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At
BEDCO MOBILITY we know that you have a choice of vendors from which
to purchase accessibility equipment. While we hope that our company
will be your first choice, we feel obligated to warn all consumers
about the dangers of purchasing this type of equipment over the
internet. Some items such as books or computers might be good
things to purchase on the web, but accessibility equipment sold
direct to the consumer for self installation is not. This type of
transaction is quite often a major problem. Don’t waste your time
and money on something that could be inoperative, unsafe, or even
illegal.
- When
a customer buys over the internet, they are purchasing a lift
sight unseen. The customer does not really know what the lift
looks like, how much room it takes up, or how it operates.
At BEDCO MOBILITY, we have two showrooms where you
can see the units, ride them, and really get a feel for how they
could fit into your everyday life.
- The
internet companies can not see the customer or their stairway
either. All stairways present some sort of application challenge
such as width, top and bottom clearance, headroom, or the physical
limitations of the user. A customer could very well be purchasing
something that will not work on their stairway. At BEDCO MOBILITY
we provide free in-home estimates to measure your
stairway and recommend the proper equipment to suit your needs.
- Contrary
to what some internet sites proclaim, these lifts are not that
easy to install. Without the proper training and experience, an
installation could take days or may never be completed. If the
lift is incorrectly installed, it may not work properly or could
even be unsafe. All of the technicians at BEDCO MOBILITY are factory
certified with many years experience to insure that all
our equipment is installed properly, safely, and quickly.
- Most
internet sales companies sell the lowest quality equipment on
the market. If you look you will see the same brands over and
over. These are units so poor in quality that most local dealers
won’t sell them because they don’t want the problems associated
with them. Selling over the internet to unsuspecting consumers
is the only way these manufacturers can get any sales at all.
BEDCO MOBILITY sells only the highest quality equipment
and backs it up with expert installation and service.
- Local
dealers also have the ability to install curved stairlifts to
give consumers a greater choice of options. Internet sites
only offer straight units which are not suitable for all applications.
Quite often a curved unit is the better option for ease of operation,
convenience, and safety. With the Stannah 260 Curved
Stairlift BEDCO MOBILITY can handle almost any stair climbing
problem from flat turns to spirals, inside or outside turns, or
parking the chair around a corner at the top or bottom.
- Most
internet sales companies require the customer to pay 100% of the
purchase price in advance. That means you are paying up front
for a piece of equipment that you have not seen, has not been
installed, and possibly may not work. Also, once the rail
is cut, they will not allow a unit to be returned or refund your
money. You could be stuck with an expensive piece of equipment
that has never worked for you. BEDCO MOBILITY only requires a
small deposit to place the order and you do not
have to pay the balance until the unit is installed and you are
completely satisfied.
- Most
internet sales companies provide no labor warranty for their products.
If you experience a problem with your lift, you will have to disassemble
and return it to the factory at your time and expense. If the
manufacturer determines that the problem was caused by improper
installation, they will not cover the repair and you will have
to pay. You could also be without the use of your lift for
several weeks. BEDCO MOBILITY has factory certified technicians
with fully stocked, radio dispatched service vehicles. We normally
respond to most service calls within one day and can usually solve
the problem immediately. Extended labor warranties
and service contracts are also available.
-
Some jurisdictions require that installers of accessibility equipment
be certified. If you install the lift yourself or hire a
local handyman with no training to do it, you could be in violation
of state laws and subject to fines. All BEDCO MOBILITY technicians
are employees of the company, have been factory trained and certified,
and carry full liability insurance.
- Most
internet sales companies are neither manufacturers nor dealers.
These companies exist solely in cyberspace with no warehouse facility,
sales staff, or technical support. They merely take an order
over the internet, turn around and place an order with a real
manufacturer who then ships it directly to the customer.
This process can take several weeks. The internet vendor
is strictly a middle-man with very limited liability. Once the
transaction is completed, any problems are strictly between the
customer and the manufacturer. It would be very difficult to place
a claim with the internet vendor if something goes awry. Once
again, BEDCO MOBILITY is a local company that is fully insured.
We also carry straight units in stock and can usually
schedule an installation within a few days.
- Finally,
the sales of accessibility equipment over the internet where the
equipment is shipped direct to the consumer for self installation
is against the policy of the leading organization for accessibility
manufacturers and dealers, AEMA
(Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association).
Please click the AEMA link to review their position on this type
of transaction. No reputable manufacturer or dealer of accessibility
equipment would sell their products directly over the internet.
BEDCO MOBILITY is a proud member of AEMA and abides
by their guidelines.
Thank
you for taking the time to educate yourself about this important
topic in the accessibility industry, and we hope that it proves
helpful in your decision to purchase mobility products. |
