Used Stair Lifts. 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Used Stair Lift. Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia.

We get many calls from people asking about used stair lifts. Some want to purchase from us and many have or want to purchase a used stair lift that needs installation. Based on our experience, here are the top 5 things to consider before buying a used stair lift from anyone.

1. Is the manufacturer still in business and is the stair lift model still in production? Eventually, you will need service and having a dealer network to call upon that has parts available is key to getting effective and cost effective repairs.
2. How old is the stairlift? Stair lifts do not have odometers on them like a used car therefore, it is hard to know how much use a stair lift has seen. A serial number is all you need to verify the age of the stair lift with most manufacturers. We recommend used stair lifts that are no more than 2 years old and cosmetically look almost new. This way you can reasonably expect the stairlift has not seen heavy use or abuse. And, if it was dealer installed, the dealer may be willing to provide professional movement and installation in your home for a reasonable fee.
3. Warranty? We see many people purchase used stair lifts with no warranty and end up spending hundreds of dollars to get them running again. The most common item is dead batteries. When purchasing a used stair lift from a local dealer, there should be a parts and labor warranty for at least six months to a year. If your purchasing online, how is the online company going to honor any warranty? Chances are it is a parts only warranty and you will have to mail the bad part and wait for the good part to arrive. This process can be expensive and frustrating if you are unable to use the stair lift during this time which could takes days or weeks. 
4. How long does the rail need to be? This is critical! A good rule of thumb is to measure your stairs running a tape measure from the edge of  the top floor straight down to the first floor and add 8 inches to that measurement. If the used stair lift rail is shorter than the length you need, a new or longer rail will be required which can cost you as much as $800.00 or more, if the rail is available at all. When new, a standard length rail is 15 1/2 feet long. The dealer cuts the rail using the measurement method I explained above. It is very important to understand you cannot just add another foot or two of rail to the existing rail as many people are led to believe. You will also need to pay someone to troubleshoot and identify the defective part. Also, be aware there are specific limitations on how a rail can be cut and reused.  
5. Do you need a straight stair lift or one that makes turns? First, it is important to point out a used straight stair lift can be a wise purchase. However, Used Curved Stair Lifts do not make a good purchase since curved rails are custom built to fit a particular stairway and the chances of it fitting your stairway for proper and safe operation are somewhere between slim and none. If, you definitely need or desire a Curved Stair Lift, purchase it new. Or, as an alternative to a Curved Stair Lift, many people have a nice flat landing where the stairway turns and installing 2 straight stair lifts can be a very cost effective solution assuming the transfer on the flat landing is practical and safe for the rider.   

          I sincerely hope this list is useful to you in your search 
          the right stair lift to meet your needs.

          Ed Wimbish-Customer Service Director
          Mobility ASAP by Affiliated Medical Equipment
          ed@mobilityasap.com

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