Question:

Do any wheelchair stores allow you to test-drive motorized wheelchairs? Do they more commonly allow test-drives at mobility trade shows or big showrooms?

Thank-you,

Erin

Answer:

In my opinion, any wheelchair store that doesn’t allow you to test drive its wheelchairs or mobility aids isn’t very serious about selling wheelchairs. You know as well as I do that a wheelchair is an expensive piece of equipment. Plus, you purchase a wheelchair expecting to use it for a great deal of time. If a store refuses to let you test drive its models, I say that’s a sure sign you don’t want to buy from them.

I equate purchasing a wheelchair to purchasing a car. Would you purchase a car without taking it for a test drive first? I know I sure wouldn’t. Any store or manufacturer that won’t allow you to test drive its wheelchairs – or any product that you could potentially be spending $10,000 or more on - can’t be very proud or sure of their products. That’s why I’d say take your business elsewhere.

If you plan to visit a store, call ahead and ask them whether they allow customers to test drive their chairs. This way you won’t be wasting your time. If you find that you have to travel out of town to find reliable stores that let you test drive their products, make a list of a few stores in the area so you can visit them all in the same day. That way when you test drive all the chairs you like at one store, they will still be fresh in your mind when you test drive at the next store.

Also, attend some wheelchair conferences and trade shows. Here you will deal directly with sales reps of the manufacturer who is there to make contacts and let consumers sample their products. I’ve never been to trade show where I haven’t seen people test driving wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, walkers, etc. At trade shows you’re encouraged to try a variety of different manufacturers because they’re all conveniently in the same building for you to compare. Plus, it’s common to get a better deal on a wheelchair at a tradeshow or conference because you’re dealing directly with the manufacturers and not with a distributor that works as the middleman and drives up the price.

Best of luck finding the perfect chair!