Why is it as soon as you mention the word "Disabled" or "Mobility" every thing costs a fortune.Ok i must admit they are certain things which are built for disabled people but simple things like a knife and fork where the heck do they get the prices from ?.
I went shopping for a couple of things i needed eg,a steering aid,£36 pounds from a mobility shop,Halfords £12.
Gloves £8 mobility shop,same gloves B and N £2.
As far as im concerned mobility shops are a rip off
Back in 2002 when my late father had a mobility scooter, he wanted some extra powered batteries so he could go further so he visited the local mobility shop who wanted £180 for a pair but they would have to order them. I told him to leave it with me and managed to get him a pair from a dealer for £95 which included the courier carriage fee. When he received them with a written receipt i went into the mobilty shop and produced the receipt and told them that they were a disgrace they way they rip off vulnerable people. Their reply was that they need to cover their overheads to which I said that charging 100% is not justifiable and walked out.
Hi Jeff / Tango, yes, when you think about it, is there a reason why they charge more than other outlets with the same products. Maybe as a specialist supplier, with not the same volume of sales as an ordinary outlet, they have to increase their profit margin to stay in business ??
Our Daughter ( 48) had a massive stroke this Feb which left her brain damaged and partially paralysed, which resulted in us selling our Motorhome which would have had little use in the forseeable future as we are the main carers.
We were GIVEN a powered wheelchair by a local lady and we have a Hampshire County Council disability aids depot near us in Southampton which sells to the general public ( though you wouldn't know it) for all sorts of items at a fraction of the cost of other places.
As you say it does pay to shop around, and doesn't it seem so unfair that the most vunerable of society are being seemingly overcharged for items that they NEED rather than want.
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 21/10/2016
Why is it as soon as you mention the word "Disabled" or "Mobility" every thing costs a fortune.Ok i must admit they are certain things which are built for disabled people but simple things like a knife and fork where the heck do they get the prices from ?.
I went shopping for a couple of things i needed eg,a steering aid,£36 pounds from a mobility shop,Halfords £12.
Gloves £8 mobility shop,same gloves B and N £2.
As far as im concerned mobility shops are a rip off
Jeff,
A great example, bought my 90 year old mother one of those trigger type extended claws for picking up items without bending.
Bought a pair for £12 quid in the local mobility shop where they told me it was VAT free blah blah.Fair enough I thought.
Two weeks later, in my local Buyology,same item £3.
Sadly, infirmity is big business and will no doubt get worse.
Regards,
Greg
My Mum was blind, wheel-chair bound and then went down rapidly with dementia. I was dreading the cost of having to get a special bed, wheelchair and chair for her - the hoist was on loan but was astounded when all those items were provided free on loan. Her day chair wasn't new but specially adapted for her. Aside from clothes, special socks and shoes, plus special bowls and utensils to help her feed herself (we had to feed her for the last two years of her life), a folding ramp for the wheelchair to get it out the house, the telecare phone rental and the vast lecky bills, all specialist equipment was on loan and son and I trained to use it. If something went wrong and we were at fault then we would have to pay for repair or replacement which is fair enough. Now, whether this had something to do with us being on an island; no nursing home being available to deal with Mum's problems for a couple of hundred miles or that DS and I were doing most of the caring, I don't know, but my late friend in Yorkshire was able to get a loan mobility scooter from the local NHS/social people.
naturalblonde, deep sympathies to you both and your daughter, I hope you get all the support you need. I don't want to sound callous but please remember to look after yourselves, too. Don't leave it too long, like DS and I did, before trying respite care - that breathing space can really recharge you.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
Quote: Originally posted by naturalblonde on 21/10/2016
Hi Jeff / Tango, yes, when you think about it, is there a reason why they charge more than other outlets with the same products. Maybe as a specialist supplier, with not the same volume of sales as an ordinary outlet, they have to increase their profit margin to stay in business ??
Our Daughter ( 48) had a massive stroke this Feb which left her brain damaged and partially paralysed, which resulted in us selling our Motorhome which would have had little use in the forseeable future as we are the main carers.
We were GIVEN a powered wheelchair by a local lady and we have a Hampshire County Council disability aids depot near us in Southampton which sells to the general public ( though you wouldn't know it) for all sorts of items at a fraction of the cost of other places.
As you say it does pay to shop around, and doesn't it seem so unfair that the most vunerable of society are being seemingly overcharged for items that they NEED rather than want.
Rob
Hi Rob,
Very sorry to hear about your daughter, life is so cruel at times.
I admire you so much for taking this on your shoulders and at least your daughter is going to get the best possible care in your hands.
I would urge you to seek advice for any benefits you are entitled to, after all that's what we all paid in for.
Please remember to look after yourselves as well.
Very best wishes,
Greg
Jeff , as with most things , it's always worthwhile to do a bit of shopping around , also keeps you busy and active , but a canny scot such as yourself already knows this , does no harm to spread the facts around though .
Thanks for the replies folks I would advise anybody before they buy any product from a "Mobility" shop to look around and see if you can get it cheaper else where.
I have just bought two of these folding zimmers from Argos at about £30 each.They are brilliant and you can walk more freely with them and because they fold they take up less room in the house and the car.
If you get in touch with the local district nurses, you should get help from the local Occupaitional Therapists who will come out and see you and get whatever you need free of charge.. Unfortunatly I have needed this service myself of late and they could not have been more helpful...everything from grabbers, loo seats, shower seats , grab rails..everything you could need--and its all free,,,
Im about to have another moan.Why is the deposit for a automatic car always more than the one for a stick change?
Surely the point for having an automatic car is its because you have problems with walking and moving your legs ?.
I think Motability would make more money by charging a wee bit more for deposits on gear change cars and using some of the extra money to lower the deposits on the automatics.
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 23/10/2016
Thanks for the replies folks I would advise anybody before they buy any product from a "Mobility" shop to look around and see if you can get it cheaper else where.
I have just bought two of these folding zimmers from Argos at about £30 each.They are brilliant and you can walk more freely with them and because they fold they take up less room in the house and the car.
Got a similar one from Lloyd's Pharmacist for about the same price.This one had wheels at the front and I found a site that have small plastic type runners on and made a easy pushing it
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Topic: Mobility products
