If you are concerned with the cost of a stairlift and you really need to get one or else you will have to move out of your house, then considering getting a used stair lift, or a second hand stair lift does make sense.

Especially when your stairs are straight and not curved, or when your stairs consist of at most two separate straight segments, looking into a used straight stair lift will most likely save you money, as much as several thousands of dollars! I do not recommend getting a used curved stairlift unless you have the skills to bend the metal rails!

Straight stair lifts are not complicated. When properly maintained, they will last 10 years or more. Keep in mind that there are no gasoline engines involved, no corrosive exhaust. Most stair lifts today are electricity driven.

Sure, when looking at a used stair lift, the AC powered ones have a small advantage - there is no battery. We know batteries have a limited lifetime both in terms of number of discharges as well as in terms simply of age. So most likely, when buying a 2nd hand stair lift, you may have to price in the cost of a new battery when buying a DC powered stair lift.

Regardless whether you are buying through the classified section of your local newspaper or whether you are looking for used stair lifts on Ebay, make sure you get your questions answered. Ask questions about the previous owner, were they big and heavy, or small and light? Ask about the age of the stair lift. 10 years is considered lifetime, so don't buy a stair lift that is close to 10 years of age. Ask questions about the condition of the battery, of the drive train, questions about working order of the stairlift. Do not neglect questions about the width of the stair lift to make sure it fits your stairs. Also the length of track will be important. One can always shorten the track, but not lenghten it. Measure twice, cut once, as they say. If not, a cheap stair lift can turn into an expensive mistake.

If buying online, be sure to get the quote for the shipping costs. The rail and the main unit are not small, and neither are they light. The unit will probably be shipped in several packages so shipping could be several hundred dollars.

Having noted all these precautions pertaining to buying a used stair lift, the marketplace for used stairlifts is large and vibrant. If you are in a tight spot money wise, buying a used stairlift can make a big difference if you do it right.

Here are the places where you might be able to find a good selection of used stairlifts online:

• Ebay.com
• Amazon.com (no guarantee that used stairlifts will be available)
• Overstock.com (no guarantee)

You can also check more recent information about Stannah stairlift pricing on this page: Stannah Stairlift Prices.