Are you about to get ripped off?

When you open the door to a salesman who has turned up to show you a mobility product that could make your life easier, how likely are you to be facing someone who's only aim is to get you to sign a cheque, no matter what it takes to do it? Unfortunately, depending on who is standing in front of you, it is a possibility.

We at Crest Care are fed up with hearing people complain just how they have been misinformed, misled, and wrongly sold products that just are not suitable for them.

We do not want to be associated with the "rogue" companies, as many direct sales organisations are in danger of being seen in the same suspicious light as double-glazing salespeople were some years ago.

We hear of more and more instances where people are suffering from "hard sell" techniques" and the many "creative" ways that these salespeople use to get the vulnerable to part with your money.

"It is made especially for you or we are the only manufacturers"

A favourite with some companies that want to justify a price that seems much higher than the norm. The fact is that the majority of mobility products - scooters, wheelchairs, bathlifts, beds and to a certain extent chairs (the vast majority of our chairs are made to order but we can get mass produced ones) are simply mass produced and virtually identical.

"We have a number of different models to choose from."

Although Crest Care along with virtually every shop based dealer in the country will have a large range to choose from, amazingly, some companies' that come knocking on the door may only have one model that they normally sell.

The even more incredible thing is that the same product may be sold at a series of different prices, starting off at the highest price they think that they can away with and reducing in stages (as special discounts) as they fail to "close the sale" at that particular price point. They may say that there are different products at different price levels, but it is possible that whatever you end up paying, you will get the same product delivered.

The Manager's Discount - "I'll have to call the office to authorise that"

If and when you get to the stage where you have beat the price down to a more reasonable level, it is possible that the salesperson will tell you that they cannot authorise such a "massive" discount and that they will have to call their boss.

They may then excuse themselves to make the call on their mobile phone. You may be surprised to learn that some salespeople may not actually make a call at all, but will just make you think that they have called and have "magically" been given authorisation for that price.

It's a trick to make you think that you have, indeed, got a great deal. Of course, you might have. But, then again, you might not.

The key points for safety.

We believe that there are a number of key points you should follow to ensure that you don't pay over the odds and don't get conned into buying something that isn't really what you wanted.

Our simple advice is this. If a company refuses to quote you a price for a product over the telephone, and only want to send a salesperson to discuss the options with you then you should simply refuse to have anything else to do with them.

The reason they won't give you a real price is most probably because they know that they are a good deal more expensive than other company's. Be careful if they do quote you a price eventually too. You may find that the price you have been quoted is for the smallest, cheapest product they have, rather than the model that you are actually interested in.

Some companies will carry very small or very cheap models in the range that they never actually intend the customer to buy. But, by having them available, it gives them the opportunity to quote the lowest price possible when the customer asks the question.

It's the same on some advertising too. The price that is highlighted might well be a price for a much smaller or much cheaper product, so beware.

Check on the availability of the product, if not in stock generally Crest Care can obtain items the following day, can the direct salesman delay 24 hours so he can bring you the product you require?

Crest Care promise that.

They will always give you a price indication of a product over the telephone. They have nothing to hide and would never dream of ripping customers off or making a profit that would be considered by many to be obscene.

Please remember we do occasionally receive promotional offers from manufacturers and we pass these savings on therefore prices do vary. Where possible we will also indicate if this is a promotional price and how long the promotion will last.

We will never artificially inflate prices just so that we can discount them in order that you think that you are getting a great deal when, in fact, you may be paying far more than you need. We charge a fair and realistic price every single time.

We will only ever visit your home when you invite us. We certainly will not turn up on your doorstep and pressure you into buying a product that might not be right for you neither will we stay at your home for hours until you sign a binding contract.

We will only supply you the product that they believe to be absolutely right for your needs, not simply the one that they will earn the most money from. We have experienced sales staff who understand the products.

They do not employ commission only salespeople. Therefore our salesmen are not under pressure to close sales.

We will still be around in 12 months time. We have a showrooms in Crawley and Petersfield that you can visit whenever you wish.

We won't let you down. If you buy one product from us, you will feel comfortable buying a second in the future.

Our after sales service which, we believe is second to none, is built around the concept of "That we don't get it right every time" this means we are constantly trying to improve. How good is our after sales service well please tell us it you feel we are wrong - only our customers can tell you if we have got it right

Finally, before you ask a company to help you, consider these important questions.

1. Has the company you are talking to been in business a number of years and have other customers in your area?
2. Can the company offer a real choice, not just of models but also of different manufacturers? Are they some of the leading brands available?
3. Can the company offer comprehensive service plans?
4. Does the company have a Showroom and Service base near to you that you can visit if you wish to?
5. If the product does go wrong, is it a member of the company's team that comes out to fix the vehicle, or will they pass the problem onto someone else who doesn't work for them directly?
6. What are the costs of a service? Do they offer a proper service programme?
7. Is the company able to supply other products to help too?