Scooterbug vs. Gold Mobility

[smallworldnh]

I'm getting ready to rent a wheelchair for mom for our October trip and trying to decide which to choose from. I believe Scooterbug will leave with bell services while Gold requires you to meet them at the resort for drop off and pick up. Gold seems to be the more popular choice among you all, but my concern is if the plane or bus is late arriving. How long will Gold wait and will they leave the chair at bell services if we ask them to? Also, Scooterbug has a "lite transport" chair with a 20" seat that would work for mom. Has anyone rented one of these and found them too flimsy for the parks? Thank you!
Staying at ASMo - I just noticed they won't leave at bell services.

 

[Evita_W]

Gold Mobility will adjust if you have a delay or early departure. Someone will text or call you the night before and you just let them know if there are any issues.

DH has spoken with a lot of people who used Scooterbug and very few don't have any issues, some don't even get the equipment they rented until 2 or 3 days after arrival.

Only Scooterbug is allowed by Disney to leave at bell services, but honestly, you will wait longer in line for bell services than for Gold Mobility, gold Mobility will generally be waiting for you as you get off of Magical Express, the lines for bell services can take up to 45 minutes at times.

Also, Gold Mobility doesn't do windows of time like some of the other companies, they do what they call exact time drop off and pickup, where they meet you at the time you arrange or as I said, generally when you arrive and just before you leave

 

[MulanMom]

Gold Mobility will adjust if you have a delay or early departure. Someone will text or call you the night before and you just let them know if there are any issues.

DH has spoken with a lot of people who used Scooterbug and very few don't have any issues, some don't even get the equipment they rented until 2 or 3 days after arrival.

Only Scooterbug is allowed by Disney to leave at bell services, but honestly, you will wait longer in line for bell services than for Gold Mobility, gold Mobility will generally be waiting for you as you get off of Magical Express, the lines for bell services can take up to 45 minutes at times.

Also, Gold Mobility doesn't do windows of time like some of the other companies, they do what they call exact time drop off and pickup, where they meet you at the time you arrange or as I said, generally when you arrive and just before you leave

This causes me concern. I checked into Gold Mobility for an upcoming stay, but they appear to have flat rate weekly charges and we are renting for 3-4 days. Buena Vista's timed drop offs are not convenient for us, so I booked with Scooterbug for a standard ECV. I thought I saw a few messages from folks that they did not have an issue with Scooterbug. Are there any common circumstances for the folks who have issues? (i.e. renting a particular type of device, resort, etc?)

 

[smallworldnh]

Gold Mobility will adjust if you have a delay or early departure. Someone will text or call you the night before and you just let them know if there are any issues.

DH has spoken with a lot of people who used Scooterbug and very few don't have any issues, some don't even get the equipment they rented until 2 or 3 days after arrival.

Only Scooterbug is allowed by Disney to leave at bell services, but honestly, you will wait longer in line for bell services than for Gold Mobility, gold Mobility will generally be waiting for you as you get off of Magical Express, the lines for bell services can take up to 45 minutes at times.

Also, Gold Mobility doesn't do windows of time like some of the other companies, they do what they call exact time drop off and pickup, where they meet you at the time you arrange or as I said, generally when you arrive and just before you leave

So we can text them once we're on our way to the resort to let them know when we'll arrive? Also, is it customary to tip the person who is meeting us at the resort as well? Thank you for your response!

 

[Bjkandma]

So we can text them once we're on our way to the resort to let them know when we'll arrive? Also, is it customary to tip the person who is meeting us at the resort as well? Thank you for your response!

I've rented from them many times. They will text you the night before to make sure everything is current. They will ask you to text or call a number when you board the magical express. I personally misjudged how long the bus ride, my stop at restroom, etc and a slight delay in landing. I just let them know, by text or call. They arrived at POP before me. I require a wheelchair, so the chair lift on the bus. Needless to say, Gold Mobility was there before me. They waited for the assistance I required on the bus, greeted me with a smile, made sure I had the chair adjusted to my needs. Answered my questions, always willing to address any concerns and told me the procedure would be same for picking up scooter. If you arrive a few minutes late, they will wait. If you let them know you are delayed a lot - they just deliver other scooters and wait for communication from you.

I even give them my adult daughters phone number as secondary. They keep her posted by sending same texts and calls. It helps a lot as some time getting to my phone is difficult.

I definitely tip the bus driver and the person(s) delivering my scooter. Tipping is always discretionary, but I know is appreciated. Just for reference, we tip the bus driver for two of us and one suitcase ($5). When they are done unloading me I had an additional $10-20 based on how long it takes. The scooter tip is $5-20. That I base on how long they waited for me, and how much assistance in the transfer from wheelchair to scooter is offered.

