Buying used ECV Florida Mobility Rentals

[poober25]

Hi! Planning our first trip in over 2 years! Our trip will be for 2 weeks this year, and DH does not feel he will be able to push me in a standard wheelchair any more, as he having issues with plantar fascitis. Anyway, I looked at some rental prices and noticed that most of the companies also sell used equipment. I got a quote to buy a used ECV from Florida Mobility Rentals for essentially the same price as a 2 week rental (we are also getting annual passes, so we will be back). I was just wondering about your experiences with this company and if anyone has actually purchased a used one and what your experiences are with that. They have offered to let me pay for it now and hold it for me until October. Any ideas/suggestions

 

[powellrj]

I bought one about 5 years ago when mine broke down. I feel it was a great buy and would do it again.

 

[poober25]

powerllrj, Did you purchase a used unit? If so, from what company? Thanks!

 

[mamabunny]

The main thing to watch out for when purchasing a used unit is the battery, since that can be a big ticket item to replace, depending on the scooter, the model, the manufacturer and the battery type/chemistry.

Rental scooters are (to use an expression related to horse training) "rode hard and put up wet". Which means that like rental cars, they tend to be abused. Batteries are often not charged properly, in accordance with manufacturers instructions. People can (and will and do) drive them off of curbs, let them sit in the rain, bash them into doorframes and inflict any number of other indignities upon them. You may see large scratches or dents on the bodywork. Tires may have big chunks out of the tread. Seats and/or armrests could be ripped or damaged.

So, *if* you are determined to buy a used unit, you need to do a bit of due diligence.

First of all, NEVER buy a used ECV sight unseen. I don't care what they tell you in email/chat/over the phone, NEVER buy a used mobility device without seeing it first in person, and without checking it over thoroughly.

Get in writing that if the battery does not perform at new levels (here you will need to research, and see what the manufacturer says the run time should be on a fully charged battery for that exact model) then the seller will replace the battery with a new one at their cost, and in a timely fashion.

You must drive the device, and make sure that it functions properly. Check all controls (Does "turtle" setting really slow it down? Does "rabbit" setting really speed it up? Do switches work as they should, or do you have to "fiddle" with them?) and check all functions of the device (does it run straight, or does it tend to veer off to one side? On smooth level pavement, is the ride smooth, or does it still feel bumpy?) Can you turn a tight circle to both the left and the right? Does reverse work?

If there are headlights/taillights, do they work? If a key is required, are there two of them? Is the owners manual plus the original charger for the unit included?

If cosmetic problems don't bother you, then you don't need to worry too much about body damage, (although excessive damage will indicate that the scooter has been abused) but seats and armrests do take a lot of wear and tear, so make sure that they seat is both comfortable for you, and in good condition.

Some rental vendors switch out their equipment, and sell off the "old" rentals every six to 12 months. Others sell them when they are beat to pieces and no longer viable to keep running as a rental. Anyone willing to sell a fairly recent rental for the price of 2 weeks rent may be looking to dump off problem units. You may be better served by checking prices for an identical unit on Amazon, to see what it sells for new. You may be surprised.

 

[Bete]

Mamabunny is right on.

If it were me I would first look into buying a new scooter. There are many price ranges; so, you might find one in the same price category as a used one depending on the brand. For example, Drive is a cheaper brand; whereas, Pride is a more expensive brand. If you are willing to buy on internet you can usually hit a sale or get some free accessories with a purchase. Call some mobility stores in your area and find out if they have any used ones. Then, you could visit and try one out. Look at local newspapers for scooters for sale by individual owners; they shouldn't be as abused.

Keep in mind all scooters don't come apart. Some scooters especially the heavy duty models are quite heavy even if they break down to 4 or 5 pieces. We tried a few times in our car to do this and it's not fun taking a scooter in and out of a car.

Lifts are quite expensive for a scooter.

Finally, you may be eligible to get a scooter through your medical insurance. It's worth trying.

 

[Tiggerish]

does it tend to veer off to one side?

This is very important. Many ECV have two motors. If the device is pulling to one side it is a definite indication that one of the motors is dying. And replacing the motors is an expensive repair.

 

[AngelaMouse1991]

Mamabunny is right on.

If it were me I would first look into buying a new scooter. There are many price ranges; so, you might find one in the same price category as a used one depending on the brand. For example, Drive is a cheaper brand; whereas, Pride is a more expensive brand. If you are willing to buy on internet you can usually hit a sale or get some free accessories with a purchase. Call some mobility stores in your area and find out if they have any used ones. Then, you could visit and try one out. Look at local newspapers for scooters for sale by individual owners; they shouldn't be as abused.

Keep in mind all scooters don't come apart. Some scooters especially the heavy duty models are quite heavy even if they break down to 4 or 5 pieces. We tried a few times in our car to do this and it's not fun taking a scooter in and out of a car.

