Disabled Scooter Pressure Sales Techniques Exposed

Here at Mobility Buddy we're completely honest and open about our products and services, choosing to rely on quality of service rather than pressure-selling techniques. It seems that everyone else isn't quite so ethical however...

According to the August/September 08 issue of Assistive Technologies magazine: "Some companies are using high-pressure and unlawful sales practices to sell expensive and unsuitable mobility aids to vulnerable customers."

Which? secretly filmed reps from 11 different companies selling disabled scooters, adjustable beds and bath lifts to a 72 year old woman. Of the 11, 1 was rated good and 5 rated poor with a string of complaints such as offering discounts for buying straight away, free gifts as incentives and even advising on fraudulent insurance claims!!

Roy Hodgkinson, Director General of the British Healthcare Trades Association commented: "This highlights the need for members of the public to be alert to obtaining a good assessment, shopping around to find out prices, and to looking for businesses which do adhere to a Code of Practice like the BHTA Code which sets out standards."

We've been selling direct to the public for over 20 years now and pride ourselves on our caring, sympathetic and understanding approach. We never resort to these kind of high-pressure techniques to sell our products, have a read of our Customer Reviews to see what our customers have to say.

Echoing the above, if you are looking for a new disability scooter or wheelchair, shop around, find a company that you are happy with and talk to them directly about it. Any reputable company will have a direct line that you can call to talk things through... give us a call on 0800 107 8445 and see for yourself!

Trains are no place for Mobility Scooters!

Interesting (and quite shocking) is that there have been two separate incidents in the UK this month involving trains and mobility scooters. The most interesting thing about the incidents was that you would not necessarily think that travelling by train with a mobility scooter would cause such a problem.

The first article I came across was on the BBC website. This was an event on Arriva Trains where a man with a mobility scooter was not able to board the train due to the overcrowding. Something that most people encounter on a daily basis but for those who rely on mobility scooters, missing a train can have serious complications. The unlucky Mr Wali, then had to drive his scooter for 13 miles (21 km) home as the train could not accommodate him. Holiday period or no holiday period, such provisions should be made for overcrowding and to make sure that everyone is able to board trains.

Similarly, a separate incident involving a peron with a mobility scooter occured in West Yorkshire. However, this was not due to poor planning by the Trains franchise, but a deliberate act of discrimination. Being told that a train could not guarnantee disabled access to its customers is a little different to being told outright that you can't travel on the train because of a scooter.

Northern Rail said in their defence that due to "the lack of common design of scooter" and the "diversified fleet", having mobility scooters on their trains was not always possible. Despite many other train companies investing in improving their access for wheelchairs and scooters, Northern Rail have yet to increase their standards. Read the article in full here.

I would hope that other train companies and franchises around the UK are taking note about the right way and the wrong way to care for their customers.


With a caring, dedicated and understanding team Mobility Buddy excel in providing top quality Mobility Scooters, Wheelchairs and Walking Sticks at a fair price with excellent service.