Used Disability Items (Oz)

Yeah but you're paying their 'agency/finders' fee on that. Better to trawl Gumtree and eBay for 'em. Or local paper columns if you're in a retiree area. I got a next to brand new electric lift recliner chair for $300 on Gumtree. $1500 in a shop.

Disability products are always shamelessly over priced and gouge the people least able to afford them. A spouted drinking cup $13.95 in a 'disability' store. Same thing in a discount junk shop, $1.59. The only difference was the cheapy was bright pink for kids. What a rip-off!
Going back a bit but I had to pay $5 each for a 3inch section of soft thick foam tubing to fit over knife and fork handles for Mum. $5 per meter in a hardware or pool supplies store. Pays to check out what you need and try and find the equivalent elsewhere.
 
Di that is great advice. There is also a group of us here that pass a lot of these things around. We have a local web site where someone can put out the word of what they need. If no one has it some scan the internet others check thrift stores in nearby town. We started doing this about 6-8 years ago when a friend was charged $550 for a potty chair she only needed for 2 days. We have some who are mechanically handy and can repair things, others transport. It has also developed into a place where you can ask for help moving things or getting something fixed. Yesterday a couple in their 70s ran out of wood in their home they haven't had power for 2 days and they were told it might be a week before they can restore their power. I had a load of seasoned firewood which I didn't need. Within a hour someone showed up in a 4-wheel drive loaded the wood and got it to them. Someone else also got them a kerosene heater. This couple are also caring for a very elderly parent with dementia.
 
I think one of the reasons they're overpriced is because they are usually designed to be originally purchased either by a medical facility (the lift machines and belts) or paid for by insurance ("The Bottomless Well"), so it makes sense that they would be expensive on the used market as well.
 
Just recently bought a nebulizer at a local medical supply store. It was priced $129.00. The gal said I could have it for $69.00. Nice of her I thought and purchased it. After using it for awhile, I was looking at EBay and stumbled in nebulizer section. Same machine, brand new, $39.95. :mad:

So now I buy the hoses and mouth pieces from EBay. About a third of price as to what the store wants.
 
Yes it's great when there's access to a network or sorts, it's a help to know where to start for new carers. So many are completely at sea when something happens and they need equipment and just think they have to access it from the specialists.

I donated most of the stuff I had for Mum to the palliative support group when she went into the aged hostel. I didn't know them but it was suggested by a nurse friend who worked with them. They loan air mattresses, lift chairs, frames etc to people who need them for limited time for terminal people who want to stay in the home as long as possible. It saves carers thousands as the equipment is reused but maintained in top condition by volunteers. The support groups are completely voluntary and have no connection to the Health services other than through the doctors and nurses recommendations. They do a wonderful job.
 
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