Rent to Own Mobility Scooters

By Maurice

Mobility scooters are a great advantage for people who have mobility issues. However, they can get pretty pricey – especially when you’re trying to make the purchase outright.

Fortunately, you have the option of renting to own your scooter. In this guide, you’ll learn the types of scooters you can rent to own, how to find them, and several tips for saving money in the process.

What Types of Mobility Scooters Can You Rent to Own?

You can rent to own pretty much any mobility scooter available. However, not every company offers all scooter options. Therefore, it’s important to decide which type of scooter you want before you begin looking. Below are some of the most common options that you can rent to own.

Standup Scooters

These can certainly be handy and they offer more shock absorption. However, they’re not a good option for you if you can’t stand for long periods or if you struggle with balance while standing.

Folding Compact Scooters

These scooters are designed to be transported with as much ease as possible. Some require manual folding while others fold on their own with the press of a button.

In either case, they are very lightweight and can easily be slid into the trunk of your car. They can be a bit uncomfortable after a while, though, so you’ll want to keep this one for short-term use. They’re also not very good on outdoor terrain.

Standard Size

If you’re looking for something that is good for both indoor and outdoor use, a standard or medium mobility scooter is the way to go. They have larger wheels, meaning they can navigate over more complex terrain. However, they’re not so large that you can’t fit them through most areas of your home.

The downside to these is that they are larger than the folding ones, so you’ll probably not be able to fit one in a regular car. Some, though, do come in such a way that they can be disassembled slightly, making them easier to transport. If you want this size of a mobility scooter and have a normal-sized car, you’ll need to shop around for an option that can be broken down.

Heavy Duty

If you’re the adventurous type that wants to be able to travel across just about any terrain, you’ll need a heavy-duty mobility scooter. These sit higher off the ground, so you can get over ground that’s not level and similar areas.

If this is the type of scooter you want, you’re almost certainly going to need a larger vehicle to carry it around. These tend not to be designed in such a way that you can break them down, so you’ll usually need to transport them fully assembled.

3 Wheelers and 4 Wheelers

You’ll also have the option to pick most scooters with either three or four wheels. If you need a bit more space and stability, four wheels are the way to go. If you need to move around corners a great deal, three wheels are a better solution.

How to Find Rent-to-Own Mobility Scooters Near Me

There are a few options for finding a rent-to-own scooter. The first is to simply do a Google search for “rent to own mobility scooters near me.” This is a good option if you want to actually go in, see, and potentially try out your mobility scooter before you buy.

If you already know what you want, though, or don’t mind shopping online, check out the following popular rent-to-own stores in the US:

Tips for Getting the Best Price

Before you buy, it’s important that you know how to save money during your shopping endeavors. The following tips can help.

Shop Around

Any time you make a purchasing decision – regardless if you are buying outright or making payments – it’s essential that you shop around for the best price. When you’re renting to own, though, you don’t just look at the sticker price. You need to calculate all of the factors.

Some rent-to-own programs are really straightforward. They simply break the purchase price down over a certain amount of payments. Many, though, have a “90 Days Same As Cash” or similar pricing structure.

This means that if you pay the price in full before the 90-day period is up, you only pay the purchase price. After that, fees and interest are typically added. That can lead to you paying twice the price by the end of your payments.

In short, you have to look at the price, but you also need to look at the terms of the payment agreement. Compare all of these factors with several companies to find the best overall price.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you have Medicare or other government-funded insurance coverage, they’ll actually help cover the cost of your scooter. However, it needs to be a necessity – not just a desire.

If you feel like you need a mobility scooter, talk to your doctor. If you can get a prescription for a scooter, you can typically get help with 80% of the total cost. This can definitely ensure you pay the smallest amount possible out of pocket.

Check In With Charities and Available Programs

There are many options available for helping you with your mobility needs. You just have to reach out to them. A good place to start is always with your doctor, as they’ll have often heard about charities and programs that provide assistance.

You can also call around to local churches and charities. Some won’t have that type of assistance themselves, but they’ll usually know which direction to point you in. It can take a little work, but even getting help with 25% or 50% of the cost can take a huge burden off of your bank account.

Think About Used Scooters

Everyone loves the idea of new things, but many people save a ton of money by accepting second-hand items. Many mobility scooter companies do short-term rentals, too.

So, just because you’re choosing used doesn’t mean that you’re getting something old. It may have been rented for a couple of weekends or for a month while someone recovered from surgery.

In either case, used mobility scooters from reputable companies are still thoroughly checked out and tested before they’re sold. Therefore, you shouldn’t automatically discount used scooters. Instead, just look into the company a little deeper to determine their process for selling used products.

Ask About Discounts

Sometimes the mobility scooter companies will have discounts and programs that they don’t advertise. However, if you ask, they’ll happily share them. So be sure that you ask when you call or chat with each company.

Consider Other Financing

Rent-to-own is a great option, but it’s not the only one. And it’s not always the best one. If you’re willing to let companies do credit checks, you might find that their other financing programs will get you what you need at a much lower price. Care Credit is also something to consider.

Conclusion

You should now be prepared to dive in and find your perfect rent-to-own mobility scooter without dropping the full amount upfront. Remember to carefully follow the money-saving tips before you make any decisions, as they can save you quite a bit of cash and ensure you get the best for your needs.