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