Mobility aids Sales ploys and discounts
Which? Archive
This article, Mobility aids, was last updated on 22 July 2008 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Home & garden articles.
Always try before you buy
Alongside the hard sell, sales reps will employ other tactics to influence you. One is the use of ‘expert opinion’, as we found when Bath-Knight inaccurately boasted: ‘When you get people like Age Concern recommending us, then you know you’ve arrived.’ Age Concern told us: ‘We certainly do not recommend any company.’ Bath-Knight declined to comment.
Breaking the law
All Handling Movability’s salesperson was even prepared to help Yvonne break the law by lying to insurers if she caused an accident on her scooter. The salesman told her: ‘We’d say to them … “a child walked out of a gate and you had to swerve…and you clipped the gate”, and they would say: “Get it fixed.” They know it goes on. It’s a little white lie.’
All Handling Movability said that it would not expect any member of staff to be involved in a fraudulent claim and will investigate it as a serious allegation.
'Sleep surveys'
The Craftmatic salesman told Yvonne that she would get a £500 catalogue voucher if she completed a ‘sleep survey’. One couple from Hampshire, Jacqueline and Desmond Adams, both 85, who bought a Craftmatic bed, sent us that catalogue. The items on offer bear no relation to mobility products. They include metal puzzles and a heated eyelash curler.
Mr Adams said: ‘It’s all rubbish. I’d probably have to spend £200 on their delivery charges to get the items sent to me.’
No need for discounts
When it comes to buying the product, make sure you know the right price. Call the manufacturers or check the internet. Yvonne was offered a ‘Bubble’ bath lift at prices from £495 by Totally Active Ltd to double that price from Nationwide Mobility. And two 0.9-metre (three foot) adjustable beds could have cost her from £2,698 (Sun Mobility) to £7,173 (Adjustamatic).
A scrupulous company should offer a fair price with no need for discounts – the BHTA calls this a sales tactic. Six of the 11 companies discounted the original price during the visit, or threw in freebies such as headboards and even laptop computers.
