To think stairlifts should be reusable?

[rockingthelook]

I'm fuming, my parents are moving, they had a stairlift fitted just over 5 years ago to help my father , however, we've asked the company (nationwide, wellknown!) if they could either remove it, and/or sell it on as reconditioned? The reply was after 5 years they wouldn't recon it, and would also charge to remove it. I cannot believe that a company that has serviced every year, no faults etc can't or won't do anything with it, at over 2k a time that's a huge waste. If you look on fb marketplace etc they are going for next to nothing, I just can't understand why, am I unreasonable in thinking this is a huge rip off for the elderly and such an environmental waste ?

Would it not be because the track bit is unlikely to fit exactly in another space?

I'm sure there is a business opportunity in this

Well they didn't HAVE to buy it, people who can't afford to either go on the council waiting list for one (which are often second hand recons) or adapt to living downstairs.

Would you expect hotpoint to come and pick up your washing machine for free after 5 years if you weren't buying anything else from them, you just wanted them to pick it up or recon it? Or would you be selling it for 'next to nothing on FB marketplace' like everyone else does.

One of those things I'm afraid.

We got one fitted for MIL which was refurbished from a fab guy in Kent (we are in Wiltshire) and he came regularly to maintain and service it. We paid less than a quarter of the original price. I'm sure there must be other companies who offer that service?

He couldn't reuse it again when she died because we had already bought it 2nd hand but we sold ours on fb marketplace, although we said that the buyer had to dismantle and remove it themselves. I suppose you just need to find someone who has stairs it will fit.

Mine is a second hand refurbished one. Nowt wrong with it at all! No idea why they wouldn't reuse it?

They definitely can be reused. My grandmother bought a used one before she moved into her bungalow. It was pretty cheap and she only wanted it for a few months before she could sell the house and move. I think it's just the company being difficult with you.

Why is it their responsibility to do something with it though? What you’re asking just isn’t part of the service they offer. They aren’t obliged to remove and recycle it for you just because you bought it from them. You don’t buy a car and then five years later phone the garage that sold it to you so that they can deal with getting rid of it for you.

I get the feeling its a bit of a closed shop between companies as we have just bought one new for my parents- the companies do have recon ones but they don't come with a guarantee and aren't that cheaper.
Its not great but they are businesses and not charities at the end of the day .
Fuming is a bit strong though because they didn't promise you something then fail to deliver.

My father in law's stairlift was a second hand reconditioned one. Clearly they can be reused.

Some can be, some can’t. A lot of it will be to do with whether parts are still available for them. It is also the case that removing the track can cause irreparable damage. Technology has changed a lot in 5 years and it will be more cost effective to have a new one.

Environmentally, most of the materials used can be reclaimed, they shouldn’t end up in landfill.

I'm sure there is a business opportunity in this

If there was, someone would have done it by now.

I get the feeling its a bit of a closed shop between companies as we have just bought one new for my parents- the companies do have recon ones but they don't come with a guarantee and aren't that cheaper.

This is actually the case. Lift companies are pretty much cartels.

Given the length of time that they are usually needed for, it makes sense, but I cannot see it happening. People who want one are in a vulnerable position and probably not in a good place to haggle and therefore competition will be limited.

I bought a recon from a well known company on eBay for my parents.
1960s straight stairs. Simple.

When mum died I sold it on eBay for a few quid to someone who took it out and away.

They CAN be reused, the point is this one wasn't because it was too old to make it worthwhile.

Sometimes they are only in situ for 6-18 months new and in those circumstances they are usually reconditioned and reused.

and would also charge to remove it

I don't understand this - did you think they should move/remove it for free?

Will DFS come and take back their sofas for free? What about those IKEA wardrobes? Maybe they'll send someone out for free and haul them back to the Bargain Basement?

My mil bought a second-hand reconditioned one , and sold it on again when she moved.

As much as I think it probably can be refurbished, I dont think it's really their job to. You bought it, they dont have to buy it back off you when you dont want it anymore. Google "refurbished stair lifts near me" see if anyone local sells them and ask them if they want it.
Lots of things are dirt cheap on fb market place that were expensive new.

I don’t understand why you’d think they remove etc for no fee. You offered them to purchase it, they said no. Seems fair tbh. No one works for free.

I don’t understand why you’d think they remove etc for no fee.

In some circumstances there is value in what they are taking away. House clearances are often done free, cars are taken away for scrap for free. The company will benefit from the stuff they are taking away so it is a bit cheeky to also charge for it.

When my grandmother passed away we contacted a charity for the elderly. They had people on their team who removed it for free and installed it into the house of a couple who needed it. Obviously for free on our part and theirs.
The charity maintained it after that as far as I know. Might be worth checking if this is possible in your area.

A Straight strategist is easy to recycle but a curved track stair lift had a track very specific to the stair it is made for so not much use to anyone else other than the carriage which may be reusable. Charging to remove a stairlift is perfectly normal.

A Straight strategist is easy to recycle but a curved track stair lift had a track very specific to the stair it is made for so not much use to anyone else other than the carriage which may be reusable. Charging to remove a stairlift is perfectly normal.

YANBU to think re-using and selling on second hand should be perfectly possible - it is, and it does happen.
YWBU to expect a company that sells new stairlifts to want to encourage that or to remove it themselves or remove it without charging you for the work.

Totally right. I find a lot of companies that deal with accessibility, especially for the elderly, are pretty shark-like.
Try making a right fuss - because they often do work for families who are desperate to get loved ones back from hospital and things like that, I think a lot of customers put up with poor service and 0value. So if you have it in you, have the argument: it can work!

Totally right. I find a lot of companies that deal with accessibility, especially for the elderly, are pretty shark-like.
Try making a right fuss - because they often do work for families who are desperate to get loved ones back from hospital and things like that, I think a lot of customers put up with poor service and 0value. So if you have it in you, have the argument: it can work!