When you're shopping for a stair lift to help a family member get around the home, it's tempting to buy a used model to save money. Many manufacturers sell used models they buy back from people who no longer need them, but these tested and warrantied models still tend to cost more than units sold directly by current owners. Consider these four caveats before picking up that stair lift you found on Craigslist or at a neighbor's yard sale.
Battery Replacements
If you're looking for a battery-powered unit to reduce the load on your home's electrical supply or because you live in an area with regular power outages, keep in mind you'll most likely need to buy a new battery right away. Stair lift batteries only last about a year in the best conditions, and charging mistakes lower the lifespan of the batteries significantly. Check that you can find a compatible battery that fits your budget before buying a stair lift you might not be able to use after just a few weeks or months.
Spare Parts
Since a stair lift has to move smoothly and carry hundreds of pounds of weight, it's only natural that parts eventually wear out and break. Many manufacturers have gone out of business and left owners with no way to order replacement parts. Verify that replacement parts are available and that there's a company that can provide service and repairs in your area for the specific brand, or you'll be stuck replacing the lift as soon as even a small component fails.
Testing Opportunities
Don't buy a stair lift that is already disassembled and packed up. With a used model sold directly by the owner, the only way to check that it's worth the cost is to test it yourself before bringing it home. It's easy for homeowners to make mistakes when uninstalling a piece of complex machinery like this as well, so consider hiring a professional service team to handle both the disassembly and installation for you to make sure the unit is as safe as possible.
Recall Concerns
Finally, get the brand name and model number on any lift you're interested in and do a thorough search to make sure no recalls or safety warnings were issued for it. Units sold directly between consumers are not checked against recall notices in any way, so you'll have to do the searching yourself to make sure you're not buying a unit known to be unsafe or unreliable.
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