Are you shopping around for a new elevator or stairlift? Have you been seeing lots of Facebook ads online lately with unbelievable prices that make the purchase seem tempting? In today's world, it can be difficult to differentiate legitimate offers from scams—especially when purchasing an elevator or stairlift online. It's important to remember that not all deals are as good as they appear. In many cases, these offers can turn out to be scams targeting unsuspecting buyers. In this blog post, we'll walk you through how to tell if an ad or offer for a stairlift is legitimate and help you find trustworthy companies so that you can feel confident in your purchase.
Signs That The Stairlift Company Is a Scam
Too Cheap Price
It’s a point of pride for many people when they can find a bargain, however, you should be careful when the bargain is too good. A good stairlift or home elevator usually costs several thousand dollars, so when you find a price severely under that, you should be aware that it might be a scam.
Even if someone is selling a used stairlift that they no longer need, you should be wary, because stairlifts should never be self-install. Stairlifts are complicated pieces of equipment that require skilled technicians that are knowledgeable about the equipment they work with. The process of installing a stairlift involves cutting the track, running power wires, setting screws into stair treads, internal switching adjustment, and power checking with a volt/ohm meter, among other tasks. One mistake at any one of those steps could result in a damaged stairlift, or worse risking the safety of the person using it.
Be especially careful if they offer “hot deals” for used stairlifts. Chances are they are trying to resell stairlifts other people returned that had problems or were damaged.
Questionable Claims
These claims are usually outrageous and meant to make you distrust reputable companies in order for you to trust theirs. One common claim is that battery-powered stairlifts are not a good option, which is incorrect as 90% of battery units are produced worldwide. These false claims can be hard to pick up on, especially if you aren’t familiar with stairlifts or home elevators.
The best way to handle this is to do your research and fact-check everything they tell you. This is a good idea even if you are working with a reputable company. The more research you do, the more likely you will buy the right stairlift or home elevator for you and your family. It’s always better to be educated and ask questions before making such a big decision.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Unreliable Stairlifts:
Chances are your stairlift or elevator will one day require some maintenance or a part to be replaced, even if they come from a trustworthy stairlift company. If you buy from a shady stairlift dealer, you likely won’t be able to reach them. Your warranty might not be real and you won’t have the parts or knowledge you need to fix it. It’s possible that the stair lift manufacturers won’t talk to you either, since you are a customer and not a dealer.
All of this is to say that with something as important as the mobility of a loved one, you need to have a trustworthy company to help you with all of your needs. But how do you know if the company is trustworthy?
How to Find a Trustworthy Stairlift Company?
Online Reviews, Referrals, and References
The first step in finding a trusted stairlift company is to talk to people about their experiences. If you know someone who has installed a stairlift or home elevator, ask them about who they worked with. Another great way to find information is by looking at online reviews. Most reputable companies will have reviews as a prominent part of their website, if you are having trouble finding reviews for the company then it likely means they are lacking in customer satisfaction.
Experience & Qualifications
As previously mentioned, installing stairlifts and home elevators aren’t an easy task. It requires a technician who is familiar with how stairlifts work to ensure that it is properly installed, and more importantly, safe. A great way to gauge how much experience your stairlift company has is by asking how many years they’ve been doing this or the number of customers they have helped.
Certified & Licensed
You want to make sure the company you are working with has all the certifications and licenses necessary to run a stairlift business. These may vary depending on your local and state government. For example, in the state of Georgia, you have to have a Certificate of Authority from the State Fire Marshall’s office to install home elevators and the technician has to be a licensed elevator mechanic. It’s also a good idea to check that the stairlift company you are working with has liability insurance.
Request On-Site Assessments & Free Estimate
Another great way to learn if the stairlift company you are looking to work with is trustworthy is by having them come to your house for an on-site assessment. This is a great way to learn more about the products and the price of installation while also gauging the character of the people you will be working with.
With the ability to gain greater independence around your home, having a stairlift in your home is invaluable, but finding a trustworthy stairlift company can be difficult. With the warning signs of a scam in mind and the tips to find reliable companies above, you can make sure you are getting the best products and services available to you. When deciding on a stairlift company, don't settle for anything less than excellent workmanship and customer service. To ensure your complete peace of mind when it comes to getting a stairlift that fits your individual needs, call 101 Mobility today—they are a reliable choice backed by an assurance of high standards in both service and products.