For many people on a tighter budget, investing in second hand stairlifts instead of buying brand new ones can save a great deal of money. Although stairlifts are very practical devices that allow people with reduced mobility to fully enjoy their homes, it is fair to say that the top models and the newest designs can often cost a significant amount of money.
Buying used and refurbished lifts can therefore provide individuals with the opportunity to buy a fantastic device for much less money than they were expecting and still enjoy all the benefits of having one in their home. This in turn can mean that they do not have to move to single storey accommodation and can still enjoy the house they have lived in for many years.
However, it is important to bear a few things in mind when buying second hand stairlifts, as these items do not necessarily come with the same buyers’ protections as brand new items and they have some peculiarities that you should be aware of. Here are three important things to check when buying a used device for your home.
Firstly, you will need to check whether the item is used and has not been refurbished at all or whether it has instead been given a full overhaul. If you are buying off a private seller you may find that the former is true, whereas many stairlift companies will sell second hand but fully refurbished equipment.
It is essential that you are aware that fully refurbished equipment can often be of a much higher standard than a simple second hand device. This is because the stairlift company that has bought and refurbished the item will likely have made sure that an engineer has checked for any faults and repaired or replaced parts and components if necessary.
For many, a refurbished device is better if they want to save some money by buying second hand stairlifts, but those looking to save even more will have to remember that buying an old model that has not been checked for faults is not without its risks.
The next thing to check is whether or not there is a warranty included with the device you are buying. When purchasing second hand stairlifts from a private seller this is unlikely to be the case, but with refurbished devices it is often the case that stairlift seller will include at least a twelve month warranty in the deal.
This can be especially reassuring for elderly or disabled users who are likely to be relying on the equipment for a long period of time and need to make sure that there is some kind of protection should they suffer from a breakdown. In all cases, ask your seller if a warranty is included and bear in mind that having one can be very beneficial.
The third thing that you should ask your seller when buying a used stairlift is who owned the device before you did. This can give you an insight to how it was used and just how much use it got. Although devices may come with a warranty, a lift that has been in use for ten years is going to potentially be a lot more worn that one that has only been used for two.
Take this into account when choosing your device, especially if you are planning on using your second hand stairlift for an extended period of time. If you are only planning on using the device temporarily though, a second hand lift that has had a lot of use may very well completely satisfactory for your unique needs.