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Toll free support - (877)
585-4041 Jameson
Medical, Inc. |
*Insist
on these safety options -
Jameson Medical is an ETHICAL & AUTHORIZED distributor
5 YEARS!
Before
you Buy #1) An AC (plug in the wall) unit is the most dependable unit available - even though we offer both AC and DC stairlifts and DC Battery sounds like a great idea ... the truth of the matter is - the batteries fail every 18-24 months without notice. If someone tells you the batteries last three years ... ask them why the batteries only carry a six month warranty. You can no longer ship batteries by air and must go by ground. These are odd ball batteries that you can't go down to Wal-Mart and pick up. You could easily be without your stairlift for a week or more while waiting on batteries and/or an installer. If you are really concerned about long term power outages due to storms and have them frequently - you might think about a small generator. The only time you should consider a battery operated system is if you reside in an area of the country that has routine "brown outs" (i.e. California & New York) or if you are using it to seek refuge from tornadoes. (Acorn, Brooks, Meditek only offer battery operated systems). Please note - there is NO SUCH THING as a "battery back-up"! You either get an AC system or a DC system. No unit does both! The least amount of downtime is with a straight electric system. #2) If you choose to buy a battery operated stairlift - Mark your calendar every 18 months to remind yourself to automatically replace the batteries. If a company advertises "maintenance free DC power" - it is simply not true. No one's batteries last a lifetime. They are merely implying you do not have to add water to the batteries. Somehow, that's not quite how it sounds when they advertise "maintenance free DC power". #3) Do NOT buy a stairlift if the seat does not swivel 45° and 90° at the Top AND Bottom - If and when the rider becomes unstable on their feet, they will need a vertical grab bar mounted on the wall at both destinations. No one can reach behind their back and hold on to a grab bar to assist with entry and exit from the chair if the seat does not swivel. After all, Safety is the primary reason for the installation of a stairlift to begin with! (Acorn and Brooks only swivel at Top). #4) Do NOT buy a stairlift that uses a toggle/joystick or thumb switch vs. a rocker switch to operate - a simple toggle switch or joystick sticks straight up or straight out and can easily get snagged by loose clothing and purses and broken off. A thumb switch can be easily bumped into when exiting the chair causing movement. A large rocker type switch recessed at the end of the armrest is easier (and safer) to use and will be there when you need it. (Acorn, Brooks, Meditek use a thin toggle switch). Imagine what would happen if you or your loved one broke off the switch, had to use the remote to go upstairs, and then laid down the remote and couldnt find it. You would be virtually trapped until you located your remote. The door bell rings ... and the user makes an attempt to navigate the stairs in a hurry ... and then ... the call to 911. Not a good situation! A switch on the end of a loose wire makes no sense at all! #5) Do NOT buy a stairlift that contains a circuit board. Circuit boards simply do not hold up when they are constantly being vibrated and jarred. No one knows when a bad batch of circuit boards are installed until hundreds of units have shipped out. (We know this from experience and were left to repair at our expense). Replacing a circuit board can be a $650 service call! (Acorn, Brooks, Meditek use a circuit board.) #6) Do NOT buy a stairlift with less than a full 5 year bumper-to-bumper warranty - You wouldn't buy a new car with a one year or three year warranty ... why settle for less on a stairlift? If the company doesn't stand behind their product - don't buy it. In reality, a stairlift gets very little use in the average home. A minimum of wear is placed on the motor and working mechanics and a five year warranty should be the minimum you accept. Don't be fooled by a "limited lifetime warranty on the rail or other component. Make sure ALL of the parts are covered for a minimum of a full unlimited (no questions asked) 5 years. (Only offered and Actually Provided by Jameson Medical/Summit Lifts). #7) Do NOT buy a stairlift that does not offer a call/send unit - You should get a stairlift that will not only allow you to call for it from the opposing location but you should also be able to send it to the other end (or simply move it up a few feet). This will allow you to get it out of the way when visitors come or simply free up floor space at the top or bottom. Some distributors charge an additional fee for this feature. ($150 for 20 feet of wire ??) It is provided as a NO CHARGE item at Jameson Medical! #8) Do NOT buy a stairlift without the wider seat AND angled arms - No one wants to have the control switch digging into there side as they ride up and down. With the angled arms, the wider seat allows for a MUCH more comfortable ride AND allows you to easily place a laundry basket on the seat to transport groceries, laundry, pets, and whatever else! ($200 for a seat modification ??) It is provided as a NO CHARGE item at Jameson Medical! #9) Do NOT fall for that "soft start" technology baloney - If your tail can tell the difference between an AC motor and a DC motor ramping up to a whopping maximum speed of 22 feet / minute - you better get in touch with Ripley's Believe It or Not! If that is all "they" have to brag about ... it should make you wonder! This was an old advertising slogan used to convert sales away from the old chain drive systems. Over time the chain would loosen and get slack in it. Upon start up, the slack would be taken up and provide a little jolt to the rider. NO ONE makes a chain drive system anymore. #10) Do NOT buy a stairlift that is made with a plastic molded seat. A plastic molded seat is the international sign of "cheaply made". Plastic has never lasted for long and easily collects dirt and oils in the ripples of the textured outer surface. Metal is made to last and a quality powder coated paint will prevent any potential for rust. A smooth finish is EASY to clean! #11) Do NOT buy a stairlift with a cloth seat. They might look nice ... but do they hold up? A stairlift user will generally scoot to the front of the seat before exiting. Scoot along the fabric seat and the little fur balls start to grow! A heavy duty naughahyde will allow the user to scoot to the front of the seat much easier while maintaining its original appearance. #12) Do NOT fall for that stripped down "look alike" brand. (It arrives in a Summit Box). There is ONLY ONE manufacturer in the USA that makes a stairlift you can easily self install. Summit. NO ONE beats our PRICE or SERVICE ... or HONESTY!
