Not every scooter - or vendor - for sale online is alike.
Buying a mobility scooter online used to be very difficult. Terrible photos, little information, few product specs, and a lack of visibility on who you were actually buying from.
Today, online shopping makes it easier than ever. A motorized scooter can help you be more independent and active. It can give you a new lease on life—but only if you buy a reliable model from trustworthy mobility scooter online retailers.
"So how do I know who to buy a mobility scooter from? And which model should I get?"
Well, that all depends on your personal needs and lifestyle. Some people ride solo while blaring “Born to Be Wild,” while others blast Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
Here are our top five tips on what to look for when buying a mobility scooter.
1. Work with real people at a reputable scooter seller
Many fly-by-night shops aren't willing to put a face to their brand. That's because they're either in business to make a quick buck or plan on ripping people off and don't want their information associated with the scam. These anonymous sellers shouldn’t be trusted.
My Own Wheels is different: we sell both the mobility vehicles and mobility scooter accessories through this online store. We’re real people operating a local U.S.-based business designed to provide the best products and services possible.
My Own Wheels is a proud small business based in Columbus, Ohio. Our founder has put his name and face forward to prove he's willing to help our customers with their mobility needs.
Lastly, you can learn more on our YouTube channel, where our owner reviews the products we sell and we share real information on mobility scooters.
2. Buy direct-to-consumer at reasonable prices
Always keep this saying in mind while you're shopping for a scooter or powerchair: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Sadly, there has been a recent wave of scams where seniors pay $20-$100 to unknown websites or individuals on Facebook Marketplace in the hopes of obtaining a mobility scooter online for far under market value. After they send a payment, they realize their money is gone and that the vendor never intended to deliver a product.
For this reason, you must perform due diligence on what you’re buying and from whom when you buy a mobility scooter online.
Any decent, brand new mobility scooter will cost more than $500. Unless you're buying something used from someone local, do not be fooled by prices that are extremely low.
We get multiple calls each month from frustrated shoppers who have been ripped off and now need to buy a valid product for themselves or loved ones. Don't be one of those people.
3. Speak directly to the vendor
Online shopping can be very convenient. But in order to verify how legitimate a mobility shop is, you may want to pick up the phone and speak to a real representative. It’s a simple way to make sure you’re dealing with real people.
Many scam websites are international which means you won't be able to contact them by phone or that you’ll be connected with a non-native English speaker. This is a red flag that you may not get the quality you’re seeking.
Don’t fall for offshore scams that will sell you a bad unit then disappear when you need service. A simple phone call can verify the mobility scooter for sale online is from real people. Give our customer service reps a call directly at (800) 903-0946.
We do the same for most of the orders placed through our site to verify the person placing the order is who they say they are. If we haven't spoken with you with you directly, we often pick up the phone and call whoever just placed the order to verify the validity of the order and to ensure their order is correct.
4. Check warranties and return policies
Although we sell only the best products, accidents can happen with mobility scooters. Maybe you bought the wrong unit, or maybe something wears down over time. Either way, it helps to read and understand product warranties and our return policy.
All of our products contain detailed information, specifications, and guides that are available as PDFs. Together with our manufacturers, we also stand behind all of the products we sell. You can see each of our manufacturer's warranty information here.
We also offer a wide array of mobility scooter accessories online to maximize the value you get from your purchase.
5. Read manuals and brochures
Before you buy mobility scooters online, you should learn as much as possible about the product you’re purchasing. Our website is a fantastic resource for learning about mobility scooters online.
The "Specifications" tab on each of our product pages is a great place to get all of the information about the products we sell. You’ll also find links to PDF versions of the products' manuals. Another good resource to learn more about how we operate and answers to the most common answers we get is our Help Center.
Overview
Buying a mobility scooter is a major decision in your life. This unit can provide freedom of movement, but it shouldn’t break your bank or sanity dealing with unscrupulous mobility scooter online retailers. Check out the rest of our site to find mobility scooters to fulfill all of your dreams.
