columnists

I’m sure most of us have had to deal with a pushy doorstep seller wanting to sell us new windows, cable TV or a variety of household goods. Usually most will take the hint from a polite but firm ‘not interested’ but sometimes they can apply pressure and can actually be offering goods that are incredibly overpriced.

A recent report by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) found that was certainly the case when it comes to the selling of mobility aids, including scooters, wheelchairs, stair lifts and adjustable beds. The report found that disabled people may be paying too much and in some cases experience high pressure and misleading information when buying such items from doorstep sellers in their own homes. It also highlighted the stress and inconvenience caused when customers are misled into making an inappropriate and expensive purchase. This is reflected by figures showing that last year, Consumer Direct received 4,500 calls from people complaining or asking for advice about mobility aids; advice which is worth sharing now with readers of Able Magazine.

The most important point is that we need to encourage disabled people – like all consumers to utilise their spending power and shop around for the best deal. The OFT estimate the current value of the mobility aids sector at between £430 million and £510 million. This equates to a lot of clout for the purple pound.

So, when shopping around to compare products and prices, make sure you double check the facts to fully understand all the costs, including extras like installation, on-going serving charges and warranties.

Although the advice may seem obvious, doorstep selling can be a particular problem for disabled people with mobility issues, who may find it easier to invite sellers into their homes rather than going directly to the store. Disabled people looking to purchase this equipment may also prefer to invite mobility aid traders to their home so that it can be assessed and measured for the equipment. Even though many traders treat their customers fairly, some use high pressure sales tactics that encourage people to make snap decisions without comparing prices or checking to see if the product is the right one for their needs.

It’s important that people aren’t pressurised into making a hasty decision that could leave them out of pocket or with an item that’s not what they need. That is why the OFT has launched a campaign aiming to help give people the confidence to think twice and to say no if they’re unsure about what’s being offered or want to take the time to discuss their needs with a family member, friend or trusted healthcare professional. (more…)