Where to Buy - Good & Bad?

[bedogged]

On another thread I asked about purchasing a Pride Go Go Elite Traveler Plus. Thanks to all your opinions I think I will be purchasing one in the near future. Now I need advice regarding where to buy one. I think I will be ordering one from the Internet. The prices seem to be pretty much the same and the guarantees are similar. What I would like to know is your experience buying from different Internet companies. It really doesn't matter which model you purchased, I just want to know if your experience was good or bad and if you would recommend the company.

 

[peemagg]

I would buy from a local company if it were me. With a local company, you have a place to take it if you need to for repairs. Where do you take it if you order it from the internet?

I look at purchasing this like purchasing a car. You probably wouldn't buy a car from the internet, so I think the same holds true for mobility equipment. Especially when you are spending $500-$2000 for the item.

 

[bedogged]

I would buy from a local company if it were me. With a local company, you have a place to take it if you need to for repairs. Where do you take it if you order it from the internet?

I look at purchasing this like purchasing a car. You probably wouldn't buy a car from the internet, so I think the same holds true for mobility equipment. Especially when you are spending $500-$2000 for the item.

Part of the reason I decided to buy from the Internet is that they offer free shipping and no tax. That is quite a savings. According to all the web sites the guarantee is handled by the manufacturer and is done in home no matter whom you buy it from local or Internet. I am also having a problem finding a local merchant that has this model in stock. I live in the Denver area, if anyone knows of a local mobility store that has a physical address and carries the model I am interested in, please advise me. By the way, if this matters, I will be paying cash for the item not using any form of insurance.

 

[POOHsie]

I bought my first scooter (Pride Go-Go Ultra) and second scooter (Pacesaver Plus III Jr.) and my Pride/SilverStar Backpacker Scooter Lift on the Internet from Spinlife.

http://www.spinlife.com/Pride-Go-Go...Wheel-Travel-Scooter/spec.cfm?productID=81106

There are 3 Medical Supply stores in my general area that are Pride dealers, where I can repair the scooter or lift. There is no requirement that I buy the scooter from them if repair is needed. Their prices are higher than buying on the Internet, plus sales tax. I have never needed repair, thankfully. But the closest dealer installed my scooter lift as part of the free installation deal when I bought from Spinlife. Later, I bought a newer van and the same Pride dealer transferred my scooter lift from my old van into my new van, this time for a price. The question was never asked: "Where did you buy your equipment?"

I would highly recommend Spinlife for your purchase. Their price is usually lowest, they are not fly-by-night, and free shipping is included. One year in-home service is included in the price, and you can purchase 2 or 3 years in-home service for a reasonable price. I did not buy the extra service because I am able to get my scooter out to the repair facility, if necessary.

Right now Spinlife is also offering a free scooter cover and cup holder. The scooter arrives in a big box with some of its main components disassembled. There is very little for you to do to put the scooter together yourself (10-15 minutes). Then charge up the batteries and you are ready to scoot. The Internet purchase, for me, worked very well and I will do it again in the future.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Are any of the local durable medical equipment suppliers (DMEs) willing to order it for you? DMEs don't like doing repairs on items they didn't sell (some even refuse to) and if no one local to you sells it or is willing to order it, how do you know anyone local to you can work on it if something does happen? Very few DMEs keep much stock, but they should be able to order something for you and I'd be very surprised if no dealer in your area worked with Pride. If you're paying cash at least it means there won't be a delay to get insurance approval.

You might want to check out Wheelchair Junkie as someone on its boards may know of a DME in your area who deals with Pride.

 

[peemagg]

If you go to www.Pridemobility.com, you can look up providers in your area on their website. I put in a Denver zip code of 80010 and there were at least 10 providers within 100 miles of that zip code. Most were within 25 miles. I'm not sure what your zip is but maybe this will help. At the very least you can price with them against the internet and their warranties.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would agree that you should make your purchase at a place that can provide the service that you need.

When I bought both my ECV and the lift the store said as long as I had a prescription from any doctor the purchase (about $3,800 for both) would be considered qualified medical equipment and not subject to Sales Tax. As I was not attempting to get either Medicare or my secondary insurer to pay for it I did not have to go through any of the real heavy paperwork.

Also, what I did before selecting the store I mailed a request for proposal to about ten stores in the area. I listed about four ECVs and three lift models and asked for quotes for purchase of one of each with them to specify what equipment they were quoting on, and to include installation of the lift (specifying the vehicle it would go in). I actually got back six responses and went with the low bidder.

 

[Bete]

but Spin Life looks like the place I'll be buying from for the Pride scooter. My local merchant is having a big sale and they are still $200 more expensive there and then you still have sales tax to pay. The local merchant doesn't offer an extended warranty, either.

You can get up to a three year warranty with Spin Life and I'm attracted to that benefit.

The freebies don't hurt, either. Other sites may not give you a freebie.