Last Updated on August 31, 2022 by Mark P.
Wheelchairs are used all around the world for a variety of reasons, ranging from injury to illness. Unfortunately, there are not often covered by health insurance in the US, and not everyone can afford to pay the full price.
Does that mean they have to learn to go without help? No! Luckily, there are many options to find an affordable used wheelchair.
New & Used Wheelchairs for Sale Right Now
You have many choices regarding buying a used wheelchair, but it’s hard to know which one is the right choice? Don’t worry. The internet has already done the work for you! So many excellent third-party sellers are waiting to make a deal with you. Websites like eBay make finding respected sellers so easy.
HealSmart Lightweight Wheelchair with Swing Away Elevating Leg Rest,19 Inch Seat
Electric Wheelchair Power Wheel chair Lightweight Mobility Aid Motorized Folding
Wheelchair Lightweight Folding Transport Chair w/ Seatbelt Hand Brakes 18in Seat
Fold and Travel Electric Wheelchair Medical Mobility Power Wheelchair Scooter
[FDA APPROVED]Folding Transport Wheelchair Removable Armrest Swing Away Footrest
Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair with Flip Back Desk Arms, Elevating Leg Res
18" Seat Folding Blue Wheelchair with Flip Back Desk Arms, Swing Away Footrests
Miracle Mobility Platinum 8000 Electric Wheelchair 61 LBS Foldable Aluminum:
Motion Composites Helio A7 Lightweight foldable portable Wheelchair
Lightweight Electric Wheelchair Folding Power Wheel Chair Motorized Mobility Aid
New All Terrain Foldable Electric Mobility Scooter Electric Power Wheelchair
20" Seat Blue Streak Wheelchair with Flip Back Desk Arms, Elevating Leg Rests
roho quadtro select wheelchair cushion
Carex Classics Transport Chair
BodyPoint Large Monoflex Underarm Release Grommet Strap
Ultra Lightweight Folding travel transport compact wheelchair in a bag -Open Box
Medline Ultralight Transport Wheelchair 19” Wide Seat Folding Transport Chair
Drive Adult Elevating Legrest For Drive Wheelchairs LK3JELR 1 Pair
ProBasic K1 20"W Lightweight Wheelchair With Footrest & Flip Back Desk Arm
ECSP01-20 Lightweight folding self propelled wheelchair & hand brakes
CIRCLE SPECIALTY, Ziggo 16” Seat Width Pediatric Wheelchair for Kids & Children
New 24V10Ah Folding Lightweight Electric Power Wheelchair Mobility Aid Motorized
Drive Medical Lightweight Steel Transport Wheelchair, Fixed Full Arms, 19" Seat
Duracell 35J 35 amp hour deep cycle wheel chair battery
Elite Care Voyager self Propel Outdoor All Terrain folding Wheelchair
HEADREST for Power Wheelchair NEW gclbmnvqk
Miracle Mobility Platinum 8000 Electric Wheelchair 61 LBS Foldable Aluminum:
Foldable Electric Power Wheelchair Lightweight Wheel Chairs Mobility Aid Motoriz
Lightweight Electric Wheelchair Folding Power Medical Mobility Aid WheelChair US
SpeedCare FDA Approved Foldable Electric Wheelchair - Silver
Folding Electric Lightweight Power Wheelchair Medical Mobility Aid Motorized
Light Weight Medline Wheel Chair New With Leg Rest 16 Inches Seat Was 290.00
Bariatric Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair with Swing Away Footrest, 22" Seat,...
