Pros And Cons Of Buying A Used Stair Lift
The cost of a used stair lift is much lower than buying a new one; you can save anything between a few hundred dollars to nearly two thousand on some brands. The cost saving is just one advantage of buying a second hand model; there are others too but there are also some disadvantages.
If you require a curved model then you must buy a used stair lift from a reputable supplier. You should make sure that you will be getting a brand new rail; some dealers re-manufacture old pieces of rail to try and get them to fit a new stair case. This is not a safe practice. A re-manufactured rail or reconditioned rail will not conform to International Safety Standards.
Advantages of a Used Stair Lift
Prices are very much lower than new machines. You can expect to save anything between 400 to 2,000 dollars.
Machines from leading brands like Acorn, Stannah and Ameriglide are built to last. So, buying one from such a company is a good deal. In fact, machines from leading manufacturers do not tend to have more problems than new ones.
Disadvantages of a Used Stair Lift
They tend to require more servicing so this will be an added recurring cost.
Many manufacturers discontinue making spare parts for older models. The production lifespan of most chair lifts is about 10 years, therefore installing any used machine older than this may give you problems when trying to source spares.
The warranty of a used chair lift will not be as good, or for as long a period, as a new one.
The lift may become obsolete and a local dealer may be unable to support that particular used machine.
The second hand unit may not match your exact needs and may not have any options that are now standard on new models; items like safety belts, remote controls, motorized swivel chair etc.
You may not know the history of the used chair. Did the previous owner buy it new? Where did they buy it? Did they have any problems with it?
When buying a used one you will not have as wide a choice as when buying a new one. You may have to make compromises when you buy a second hand unit.
The angle of the stairs must also be taken into account when moving used stairlifts from one location to another. The seat must be level on the rail. This is adjustable on all lifts but within certain limitations.
Buying a used chair lift can be a great option. You can easily buy them from leading brands like Stannah, Bruno and Summit Stair Lifts.
However, unless you’re very good at DIY you are best advised to buy a reconditioned machine from a reputable dealer. Not only can they advise you on what model is best for you, they will install it and provide after sales care.