Thinking of buying a scooter
I thought it may help people who are considering buying a new or used scooter or electric wheelchair to provide some points to consider before proceeding with your purchase.
Have you ever driven a scooter or electric wheelchair before, if not why not join one of the Shopmobility schemes if you meet their membership conditions. Try using different types for a while to see which suits you best if at all. You could also contact Disability living Service to see if they can advise on suitable vehicles for your needs
Are you more comfortable with either a 3 or 4 wheel scooter, or if an electric wheelchair is better can you operate it yourself or do you need someone else to operate the controls
What do you want to use it for
If you want to get to the local shops are there sufficient dropped kerbs, how dangerous are the roads to cross, why not try it in a manual chair or if you are able, try walking & see if you would be safe what obstacles are there to negotiate
What about trips out to towns & cities, it matters how you are going to reach your destination, not all public transport is accessible, if travelling in your own or a family car how will the vehicle fit in, will it need taking apart., if so because of the size & weight is there someone with the ability & strength to place it in the car then reassemble it at the other end if the car big enough
Where are you going to store it is there an accessible garage or shed where it can be kept, if not will there be problems trying to find a suitable place in the house without causing an obstruction.
Where are you going to buy it from, beware of companies that are only interested in making a sale at a great profit, make sure you check out various providers & check the different prices, ask friends where they bought theirs, were they happy with after sales service.
How are you going to pay for it bearing in mind that they can cost thousands of pounds for a good new one and depreciate quite quickly in value.
What about insurance in case it breaks down, if you damage other peoples property, or injure somebody, how will you pay for this
I hope the above has been helpful I am not trying to put you off obtaining a scooter or wheelchair only trying to help you to consider the options avoiding some or all of the pitfalls in owning your own
.I thought it may help people who are considering buying a new or used scooter or electric wheelchair to provide some points to consider before proceeding with your purchase.
Have you ever driven a scooter or electric wheelchair before, if not why not join one of the Shopmobility schemes if you meet their membership conditions. Try using different types for a while to see which suits you best if at all. You could also contact Disability living Service to see if they can advise on suitable vehicles for your needs
Are you more comfortable with either a 3 or 4 wheel scooter, or if an electric wheelchair is better can you operate it yourself or do you need someone else to operate the controls
What do you want to use it for
If you want to get to the local shops are there sufficient dropped kerbs, how dangerous are the roads to cross, why not try it in a manual chair or if you are able, try walking & see if you would be safe what obstacles are there to negotiate
What about trips out to towns & cities, it matters how you are going to reach your destination, not all public transport is accessible, if travelling in your own or a family car how will the vehicle fit in, will it need taking apart., if so because of the size & weight is there someone with the ability & strength to place it in the car then reassemble it at the other end if the car big enough
Where are you going to store it is there an accessible garage or shed where it can be kept, if not will there be problems trying to find a suitable place in the house without causing an obstruction.
Where are you going to buy it from, beware of companies that are only interested in making a sale at a great profit, make sure you check out various providers & check the different prices, ask friends where they bought theirs, were they happy with after sales service.
How are you going to pay for it bearing in mind that they can cost thousands of pounds for a good new one and depreciate quite quickly in value.
What about insurance in case it breaks down, if you damage other peoples property, or injure somebody, how will you pay for this
I hope the above has been helpful I am not trying to put you off obtaining a scooter or wheelchair only trying to help you to consider the options avoiding some or all of the pitfalls in owning your own