Gel Seat Cushion Pad For Wheelchair Skin Protection E 3 Deluxe 18" x 16" x 3"
Buckingham Glideboard Transfer Board - Sliding Wheelchair Transfer Board - White
Drive Medical Streak Wheelchair Blue w/ Flip Back Desk Arms Swing Away Footrests
Air Hawk Lightweight Portable Folding Electric Wheel Chair Silver 264.5lb Cap. *
Electric Wheelchair Power Wheel chair Lightweight Mobility Aid Folding Foldablht
Drive Medical Elevating Legrest, for Drive Wheelchairs, 1 Pair
[FDA APPROVED]17"Folding Manual Medical Wheelchair w/Armrest Swing Away Footrest
Extra-Wide Medline Aluminum Wheelchair Transport Chair w/24” Large Rear Wheels
[FDA APPROVED]Foldable Lightweight Transport Wheelchair w/Handbrakes & Footrest
[FDA APPROVED]18"Folding Manual Wheelchair Flip Back Armrest Swing Away Footrest
Folding Transport Wheelchair with Full Arms and Removable Swing-Away Footrest
[FDA APPROVED]Foldable Manual Wheelchair Extra-Wide Seat /w Adjustable Foot Rest
[FDA APPROVED]Folding Manual Medical Wheelchair 18*16" Seat w/Armrest & Footrest
The History of the Wheelchair
Although scholars do not have an exact date, it is assumed that the first wheelchair was created in the 6th and 4th BCE centuries. It’s known that wheeled furniture reached Europe in the 17th century.
As time went on, the wheeled chair’s technology became more advanced, including cranks and rotary handles. Back in the day, they were more like armchairs than a medical device.
The wheelchair design we know today was created in the 20th century. Engineers cast away the old use of wicker and wood and started using a lightweight, tubular metal. The design of the cross-frame wheelchair was credited to Everest & Jennings Inc. In the 21st century, innovation has focused on making the wheelchair design lightweight, efficient, and easy to use.
Wheelchairs are made for weight and size specifications, so get the model of the chair and make sure you fit within those parameters. Sit in the chair for a bit to make sure it’s a good fit for your body. Do a web search on the model and look at what the reviews say, if most of the reviews say it’s a dud, look elsewhere.
While you’re inspecting the chair before purchase, make sure to check the whole chair over for defects, including the tires, pedals, wheels, seat, armrests, etc. If it needs a lot of repairing, look somewhere else for a chair in better condition. Also inspect for cleanliness. Some people who use wheelchairs can be incontinent, and if the seller hasn’t bothered to clean up the chair before trying to sell it off, you should stay far away.
Where to Look for Used Wheelchairs for Sale
You can find used medical equipment like wheelchairs in many different places. Websites like eBay and Amazon might have great deals, but keep in mind you’ll have to pay shipping, and you won’t be able to inspect the item prior to purchase. The nice thing is that these sites have buyer protections, unlike Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, so if there’s something wrong, you have a way to return it for a refund.
You can check at sellers of local used medical equipment, thrift stores, liquidation sales, estate sales, or a charity organization. Look in your local paper for deals or notices of big sales happening. Call and ask around to see if anyone’s selling a wheelchair. If you can’t find something local, eBay will have a much larger selection listing specific models, which you’ll be able to Google for weight and reviews.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Wheelchair
The main pro of buying a used wheelchair is simple: price. It is considerably cheaper to buy a wheelchair through a third party or a website like eBay than buying it any other way. Plus, there is a higher likelihood of getting it shipped to your house way before the distributor. Purchasing a wheelchair at full price can range from $200 to thousands of dollars, but buying a used wheelchair from a third party seller is typically under $100. That’s cutting the price in half!
The most significant con of buying a used wheelchair is getting an inferior product and wasting your money. That’s why it’s always best to check the reviews and examine the photos that reviewers have provided. If there is a 90% positive review score, you know that it’s a good purchase. Also, make sure to check for these things below.
What to look for in a Used Wheelchair
The most important thing to look at in a used wheelchair is the wheels and gears’ condition. If they are rusty, they will get stuck, making it harder to push the chair. Keep an eye out for the seat. Look for any rips or tears in the corners where the weight will rest.
If you’re purchasing the used wheelchair from a third-party website or eBay seller, you can’t test the wheels out as you can in person, which puts you at a disadvantage. Luckily, you still have reviews. Some customers will post pictures of their received product and include comments and complaints. You can check the condition of the product by examining the photos closely. Look at the problem areas! Keep an eye out for any flaws.
The world can be challenging when you’re disabled or injured, so buying a wheelchair should be cheap and easy. If you’re looking for a wheelchair, make sure to consider purchasing a used one from a respected seller. In the end, you’ll end up saving yourself some money, pain, and heartache.
