Mobility scooter and indoor gadgets

TaBunny

I am desperately trying to get hold of a light weight fold up mobility scooter which will go in the car boot but they are all so expensive and there are so many companies, I wondered if any money savers had experience with a good company with resonable prices and good after service. Also if anyone can recommend sites which sell mobility/disability aids for the home it would be a great help too, my local council no longer supply disability gadgets and gizmos to help indoors so I've gotta buy em. Anything will help from kettle tippers to plug grabbers. Many thanks in advance.

blinky

Try looking at http://www.ukshopability.co.uk/

Savvy_Sue

Lakeland have some useful gizmos, but it is worth looking elsewhere as some of their stuff is unique to them but other bits are available elsewhere for less.

http://www.lakelandlimited.com/

If you have a condition which has a charity attached to it then it may be worth asking them about gadgets. I know this probably isn't a huge help, if you're asking for yourself about a scooter to go in the car (!) but, for example, the RNIB always used to offer advice on useful gadgets and sell some of them.

Or there may be local disability charities who give a chance to look at things and try them out. Ask at your local library? Or via Disabled Living Foundation? http://www.dlf.org.uk/ they have some downloadable factsheets which may be useful.

We have about half a dozen shops around here specialising in mobility equipment, and if you can get to something like that you would have the advantage of getting to see equipment and checking it meets your needs before you buy it. That is the big problem with buying online!

TaBunny

Thanks both of you for some good advice, I will try out your suggestions and see how I get on thanks again.

Savvy_Sue

It may also be worth looking on the Benefits, Tax Credits and Jobseeking bit of the board to see if others in your position have found any good sources of help. Or Marriage, Relationships, Health, Babies and Families might also be worth a browse - when you've got a few minutes! Keeping an eye on the classifieds in your local paper for a second hand one is another possibility. And of course, if you've identified the model of your dreams but it's out of your budget, there's always E-bay. With something like a mobility scooter though I'd always want to try before I buy!

All the best with the search.

blue-kat

try http://www.fairprice-mobility-scooters.co.uk/

I got my scooter from them, been very happy with the service.

You should get VAT off disability aids, just tick a box and sign declaration and state the impairment or chronic illness.

hth
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TaBunny

try http://www.fairprice-mobility-scooters.co.uk/

I got my scooter from them, been very happy with the service.

You should get VAT off disability aids, just tick a box and sign declaration and state the impairment or chronic illness.
hth
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Had a look at this site and seems pretty good thanks for the tip everyones been so kind with the help etc I'm hoping that I should be able to get some help for indoors first and then save for the scooter be good to do away with the wheelchair. Thanks again all. :-*

TaBunny

Managed to get local council to admit they can supply a limited amount of gadgets for taps etc so thats good news, I looked at some of the sites suggested and realised I had more rights than I realised, also found a site helping to deal with chronic pain which may come in useful always good to chat to others going through the same thing. Also blow me down after 3 months of waiting I finally took delivery of my new wheelchair today, the old one was falling apart and they sent 3 people round to look at it before issuing me a new one, red tape for you. Anyway things in motion, still a way to go but its a start. Thanks all. ;D

franky

I know it might seem a little morbid but our local hospice regularly advertises these for sale,
and most people will donate the proceeds to the hospice as well so it is in a good cause

skeggysteve

First I must declare an interest.
I work, as an engineer, for a mobility company.
BUT I have seen so many scams etc. What I about to write is from me not from the company I work for.

Never buy a mobility scooter/wheelchair/powerchair without trying it.
It must be suitable for you and your needs. These things can't be assesed with out you trying out the product with someone who has the knowledge and experience to assist you in buying the right thing for YOUR needs.
Just think about it, if it is your first purchase you need the assistance from someone who is going to help you.

Never but online for any of these products.
Most online sellers will take you money and then deliver the goods in a box for your to assemble. Not really ideal if you are disabled! But they are not interested they just want your money. Some will charge you £50 call out for any problem, etc. etc.

One of the web sites suggested in this thread has a couple of bits that are good advice in it but most of it is pure 'sales' and most importantly they don't have any prices.
Ask yourself why.


Direct Sales/0800 numbers/adverts in mags aimed at you
Never, never, never ever buy from any company that send a salesman to YOUR home and after 2 hours still hasn't told you the price.
They are are all conmen. A strong statement I know, but I will stand by it if anyone wants to go to court!

I have not posted the www address of the company I work for as I feel that would be wrong. But if anyone wants anymore help i will gladly give it, without obligation. No one employed by the company I work for is on commission.

Call me a dreamer or whatever but I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people.

The fact that I choose to work for a mobility company is a long story but , inspite of some of the customers, I still like it!

Steve.

PS All spelling/grammer mistakes are the fault of my kayboard!

PPS. Just found that they do have prices, you do have to look hard for them, but on the one scooter I looked at they are........ well lets just say several hundereds of pound more expensive than we are !
No other comment needed.

Lara

What a nice letter from you skeegysteve. Shall speak to my Mum as she needs a wheelchair to get around in and the info you have posted is sensible. She is classed as disabled and now can only walk a few feet with the help of a frame. She's been lucky as the council have put in several items to help her ie ramp at back door and handles on front and back. They are also putting in a slope to enable her to get into the shower atm.

Pretty tough getting old these days eh!