Planning to get a secondhand stair lift? Read the tips given in this article, before investing in one…
A stair lift is god send for people who are unable to move up and down a staircase for reasons such as old age, any disease or a handicap. With the help of a stair lift, such people are able to move freely and don’t have to depend on other family members. There is one little hitch though, stair lifts are often high-priced and might not fit into the budget of many people, especially the elderly who are living off their pension and savings. That’s why, many people opt for a second hand stair lift, instead of a brand new one.
When going in for secondhand stair lifts, a person should be very cautious and ensure that he is making the right investment, by choosing the most appropriate unit for his home. So, if you too are planning to get a secondhand stair lift, then here are some useful tips, which would certainly help you in making the right decision.
How to Choose a Used Stair Lift
There are mainly three sources from which you can buy a secondhand stair lift. You can either purchase them directly from people who give advertisements for the same in newspapers or you can buy these units via dealers who sell second hand stair lifts. Today, you can even purchase such units from various websites on the Internet which specialize in selling secondhand mobility equipment. From whichever source you purchase the used stair lift from, there are some things that you should always keep in mind.
Guarantee…
When you set out looking for a secondhand stair lift, the first thing to keep in mind is to never buy one which is more than ten years old. If you purchase a very old stair lift, you might have to replace many of its components from time to time. So, whatever money you are saving on buying a second hand one initially, will be spent on maintaining and keeping it in good condition later on! Moreover, it is also possible that some of the parts of an old stair lift are no longer available. That’s why, do not buy a very old stair lift. Ideally, you should go in for a unit which still has a couple of years guarantee left.
Types of Stair Lifts…
A very important thing to take into consideration, when buying a used stair lift is the layout of your staircase. Staircases can be straight or they can be curved. They can be narrow or they can be broad. So, make a note of all these features and then go stair lift hunting. If your staircase is narrow, you would need a perch stair lift. If you have a curved staircase, you would need to get the units customized according to their layout design. Getting a perfectly fitting secondhand unit for a curved staircase is near to impossible though! For those people who are wheelchair bound, there are special wheelchair lifts that should be opted for. Likewise, do a thorough research on the types of stair lifts and then select the one which you think meets your requirements.
Some Technicalities…
Some stair lifts come with motherboard and some sans it. The ones which have a motherboard, look sleek and do not create much noise. On the flip side, the probability of wear and tear increases with a motherboard and replacing them can be a very costly affair. Moreover, they are high-priced stair lifts. On the other hand, stair lifts which come without a motherboard are bulky and have much lesser aesthetic appeal, yet they can last longer. So, take your pick, depending upon your preferences.
Some Basic Queries…
It would be better if you have some idea of how the stair lift was used by its previous owner. So, if you meet the previous owner, ask him questions with regards to its usage, how comfortable it was, was there any specific problem in using it, how often was it used, etc. Only once you are satisfied with the answers to all such queries that you should purchase the stair lift.
With these tips, I hope now you are in a better position to assess and pick the perfect one for your house. When it comes to stair lifts, quality and safety are two things that you should never ever compromise on!
