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Buyer's Guide
What to look for when buying mobility products
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Buying A Mobility Scooter
Many people with mobility problems find it frustrating getting around, especially if they have to cover large distances by foot. A mobility scooter, however, is one item which can help a person reclaim their independence.
How to look for a mobility scooter
With a mobility scooter, many individuals find they can go to the shops, visit their friends and family or even discover a holiday destination, without fear of falling or tiring.
Trying to find a mobility scooter that suits your needs is not the simplest task. As it's a big purchase, cost is a key factor, meaning that most people want to find the best quality and safest scooter for the most reasonable price.
Visiting a showroom can give you an idea of the types of mobility scooters there are, while chatting to someone who already has a scooter is another good option. They can provide first-hand advice and might even let you test drive their model.
Flicking through a brochure can also be beneficial as this will enable you to compare costs and functions.
An even simpler option is to use Mobility Compare, where you will be able to flag up and highlight your exact requirements. These are then matched with suitable mobility scooters, providing you with details of the price, functions and benefits of each one.
What sort of mobility scooter would suit you?
When making a decision about what mobility scooter to buy, it is important to consider your current and future needs.
Do you require a scooter which is easy to maneuver? If so, 3 wheel scooters are a good option. Generally, they need less space to turn and also provide more room for the user's legs.
If you have trouble balancing or are concerned that your ability to balance might decrease in the future, a 4 wheel scooter could be a better alternative. As well as providing more stability, 4 wheel scooters can be the best choice if you plan on covering long distances because they often have a larger motor.
More recently, 5 wheel scooters have come on the market. Made by Quingo, these combine the agility of a 3 wheel scooter with the safer stability of a 4 wheel version.
Another important point to consider is whether you need the mobility scooter to be portable. If you want to be able to put the scooter in a car boot, portable scooters are indeed a good option. These are suitable for use in the home or on short trips. One of the best transportable scooter options on the market is Kudos First's range of MegaLite scooters including its latest groundbreaking EQ transportable scooter model.
What to expect from a sales visit?
After considering your options, organising a visit from a company which sells mobility scooters can be a good idea.
Before the representative comes, make a list of any questions which you have. As mobility scooters are often an expensive purchase, having a list of questions at hand can mean that any worries or concerns you have will be put at ease. It's important to ask about maintenance, battery life, stability, safety features, the speed of the scooter and warranties.
Ask a friend or family member, who is aware of your needs, to come around before the sales representative arrives. Once the visit is over, they can offer further advice on the possible scooters.
During the visit, the sales representative should take all of your needs into consideration, including balance issues, what you want to use the scooter for and your own personal shape and size.
The sales person should be able to present you with a quote and further information by the end of the visit or shortly after. Consider this carefully but don't be rushed into making a sale before talking to other companies.
Buying tips?
Most people will only buy one or two mobility scooters during their lifetime so deciding which to buy is often difficult. To help make the right decision, keep in mind a couple of points before agreeing to buy one.
1. Make sure the mobility scooter company is considering your needs. For example, do you live in a hilly area or perhaps an urban area where you will need to navigate curbs? If you do, the mobility scooter company should recommend one with extra power.
2. Take into account how much maintenance the mobility scooter will need. Find out how often it will need to be serviced. Will the scooter company fix it quickly in the event of a breakdown? This is important because mobility scooters act as a lifeline for many people.
The length of the warranty is also an important factor. As a scooter is an expensive item, it is best to get the longest warranty possible. Finally, make sure you test drive the mobility scooter and feel comfortable using it. To find a mobility scooter that suit your needs, use the Mobility Compare site to compare mobility scooters
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