Stair Lifts have given some of us who unfortunately are not able to get around as we used to, the ability to go from one level of our homes to the next with great ease. Stair Lifts in essence are freedom for some of us! There are many advantages to them. For one thing, they are definitely more affordable than having an elevator installed into your home. The planning and construction that goes along with that is just too much for some of us to bear, let alone pay for. There are many brands and models of stair lifts to choose from these days. So, no matter what your budget or type of stairs that you have, there's sure to be a perfect stair lift for you. We welcome you and hope you enjoy browsing our site. We recommend only the very best to you at all times.
When you purchase a product used you often have little recourse if it does not work. This is true of many products like used cars and used power tools, which seldom come with an extended warranty. This means that if anything happens to the product than you must pay for the repairs on your own. When you are considering purchasing a piece of home medical equipment used you have the health and wellbeing of yourself or a person you love to think of as well. Buying used items can be a gamble, but when you buy a used stair lift it doesn’t have to be a gamble at all.
A stair lift is a device that moves a chair or small platform along a set of tracks that is attached to the stairs. Stair lifts, or stair chairs as they are often called, can be a very big help to people who have difficulty traversing the stairs in their home. When purchased new stair lifts are incredibly reliable and will provides many years of relatively maintenance free service. There is a large potential for abuse and misuse with these kinds of devices so you want to be incredibly careful when you buy one used, but when you buy one from a reputable dealer you can save money without worrying about the condition of your stair lift.
If you decide you wish to purchase a used stair lift, then there are several things you should look for. It is possible to save a good deal of money this way, but you can’t just buy them from anyone. First ensure that you are purchasing the stair lift from a reputable dealer. If you make the mistake of buying a used stair lift from an individual you have absolutely no assurance that the device was used, maintained, and assembled properly. With a device that carries the great responsibility that a stair lift does, several times a day up and down the stairs, then you do not want to take any chances. A reputable dealer that carries used stair lifts will thoroughly inspect, refurbish, and then test all products before they ever leave their door. In addition to a warranty of at least 6 months, you are guaranteed that your stair lift will be in the same condition as if it was brand new. This guarantee of course only applies to used stair lifts bought from reputable dealers.
When you purchase a used stair lift from a reputable dealer, you are getting a completely refurbished unit that is like a new model. The other great advantage of buying a used stair lift from a reputable dealer is that the dealer will custom fit your stair case with a set of rails. This will save you money and ensure that your stair lift will be a safe addition to your home. When you purchase a used stair lift from an individual there is a good chance you will need to order or cut your own track. This is because everyone’s stair case is a little different, so it is very unlikely that you will find someone who had a stair case that has the same dimensions as yours.
A stair lift is a big investment that has a lot riding on it. Rather than take a chance by buying a used stair lift from a private individual, you should seek a quality distributor of used stair lifts. By finding a reputable dealer you will ensure that your used stair lift is as new as if it had just left the factory.
Brad Brubaker has years of experience in the home medical equipment field. www.a1-medical-supplies.net is a reputable dealer of used stair lifts and more. Visit their site or give them a call to find out more.
You can call them chairlifts, stair chairs, stair lifts, stair glides, or stairway lifts. Whatever you refer to them as, they are all the same thing – a mobility device that attaches to a flight of stairs and allows the rider to sit on a chair and be lifted up the stairs. The Mobility and Medical Industry refers to them most often as stair lifts.
There are over 7 main stair lift manufacturers with over 32 different models available on the market today in the United States. Whether for inside or outside use, curved or straight stairs, or residential versus commercial use these lifts consistently meet the needs of the consumer by transporting between floors without the use of an elevator, escalator or vertical wheelchair lift system.
However, consumers often get bogged down by industry terminology as well as industry bias. With that many models available it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if the lift is an immediate necessity. The key thing to consider when researching and purchasing stair lifts is what is the intended outcome. Since a stair lift is such a large investment, you want to be as informed as possible.
Once you have established that a loved one has the ability to use the stair lift, it is key to consider the home and which model will best serve the needs and work within the structure. Homecare Suppliers, LLC has detailed some of these common questions and factors on their Daily Living Blog with “Understanding Stair Lifts”.
Cost should not be your primary factor. While it is important to understand the market and work within your budget, it is most important to get the lift that meets the users specifications.
Things to consider:
Can the user access the lift easily? Will they need a transfer board if they are in a wheelchair? If this is the case – the lift they use must have movable armrests.
Does the user have use of their right arm and hand? This is important as the controls to make the unit run are usually mounted on the right armrest. Some models allow you to put these controls on the left armrest.
Fear Factor – Does the unit swivel at the top of the steps, at the bottom, or both? Some riders are uncomfortable getting on a unit if it does not swivel at the top of the landing as they fear they will fall down the steps.
Is there a weight or height concern? Some units have a maximum lifting capacity of 300lbs. Additionally, the individuals over 6 ft sometimes need additional leg room space and thus the width of the staircase is important.
Understanding key features is also important as you make your decision.
