My experience of buying my first mobility scooter

Si_Clist

Just for what it's worth ...

Got to the point of needing a mobility scooter, and everybody said "Oh you must go to your local showroom, get expert advice and try some out.  What works person for one doesn't work for another" yada yada yada.  Which is fine except we don't have a car and the local stockist is nowhere near a bus route.

Despite which, after narrowing the choice down by doing my homework online I rang the nearest place.  And got Mr Silver Tongue himself, who could obviously sell icecubes to eskimos.  If nothing else, he apparently took it for granted that I was disabled mentally as well as physically.  Either that or he thought I was 8 rather than 80. So ... back to the internet.

To get straight to the point, a very lucky Premium Bond win meant that I cloud just afford a 
Breeze S4, which was actually top of my wish list.  Price in (big!) local mobility showroom with long-range batteries £5795 with year's free insurance "worth £300".

Last Friday I paid £3950 for exactly the same thing, brand new, online.  On Tuesday it was delivered to the door by a very helpful chap, ready to use - and it's in the colour of my choice as opposed to being a silver one unless I wanted a long wait.  But I have had to pay £77 for the same "free insurance worth £300".

 Total saving = £1768.00

TimeLord1

Check your £77 policy includes breakdown recovery. Since you don't have a car to come rescue the scooter if you get a puncture, having a "get home" service is the best peace of mind you can buy.

Si_Clist

TimeLord1 said:

Check your £77 policy includes breakdown recovery. 

It does: gets me back here if I break down within a 20 mile radius of home.  I have plans for dealing with punctures as opposed to breakdown 

TimeLord1

It always surprises me how more isn't allocated to the system, as so many people have them nowadays. Near my area the charity shops help people that get stuck or need a safe place if they're in trouble. It's worth asking your local established shops also. 

Cyclamen

Jolly well done.. i absolutely detest mobility shops and show rooms. Of course I browse in them but I do my research at home and then buy online. Cheeky but apart from one mobility shop in the16 years of doing this i havent found a good one that actually knows their stuff. That shop has sadly closed but owner was a wheelchair user and very knowledgeable.

I have had the regional rep from big company come out to demonstrate a wheelchair and when asked he had never sat in a wheelchair, didnt know the mileage etc?
Ive had mobility shops tell me a product doesnt exist and that X was the best option.. i have the first item at home and was looking for a replacement. (swivel showerchair with arms and back)
They tend to only know the items they stock.. and knowledge can be patchy.

Sigh its such a shame.

I dont have breakdown insurance.. as i use wheelchairs i can use a WAV taxi or van with ramps. Puncture repairs i have little canisters that will reinflate tyres apparently they are similar in appearance to 'laughing gas/nox canisters taken as recreational drugs'.. whoops didnt know that until a security check at an attraction. Bike shops have always been really helpful.

So yes absolutely look and research but online all the way for me too and some great savings to be had.

born_again

Always had good service from local care.co. Ok staff are not always up to speed on everything. But do allow trials on scooters, both inside & in car park. Also allowed me to take a couple of wheelchairs to car to try them in boot.