Rules When Buying a Stairlift

Buying a stairlift is not like buying your average, every day item; you are unlikely to need to buy more than one, as they remain reliable and safe for a long duration. When buying a stairlift, you need to follow a few simple rules in order to ensure you choose the best stairlift possible. These rules are as follows:

1. Make sure it has at least a 1 year warranty

When buying a stairlift, or any other piece of equipment, you want the peace of mind that comes along with having a warranty. That is why many stairlift companies ensure that they include a one year warranty with all of the stairlifts they provide.

2. Make sure it is custom made

If it is custom made, it is sure to fit your needs exactly, and if it does that, you can relax that you have a stairlift that meets all of your needs and the requirements of your stairs perfectly.

3. Make sure it is good value for money

There can be huge price differences between supplies of stairlift. However, sometimes it is worth paying an average price rather than getting a stairlift cheaply due to the fact that the stairlift may come with other features included. These extra features included as standard could make it worth your while to spend a little bit more on the stairlift when you first purchase it, rather than having to spend more money at a later date.

4. Make sure it is the most suitable stairlift for your needs

A variety of stairlifts are available including ones for people who have trouble bending their knees; perch stairlifts. Perch stairlifts allow the user to go up and down the stairs whilst being securely fastened in, without them having to bend their knees at all. Using the perch stairlift will therefore significantly reduce the pain people feel when bending their knees.

5. Make sure support is available for the duration of the life of the stairlift

You will need support from the company that supplies the stairlift. This includes having a team of people that you can call if you have a problem, as well as people that will come out and fix your stairlift in case it breaks down. This is an important factor that many consumers forget to consider when buying a stairlift.

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

Aftercare for Stairlift Users

When buying a stairlift, you should ensure that you have the correct service, support, repairs and warranties. These are important factors to consider when deciding which stairlift to choose and which stairlift supplier to buy the stairlift from.

Guarantees

Some stairlift companies offer guarantees. These are there to give customers, like yourself, the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong with the stairlift you have purchased, that the supplier will fix it free of charge for you.

Services

Your stairlift will need to be serviced once a year. Consequently, you should find out whether the stairlift supplier you are considering has someone available in your area that will be able to service your stairlift on a yearly basis.

Repairs

Repairs can end up being costly. This is one of the major reasons why you should ensure that your stairlift has a guarantee before purchasing it. If it does not have a guarantee, or the guarantee doesn’t cover a long enough period of time, you should consider what repair plans the stairlift suppliers are willing to put in place and at what cost to you.

Support

When you buy a stairlift you will want the peace of mind that the company who supplied you will the stairlift will give you the help and support you deserve. You should therefore ensure that the supplier offers a helpline which you can ring if you have a problem with your stairlift; someone available to fix your stairlift in case it breaks down; and someone that can service your stairlift regularly to ensure it is remains as safe and reliable as it was when you first bought it.