Hi there Has anyone got an acorn stairlift and are they good. Also are there any horror stories I should know before buying…just been told it would cost £4800
I have a Stannah, which I’ve heard is a good make…shame nobody told my chair! I’ve had it a year now and the damn thing is always breaking down, had the whole of the company come out and check it but it never solves the problem…starting to feel like they think I’m makinbg it all up! Now when it stops, I just switch it off for a few mins, then turn it on and it works again - strange huh?!
I have had an Acorn since early Feb. There was not a lot of choice, since I wanted a single rail one to go round a 90 degree bend. I had to call on Service just once (about three weeks after installation, a problem with the remote controls).
The first thing that you need to know, is that if you do not accept their first offer, they will come back with a lower one.
The second thing is that after installation they will phone you every day for the next week to take out a service contract for 4 years. Again, the price will come down if you don’t take the first offer. If you think that you will be using it for some time, the contract could be a good thing.
Thirdly, they will phone after a few months plugging their “recommend a friend” scheme.
So, if you are (or can be) a real hard sell, you can get a reasonably good deal. We had very little choice, so it was a matter of getting the best deal we could. Note that some decades back I was a sales engineer, and I can be a very hard sell indeed. At the price you mentioned, I asume that you want a curved stairlift as well. Note that mine came in at less than the figure that you quote. For a simple straight stairlift, the price should be about £1500 maximum, with a “reconditioned” one at around £1000.
HTH
Geoff
[quote=“DoctorGeoff”]
I have had an Acorn since early Feb. There was not a lot of choice, since I wanted a single rail one to go round a 90 degree bend. I had to call on Service just once (about three weeks after installation, a problem with the remote controls).
The first thing that you need to know, is that if you do not accept their first offer, they will come back with a lower one.
The second thing is that after installation they will phone you every day for the next week to take out a service contract for 4 years. Again, the price will come down if you don’t take the first offer. If you think that you will be using it for some time, the contract could be a good thing.
Thirdly, they will phone after a few months plugging their “recommend a friend” scheme.
So, if you are (or can be) a real hard sell, you can get a reasonably good deal. We had very little choice, so it was a matter of getting the best deal we could. Note that some decades back I was a sales engineer, and I can be a very hard sell indeed. At the price you mentioned, I asume that you want a curved stairlift as well. Note that mine came in at less than the figure that you quote. For a simple straight stairlift, the price should be about £1500 maximum, with a “reconditioned” one at around £1000.
HTH
Geoff
[/quote] Hi thanks for replying, Did you take out the service contract…he is phoning us this morning…we are thinking of agreeing on that price…at first the price was £5300 and we said no so he offered £4800. Our stairs have a curve so sounds a lot more than yours for same thing.
[quote=“Tillymo”]
I have a Stannah, which I’ve heard is a good make…shame nobody told my chair! I’ve had it a year now and the damn thing is always breaking down, had the whole of the company come out and check it but it never solves the problem…starting to feel like they think I’m makinbg it all up! Now when it stops, I just switch it off for a few mins, then turn it on and it works again - strange huh?!
[/quote] Sorry to hear y Ou have had troubles, stain nah came but told us that hubby is too tall for their lifts. He is only 6ft 1 not a giant.
Dreadful experience with Acorn. Disturbing sales tactics, poor site survey , rubbish installation ! Arranged installation only to find,p after six hours that it was impossible. Refund! Google Flow Stairlift. Single rail. Neatest, least obtrusive you will find.
Forgot to say, perfect for tight bends.
Hi Caz,
No, did not take out the service contract.
I am query moving from RRMS to SPMS, and that might mean a physical move as well.
Get the price down to £4500 at least, and look at the options in the other thread. Some of the independent companies sell at Dutch made lift with a single tubular rail.
Good haggling.
Geoff
Hi Geoff,
Managed to get them down to £3500 so I bet even with this price they could come down further.
Thanks
Caz
Nice one, Caz,
That is better than I did!
Geoff
Salesmen for these companies can just think of a number and double it. There is a massive mark up on most retail products. ltems for the disabled -amongst us-are very unfairly at a high premium. You did well Caz to stand your ground - keep it up. Don’t get involved in expensive guarantees/service agreements until you have looked around. See if your house contents insurers will cover it. And also look for a local independent firm to see what they charge for ‘call out’ and servicing. Although Acorn should provide you at least 1yrs cover free. l am so lucky to have a family firm nearby - who are so good. They are so helpful and keep their charges at a very fair price. l think l have only had to call them out twice in 25yrs. When we had a new staircarpet fitted - they arrived early in the morning and removed the lift/rail - and returned in the afternoon to put it back after the carpet fitters had gone. They charged me £100 for this - which l thought very fair - as they cleaned and lubricated it as well.
Anyone living in the Hereford/Worcs area - then Central Stairlifts - Droitwich are the guys!! They do scooters as well.
Hi there,
Just thought i would let you know it all fell through. The Rep didnt measure hubby properly and it wouldnt have fit without hubby banging his knees… I will not give up there must be a company somewhere that can find a stairlift.
Caz, So sorry it did not work out - all l can think of is ring Central Stairlifts 01905 796949 - tell them that someone on the MSS site recommended them - and ask if they happen to know of a independant company in your area. Or if you message me your area l will ask them.
Fingers crossed they might be able to help.
lts worth going down all avenues.
Best of luck
Andy - from Central Stairlifts recommended Platinum Stairlifts. He gets all his very narrow curved rails from them. So get in touch 01535 631177 - l googled their website - looks promising. They work all over the UK.
So hope this helps you Caz - and of course anyone else who is in the same predicament.
Thanks again for your help.