Electric versus battery. There are a few manufacturers that sell an electric stair lift. However, most manufacturers sell battery run units. To clarify – battery units are not a battery back-up unit but a battery-run unit. Simply stated, a battery run unit is a unit that utilizes a battery to run and gets its recharge from an electrical outlet. These units are plugged into an outlet so that the unit is constantly receiving a trickle of electricity which keeps the battery charged. When the unit is in use, it is drawing its current from the battery, not the outlet. Should a power outage occur the unit can be used for duration of 24 – 78 hours depending upon the model purchased.
Worm-Drive versus Gear Driven versus Cable Driven. Each has their benefits. However one is not necessarily better than the other. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hype about one over the other, which is mostly manufacturer-driven commentaries and has little to do with functionality or durability. They are all pretty comparable when technically compared for function, safety and durability.
Aesthetics – Bells and Whistles. Price is often defined by the bells and whistles of the unit. Beauty, leather and upgraded features affect the price of the unit. Understand your price parameter and work from there to ensure that you are getting the best product for your particular situation.
Warranty. Warranties are pretty consistent in the industry with slight variables. Most units have 5 year warranty on the motor and between 1-3 years on parts and components. This is pretty standard. However, something to note is that most manufacturers do not offer a labor warranty. As a result, most dealers do not offer a labor warranty for the stair lift. To equate this to an everyday situation – if the heating element were to go out in your oven – even if it is under warranty – you still have to pay for someone to come out and diagnose the problem and do the work. The manufacturer will provide the new part, but the labor to do the repair is paid by the homeowner.
Self-Installation. Some manufacturers will not sell their unit uninstalled while others have designed a unit that is less complicated and can be installed by a handy individual. These manufacturers typically provide technical support via telephone to assist with trouble-shooting. A consumer can request installation manuals prior to purchase in order to ensure that they are capable of completing the installation. It is very important to find out what support is available to the consumer regarding self-installation and trouble-shooting, prior to purchasing. Further, it is important to take into consideration that some of these calls are not toll-free or within the United States.
Installation – Local Dealers – To find a local dealer that can both provide installation as well as sales, it is best to look in your local yellow pages book under medical supply or stair lifts. Although, purchasing local may not be the most competitive price, you often get a free consultation prior to purchase as well as a 90 day installation warranty if they install the unit for you.
Installation – Internet Dealers – Many internet dealers can provide the unit as well as assist with installation, however, the installation is a separate cost and may be coordinated through another company.
Financial Assistance – Medicare and Medicaid as well as most private insurances do not reimburse for stair lifts. A stair lift is a non-reimbursable item and is not even coded by the insurance industry with a HCPCS (‘hix-pix‘). Beware of dealers who state that they can get you reimbursed. Contact directly your insurance provider for written verification. Additionally, when you speak with your provider, make sure that they understand that you are inquiring about a Stair Lift not a LIFTCHAIR. Medicare and Medicaid do provide some reimbursement for the mechanical components that go into the reclining chair that also lifts an occupant – this is the stationary chair that you sit in. It is not a stair lift or chair lift.
While we know that a stair chair is a stair lift is a chair lift and a rose is a rose is a rose…it is still important that you get the exact one that best suits your needs. Every manufacturer and model is unique in their design, style and cost. We recommend comparing available models and then compiling a list of needs, financial capability and then expectations. At that point, you can then reach out to dealers and begin your comparison process and find the provider that meets your needs.
Suzanne is a freelance writer for Homecare Suppliers, LLC as well as several non-profit organizations. Homecare Suppliers, LLC is a national provider of mobility products including stair lifts, bath lifts, ramps, vertical lifts and daily living products. They also maintain an informational blog that features information for Living Life Unlimited despite mobility and accessibility limitations. A link to their blog is located on their website at http://www.buyastairlift.com
A stair lift is a lift that is used for lifting up the handicap chairs. While it is difficult for a disabled person to move from one place to another it is even more difficult for him to climb the stairs as well. For this purpose, a stair lift is useful. So if you have a physically challenged person in your family, stair lift is a must for you. Nevertheless, if you have an elderly person in your family, stair lifts are useful then as well. While buying a stair lift might not be convenient for your pocket you might want to go for recycled stair lifts.
Used stair lift should be chosen by you if you know that stair lifts have an occasional use. Often people have to shift their house because they of incapability to climb the two stories up. Shifting a house may be possible for few but it always is a costly affair and so in that case you can end the problem by buying recycled stair lifts.
So once you have decided to buy a stair lift you need to delve into the various options which can provide you with good quality recycled stair lifts, you should also consider the latest technology. However, you may find that latest stair lifts are not within reach but it may be might be a chance that you get to buy a latest technology recycled stair lift for yourself.
A recycled stair lift can help solve your problem nicely and is also available at modest prices. So, if you feel like you will have to change your house because your broken leg is not allowing you to climb up to your bed room at the second floor, you can easily say good bye to the idea by saying yes to a recycled stair lift.
Ricky recommends purchasing a used stair lift if you are short on cash. Visit his stair lift website today for more information on stair lift prices.
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