riser recliner chairs

janebrain

I'm wondering if anyone has inside knowledge on riser recliner chairs for the elderly/disabled. Looking for one for my 85 year old Mum. I know she is entitled to tax relief on it, although is that only certain companies that offer that?
Looked at the one at the ideal home show and it was about £1600!
There are plenty online for around £500 but not sure if these are suitable. It has to be the sort with a dual motor so the legs go up independently of the recline function.
Thanks in advance :-)

Biggles

janebrain wrote: »

There are plenty online for around £500 but not sure if these are suitable. It has to be the sort with a dual motor so the legs go up independently of the recline function.
Thanks in advance :-)

I'd look on Freegle/Freecycle, whatever it's called round your way. I got one free years ago, a Parker-Knoll, it still works great.

eBay would be a good place to look, as well as Gumtree, Preloved, etc.

Solarjunkie

Wonderful things. One thing to consider is the size of the user, the chairs come in standard and petite sizes.

Not just for the elderly or disabled, good for anyone who likes to put their feet up!

janebrain

Thanks for the reply Biggles and I did consider 2nd hand but I don't want to take the risk, I want something very specific and with some sort of guarantee. Think I might need to find a local outlet and take Mum along to try out fit Solar junkie.

mrs_m_goldsmith

Please do not consider paying more then £1000 for any riser-recliner, even custom or leather. They profit and commission margins on these items are HUGE and even higher than for jewelry. Everything over £1000 goes directly into the salesperson's pocket as commission. This is why they are so persistent and try to wear you down for an outrageous price. For under £1000, they only get a bog-standard comm, similar to wages.

So, my story: We have 2 riser-recliner chairs. One was purchased during an at-home demo, a bariatric model (for higher weight support and larger width) supposedly custom for £2999 which I later found retail a year later for £999, not on sale. (One would think I would have known better, but at the time, it was post-surgery and in a lot of pain, so I claim clouded judgment.) Just after I found the less expensive model, we bought my husband's chair from the internet (a researched, reputable company) for £695 with the first year trouble-free warranty and one free annual servicing.

So beware, especially of the ones who do at-home demos, because they do not want to leave without your signature. If they get you to sign for anything, you are *not* protected by the distance selling, which only applies if you buy sight-unseen, and they have just given you a home-demo. You may also not be protected if the chair is in any way actually custom (therefore, non-returnable, as you agree when you sign the contract). Also, beware of BOGOF (buy one, get one free) offers on chairs. They are double the price, so you are paying for both chairs anyway!

Simply DO NOT allow them to make you sign at the demo. Give yourself some time after the demo to make a proper decision. If they are reputable, they will allow you to so do; if they aren't, don't do business with them. Better yet, do your research before you schedule a visit, and get them to give you an estimated price ahead of time. It doesn't matter if you want a customised chair; they should still be able to give you a range of pricing.

Lastly, if at all possible, have a relative or friend there with you who is a known to be sales-resistant (we all have one!). This will help keep the balance of power in your favour.

Please learn from my mistake -- it still "smarts", but if it prevents another from getting burned, it's worth it.

Clitheroe_Boy

Yes its true. Most of the home demonstration outfits rip vulnerable people off. But not all firms are the same. google Ribble Valley Recliners. they will do home demonstrations across the UK. No obligation. They will tell you the prices before they come. Typically £1400 for a all singing all dancing dual motor riser recliner. High quality British made to measure chairs. This is a lot better than the £3500 to £6000 quoted by other pressure sales mobility outfits. Its wrong to say don't say over £1000. the market is full of rubbish import chairs. you do have to pay something for quality products, which lets face it. If you need a riser, you need it to work! and have a proper guarantee.

luxor4t

I bought my dual motor riser/recliner from a local independent furniture retailer rather than a 'specialist'.
The shop has a section of chairs and prices are well under £1000 before VAT exemption. Six trouble-free years and counting.

Mojisola

Is Mum able to get to the shops to try some out?

Like luxor4t, I took Mum to try some out - the chair has to fit properly from front to back as well as the height from the floor. She found that some of them that looked lovely were very uncomfortable when she tried them.