Buy,Sell,Rent

Wheelchair Shipping

2006-08-03T01:49:00Z

Question: A friend of mine in another state halfway across the country inherited a motorized wheelchair that she would like to send to me. The weight, including batteries, is about 275 pounds. What is the best way to ship this wheelchair? ~Lori

Answer: The best option, depending on where you are and where the wheelchair is, is to have it shipped via a house-moving company. House movers pick up goods and deliver them to your residence. House movers generally insure their freight, but they cost a bundle.

Another option is to go with a freight carrier and have it shipped in a wooden crate. Freight carriers don't generally pick up or deliver goods to a residence. If they do agree to do it, they'll likely tack a hefty delivery fee on top of their basic delivery charge. Also, freight movers use fork lifts to move goods so the wheelchair could be damaged if knocked around too much.

Before I decide on any mover, I would call all of the moving and freight companies in the city you want the chair shipped from to get the best quote. If it's still too high, call the airline and book a cheap round trip flight and go get it yourself. This way the airline is responsible for shipping the wheelchair.

Buying and Selling Online

2006-08-03T01:48:00Z

Question: Does The Wheelchair Site buy used wheelchairs and post them on the website? I have a 5-year old Invacare Ranger Storm and am looking to sell it. ~George

Answer: Sorry, we don't buy or sell wheelchair products or endorse any mobility manufacturers.

However, if you wish to sell a used wheelchair check out our wheelchair articles section which has a very informative article about used wheelchairs. Also, call your local MDA office, and ask them to include your used wheelchair in their newsletter or on their bulletin board. You might also want to place a 'for sale' flyer on the bulletin boards of your local rehabilitation hospital, independent living center, or with any other local disability organizations. An ad can also be taken out in the classified pages of your local newspaper. Pawn shops and secondhand stores will sometimes accept walkers, wheelchairs, etc. A number of Web sites list secondhand mobility equipment. One such site is Med Marketplace.com - which allows private sellers to list used mobility products for sale. Also try the Disabled Dealer - a magazine that lists used mobility equipment and is published in over 20 states.

Selling a Wheelchair

2006-08-03T01:48:00Z

Question: I was wondering if you could supply me with any information with regards to selling a wheelchair? ~Glenn

Answer: If you want to sell a used wheelchair call your local MDA office. Many local MDA offices often inform clients about available wheelchairs through newsletters, notices or word of mouth.

You might also be able to place "for sale" ads on the bulletin boards, Web sites and newsletters of rehabilitation hospitals, independent living centers, your state Rehabilitation Department or other local disability organizations. Ads sometimes appear in the classified pages of the daily newspapers or local "shoppers," or even on supermarket bulletin boards. Pawn shops and second-hand stores will sometimes accept walkers, wheelchairs, etc.

An Internet search for "buy and sell wheelchairs" reveals a number of Web sites that list second-hand mobility equipment. One such site is www.medmarketplace.com - Medmarketplace.com allows private sellers to list products. Another cross-country source for used durable equipment is Disabled Dealer - www.disableddealer.com - a magazine with regional editions in over 20 states.

Renting in Canada

2006-08-03T01:47:00Z

Question: I am heading on vacation to the (Canadian) Laurentians and I feel I will need a chair to help get around. What would you suggest as a rental? ~Rene

Answer: Renting an all-terrain wheelchair would let you get close to the Laurentians' most beautiful parks, forest habitats and lakes. All-terrain wheelchairs let you travel over gravel, grass, in water and through sand.

All-terrain wheelchairs are available in power and manual models. If you have a good deal of upper body strength you might prefer manual all-terrain or sports models specially designed for your favorite outdoor activity - hiking, swimming, etc.

Most all-terrain wheelchairs have non-corrosive, stainless steel frames so they can go into water. They also have adjustable seats, foot and armrests and fat pneumatic tires for shock absorption so you can remain comfortable in an all-terrain wheelchair longer than in a standard manual or powerchair.

All-terrain wheelchairs are generally pretty easy to disassemble and they are light, so they are great for transporting on day trips. Many all-terrain models also offer accessories like beach umbrellas, drink holders and carry-ons so you can take advantage of those beautiful Laurentian lakes.

Many resorts throughout North America offer all-terrain rentals to their vacationing guests so check with the resort you're booking with to see if they are offered.

Virginia Rentals

2006-08-03T01:47:00Z

Question: Do you know where in the Arlington, Virginia area rents wheelchairs? ~Maureen

Answer: After searching the online yellow pages directory I couldn't find any wheelchair renters in Arlington but did find Tidewater Medical Supply in Virginia Beach, VA.

Here is the contact information:

Tidewater Medical Supply
2401 Bowland Pkwy,
Virginia Beach, VA 23320
Telephone: (757) 548-9999
Toll Free: (866) 549-7632
www.tidewatermedicalsupply.com

Test-Driving

2006-08-03T01:47:00Z

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!

Wheelchair Recommendations

2006-08-03T01:46:00Z

Question: I need advice regarding the purchase of a wheelchair for my wife. She is 81 years of age and has had two low back surgeries, suffers with osteoporosis and an untreatable compression fracture of the spine. I cannot envision her propelling herself in the large wheelchair and I am leaning toward what is called a "transport" chair as I would like a chair that is portable and light and which I could keep in the car. The material I have read on your web page indicates that the transport chair is for use only inside medical centers or hospitals. Is there a "transport" type chair available that you would recommend for both interior and exterior use that comes close to fitting our situation needs? ~W. R. Lucas

Answer: Transport wheelchairs are generally used by hospitals for indoor use only as they are generally not durable enough to be used outdoors and over long periods of time. Plus, transport chairs are generally rigid models, which mean they don't fold for storage. A lightweight folding wheelchair would probably be your best bet. Folding wheelchairs offer more flexibility than rigid models, which is an advantage when you are traveling over slightly uneven surfaces, because the chair's frame will bend to accommodate the surface and all of its wheels will remain on the ground. Better still, folding wheelchairs can be folded and stored in your car or closet without having to disassemble any parts.

Renting a Wheelchair

2006-08-03T01:46:00Z

Question: I will need a wheelchair (lightweight, foldable) for about eight weeks. Does it make sense to rent or buy? ~Bill

Answer:Lightweight folding wheelchairs typically cost between $1,000 and $3,500. I would suggest renting if you need a wheelchair just for eight weeks. Do some research of your local yellow pages directory and call various companies in your area to inquire about their rental rates.

Choosing a Wheelchair

2006-08-03T01:45:00Z

Question: My stepfather lost both of his legs ten days ago. What is the best wheelchair for his needs? The chair has to be able to move around freely in the house, to go through 30 inches door ways and especially has to be able to let him slide off the chair on one side to go to the toilet. ~Mike

Answer: There are many types of wheelchairs on the market and you may have to get some help deciding which type will serve your stepfather the best. There are various things you need to take into consideration when looking for a wheelchair such as the person's age, gender, weight, size, as well as any other physical specifications such as endurance level, missing limbs and body limitations. The best thing for you to do would be to get the advice of a qualified professional, as you may also need to purchase various wheelchair accessories. You could visit a rehabilitation clinic, doctor, therapist or mobility consultant. You can also visit our wheelchair shopping page on this site to help you out further. Make sure your stepfather is comfortable in his wheelchair and is properly trained in its use.