If you’re considering getting a mobility scooter, then you’re probably facing the tough decision of whether buying or renting it is the better choice.
Having to pick from numerous styles and specifications can seem overwhelming and might make renting a much more appealing option. But then again, it might cost less to buy your own device, rather than accumulating in rent money more than what you would’ve paid to get a mobility scooter that’s completely yours.
There’s no good or bad option; it all depends on what your specific needs are. That’s why we’ve gathered some factors to consider and which option would be the better one in each case, to better help you narrow down your choices and finally reach a verdict that you feel good about.
Mobility Scooters: Factors That Should Influence Your Decision
Below, we’ve listed things that you should consider when making your decision and which option would be better for you based on your circumstances.
1. Price
Whether or not you’re planning on keeping a mobility scooter for long-term use or you temporarily need it makes a huge difference in the price point.
Renting a mobility scooter can save you a lot of money if you’ll only use it for a short period, for example, if you’re recovering from surgery.
Another perk of renting instead of buying is that you could upgrade to a different scooter once your rental agreement expires. If you tried your device out and found that it wasn’t the best fit for you, it can be too much of a hassle to sell it and buy an entirely new scooter.
On the other hand, some people find that mobility solutions tremendously help them with getting around. In that case, it’d be more beneficial to buy a mobility scooter, as it’d give them much more freedom with their usage of the scooter without having to worry about returning it.
Still, it’d be more financially wise to only buy a scooter if you have enough cash on hand to do so, and it wouldn’t cause you any financial trouble. Otherwise, renting would be a safer option.
2. Maintenance
With mobility scooter rentals, there’d most probably be no need to worry about doing any repair work or maintenance, as the owner of the scooter or the rental company might cover anything related to that.
In general, the contract would properly outline what’s covered, which could include maintenance, and what you’re responsible for.
It’s crucial to check your contract beforehand and know exactly what falls under your own responsibility in order to understand how to handle any damage or if the device simply isn’t the right fit for you.
If you buy a mobility scooter, you’d have full responsibility for any work that needs to be done.
3. Duration
Of course, when deciding on whether you should buy or rent a mobility device, the duration for which you’ll use this device is one of the key factors that you should put into consideration.
If you know well how long you’ll need your mobility scooter for, then that’d help you tremendously in making your decision. In case you’ll only use it temporarily, then you could look into renting.
Not only will renting your scooter save you money, but you also won’t need to worry about what you’ll do with your device once you’re done using it. Selling it again can be too much of a hassle, and you might not have the available storage to keep it until you find a buyer.
However, if you plan on using it for a long time, then renting could look a lot like throwing away money. You might end up paying in rent more than you would’ve paid if you’d bought your device, to begin with.
Owning your own scooter will also give you more freedom over your usage, as you won’t have to worry about returning it in a certain condition. Buying would also give you the option to customize your device according to your needs and requirements.
4. Travelling
It can be harder to travel if you own a mobility scooter as you’ll need to transport it with you and you might not have enough space available. In that case, it’d be better to rent it as that’ll save you the hassle of moving it around.
If you’re someone that doesn’t travel often, there’d probably be no problem with buying a mobility scooter. If transporting it will be a one-time thing, you could definitely manage to do so.
If you travel frequently, renting could be the cheaper, more accessible option. It could cost too much to transport your mobility scooter, and that’s on top of its initial cost while renting would provide a good alternative.
Buying a Mobility Scooter
Pros:
- You can pick from numerous available styles and brands
- More customisation options
- You won’t have to worry about returning your device in a particular condition
Cons:
- You’ll have to buy or rent an entirely new device if you need an upgrade
- You’ll need a long-term place to store your device
- You’ll have to maintain your device entirely on your own
Renting a Mobility Scooter
Pros:
- You can try out your device in advance
- You won’t need to store the device somewhere long-term
- May not need to do any maintenance work
Cons:
- The device will need to be returned in good condition
- Fewer styles available
- Little to no customization options
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve had a good rundown on the differences between buying and renting a mobility scooter, it’s time to decide which option is the best for you.
All in all, if you need your device for just a few days to get around, then there’s no need to spend a lot of money on buying a brand new scooter. If you plan to use your device for a long time, then buying your own scooter is probably the better option.
