The obvious first point of contact would be the original installer who you purchased the stairlift from usually this would be the manufacturer such as Acorn, Stannah, Handicare or Thyssenkrupp. The installer could be an independent installation company that works locally, rather than nationally, so make sure you check the invoice. Usually however, there will be a sticker on the stairlift itself detailing the installers name and telephone number.

Pro’s and Cons

Pros:

• They may be able to offer a higher sum for the stairlift than other companies, as they are able to directly reinstall your second hand stairlift themselves, which essentially cuts out any middleman.
• You know who you are dealing with, since you have already dealt with the company for installation.
• You already know they cover your area in the UK.
• If it is a manufacturer that installed the stairlift (rather than an independent installer) they can usually reuse all of the stairlift even bespoke rails and adaptions.

Cons:

• They often will only buy the stairlift back if it is under 6 months old, some will not buyback at all unless in the cooldown period from purchase (if the person who purchased the stairlift has passed away the cooldown is likely invalid).
• After 6 months, many installers will not offer a buyback so you may not receive any money back at all, or even pay a fee to have it removed.
• Some of the bigger stairlift companies will often have a waiting list of at least 8 weeks for a removal.

In busy periods many installers do not offer removal services at all, as they will prioritise installations.

Another option which many people are interested in, is to donate the stairlift to a charity so that someone less fortunate can receive the stairlift. Due to the second hand value of a stairlift being so low, many people consider this option rather than selling.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• If you can locate a charity to take the stairlift, someone in need who may not be able to afford a stairlift under usual circumstances may be able to make good use of it.
• The feeling of doing a good deed!

Cons:

• Most charities in the UK are very selective of what stairlifts they can take, so you will need to provide them with a lot of information as well as possibly safety and electrical tests, and certification that the stairlift has been removed by a professional which could cost you more money.
• Many charities will not accept stairlifts at all, due to the fact it is electrical and can pose health and safety issues. It is also due to the fact stairlifts are very bespoke to the property it is fitted to, so usually assessments must be done by a professional to ensure it can be properly fitted and will be safe for the user.
• Many stairlifts which are upholstered in fabric will not be accepted for sanitary reasons as they cannot be wiped clean and/or sterilised.

If the stairlift has any damage, even cosmetic, they will not accept the stairlift.

Another option of course would be to take matters into your own hands and sell the stairlift privately. This could be by advertising it online, putting local advertisements in the paper or local shops, or by checking with neighbours to see if they would be interested.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• If you have a stairlift you are struggling to get a decent price for, you may be able to achieve slightly more by selling it privately.
• Advertising opens it up to more potential interest.
• May help someone else purchase a stairlift for much lower than the brand new price.

Cons:

• You will likely need a detailed amount of information about the stairlift to find the right buyer. This will include photographs, the make and model, serial number, age of the product, number of steps, measurement of the rail and any details about accessories included. You may also need to include a full service history to prove it has been kept up to date and in good condition.
• You are inviting a stranger into your home, with little to no information about the person. Anyone vulnerable should be very cautious when considering this option.
• The person who is interested will likely need to remove the stairlift and must know what they are doing. It is quite common for interested parties to fiddle with the stairlift in an attempt to remove it, and accidentally break the stairlift or cause damage. This could mean the stairlift is rendered useless leaving you stuck with a stairlift that no longer works.
• The interested party may damage your stairs, walls or doors during the removal which could cost you more money than the stairlift has sold for.
• The online market is saturated with used stairlifts, both new and old. Due to this sometimes your advertisement will get lost in the sea of unwanted stairlifts for sale.