 

[Evita_W]

This causes me concern. I checked into Gold Mobility for an upcoming stay, but they appear to have flat rate weekly charges and we are renting for 3-4 days. Buena Vista's timed drop offs are not convenient for us, so I booked with Scooterbug for a standard ECV. I thought I saw a few messages from folks that they did not have an issue with Scooterbug. Are there any common circumstances for the folks who have issues? (i.e. renting a particular type of device, resort, etc?)

If you call Gold Mobility, they do (or used to) have a few rentals that were on a daily basis. But do double check the total for them vs the other companies and don't forget to make sure damage and theft protection is included, Gold Mobility includes this as well as the captains chair, fan, cell phone holder, etc.

 

[Evita_W]

So we can text them once we're on our way to the resort to let them know when we'll arrive? Also, is it customary to tip the person who is meeting us at the resort as well? Thank you for your response!

Yeah, if you are taking magical express they will suggest you text once you are on the bus. They know approximately how long it will take. If you are using other forms of transportation, let them know as well. As for tipping, DH and I have yet for them to accept a tip from us despite trying.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Gold mobility is super accommodating. I give an estimate based on my flight arrival then text when I get on Magical Express... depending on how many resorts we stop at, they are always within a few minutes of when I step off the bus. Never had any issues... and best of all the equipment they use is replaced and updated regularly so no issues there.

 

[MadisonMike]

I used scooterbug last yr for my mom. They were not good scooters at all. They told us they were so easy to take apart and would fit in back of car no problem. Yeah well they weren't that easy to fit.in our SUV. Going with Gold for January, just reserved the other day. They seem great, nice reviews all over the place.

 

[Bjkandma]

I used scooterbug last yr for my mom. They were not good scooters at all. They told us they were so easy to take apart and would fit in back of car no problem. Yeah well they weren't that easy to fit.in our SUV. Going with Gold for January, just reserved the other day. They seem great, nice reviews all over the place.

When Gold Mobility drops the scooter off be sure to have them address any concerns or answer any questions regarding loading the scooter. They are more than helpful.

 

[TiffFromTX]

I've always used Gold Mobility and they give me an estimate meeting time based on flight arrival. They also just have me text when I arrive at MCO or get on Magical Express and they arrive right about the same time as me. I LOVE their scooters - I haven't seen a single other company whose scooters can compare looks, comfort and feature wise. I usually tip $20 for drop off and again at pick up.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have gone with Scooterbug twice and never again. Just this last week, I received an ECV that would not hold a charge, even just around the resort on the day I got it. It was Sunday, no one answered my call, so, I left it in my room and paid at Epcot for a scooter that worked. The next morning, I was told that all of the lights do not have to stay on, if the scooter was on a flat surface standing and all lights were on that was good enough. Within a few minutes after the call, I had the scooter on flat surface and not all lights were on. I called again and told them that this was happening within 1 hour of it being charged all night!!

I got about a $20 refund for my troubles, and I was told the original scooter did have a problem.

The first time I tried them, the scooter was unable to move right at Bell Services. I cancelled then and there.

A friend who is coming with me looked up Scooterbug on BBB. This is what she found

”
Ready for this, they are not a BBB Accredited Company, but BBB has received complaints on their poor service because of: Scooters breaking down, having NO live help when calling them only Dispatchers, calling numerous times because they were never called back when leaving messages on their broken Scooter & length of wait to get a replacement, wasted DAYS waiting for a replacement Scooter, & poor compensation for wasted days without a working scooter!!!
Overall BBB Rating: F!
Not too surprised!”

Well, how WDW is using them is beyond my reasoning.

Bobbi

PS. I ordered from Gold Mobility for our October stay. I noticed they charged CC right away!

 

[Debbie Jean]

I have gone with Scooterbug twice and never again. Just this last week, I received an ECV that would not hold a charge, even just around the resort on the day I got it. It was Sunday, no one answered my call, so, I left it in my room and paid at Epcot for a scooter that worked. The next morning, I was told that all of the lights do not have to stay on, if the scooter was on a flat surface standing and all lights were on that was good enough. Within a few minutes after the call, I had the scooter on flat surface and not all lights were on. I called again and told them that this was happening within 1 hour of it being charged all night!!

I got about a $20 refund for my troubles, and I was told the original scooter did have a problem.

The first time I tried them, the scooter was unable to move right at Bell Services. I cancelled then and there.

