9 replies to this topic

[Ironside]

I've been using a Permobil electric wheelchair since 2000 and I would be the first person to rave about how great these wheelchairs really are. This particular wheelchair is now coming towards the end of its life so I thought the time has come to look into buying a new one. I haven't really contemplated getting anything but another Permobil. So a few months ago I got Permobil to send me information on prices. All accessories were listed so you just ticked off what you wanted and then added the price up at the end. The price of a Corpus 500 came to just under £16,000. So yesterday the salesman came to visit me. A nice chat, very informative and helpful and ran me through what was on the wheelchair. So this morning I received his quote, to be quite honest I was rather shocked to see that in just one month, the price has increased by £2700. But don't get me wrong, I still think that the wheelchair is awesome, but I just can't see justification of such a huge rise in price. So what next? I'm going to have to get my negotiating head on.

Edited by Ironside, 27 January 2012 - 08:30 PM.

[quadinva]

The prices are outrageous! My tilt stopped working, so into the shop I go. Final outcome was a replaced actuator $900 and replaced battery $1000...and they informed me that the battery should be replaced every year. $1000 every year? I think they bank on running up the prices bc of lack of demand and relying on insurance companies to pay. Not to mention after paying top dollar this is what you get....(see below)

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Reclined just a bit, next thing I know Im upside down with a bloody nose...and Im not that big to snap a wc back (200lbs)

[Ironside]

I'm not sure how they can justify charging more than a mid-range motor vehicle, in fact for 20 K you will get a bloody good car. The back on my permobil collapsed about three years ago when I was sitting outside slightly reclined enjoying the sun. The thing that really scared me the most was the day before I had been out driving, God knows what would have happened if it had collapsed whilst I was at the wheel.

[Tetracyclone]

Ironside- I suggest you decide what you think it is worth, then offer that amount for what YOU want, not what they want to give you. Then be ready to walk away. Give them wiggle room so they can come back without losing face.

[richo]

anything that has todo with disable is a ripoff.its absaloutly disscusting the companies that help us allso rip us off.GREED

[goose]

richo, on 28 January 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

anything that has todo with disable is a ripoff.its absaloutly disscusting the companies that help us allso rip us off.GREED

I agree. I worked in this industry before my accident and know the huge markups that are past down to the consumer ...robbery!!! They know we need these things and can get away with it. There are a few exceptions but not many.

[richo]

goose, on 28 January 2012 - 07:35 AM, said:

richo, on 28 January 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

anything that has todo with disable is a ripoff.its absaloutly disscusting the companies that help us allso rip us off.GREED

I agree. I worked in this industry before my accident and know the huge markups that are past down to the consumer ...robbery!!! They know we need these things and can get away with it. There are a few exceptions but not many.

three words come too mind.DOGS DIRTY DOGS

[edlee]

What,,, you guys think they're in this to make you happy???? Seriously???? Have you ever sold anything,,, a car,, an old sewing machine,,,,??? And when you told the perspective buyer the price,,, and he said OKAY, right away,,,,, didn't you think to yourself "I should have asked more"??

These guys don't want to be in that position,,,, so they make sure they charge more than anyone with a reasonable mind would want to pay.

Bargaining only works if they think there might be competition,,, If you aren't ready to walk out and buy something else,, they have no reason to feel inclined to listen.
ed

[quadinva]

edlee, on 29 January 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

If you aren't ready to walk out and buy something else,, they have no reason to feel inclined to listen.
ed

If I could walk out, I would...and not need to go buy something else.



sorry, that setup was too good to not play off of...haha

[Ironside]

edlee, on 29 January 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

What,,, you guys think they're in this to make you happy???? Seriously???? Have you ever sold anything,,, a car,, an old sewing machine,,,,??? And when you told the perspective buyer the price,,, and he said OKAY, right away,,,,, didn't you think to yourself "I should have asked more"??

These guys don't want to be in that position,,,, so they make sure they charge more than anyone with a reasonable mind would want to pay.

Bargaining only works if they think there might be competition,,, If you aren't ready to walk out and buy something else,, they have no reason to feel inclined to listen.
ed

Fortunately there are quite a few dealerships in the UK that sell the Corpus 500 and I have been in touch with most of them today. So let's see what happens when I receive their quotes. Apparently Permobil put their prices up January 1, 2012. I still can't quite get over the audacity they have, increasing the price of the chair by over £2000 (going by the extra accessories I ordered). I wonder what goes through the minds of these people when they come up with these figures. Anyway, I'm not going to ask them for their best price, because they'll probably just drop it by 50 quid. I decided that I'm going to give them a figure I am willing to pay and see what they say. Obviously it's not going to be a ridiculous figure, just quite a bit lower than what I have already been quoted. I'm not sure what the markup is on a wheelchair, but I have been told it could be anywhere from 30 to 70%. At the end of the day, I suppose any profit is better than no profit.

I have been looking at other power chairs that are available in the UK and I can't really find anything that really comes close to the Permobil. I did come across another website/forum where a guy has built his own power chair, looks pretty smart and would certainly suit my needs. But then I realise that he made it himself and it is not commercially available.

Edited by Ironside, 30 January 2012 - 05:06 PM.