5 replies to this topic

[Doug]

OK I just got fitted for my first real power chair but the price came out to $26,000 US. The chair is nothing high end its a C-300 with power tilt, recline, and elevation with swing away arm rests. There is no reason a chair should cost more then a brand new car!!! I know that there are much less materials, labor, and cost to make a chair. Plus it only has a 1 year warranty how the heck is that possible. How do these companies get away with selling a chair that cost maybe $5,000 total (parts, labor, shipping, and profit) for 26,000 and most chairs don't last but a few years if that before breaking. Then its back to buying a new chair.

I need this chair to be able to drive, return to work, and be more independent. If Vocational rehab doesn't pay for this chair I'm screwed....How can this be? Why do they get away with such price gouging? There has to be a way we can start something to get these companies to stop screwing us over. Some people really need these chairs to live better lives and like me dont have that kind of money or good insurance.

Ok my rant is over I just had to vent some......

[Jax]

Doug, on Mar 13 2009, 11:39 AM, said:

OK I just got fitted for my first real power chair but the price came out to $26,000 US. The chair is nothing high end its a C-300 with power tilt, recline, and elevation with swing away arm rests. There is no reason a chair should cost more then a brand new car!!! I know that there are much less materials, labor, and cost to make a chair. Plus it only has a 1 year warranty how the heck is that possible. How do these companies get away with selling a chair that cost maybe $5,000 total (parts, labor, shipping, and profit) for 26,000 and most chairs don't last but a few years if that before breaking. Then its back to buying a new chair.

I need this chair to be able to drive, return to work, and be more independent. If Vocational rehab doesn't pay for this chair I'm screwed....How can this be? Why do they get away with such price gouging? There has to be a way we can start something to get these companies to stop screwing us over. Some people really need these chairs to live better lives and like me dont have that kind of money or good insurance.

Ok my rant is over I just had to vent some......

The NEED that end users have is the driving force of price hikes. The greater the need, the higher the price will be. The only ways to stop price gouging are to stop buying, or stop needing. Sucks.

[StellaLAtella]

Doug,
I have a power chair that was my late mother's. It does not have all the extras that you listed for yours, but if you are interested, either p.m. me, or look on craigslist under general in Atlanta. Just a suggestion.
~Stella

[rkzenrage]

You are not kidding dude... something with so few parts, something that most decent tinkerers can build costing as much as many cars is simply criminal.

[edlee]

It doesn't seem criminal to the guy who buys the machinery and tooling needed,,,, leases the shop,,, the warehouse,,, pays for the advertising,, pays the salaries of the guys who design, build, package, ship, demonstrate, and sell these suckers,,,,, not to mention the insurance they need in case someone falls off of one.

Then there's the problem with the limited market they have to share with all the other producers of similar items.

Every body that touches the thing wants,,, and is entitled to,,, their own piece of the end price.

You can get cheaper ones on the internet,,,, made in China,,,,, but if it breaks ,,,, who ya gonna call???

If you think it can be done so much cheaper,,,, maybe you should think about going into buisness,,,,, I'll be needing one soon,,,, let me know.
ed

[allis53ca]

i'm with Ed......i'll be needing one very soon and would to get it at your price..add me to your mailing list....my last chair cost $5500 and dme charged $9700....took my deduct from $1100 to $1940