Buying Shower Chairs on Craigslist

By Maurice

Assistive products, like shower chairs, are one of the best devices you can get when it comes to promoting your own independence. Research even shows that show chairs boost personal independence when it comes to self-care.

However, getting a shower chair can be a challenge even if you have Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. This makes buying a shower chair over Craigslist a promising alternative, but how can you make sure this sale goes by safely and smoothly?

Let’s take a look at buying shower chairs on Craigslist and how you can save money and stay safe!

Avoid Common Craigslist Scams

No matter where you’re shopping, you want to keep an eye out for scams. Craigslist is a great marketplace and can save you tons of money, but you need to be a savvy shopper and keep your eye out for a few common cons.

Let’s take a look at the number one scam on Craigslist and a few other warning signs you should keep an eye out for when buying a shower chair on Craigslist.

The Number One Craigslist Scam

There’s one piece of advice that even Craigslist themselves gives about avoiding scams on their site.

Always do your transactions in person. This can help you avoid 99% of the scams that show up on Craigslist.

If someone asks you to mail them a check, wire them money, or send you a payment in advance via a payment app like CashApp or Venmo, you should decline to continue with that transaction. A seller asking for a by-mail transaction or asking for money before you make the exchange are the number one warning signs of a scam.

Always deal in person when buying or selling on Craigslist.

Other Craigslist Risks To Look Out For

Scams on Craigslist often come from the buyers and sellers on this website rather than from the website itself.

Here are a few other warning signs of a potentially problematic transaction.

The seller agrees on a meetup location, but changes it to another location last minute
The seller won’t let you inspect the chair before you buy
The shower chair is not the same make/model they advertised in the listing’s pictures
The seller refuses to take basic Craigslist safety measures

Now, let’s talk about how you can safely buy a used shower chair on Craigslist.

How to Have a Safe Craigslist Transaction

You want to get the best deal on a shower chair on Craigslist and that means knowing how to have a safe Craigslist transaction. Keep these for safety tips in mind whenever you’re buying or selling on Craigslist.

Make the Purchase Somewhere Public

If possible, make your Craigslist purchases somewhere public. The lobby of your local library, outside of a coffee shop, or any other location that’s open and accessible to the public. This will deter any would-be scammers and promote a safe transaction.

Bring a Friend

You should also consider bringing a friend along with you. Not only can they help you load the shower chair into your vehicle, but they can also make sure that nothing suspicious goes on during the sale.

Deal in Cash

Cash is king. Always communicate with the seller ahead of time about acceptable payment methods and remember: cash is your best bet.

Ask to Take a Look Before You Buy

You want to inspect your shower chair before you hand over your cash. Make sure it is clean, in good shape, and free from any clear defects like rust or damaged parts.

What to Look for in a Used Shower Chair

Getting a shower chair off of Craigslist can save you a lot of money. Shower chairs aren’t always coerced by Medicare or insurance. Sellers on Craigslist can even be selling new shower chairs that are surplus inventory.

Here’s a few key things to look for in a good shower chair.

The shower chair should be clean and free from any soap scum or other shower grime
There should be no cracks in the body of the chair
Avoid chairs with visible rust
The chair should have a neutral odor and show no signs of mold or mildew
Make sure that this shower chair fits both your size requirements and your mobility needs

The One Thing You Need to Watch Out for When Buying a Craigslist Shower Chair

There’s one major thing that everyone needs to watch out for when buying a shower chair on Craigslist. You need to make sure that the shower chair that you’re about to buy on Craigslist has not been recalled.

Commercial retailers are required to take recalled merchandise off the shelves. However, reselling on Craigslist is a much less regulated market and private individuals might not even know that their model of shower chair has been recalled.

Before heading through with your sale, head over to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and check to see if the make and model of the shower chair that you’re looking to purchase has a recall order.

If the shower chair has been recalled, it’s probably best to skip this one and look for something else.

Wrapping Up Buying Used Shower Chairs on Craigslist

Let’s recap our tips for buying a shower chair on Craigslist.

You want to have a safe Craigslist transaction by making sure you make the purchase in person, use cash if possible, and don’t forget to bring a friend to help you load the shower chair into your car and make sure everything stays safe.

Don’t forget to inspect the shower chair before you purchase it. Look for any major signs of damage, mold, and make sure the shower chair is going to fit your needs.

Don’t forget to check to see if the shower chair has been recalled or not. There’s no buyer protection on Craigslist and once you’ve made the sale, you likely can’t return your purchase.

With all of this said, buying a shower chair on Craigslist is a great way to get a high-quality shower chair while still saving money.