UK Stairlifts Leeds – Buying New Vs. Reconditioned Stairlifts

Everyone wants independence and autonomy over their own lives. That rings especially true for home living in Leeds. Being able to move freely within your own living space is a fundamental human right that all of us hold on to for as long as possible. That’s why it’s important to adapt your home to become more suitable for mobility when it becomes necessary. A New or Reconditioned Stairlift by UK Stairlifts Leeds does exactly that.

At UK Stairlifts in Leeds, West Yorkshire we specialize in a wide range of stairlifts for installation within your Leeds property. We can outfit your home with straight stairlifts, curved stairlifts, heavy duty stairlifts, and more. But what you may not know is that we also offer you the ability to choose a reconditioned stairlift as opposed to buying new. This can be a significant money saver for those trying to access mobility on a budget.

Buying a reconditioned stairlift is something that many of our clients consider simply due to the fact that reconditioned stairlifts are generally about half the price of a brand new one. But, what does that actually look and feel like? What are the benefits and drawbacks of buying reconditioned versus buying new?

Buying Used Stairlifts from UK Stairlifts Leeds.

Used stairlifts (or refurbished, reconditioned, etc,.), are in many ways very much like buying brand new. This is because the very nature of a stairlift requires a lot of the parts to be installed custom to your specific staircase. This means the rails are always brand new even with a reconditioned stairlift. 

In addition to getting brand new rails, you also get a stairlift that is guaranteed to be in like-new condition from UK Stairlifts Leeds. Manufacturers that offer reconditioned stairlifts generally have very high standards for what they consider to still be sellable. This means the seat padding, comfort features, safety features, and additional addons are always inspected to be of good quality and safe to use by a UK Stairlifts Leeds expert engineer. You aren’t going to be buying something that is very clearly used – it’ll feel and behave like new. 

In addition to having like-new quality, you can also add on your own customizations to a reconditioned stairlift. This means you can add remote attendant control, additional safety switches, directional paddle switches, and more to your reconditioned stairlift. 

It should be noted that we do not recommend buying a stairlift that is older than 6 years old. This is simply due to the fact that mechanical parts can show some signs of wear and tear after several years, and may not last as long as they would with a ‘newer’ reconditioned stairlift. You may end up replacing parts out of pocket sooner than necessary if you buy a stairlift that is too old – however with UK Stairlifts Leeds this will not happen, as all our reconditioned stairlifts are inspected by expert engineers.

So, with all of this in mind, why would anyone buy new at all? It seems like the benefits of reconditioning far outweigh the benefits of buying new, right?

Buying New Stairlifts from UK Stairlifts Leeds.

Cutting straight to the chase, buying a new stairlift from UK Stairlifts Leeds gives you a lot more protection for your investment. This all boils down to comprehensive warranties. Buying new will almost always come with comprehensive labour and parts warranties that ensure your stairlift is covered mechanically and otherwise. 

Brand new stairlifts generally come with a minimum of a 12 month warranty that will cover the cost of parts and labour in the event that something breaks or needs replaced on the stairlift. Some manufacturers extend this warranty up to 24 months even. However, for a used stairlift you aren’t going to get a warranty as generous.

In the event that you buy a reconditioned stairlift, some manufacturers will not offer a warranty on the parts or labour at all. This means that any replacements or maintenance that you may need will come out of pocket. However, there are still some manufacturers that will offer a limited warranty for mechanical failure on reconditioned stairlifts. This is something you will need to consider and ask your technician about when choosing which is right for you.

How to Buy Second-hand Stairlifts from UK Stairlifts Leeds.

Unfortunately, we at UK Stairlifts in Leeds see people make a lot of mistakes when purchasing stairlifts for themselves or a loved one. The biggest no-no is buying a second-hand stairlift directly from the previous owner or ‘off market’. This is generally a transaction done between two individuals without any middleman or full inspection by a stairlift engineer.

Buying directly from the previous owner may save you a few pounds, simply because all you have to do is hand over the cash and take it off their hands. But this can prove to be very dangerous if not at least risky for you.

Buying directly from the previous owner often results in improper removal of the stairlift, which can result in damage to the parts and safety mechanisms. This is not something you want to risk when installing a serious mobility device like a stairlift into your Leeds property. So while it may be tempting, you should avoid buying from the previous owner directly. 

Buying a second-hand stairlift in Leeds is simple. When you contact our team here at UK Stairlifts in Leeds, West Yorkshire we can contact the manufacturers directly on your behalf and help you purchase a certified reconditioned stairlift. This will ensure that the stairlift at the very least has undergone proper removal, examination, and refurbishment by certified professionals. It also ensures that you have the chance to at least get a limited warranty on the stairlift. 

Which is right for you?

So, now that you know the major advantages and drawbacks of buying a reconditioned stairlift, which one should you choose? Should you go with a new stairlift, or buy reconditioned? 

Ultimately the choice is yours. We are happy to help you purchase and install whichever stairlift you choose. Whether it be new or reconditioned. Our team can help guide you through the process and select a stairlift that suits your needs and will allow you or your loved one to regain mobility within the home. 

Contact our team here at UK Stairlifts Leeds today, and allow us to give you a free quote on your new or reconditioned stairlift. We guarantee that you’ll have complete freedom to move within your home for years to come.