Yes it seems to be a ripoff all round. I repaired an electric powered wheelchair. Fortunately one that wasn't surface mount and microprocessor controlled.

The owner was quoted £425 plus VAT for the repair. It took me an hour and about £2 of electronic bits. I also fitted two new tyres which cost £15. The agency had mentioned the tyres were shot and wanted another £50 plus VAT for replacements.

Seems the disabled are a good target for the rip off merchants.

Andrew.

Edited By Andrew Tinsley on 18/07/2021 12:01:43

My Dad managed to break the switch on the stairlift with his bum, when I phoned up the dealer about a new switch they quoted a price of £180. I got a replacement from RS for 18 pence.

Never mind the disability market – this occurs across the whole spectrum of spares to a greater, or lesser, extent.

Car dealerships are some of the worst examples – not necessarily the dealership at fault. They are contracted to supply only ‘factory’ supplied parts, as one of the conditions to be allowed a franchise.

Example : Peugeot 607 drive shaft £80 inclusive VAT (likely a next day delivered price) from a supplier I have used previously, versus Peugeot dealership quote of £450 (likely excludes VAT?).

Cost of item actually needed for the repair – about £3 (the reluctor ring). This option was not offered by the dealership but was by the ‘non-factory’ supplier.

Before the virus shut down I was a helper at the stroke club, one of the members said he had been looking into buying mobility scooter and told me the local price was close on £3000, which I thought was a lot of money.. At the next meeting the same man told me he had talking to his daughter in Leeds on the phone, and she could buy the same model for close on £2000. Both thought there was some wrong, but did check with the brochures pictures. Later, he went to the original dealer and told him he would not be buying from him as he could buy a scooter from Leeds for £2000, the local deal said I'll match it. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. If any one knows of a disable person with a fault on their scooter they should contact REMAP first, as they can often help out. REMAP groups are dotted all over UK and social services will know if your area has a group. John

Dick Turbin is alive and well !

I did. Dealing with the smarmy manager who dealt with it left me feeling quite greasy and grubby. It was a relatively large chain.