Purchasing an ECV from Buena Vista

[EpcotQueen]

Dh is investigating purchasing an ECV from Buena Vista. They told him we could store it there when not at DW. Anyone do this?

 

[Bete]

I'd be apprehensive. How do you know they wouldn't use it as rental for someone else? They could even just use the battery. You would never be able to tell.

Furthermore, my understanding is you are to keep a charge on the battery all the time. I don't think it's good for it to be completely discharged. Even without riding it loses juice somehow. I could be wrong here, but the older model scooters had this situation.

 

[FortForever]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just rent? How much do they sell their used scooters for?

I would also be concerned that they were renting out my scooter if they were storing it.

 

[mamabunny]

I'd be apprehensive. How do you know they wouldn't use it as rental for someone else? They could even just use the battery. You would never be able to tell.

Furthermore, my understanding is you are to keep a charge on the battery all the time. I don't think it's good for it to be completely discharged. Even without riding it loses juice somehow. I could be wrong here, but the older model scooters had this situation.

@Bete - the newer model scooters should have batteries that can withstand being "unplugged" for days, maybe even weeks before needing to be "topped up". My batteries can go 4 to 6 weeks on "standby" before I even worry about them (when I am at home. When I am at WDW, I keep them charged like crazy LOL)

@EpcotQueen I have not heard that Buena Vista is doing an "interim storage" purchase option. I would ask if his unit will be stored, or if what he is purchasing is the equivalent of a DVC room - like a "time share" ECV that you have the "right" to use whenever you are at WDW. I can't imagine that Buena Vista could store very many units for people before they started to run out of room, not to mention trying to keep batteries topped up. I would say investigate thoroughly - and do let us know, because that will be a very interesting option for some folks here.

 

[EpcotQueen]

All, thank you for your responses. I am skeptical too. Trying to talk DH into outright buying an ECV but he's fixated on flying back and forth with one. We have rented for years from Buena Vista and by this time could have outright purchased 2. Cost at BV is $31/day. This year alone we will have 17 days of use at DW. While BV is great at helping with issues, lately we have had problems with ECVs that are delivered without a full charge. That's just poor customer service!

 

[mamabunny]

You know, flying with an ECV is quite do-able. My personal one is very lightweight and so flight crews, gate agents, WDW bus drivers all love it!

Seriously, the first trip flying with an ECV (or other medically necessary equipment) is the hardest one. Once you learn how your favorite airline will handle the ECV (and procedures do vary from airline to airline, *and* airport to airport) then you know what to expect. He will be able to use the lift on the DME buses from and to MCO as well.

Even if I am not flying to WDW, I can't make it through most airports unassisted now, so I have no choice but to bring along my personal ECV, or deal with airport services... and I value my independence too much; I can't stand being pushed around in a wheelchair by someone else. If I want to go grab a cup of coffee, or run to the bathroom while we wait for the flight to board, I can. Additionally, I know my own equipment, and I am far more comfortable using my own equipment. It's like driving your car - after you have driven your car for years, it feels weird to hop in to a rental and drive a whole different vehicle. You have to adjust to everything being just a little bit different. For some people, that's just *exciting*. For me, it's stressful!

I use my personal scooter at home far more than I thought I would. Not just when shopping, but for museums, street fairs, concerts, events of all kinds. I have regained my independence; I no longer have to worry about things like "how close can I park?" or "how long will this last?" because I have my personal mobility device with me. Please understand - I don't want to have to use it (no one who has to use wheels to get around *wants* to) but I view it as a tool to get things done. It's a tool that lets me go on and live my life the way I want to, to the best of my ability.

A lot depends on how much he has budgeted to spend, and what model ECV he is looking at. I purposely chose a brand and model that was created to be sturdy but light, folds down compactly, and has long battery life because when I travel those are the features that I value the most. My particular model of ECV looks "weird" to a lot of people:

I have had people ask me "where is the rest of your scooter?" but because I don't use the seat back, I can drop the handlebars, and lift it in and out of my personal car (a Kia Soul) by myself, and if I need to store it, I can fold it down to the size of a golf bag. It doesn't have some of the obvious comfort features that a rental model does (like armrests, or a large seat back) but it does only weigh 35 pounds, and I can "double stack" my batteries and go all day and all night without stopping to recharge!

At the end of the day, it's all about his comfort level. The only downside I can see (aside from getting through airports before you get to WDW) is that if he is talking about purchasing a used rental-fleet scooter, it will have a finite amount of use left; additionally, unless they put a brand-new battery in it (which can cost anywhere from $100 upwards) he may be very unhappy with battery life. Batteries are the number one items to cause problems for ECV users. But the kind of wear and tear that a rental ECV gets (especially one that has been in use at WDW where it could easily average 10 miles per day, every day for it's entire life) will affect every component of the ECV. It is possible that he could buy a used rental ECV, and in less than 3 years spend more money fixing things than he would have spent to buy new ECV. I just want you to be aware that could happen. ECVs are a big investment for most of us, and I'm sure you both want to maximize your value!

