The cost of a used stair lift is much less than buying a new one; you can save anywhere from a few hundred dollars to almost two thousand on some brands. Cost savings is just one of the advantages of buying a second-hand model; there are others as well but there are also some disadvantages.
If you need a curved model, you should buy a used stair lift from a reputable supplier. You need to make sure that you get a new rail; some dealers remake old rail parts to try to fit a new stairwell. This is not a safe practice. A remanufactured or refurbished rail will not meet International Safety Standards.
Advantages of a used stairlift
Prices are much lower than new machines. You can expect to save between $400 and $2,000.
Machines from leading brands like Acorn, Stannah and Ameriglide are built to last. Therefore, buying one from such a company is a good deal. In fact, the machines from the major manufacturers do not usually have more problems than the new ones.
Disadvantages of a used stair lift
They tend to require more maintenance, so it will be an additional recurring cost.
Many manufacturers stop making replacement parts for older models. The production life of most chairlifts is approximately 10 years, so installing any used machines prior to this can cause you problems when trying to get replacement parts.
The warranty on a used chairlift will not be as good or as long as a new one.
The lift may become obsolete and a local dealer may not be able to support that particular used machine.
The second-hand unit may not meet your exact needs and may not have any of the options now standard on newer models; items such as seat belts, remote controls, motorized swivel chair, etc.
You may not know the history of the used chair. Did the previous owner buy it new? Where did they buy it? Did you have a problem with that?
When buying a used one, you won’t have as many options as when buying a new one. You may have to compromise when buying a second-hand unit.
The angle of the stairs should also be considered when moving used stairlifts from one location to another. The seat must be level on the rail. This is adjustable on all lifts but with certain limitations.
Buying a used chairlift can be a great option. You can easily buy them from leading brands like Stannah, Bruno, and Summit Stair Lifts.
However, unless you are very good at DIY, you are better off buying a refurbished machine from a reputable dealer. Not only can they advise you on which model is best for you, but they will also install it and provide after-sales support.