| If you're in the market for a sports | | | | home your wheelchair sooner rather than |
| wheelchair, you know there are a variety of | | | | later, but buying online has one decided |
| considerations to be made with any wheelchair | | | | advantage: price. There are several online |
| purchase. | | | | wheelchair stores that will sell you a good |
| | | | sports wheelchair at a deeply discounted |
| Sports wheelchair purchases aren't that | | | | rate. If you know what you want in a |
| different from other wheelchair purchases. | | | | wheelchair (and have perhaps already done a |
| You need to make sure the wheelchair will | | | | quick trial in a local store), this doesn't |
| suit your needs, your size and your | | | | have to be a scary, unknown purchase; simply |
| lifestyle. | | | | search for the brand and model you have |
| | | | already seen in person. |
| Here are some purchase considerations: | | | | |
| | | | If you do choose to shop online for your new |
| *What size wheelchair do you need? If you are | | | | wheelchair, be sure to keep in mind that |
| very tall or very short, that will factor | | | | shipping can add quite a lot to the cost. |
| into your sports wheelchair buying decision. | | | | Search for an online site that will give you |
| If you are heavy, you'll need a heavier-duty | | | | free shipping - many offer this regularly, |
| chair than someone who is smaller and | | | | while others have special promotions. This |
| lighter. | | | | can save you up to more than $100. |
| | | | |
| *How much do you want to spend? Sports | | | | Thinking of buying used? This is certainly an |
| wheelchairs are not cheap, and can cost | | | | option. There are many wheelchair sports |
| anywhere from about $1,000 to $10,000 | | | | leagues and through them, you could purchase |
| depending on a variety of factors. Be sure | | | | a good quality used chair at a fraction of |
| you know what your needs are and how heavily | | | | the retail price. This is an excellent way to |
| you'll use the chair before making this | | | | try out a sport without too much investment. |
| relatively large investment. | | | | Also check locally to see if you can find a |
| | | | used chair through any mobility impaired |
| *What's your sport? Sports wheelchairs are | | | | groups. Check your local Craigslist and |
| generally designed for a specific sport. If | | | | classified ads as well. |
| you play basketball, you'll want a sports | | | | |
| wheelchair for that sport. Those who like to | | | | Is purchasing a used chair a good idea? |
| race buy handbike wheelchairs. It's all in | | | | Certainly, if you avoid certain pitfalls. |
| your need and how to feed that need. | | | | First, know the retail value of a new, |
| | | | similar chair. Don't overpay for a used |
| Now, once you have your needs figured out, | | | | chair. Check the condition of the chair |
| how do you purchase? There are several | | | | carefully (in other words, don't purchase |
| options. When purchasing a wheelchair, if you | | | | sight unseen). If it has a lot of wear and |
| can try it out, that's better than buying | | | | obvious use, be sure the price is in line |
| sight unseen. Try to head to a few local | | | | with the chair's condition. Finally, make |
| wheelchair stores and try one out. There | | | | sure the chair you are buying is appropriate |
| might be a brand or style you find more or | | | | for your sport. If you're new to sports |
| less comfortable. | | | | wheelchairs, you don't want to make an |
| | | | inexact purchase that will end up being a |
| Buying locally might be more convenient for | | | | waste of space or money. |
| you and certainly faster, since you can bring | | | | |