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

Stairlift Safety Features

When buying a stairlift, you want to know that it is going to be safe to use. This can be ensured by checking which safety features your new stairlift would come with and what it might be missing.

What your stairlift should come with:

1. Dual Electronic and Mechanical Braking Systems

Stairlifts should be fitted with these essential safety systems as standard, in order to eliminate any possibility of an uncontrolled descent of the stairs.

2. Limit sensors

The stairlifts will come to a soft stop due to limit sensors at the end of either an ascent or decent of the stairs. Limit sensors therefore ensure that the stairlift always stops in the correct position.

3. Seat belt

For extra safety and security, many stairlifts come with a choice of seat belts. These include a lap harness or an over the shoulder harness. Both of these seat belts add extra safety to the customer’s journeys up and down the stairs.

4. Lockable isolation switch

Some stairlifts can be locked using a key. This ensures that unauthorised users, such as children, are not able to accidentally use the stairlift.

5. DC power

DC power ensures that stairlifts do not trail an electrical cable, but instead is self-powered. The batteries for DC powered stairlifts often charge when the stairlift is at rest either at the top or bottom of the stairs. An average, fully charge battery should power approximately 15 trips up and down the stairs.