 

[The Hunchback]

I bought a used scooter from Walker Mobility in FL. I test rode a bunch of used scooters biefore buying. They were really worn and most likely had a limited life left. The one I purchased (for 700.00) had limited miles on it. It had been with Walker only a short time. It had a lot of complaints from renters due to not having a slow speed setting. It also stops on a nickel, not a dime. I had rented it a few months earlier and knew it was unique. Speed is handled by hand and I know I need a roll out period. It works for a one owner who knows it. Walker was going to part "Boo" out due to the speed issue.

Walker told me used rental scooters run between 300.00 and 1,000.00. I saw them in thrift stores in FL for under 300.00 but they were worn. I would not have let Walker store it even though I trust them. Mama bunny and others have indicated it is not that hard to fly with them. I have not yet tried that as we drive an RV to FL.

Maybe checking with senior sources at home would be better than buying from rental agency. They might know of a gently used one for sale. Estate sales often have them too. Again caution would be needed.

Hope you find a good one.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I'd be apprehensive. How do you know they wouldn't use it as rental for someone else? They could even just use the battery. You would never be able to tell.

Furthermore, my understanding is you are to keep a charge on the battery all the time. I don't think it's good for it to be completely discharged. Even without riding it loses juice somehow. I could be wrong here, but the older model scooters had this situation.

I store my personal ECV for long periods of time. All you have to do is charge the battery and then store in "disconnected" if it is connected to the unit, it will allow the battery to die. If it is disconnected, it will not lose its power.

All, thank you for your responses. I am skeptical too. Trying to talk DH into outright buying an ECV but he's fixated on flying back and forth with one. We have rented for years from Buena Vista and by this time could have outright purchased 2. Cost at BV is $31/day. This year alone we will have 17 days of use at DW. While BV is great at helping with issues, lately we have had problems with ECVs that are delivered without a full charge. That's just poor customer service!

What is his concern? Is it flying with an ECV? It's very easy to do. I have flown with mine dozens and dozens of times.

You know, flying with an ECV is quite do-able. My personal one is very lightweight and so flight crews, gate agents, WDW bus drivers all love it!

Seriously, the first trip flying with an ECV (or other medically necessary equipment) is the hardest one. Once you learn how your favorite airline will handle the ECV (and procedures do vary from airline to airline, *and* airport to airport) then you know what to expect. He will be able to use the lift on the DME buses from and to MCO as well.

Even if I am not flying to WDW, I can't make it through most airports unassisted now, so I have no choice but to bring along my personal ECV, or deal with airport services... and I value my independence too much; I can't stand being pushed around in a wheelchair by someone else. If I want to go grab a cup of coffee, or run to the bathroom while we wait for the flight to board, I can. Additionally, I know my own equipment, and I am far more comfortable using my own equipment. It's like driving your car - after you have driven your car for years, it feels weird to hop in to a rental and drive a whole different vehicle. You have to adjust to everything being just a little bit different. For some people, that's just *exciting*. For me, it's stressful!

I use my personal scooter at home far more than I thought I would. Not just when shopping, but for museums, street fairs, concerts, events of all kinds. I have regained my independence; I no longer have to worry about things like "how close can I park?" or "how long will this last?" because I have my personal mobility device with me. Please understand - I don't want to have to use it (no one who has to use wheels to get around *wants* to) but I view it as a tool to get things done. It's a tool that lets me go on and live my life the way I want to, to the best of my ability.

A lot depends on how much he has budgeted to spend, and what model ECV he is looking at. I purposely chose a brand and model that was created to be sturdy but light, folds down compactly, and has long battery life because when I travel those are the features that I value the most. My particular model of ECV looks "weird" to a lot of people:View attachment 217891

I have had people ask me "where is the rest of your scooter?" but because I don't use the seat back, I can drop the handlebars, and lift it in and out of my personal car (a Kia Soul) by myself, and if I need to store it, I can fold it down to the size of a golf bag. It doesn't have some of the obvious comfort features that a rental model does (like armrests, or a large seat back) but it does only weigh 35 pounds, and I can "double stack" my batteries and go all day and all night without stopping to recharge!

At the end of the day, it's all about his comfort level. The only downside I can see (aside from getting through airports before you get to WDW) is that if he is talking about purchasing a used rental-fleet scooter, it will have a finite amount of use left; additionally, unless they put a brand-new battery in it (which can cost anywhere from $100 upwards) he may be very unhappy with battery life. Batteries are the number one items to cause problems for ECV users. But the kind of wear and tear that a rental ECV gets (especially one that has been in use at WDW where it could easily average 10 miles per day, every day for it's entire life) will affect every component of the ECV. It is possible that he could buy a used rental ECV, and in less than 3 years spend more money fixing things than he would have spent to buy new ECV. I just want you to be aware that could happen. ECVs are a big investment for most of us, and I'm sure you both want to maximize your value!

Battery prices can vary greatly, even from where you can buy them. My unit uses 2 and I paid $35 each including tax for them from a company that sells all types of batteries.
The problem one can run into is sometimes something can be so expensive to repair, it's better to just scrap that unit and start brand new for literally the same money. There aren't many repair companies and repairs have very limited, if any, guarantees (not like auto shops who often give 12 months or 12,000 miles for a repair). I would exercise extreme caution if/when one buys a used model.