Pride®  Mobility Products Corp. The First Name in Mobility

Locate authorized Pride Providers.  

Pride ServicePride ProviderSilver Star Mobility

Return to the Resource Center homepage

Direct Manufacturers
by Terri Rozaieski

How to Avoid Overpaying for your Scooter
Beware of the Direct Manufacturer’s Misleading Sales Pitch

Advertisements from direct manufacturers seem to be all over the airwaves. These advertisements lead a consumer to believe that there is a pronounced financial benefit in purchasing a product direct from the manufacturer, hence the "buy direct and save" mantra that is often utilized in these advertisements. It sounds logical, right? After all, one would assume that by buying direct one would cut out the middleman and additional associated costs.

Direct Manufacturers

Service Issues

Service Solutions

Our Suggestions

However, our research indicates that most people who buy from a direct manufacturer spend considerably more for their scooter - up to $1,000 more - than they would have if they had bought a comparable or even superior scooter from a local Pride Provider. It is our opinion that direct manufacturers are able to do this by taking advantage of the fact that many people who need or want a scooter do not have any idea what a good price is. Rather, these people just figure that they must be saving if they are buying direct. The truth is, not only are they not saving, but they are spending much more for less.

It has come to our attention that direct manufacturers price very basic scooter models in the $5,000 dollar range, only to "discount" the price to the $3,300 - $3,500 dollar range to secure the sale. While this sounds like a tremendous saving, it is definitely not. Consider for comparison the anything-but-basic Pride Celebrity Scooter - complete with state-of-the-art scooter technology and great style as well as standard features like dynamic rear suspension, front headlight, an infinitely adjustable tiller and a whisper-quiet drivetrain system. With all of these features, the Celebrity still carries a suggested retail price of only $2,800 - the consumer receives a better equipped scooter and a savings of $500 or more off the direct manufacturer’s so-called discounted price. Plus, by purchasing a Pride scooter, one also purchases convenient local service.

 
 

Return to Scooter Articles page

Service Issues

bullet 

Return to the Resource Center homepage
©1995-2008 Pride Mobility Products Corp. All Rights Reserved. 1-800-800-8586

Products: Jazzy Power Chairs | Quantum Rehab | Pride Scooters | Go-Go Travel Mobility | Pride Lift Chairs | Silver Star Lifts

Inside Pride | Web Talk / Owner's Club | Resource Center | International | What's New!

©1995-2008 Pride Mobility Products Corp. All rights reserved. 1-800-800-8586