What To Look For From Your Adapted Van Provider
You would never buy a home without having it inspected. Why would you purchase an adapted van before dilligently researching it? In the unique and rapidly expanding mobility industry there are many ways to ensure that you are as educated as possible regarding your purchase. By no means an exhaustive list, the following are a few tips to get you started in the right direction.
Check with the Better Business Bureau
Businessesselling products on the magnitude of a wheelchair accessible van depend on word of mouth and their reputation. If you don't know anyone that has dealt with a particular business in the past, your best bet is to try to find out what you can from the Better Business Bureau.
Consider the Handicap Van Dealer's Offline Presence
Legitimate and honest businesses will offer a plethora of methods for you to get in touch with them. How easy is it to contact the business of interest? Can you pick up the phone and call? Shoot them an email? What about a mailing address? Hesitation in the face of questions like these indicates something shady.
Also, don't forget to inspect the wheelchair van sales company's promotional materials. Every savvy business owner will tell you they would love to have customers find them without having to advertise, but the reality is that to be successful, a business must promote itself. Have you seen the company in question in any trade publications? On television? How about in the newspaper? Make sure that the effort the company puts forth is sincere!
Finally, it is important that you are comfortable with who myou are dealing. Be sure that the person selling you your vehicle is someone that you can trust with your hard-earned money. Are you comfortable with their endorsement of the product they sell?
Research the Wheelchair Van Sales Company's Online Presence
The internet is an impressively powerful tool, and with more and more of the mobility industry beginning to leverage that power to promote their business, it is essential that you also utilize it for your own research. Inspect each company's website carefully. Does it readily offer ways for you to get in touch? What about real information?
Honestly, what good is a website if it doesn't provide potential customers with real information pertaining to the products being sold! Yet, so many mobility sales businesses put up a facade, devoid of any meaningful information. There should be little that frustrates you as much while shopping for your van than coming across a website that draws you in with promises of "Super Low Prices" or "Guaranteed Satisfaction" and insults you with "Call Now" instead of a price or, worse yet, no vehicles at all!
Use your instincts here. If you don't like what you see, keep moving!
Mobility Industry Standards Compliance
If there are businesses selling products, you can guarantee that there is a standards body somewhere making sure consumers are being protected. The mobility industry is no exception. Be sure to ask your adapted van provider about their compliance with standards set forth by the following bodies:
- ADA
- NMEDA
- Radco
- ...and many more
It is up to you to determine which standards bodies are relevant to you! Ask around, see what you can find out and then make sure that your purchase lives up. Check out our mobility dealer standards section for more information.