A friend who is coming with me looked up Scooterbug on BBB. This is what she found

”
Ready for this, they are not a BBB Accredited Company, but BBB has received complaints on their poor service because of: Scooters breaking down, having NO live help when calling them only Dispatchers, calling numerous times because they were never called back when leaving messages on their broken Scooter & length of wait to get a replacement, wasted DAYS waiting for a replacement Scooter, & poor compensation for wasted days without a working scooter!!!
Overall BBB Rating: F!
Not too surprised!”

Well, how WDW is using them is beyond my reasoning.

Bobbi

PS. I ordered from Gold Mobility for our October stay. I noticed they charged CC right away!

Gold does charge in full when you book. I haven’t had to cancel but I’m sure they would refund if I did. Their service and scooters are worth it to me, though.

 

[dancergirlsmom]

I am looking to rent two scooters in December for my elderly parents. Gold Mobility looks great, but it doesn't appear that they will deliver after 7pm. Has anyone had a later delivery? Our flight doesn't arrive until 6:30pm.

 

[TiffFromTX]

I am looking to rent two scooters in December for my elderly parents. Gold Mobility looks great, but it doesn't appear that they will deliver after 7pm. Has anyone had a later delivery? Our flight doesn't arrive until 6:30pm.

True they don't deliver after 7. I like them so much I paid to have my flight changed. LOL!

 

[CarlyMur09]

We do Scooterbug just for the wheelchair for DB, same size wheelchair as you were asking for. Done this 3 times so far, and two times we got what we asked for, which was the 20 inch wheelchair with padding. One time we did get the 24 instead of the 20 that we ordered, and it sufficed for the trio, but we definitely preferred the 20 inch.

 

[smallworldnh]

We do Scooterbug just for the wheelchair for DB, same size wheelchair as you were asking for. Done this 3 times so far, and two times we got what we asked for, which was the 20 inch wheelchair with padding. One time we did get the 24 instead of the 20 that we ordered, and it sufficed for the trio, but we definitely preferred the 20 inch.

I was checking Gold for the 20" chair, but it looks like they only have 18". should be fine though.

 

[Evita_W]

I have gone with Scooterbug twice and never again. Just this last week, I received an ECV that would not hold a charge, even just around the resort on the day I got it. It was Sunday, no one answered my call, so, I left it in my room and paid at Epcot for a scooter that worked. The next morning, I was told that all of the lights do not have to stay on, if the scooter was on a flat surface standing and all lights were on that was good enough. Within a few minutes after the call, I had the scooter on flat surface and not all lights were on. I called again and told them that this was happening within 1 hour of it being charged all night!!

I got about a $20 refund for my troubles, and I was told the original scooter did have a problem.

The first time I tried them, the scooter was unable to move right at Bell Services. I cancelled then and there.

A friend who is coming with me looked up Scooterbug on BBB. This is what she found

”
Ready for this, they are not a BBB Accredited Company, but BBB has received complaints on their poor service because of: Scooters breaking down, having NO live help when calling them only Dispatchers, calling numerous times because they were never called back when leaving messages on their broken Scooter & length of wait to get a replacement, wasted DAYS waiting for a replacement Scooter, & poor compensation for wasted days without a working scooter!!!
Overall BBB Rating: F!
Not too surprised!”

Well, how WDW is using them is beyond my reasoning.

Bobbi

PS. I ordered from Gold Mobility for our October stay. I noticed they charged CC right away!

Of you book gold mobility online, they charge right away, if you call, you can arrange to pay at time of delivery.

As to why Disney uses Scooterbug, well Scooterbug paid A LOT of money to Disney for that.

 

[Bjkandma]

Of you book gold mobility online, they charge right away, if you call, you can arrange to pay at time of delivery.

As to why Disney uses Scooterbug, well Scooterbug paid A LOT of money to Disney for that.

Unfortunately, Gold Mobility is only taking reservations through on line. You are charged at time of making the reservation. I tried calling for August 17th reservation and was told they were only taking reservations on line, with payment due at that time.

 

[mamabunny]

I am looking to rent two scooters in December for my elderly parents. Gold Mobility looks great, but it doesn't appear that they will deliver after 7pm. Has anyone had a later delivery? Our flight doesn't arrive until 6:30pm.

What are the plans for their arrival evening? If they can wait until the next morning to meet with Gold and pick up the scooters then, it could still work just fine. If they are going to Disney Springs for the evening, or Resort hopping, that obviously might change things, but if they will just be hanging around the Resort, waiting could work?