of advantages that used stair lifts do not. One is the issue of warranty. Slightly used stair lifts may still be under warranty but most second-hand units are no longer under the warranty of their original manufacturers. If the used unit is sold by an established supplier or retail store, they may offer in-house warranty. An in-house warranty, by experience, is less reliable than the original manufacturer’s warranty.

Brand new units can easily be customized. Parts are readily available and the manufacturers usually offer free or customization at a reduced price as part of its marketing campaign. Customizing second-hand units is more challenging; some of the parts may have been rendered obsolete. Customizing can also increase the over-all cost of the used unit.

Buying a stair lift is a major decision. Buyers have to weave through the maze of models and features being offered; on top of that, they also have to decide whether to buy a used or brand new unit.

Like any other good, price is a major consideration for purchasing a stair lift. The low prices of second-hand stair lifts make them an appealing choice over the high prices of brand new ones. As the buyer, ask yourself if the low price is enough to compensate for the advantages that can be had if a brand new unit is bought. If you cannot come up with a solid answer to this question, then either you need to make a safe decision and buy a new unit or do a bit more research.

Tags: Elderly, Acorn, Disabled, , Handicapped, A1, Concord, Bruno, Electric, Stair Lifts