In addition to the stairlift costs, experiences of customers and independent institutes are an important criterion for the purchase. Because there are many different suppliers with numerous models in Germany, a comparison is also worthwhile with regard to the experiences of individual buyers.
Before buying a product, the buyer ratings at Trusted Shops can be an important source of information. In Germany, Trustedshops is the most widely used seal of approval for online stores, with over 40%. Customers can use the experiences of other customers as a guide in this way.
Photo: © Ingo Bartussek / ShutterstockThe Problem: Stairlift suppliers do not use Trusted Shops, although many small and regional suppliers now offer stairlifts at fixed prices and for immediate purchase via their own online store. Detailed buyer ratings on delivery, goods and customer service are thus omitted when buying a stairlift.
No tests by Stiftung Warentest and consumer centers
Although Stiftung Warentest informs interested parties that it is essential to compare stairlift prices, the best-known German institute has not yet dared to conduct an independent test. The same applies to the consumer center, which also limits itself to the reference to a stairlift price comparison.
Photo: © panuwat phimpha / ShutterstockNot so the German Institute for Service Quality (DISQ), which has put at least some stairlift manufacturers under the microscope in a test. The “mystery test” published in 2017 was designed in such a way that the respective providers did not know that they were being tested. In this way, an attempt was made to obtain the most authentic stairlift experiences possible in dealing with the providers and individual evaluation criteria. The general findings of the independent institute can be summarized as follows:
Nr. | Experience |
|---|---|
| 1. | The quality of on-site consulting is generally very good in the industry. |
| 2. | Consultants show themselves friendly and empathetic. |
| 3. | Stairlift providers are sometimes very far apart in price. |
| 4. | Most providers in the DISQ test receive a “very good” or “good” rating. |
Hardly surprisingly, the stairlift experiences of the institute coincide with those of other buyers on the Internet. Among other things, this is due to the fact that they faced the suppliers as private interested parties, and consequently did not receive any “special treatment”.
Stairlift test winner in DISQ test
Especially the stairlift provider Sanimed can show good test results with its stairlift solutions. Customers as well as the DISQ praise the very good price of the devices, besides advisors go very individually on the need of customers and can answer even complicated requests and questions correctly. In addition to the first-class price/performance ratio, the service quality was also highlighted as particularly positive, as the provider responds quickly and individually to mail inquiries in addition to being constantly available by phone.
Rank | Company | Points | Test rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanimed | 87,6 | very good |
| 2 | Hiro Lift | 82,2 | very good |
| 3 | AS Seniorenprodukte | 76,3 | good |
| 4 | Lifta | 68,5 | satisfying |
| 5 | Thyssenkrupp | 63,9 | satisfying |
Buyers also report positive stairlift experiences with the provider Hiro Lift, which is also one of the most favorable experts nationwide. An innovative and comprehensive website provides great added value for prospective customers and buyers. The consultants all appear compassionate and competent to customers and can even think up and provide individual solutions within a short time.
The stairlift experiences with the provider Lifta also deserve attention. These inspire customers with excellent service, whether on the Internet, by phone or on site. This gives many customers peace of mind. Thus one reads again and again of experiences, with which prospective customers know themselves safe and in good hands. This is an aspect that should not be underestimated when purchasing such an important mobility aid as a stair lift! The DISQ awarded the stairlift provider, even if not the test winner of the whole review, also with top marks in service quality.
How can the stairlift experience be used for your own purchase?
Experience values from other customers – in combination with the official surveys from the individual tests by renowned institutions – help when buying a stairlift. So among other things:
Nr. | Distinction criteria |
|---|---|
| 1. | regarding the stairlift costs and the price/performance ratio |
| 2. | when planning to rent a stairlift |
| 3. | in the competence and friendliness of consultants |
| 4. | in later accessibility and service quality |
| 5. | regarding the delivery time and available information material |
Customers and institutes alike intensively point out that a comparison of suppliers is indispensable – especially due to the sometimes considerable price margins, which can definitely reach a value of 40%. Customers also repeatedly comment that a supply and installation contract should not be signed immediately at the first appointment. Especially in the case of special requirements, for example due to a curved staircase, many stairlift suppliers can submit individual solutions on site. Therefore, it is a good idea to invite another consultant from other suppliers even if the first conversation with the previous supplier was already positive.
With regard to delivery times, there are differences which must be evaluated on the basis of the individual situation. If the installation is urgent, only stairlift providers with very short delivery and installation times may come into question. It is also possible to rent a stairlift and obtain experience. In this case in particular, the long-term opinions and experience of the supplier should be compared, for example with regard to their availability and response rates to e-mails or telephone contact. In this way, the stairlift experiences of other buyers become a further key factor in the assessment.
