In most cases, for most people, wheelchairs are covered by insurance or Medicare. But there might be situations where wheelchairs are not covered by a third party. Perhaps you're in a situation without insurance but ineligible for government coverage. Or perhaps you are interested in purchasing a second wheelchair. Used wheelchairs are available for sale, but you should do your research ahead of time so you'll know what you need and what the best price is. Availability of used wheelchairs is rarely a problem. The main challenge is not paying too much.
As a potential buyer of used wheelchairs, you should have the advantage in negotiations. Since most people use insurance to buy wheelchairs, they will buy new ones that are individually customized for them. So, when people try to sell their used wheelchair, the number of buyers who want precisely what they have to sell is actually very small. With a large number of sellers and a small number of potential buyers, the economics of the situation are clearly working in the favor of buyers.
You shouldn't have any trouble locating used wheelchairs for sale. Take a look in your local classified newspaper ads or browse the listings on Ebay. Read all the ads with a critical eye. For example, many sellers state the new list price or the manufacturer's suggested retail price. When they compare this with the price they're asking, it makes the asking price look like a great bargain. But in reality, no one pays retail for a wheelchair. The actual price for a new wheelchair is often a good deal less than the suggested retail. In addition, the seller probably bought the chair with insurance money.
Another tactic that sellers may try is listing standard features in a way that makes them sound like special options. Including arm rests or a battery charger is no special deal--they came with the wheelchair in the first place. Anytime you see ads with inflated prices or questionable copy writing, just move on to the next ad.
You may be able to find used wheelchairs by asking relatives or friends, or checking with local support groups. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers may also sell used wheelchairs from time to time. However, these are more likely to be manual transport chairs, not used electric wheelchairs.
Experts (www.wheelchairjunkie.com) recommend the following formula for calculating the value of a used wheelchair. First take the manufacturer's suggested retail price and reduce it by 20 percent. This will get you the probable selling price. Then take that amount and divide it by three. That will give you a good estimate of what you should offer for a used wheelchair. Avoid all used wheelchairs more than five years old, unless you're looking for spare parts.
When you're considering a used wheelchair in a classified ad or on a website, it's really hard to know what condition it's in. If you're shopping on Ebay, there should be several photos from different angles. Look for corrosion or signs of abuse. Torn upholstery and other obvious signs of hard use are probably a good indication that the inner workings are worn as well. The best situation is when you can take a look at the wheelchair personally. Give it a thorough inspection. You should be able to tell quickly just how much the wheelchair has been used.
One last tip: you should go ahead and buy new batteries for used electric wheelchairs, unless the seller can prove they were replaced very recently.
Used wheelchairs are widely available if you need one, but do your research to get the best buy