How good is a “Used” Stair Lift?

Buying a stair lift involves a lot of consideration; a brand new one has the advantage of a guarantee, the availability of new parts and help in case of any break downs.

However some people are unable to meet the cost of a new model so a second hand one is another option to consider.

Why buy a used stair lift?

Well the most obvious reason is they are much cheaper than buying one brand new from a manufacturer. You don’t have to listen to the sales pitch about how their model is the best on the market and you are able to get an opinion and advice from someone who has had some experience in stair lifts.

Click here to read about the Pros and Cons of buying a Used Stair Lift

Your first task is to measure the stairs. (Please refer to the measuring section for details and an easy to follow step by step guide.) With your measurements you can then check if the second-hand lift available will fit your stairs, or whether a brand new stairlift is the only viable option for your home.

A used stair lift should be as reliable and as functional as a brand new version. If you require a stair lift for straight stairs, it is much easier to find a second hand one as the track can always be cut to fit another set of stairs. As long as the track is longer, or the same size, as the stairs it is required to fit, you should have no problem finding a used lift.

It is not possible to buy a second hand track for people with curved stairs. All tracks for curved stair lifts are custom made as each stair lift is different. However, as long as you are able to match everything up, a second hand drive and seat can easily be purchased in this situation to save costs.

How To Avoid The Pitfalls Of Buying A Used Stair Lift

There are a number of ways of looking into what is available, you can check the ads in a newspaper for second hand goods or use the internet, also some stair lift dealers will sell second hand lifts that are fully functional, but have been installed in a home previously. If buying from a dealer, check if the model is second hand or re-conditioned as they can mean different things.

Always ask about the guarantee that is offered with a second hand model.

You should be aware that after 10 years old models are replaced with newer and more updated versions. As technology has grown, the designs and stair lift functions have to be adapted for each model.

Before committing to a purchase it makes sense to check that you will still be able to buy parts for your stair lift should they be required. Find out how old the model is and how long spare parts will be available for.

Why buying a brand new stair lift seems so attractive

Another very important point to consider is that you may need to call out a service man. Now you should weigh up the cost of the service call against the money you are saving by buying a second hand stair lift. Most companies offer a guarantee for a while, so it is best to check how long is left on the guarantee before purchasing.

This is especially so when buying privately, the warranty may have already expired or has very little time left on it.

You can save a lot of money from buying a used stair lift and if you have a straight stair case it is a simple and easy process, you just need to do some research so you are able to get the most you can out of your money.

Advertise with Us

Bookmark and Share