Installation & Service
1. Weight the heaviest component of the lift is 80lbs, allowing for a true one-man installation. 2. Installation since the track is cut prior to going out to the home, the installation can be accomplished easily in 2.5 - 3 hours. (Anyone telling you it takes less time is deceiving you and should not be trusted). This is done by providing several small, yet important features in the design: Track brackets on the wall side only A trough extruded in the track for use as a conduit for the call control wires Footswitch call controls (can be used as a wall mount if desired). These are mounted to the floor at each end of the track No stripping or connecting of individual wires. Internal wires including the power cord are connected via modular plugs By placing the hardware needed in the proper location prior to shipping, hardware packages are eliminated.
3. Flexibility the unit can be cut down in length, track can be swapped
between units, or it can be reversed in the field without cutting any wires
or using any additional components. *Summit Lifts designs their lifts to meet the stringent requirements of ASME A17.1, and ASME A18.1 when installed properly. Those wishing to acquire these products need to check with local authorities to assure local code compliance, installation requirements, and to determine if permits are required.
(According to what I was
recently told by both Mitchell XXX <a 93 year old man with a 91 year old wife> and Matt Harper)
Mr. Mitchell XXX bought an Acorn stairlift directly from Matt Harper (a past employee of Acorn Orlando) approximately 5 years ago. His serial number is 200207155.
(According to Mr. XXX)
- He has a leaking gearbox and has oil on his steps. He has slipped once
already.
Alex George (a current
employee of Acorn Orlando) refuses to provide service to this
customer. (Alex George called me personally to tell me
he would not take care of ANY Jameson Medical customer. Jameson Medical
did not sell this unit. It was a direct purchase from Acorn.) He
thinks it was a sold unit from Jameson Medical. Even if it was ... the
manufacturer's warranty should still be valid and honored.
If this is NOT the case, please let me know.
(I am sure the Florida Attorney General's Office would
like to know as well!)
Alex George, et al, should be honoring any and
all manufacturer's warranties. The technical team in the UK (Joe) was very
helpful to the customer and was appreciated.
If Alex George intends to remain in the
healthcare field ... he needs to put the patient first.
We forward all our service calls to Acorn
Orlando (since we no longer sell or represent the Acorn
product for reasons just like this one) for an opportunity for you to
provide service (either direct or through your distributors). This is an
opportunity for resale and potential profit for Acorn
(and /or its current dealers).
Please take care of this customer at once.
No one needs a law suit due to this man slipping
down the stairs and getting hurt. I believe your product to be at fault. The
(Acorn) web page states the gear box is warranted
for life.
Mitchell XXX (patient info
intentionally deleted)
Madison Street
St. Claire Shores, MI
48081
Your prompt attention is appreciated,
Gary G. Gleason
(Patient Advocate)
Jameson Medical, Inc.
... and almost 90 days to fix this unit?? Ouch! Still Considering
an Acorn or Brooks?
Stairlifts are custom made products
Need an Outdoor
Model?
MEASUREMENT GUIDE
ADDITIONAL MEASUREMENTS NEEDED
1) If there is a door at the top what is the distance from the face of the door to the edge of the landing when the door is closed? 2) Standing at the bottom and looking up, which side of the staircase will your stairlift be mounted on? 3) Is there 24 inches of clearance at the bottom of the staircase?
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