The “rise of online” has changed the way we shop. Ordering products from the comfort of our own home saves us time, effort and sometimes even money. And in the age of COVID-19, being able to shop online can be safer and reduce the risks of not having to tackle a busy high street.
But with traditional retail set to re-open later in the year – has the pandemic catalysed a society where we only buy (and sell) products online? Or is face-to-face retail still needed?
Should I buy from a high street mobility dealership or online shop?
For our industry, we believe high street presence will always top online alternatives.
When it comes to buying accessible bathroom equipment, mobility products and independent living solutions; there are a whole host of benefits of buying these products in shops that offer a showroom and experienced sales assistants. Online shopping is great for smaller purchases, repeat purchases of products you already know, and products that you can feel confident about buying without seeing them in person first. But we firmly believe you are better off buying mobility, bathroom and living equipment the “old fashioned way”. This includes mobility scooters, wheelchairs, riser recliner armchairs and electric profiling beds.
Indeed, this view is supported across the industry. In his editorial in the August 2020 issue of Access & Mobility Professional, editor Alex Douglas discusses “The Rise of Online” in regards to the mobility sector, “In the vast majority of cases, that personal assessment is key in ensuring customers get the right product suitable for them. This is the case now and always will be.”
Why buy mobility, bathroom and independent living equipment instore?
• Expert advice
• Healthcare assessments
• Try before you buy
• Custom fitting
• Quality products
• Peace of mind
• Servicing and repairs
• Buy cheap, buy twice!
Here are just some of the benefits you get from a high street shop – that you don’t get when shopping online!
Expert advice
Sifting through the endless choice in the market can be confusing and time consuming. Our industry experts will listen to you, and offer their knowledge and experience to advise you which products will best meet your needs.
Healthcare assessments
If you need to make some changes to your home, such as making it wheelchair accessible, then expert healthcare advice is advised. An occupational therapist (OT) can advise you on what adaptations might be necessary. We assist OT’s in home visits and assessments, applying our knowledge of optimal product ranges for needs-based assessments and implementation.
Try before you buy
Some products you need to touch, test & compare before you buy. Mobility Scooters for instance come in all shapes and sizes – and you can’t truly get a feel for a scooter just by looking at photos. We have a showroom full of scooters for you to test drive – and we can even bring them to you! We offer home demos and consultations, so you can try them around your own home.
Custom fitting
Many independent living solutions need customising to the individual needs of the end user. Our specialists provide custom fitting of mobility equipment seating for example, for postural support and pressure relief. As well as product customisation; our engineers install equipment like overhead hoists, walk in showers and wheelchair ramps.
Quality products
We supply the best products from leading brands. All our products meet the required certifications, and we never supply equipment that we don’t 100% believe in.
Peace of mind
We’re here to help! Our shop is open 5 days a week, and you know where to find us on York Road in Belfast. Serving our community central to what we do.
Servicing and repairs
Accidents happen. Equipment can break down. But never fear! We provide comprehensive support, maintenance and repairs to our customers. Our fleet of engineers can collect faulty equipment from you, saving you the effort of transporting it yourself.
Buy cheap, buy twice!
We understand that price is the deciding factor for most of us. We have a range of products to suit all budgets, and will ensure that we deliver as affordable equipment to you as possible, without compromising on quality.
What are the disadvantages of shopping online?
If you are looking for the best mobility, bathroom and independent living equipment to make your life at home safer and easier – you may be considering whether a physical store or online store works best for you. Perhaps you are helping parents buy living solutions? Whoever it is you are shopping for – you want and easy and stress-free experience, that requires as little effort as possible.
Here are some of the drawbacks of buying independent living solutions from an online ecommerce website.
Expert, personal advice based on your needs
Online shopping offers no experienced sales assistant to guide you through the necessary considerations. With the huge range of products on offer – examining and understanding the market is down to you.
You can’t touch the product
A limitation of online shopping is that you cannot touch the product, and try it out before you buy. Buying based on images and written descriptions can work for smaller products, but we always recommend demos and assessments before you buy mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, powerchairs and mobility scooters. That way you can get a feel for the product and find the perfect fit for you.
Delays in delivery
It’s easy to buy a product online in the click of a button – without fully understanding where it will be shipped from. Items shipped direct from factories around the world can take weeks to arrive. And with Brexit, products arriving here in Northern Ireland can experience uncertain delays, even when shipped from mainland UK.
Waiting for an all-day delivery time slot
For larger products such as riser recliner armchairs and mobility scooters, it is essential that someone is home to receive the order. If you are receiving an order on behalf of your parents, this might mean taking a day of work, or out from your free time, to wait around for the “between 9:00 – 18:00” time slot you were promised. This isn’t very convenient!
The hassle of returns and exchanges, fulfilled via courier
Although most online shops offer product returns, this service can prove a headache. In most cases, customers have to bear the cost of returning larger products themselves, all the while being without the product that they have a need for.
…But there are benefits!
The world of online shopping does have benefits! It gives you a great way to find and compare dealerships, compare products, and read customer reviews.
Don’t take our word for it! Hear what our customers say
★★★★★
“Sync Living are interested in the ‘little things’ that are so very important to those who live with a disability and to their families. We highly recommend the company that has gained our confidence and appreciation.”
Angeline M, Yell Review★★★★★
“My elderly mother didn’t want the hassle of a walk in shower being put in. Sync living made it easy and she loves the shower. At the planning stage they gave excellent advice. The installers were great. They used quality components. Really a perfect company to deal with. Can not recommend them highly enough!”
Michael R, Happy Customer
Where to buy a mobility scooter
So if you are looking to buy mobility, bathroom or living equipment for yourselves or your parents – there are endless benefits of visiting a showroom and doing it in person!
Pick up the phone and speak to our experts on 028 9074 5333. Or pop into the Sync Living showroom at 1 York Street, Belfast BT15 3GU.
We’re looking forward to it!