Help with wheelchair

I had my tyres changed by WS from solid to inflatable, due to severe bac pain. It has helped a lot.

Don't WS have a duty to keep their loaned chairs in good repair?

Hi @crf

That's absolutely awful, I am sorry that you had to go through that experience.

Just so that I can be clear on answering your question and not to give you information that you are already aware of.

Do you have  occupational therapist or physiotherapist?

Did you ask them for advice on what you need and what products are available? 

Your occupational therapist should be able to help get you what you need. 

Here's a link on how you can access Occupational Therapy help

Accessing Occupational Therapy

Look for online discussions about what other people with similar conditions  use, such as:

• relevant Facebook groups

• AskSara, a website that provides online advice about buying disability equipment 

I suggest you think about buying second hand equipment, if that's feasible. 

We have some tips on how to go about that, please read on:- 

Think about how much you can afford and what you can get for your money. You should also include costs like product maintenance and repair as this may be something you have to cover when buying used equipment. 

What to consider before you buy equipment (Disability Equipment Service) 

Disability equipment buying guides (Disabled Gear) 

When you’ve decided what budget you have and what type of equipment you want, focus on researching the product. 

• Look for reviews online.

• Go to the manufacturer’s website to get information on the equipment. 

• Watch out for any product recalls or warnings. 

• Find out if you can trial the product to see if it’s right for you.

Research the seller 

When you’ve decided on a product, start looking at where you can buy it. It’s important to find out as much as possible about who you’re buying the product from. 

• Check the seller’s rating and read feedback from customers.

• Read the seller’s refund and returns policy.

• Find out about delivery costs. Some large items might be costly to send or require collection. This can add to the price. 

• Ask the seller questions, such as the condition of the item and payment options. Try to get this in writing.

• Ask other people if they’ve had dealings with the seller or retailer. 

• Find out if they’re a retailer or a private seller. You have greater protection under the Consumer Rights Act with a retailer. 

Consumer Rights Act (Citizen’s Advice)  

Be aware of your consumer rights, especially when buying used equipment.

Your consumer rights (Which?) 

Always be vigilant for scammers. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you have read several negative reviews or cannot find information about the retailer or seller, consider avoiding them. 

Where to buy used disability equipment

There are many ways to find used disability equipment. 

Local disability charities often sell used equipment so it’s worth looking for one near you. 

Equipment manufacturers may sell their used products so it’s worth asking them. 

Local newspapers have sales sections and classified ads. It’s worth checking local community boards as people often use them to advertise items for sale.

Some places to check online include: 

• Disabled Gear

• Disability Equipment Service

• The Mobility Market

• eBay Medical and Mobility  

• Facebook Marketplace 

Buying disability equipment online 

If you’re buying online, make sure you use a secure payment method. If you do not recognise the platform you’re being asked to use, research it to find out if it’s safe and secure. Do not use it if you have doubts about it. 

If you’re using a credit or debit card, items costing over £100 and under £30,000 are covered under the Consumer Credit Act. This means the credit card company has equal responsibility with the seller if there are any problems with the items you’ve bought. 

Shopping and paying online (Money Advice Service)

Consumer Credit Act (Money Advice Service)