Choosing a Stairlift Provider

When choosing which stairlift to purchase, a major factor you have to take into consideration is the person or company that is going to provide you with a reliable, safe and easy to use stairlift. To be sure you have the right supplier there are a few steps to take.

1. You must make sure the representative of the company that is going to supply your stairlift assesses your specific needs, as well as those of the staircase itself.
2. When they have fully assessed your needs, you must make sure you get a written quotation which includes the cost of the installation, rather than just an estimate. Whilst getting a quote, you should ask the representative whether you are exempt from paying VAT because it is a possibility that you will not need to pay it.
3. Ensure you have a written guarantee of when the stairlift is going to be installed by.
4. Ask what services are available with the stairlift and what guarantees come with the stairlift. This includes issues like a manned helpline which offers advice in case the stairlift breaks in any way.
5. Make sure you obtain a card including the personal details of the representative in case you think of anything else to ask at a later date.

Buying from Independent Stairlift Suppliers

When buying a stairlift you need to decide both which stairlift to buy and who to buy it from. When considering who to buy it from there are a few options. These options include buying the stairlift off an independent stairlift supplier. There are many advantages and disadvantages of this, many of which are listed below:

Advantages:

• Potentially lower prices

Independent stairlift suppliers often offer a lower price from the start; however, stairlift manufacturers will often match or beat any genuine like for like quotation.

• More personal

The service can sometimes be more personal due to the fact that the independent stairlift suppliers focus on simply supplying people with stairlifts, rather than manufacturing them as well.

• Wider range available

Independent stairlift suppliers are sometimes able to offer a wider range of stairlifts due to the fact that they are able to provide stairlifts from different manufacturers.

Disadvantages:

• Limited call out service

Independent stairlift suppliers are unlikely to off a 24 hour call out service, unlike manufacturers.

• Limited warranty period

Independent stairlift suppliers are unlikely to offer a warranty period as long as a manufacturer.

• Harder to get replacement parts

Due to the fact that the independent suppliers don’t actually manufacturer the stairlifts, they may find it harder to find replacement parts for your stairlift.

• Limited knowledge of the stairlifts they supply

Because independent suppliers don’t manufacture the stairlifts themselves, they are unable to have as full an understanding of them as the manufacturers themselves.

Buying a Stairlift from the Manufacturer

When buying a stairlift, you have many options, including which stairlift to choose and who to choose it from. Here we are going to address the latter; who to choose it from.

Many companies supply consumers with stairlifts, however, some manufacturers cut out the middle man and supply their own stairlift directly from them to the customers. This has many benefits including:

• Installation can be quicker, sometimes even the following day
• Warranty periods can be better
• Cuts out middle-man costs and confusion
• Breakdown cover can be better
• More likely to be custom made to fit your requirements exactly