Lifts are quite expensive for a scooter.

Finally, you may be eligible to get a scooter through your medical insurance. It's worth trying.

Good tip on the medical insurance, both my parents really need them for every day use. We are renting 2 next week at WDW from an outside scooter rental company for 2 weeks. Its the first time for either of them to use a rental scooter. The company we are renting the scooters from has a rental to purchase program on used ones that are only 6 months old or less, and considered to be in excellent condition. Sort of like a try for a week before you buy thing. It will give us 2 weeks of non stop use to test them out. Plus some practice time for my parents to make sure they are confortable using them. They deduct the rental price from the sale price of the used scooter, and you take them on the plane home. I already called the airline, and they don't charge to transport of mobility scooters back home. If I can get them covered by Medicare for them then its a total home run all the way. I'll call medicare for them today! Either way its a great value either way. Thanks!!!!

 

[mamabunny]

Good tip on the medical insurance, both my parents really need them for every day use. We are renting 2 next week at WDW from an outside scooter rental company for 2 weeks. Its the first time for either of them to use a rental scooter. The company we are renting the scooters from has a rental to purchase program on used ones that are only 6 months old or less, and considered to be in excellent condition. Sort of like a try for a week before you buy thing. It will give us 2 weeks of non stop use to test them out. Plus some practice time for my parents to make sure they are confortable using them. They deduct the rental price from the sale price of the used scooter, and you take them on the plane home. I already called the airline, and they don't charge to transport of mobility scooters back home. If I can get them covered by Medicare for them then its a total home run all the way. I'll call medicare for them today! Either way its a great value either way. Thanks!!!!

Just make sure that they are renting/testing the *actual* scooters they are going to buy first for the 2 weeks!

And let us know what Medicare says; once upon a time, when I was caring for my Mom, there were quite a few hoops to jump through before you could get DME (durable medical equipment) approved, and one of them was always a prescription from the doctor (for each of them, in this case).

 

[poober25]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I supposed I should have been more specific about what my needs are, lol. I have Fibromyalgia, so I don't need a wheelchair/ECV on a day to day basis. Occassionally, if I'm running a lot of errands in one day, I will need to use an ECV at Wal-Mart or something. It's definitely an endurance issue, and I don't have the endurance for Disney every day. I am actually hoping on this trip to be able to spend a couple of MK days without much need of it, but I know I can't do the whole trip. So, getting insurance to pay for somehing isn't something that's needed or would happen. My thoughts on getting a cheap used unit were if it just holds up for the 4 or so weeks I will be at Disney over the next year, then I come out ahead on renting. I have a wheelchair already, but as I said hubby doesn't think he can push me anymore. I think, after reading everyone's responses, I will probably either look at buying a cheaper new unit OR renting somewhere and seeing if I can put my rental cost toward purchasing that unit. If anyone has specific experience with a particular company, though, on purchasing a used unit, I would love to hear those experiences. Thanks again so much for the advice.

 

[cmwade77]

Finally, you may be eligible to get a scooter through your medical insurance. It's worth trying.

Most insurance companies will no longer cover a scooter at all, they may cover a power wheelchair, but only if you need it to be able to get around the inside of your house and only if the inside of your house is accessible.

Last I have seen this is the current rule for Medicare, assuming there is no supplemental insurance involved and they stick to it very strictly and sometimes they require that if they provide a chair the person can no longer leave the house for anything other than medical care. That condition is unusual, but I know a few people that it happened to, not sure what the reasoning was.

I am sure there are a couple of insurance companies that still cover getting a scooter, but they are becoming fewer and fewer, so if you are going to look at this one has, do it sooner rather than later in case yours is changing their policy soon.

 

[AngelaMouse1991]

Just make sure that they are renting/testing the *actual* scooters they are going to buy first for the 2 weeks!

And let us know what Medicare says; once upon a time, when I was caring for my Mom, there were quite a few hoops to jump through before you could get DME (durable medical equipment) approved, and one of them was always a prescription from the doctor (for each of them, in this case).

As follow up....

I clarified that they rent you the exact same scooters you can rent then purchase. You just have to tell them in advance that your considering it so they rent you scooters that at the actual 6 month sell point.

As far a medicare goes it's is a ton of red tape, and a complicated process. It's possible they will cover a portion of scooter, but the requirements are complicated and detailed. It also is not a quick process, it could take months.

So this what we are considering. The price is basicly 1/2 what a new one sells for. Its only six month old, and after deducting the rent price from the sales price, it's still a good value over buying a new one. Thats as long as its in the excellent condition they say they are in. Of course it also depends on how comfortable Mom and Dad are in using them also. So we have a few variables yet to deal with. We start our adventure Wednesday!