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