I’m looking to buy a powerchair and am wondering about reliability. I’ve seen a suitable powerchair but the place that are selling it don’t do repair and gave me a leaflet about insurance. I’ve been somewhere else who do repairs but they don’t have a chair I feel is suitable. My new car is a motability one so I can’t get a powerchair from that route. Should I buy insurance? Do I need to? Should I get the chair from the place that does repairs? I’d appreciate many advice!
Hi
You maybe entitled to a power chair through wheelchair services, your or gp can refer you, but obviously there probably would be a wait, but they access you for your needs, as its important to have a correct fit.
If you do, however go on and purchase one, its your decision whether or not to have insurance. I have it on my power chair and it costs me £62 per year fully comp, which covers you, your chair and anything you have an accident with, so it gives you piece of mind.
I personally would get one who also does repairs, but again, that is your decision, but definitely have a word about wheelchair services first.
Pam x
Hi DT.
I was in a similar quandry recently only with a choice of which mobility scooter.
I think you must way up how much peace of mind means to you?
After trawling the internet and a few local-ish suppliers I went for a Kymco from a supplier a few miles away who also
repairs them.
The peace of mind this gives me is invaluable!
I could have got a similar / same one cheaper but I value my sleep much more!
The strange thing is I used to be an engineer in a previous existance so could probably have fixed most things if they went wrong.
The flip side of this is I know most things that could go wrong and I find that concerning!
I’ll stick to sleeping well thank you!
I do hope you are pleased with your eventual choice!
Good Luck and Take Care!
Steve.
I have had a power chair (different ones due to changing needs) fort the past 5 years and have found them to be very reliable. My current chair is from wheelchair services so repairs are not an issue but when I was buying my own chair I chose a shop who had a repair section just for the confidence it gave. Having said that I bought my scooter from an online seller but use a local firm for servicing etc. if you can find a company who do repairs it doesn’t really matter where you buy from. The other option is to ask the second shop (with the service centre) if they can get you the model you want. I chose my chair at a disabled living centre and rang my chosen shop to ask if they could get it for me, they did - and matched the cheapest price I had seen it on line.
Jane
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Thanks to those who replied. Jane, I really like your suggestion about asking if the place that does repairs can supply what I want. I’m going to another place today and if I don’t have success there, will speak to the second shop. They might do something since I got a bed from them last year and the manual chair I use came from them too.
A further question, if anyone can help:
I use a stair lift to get upstairs. I use an old wheelchair for the short trips along the landing upstairs, and I have a decent manual wheelchair (Quickie Neon) for downstairs/outside.
We are about to have some building adaptations which will enable me to move around more freely upstairs between the bedroom, the bathroom and a new study/music room. As a result I expect to spend more time upstairs in a chair, so I’m looking for something which I can be comfortable in for long periods. I like being able to recline to rest, or read, or watch tv. I find it uncomfortable having to sit upright for too long, even in my good wheelchair which is configured for my 6’ 3" height, and has a fancy cushion. (Downstairs I transfer to a riser / recliner armchair).
So, can anyone recommend a compact chair which can comfortably recline, either manual or powered? Ideally it would also have removable sides to enable me to transfer easily on a slide board.
I’ve found a few online, but it’s so hard to know.