Before you even consider which Stairlift to buy, you should think about how a company will handle your enquiry. There are many factors that will make your whole experience either a pleasant or frustrating one. At Leodis we feel you should consider these important factors:

1. Advice is the key: a Stairlift that meets your needs today may not be suitable in the future. There are certain elements of design that can ‘future proof’ your Stairlift and well placed advice will help you make the best decision.
2. Some companies are just about targets and sales. With 30 years behind us, we at Leodis have found that a considered approach with our customers is what they really need. We send trained engineers with extensive experience rather than just salespersons.
3. There’s nothing wrong with being professional, but with a product such as a Stairlift you need a personal and caring touch. Using a well established family company is a good way of ensuring your Stairlift will be chosen and fitted around your needs.
4. Consider using a locally based company: that way you can ask questions more easily and get a fast and personal response should things go wrong.
5. With the best intentions in the world, things can occasionally go wrong. Find out whether the company guarantees their Stairlifts. Try to choose a company that offers up to 3 years warranty as well as a 24 hour call out service.
6. Does the company supply a range of makes and models or are they agents for just one brand. Using a company that offers a wide range of products is more likely to supply a Stairlift that is the best fit for your requirements.

Getting the right Stairlift at a fair price is crucial to a satisfactory outcome, so be prepared to ask the right questions. A reputable company will always be happy to answer as many queries as you may have. In preparation for your initial home visit, consider these points:

1. It’s easy to forget what has been said during your visit, especially if you have two or three companies visiting in quick succession. Having a partner or friend with you means you can ask their opinion, plus they will help you remember things afterwards as well.
2. Don’t just rely on one supplier: as with any major purchase, you should approach more than one company and pick out the one that is offering the best all round service. Ask them to leave any brochures they have, along with any written quotations.
3. Ask the company if they have any clients you can contact for their opinion. Even better, if you know someone who has had a Stairlift fitted by the company, ask them too. If the company has a website, look on there to see if there are any customer comments or testimonies.
4. Finally, don’t be scared about letting your worries or concerns be known. A reliable company will want you to be assured about every aspect of your purchase. If they can’t answer you, then ask them to find out and let you know.

Remember that the purpose of the home visit is to make sure you are happy with the purchase you are potentially about to make. This is your chance to ask questions and get any concerns cleared up. Be particularly clear about these issues:

1. Express clearly what you have in mind in terms of style and function and describe any concerns. This gives the visiting engineer the opportunity to give you some relevant information and their response will indicate whether the company is worth dealing with further.
2. Take the engineer’s advice on board: you may have overlooked some of the things they point out, so it is a good idea to make a few notes.
3. Make sure any quotations are written out properly and say exactly what they mean. Ask for the whole cost of the project, including any additional work that may be required. Be wary of receiving a nominal quote with ‘optional upgrades’ that could inflate the price of the Stairlift beyond your budget.

1. Steer well clear of any salesperson using high pressure sales techniques, such as offering a price valid only for that day; make decisions in your own time…
2. Approach the various companies yourself rather than responding to a ‘cold caller’. Salespersons calling on spec will probably be biased toward a certain manufacturer.
3. Be clear that you will contact them with any queries or decisions to purchase. You do not have to give away any contact details.