Owning the right mobility scooter is not just about regaining freedom; it’s about total peace of mind.

Choosing the right mobility scooter for you and your specific needs can be seen as a daunting task. Will the scooter be reliable? Which company can I trust? Will I get better value for money on the internet? What happens if I breakdown? Can I cancel the order without any hassle? All of these questions and many more worries can be commonplace when considering the ownership of a mobility scooter unless you choose a well established, specialist provider.

It is important before choosing a scooter or powerchair provider that you think carefully about your specific needs and gather the names of a selection of accredited suppliers. One such individual who qualified for the Motability scheme, Mr Fisher of Hemel Hempstead was unsure of which company to approach, however after receiving literature from a selection of leading, Motability approved mobility specialists, he decided to test drive a TGA scooter.

“Right from when the van arrived and the TGA representative opened the tail gate, I knew that the Vita was the scooter for me. Free of charge and in the security of my own home, I received a full demonstration of the product and was allowed to drive the scooter and check I was happy with the controls. From this initial test drive and my application to Motability, right through to delivery of the scooter and after sales care, I can honestly say that the whole process has been a joy and hassle free. Bearing in mind the horror stories I here of people dealing with non-reputable suppliers who go bust, do not offer refunds or simply supply poor quality products, I would recommend both Motability and TGA to anyone seeking help in regaining independence.”

This experience is commonplace when choosing a Motability accredited supplier as illustrated by a recent Motability customer satisfaction survey. When asked whether the chosen scooter ‘comfortably met all the owner’s needs, 97.8% of customers responded as being completely satisfied.

Everyone these days is more cost conscious than ever with the growth of the internet and its associated cheaper deals. But is this a sensible place to buy, in essence, a medical product without any one-to-one guidance or advice and what if your scooter breaks down? Respected scooter providers pride themselves on discussing, listening and getting to understand customer needs face-to-face before recommending the right scooter. Only by hearing and experiencing your lifestyle requirements first hand, can a scooter representative truly offer the right advice. Only with the right information from a trained professional, can you then make the correct, informed decision that may not be possible via a computer screen.

‘You get what you pay for’ is an old saying but still rings true today, especially for mobility scooters. You may see offers in the press and on the internet that promise massive discounts, buy one get one free or even Government scooter scrappage schemes which simply do not exist. Most of these offers are not what they seem and invariably they are based on initial inflated costs, whereas with a reputable supplier or dealer you will only even see transparent offers and complete realistic upfront prices.

A visit to one of the industries leading exhibitions such as The Mobility Roadshow (1st, 2nd and 3rd July 2010, East of England Showground, Peterborough) or Naidex (April 2011, NEC) will give you the ideal opportunity to see and evaluate the major players who provide the highest quality scooters. With all the leading suppliers in attendance, you can browse at your leisure and discuss your specific needs and questions with sales representatives on hand. The Roadshow is the only mobility event in the UK which provides the opportunity not only to see one of the largest selections of scooters under one roof, but to test drive scooters in a safe environment before purchasing.

Also when choosing a company to purchase from, look for professional accreditations such as the BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association) that ensures the organisation is professional and adheres to Office of Fair Trading regulations.

So when you have thoroughly thought about your lifestyle needs and have concluded you need a scooter, the ten essential questions to ask a potential scooter provider are –
1. Have you been in business longer than 5 years?
2. Do you offer a no quibble refund within 7 days of purchase?
3. Do you offer a 2-year or more parts and service warranty?
4. Can you loan me a scooter within days of a possible breakdown?
5. Will I experience any difficultly with servicing or ordering of spare parts?
6. Is there a dedicated customer care line I can call?
7. Will my scooter be delivered personally and will I receive a full demonstration?
8. Can you offer insurance?
9. Are you Motability approved?
10. Will I receive a full, professional assessment of my needs?

If the answer is no to any of the above, or you are not convinced by the response, then you may consider looking elsewhere.