As someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI), there are many reasons why you might want to sell a wheelchair. Maybe you were able to achieve significant recovery after your injury through physical therapy or activity-based therapy (ABT). Or, perhaps you’ve decided to upgrade to a newer wheelchair or change to a different model.
Whatever the reason, the point is that you have wheelchair equipment on your hands that you no longer want or need. This then raises the question: Where can I sell my power wheelchair or other wheelchair equipment?
To help you out, we have put together a list of places where you can sell your wheelchair. Please note, however, that this list is not in any particular order.
In addition to selling your used wheelchair equipment to a local medical equipment and supply store, you also have the option of using online websites and resources to sell your new and pre-owned wheelchair. A few of these websites include:
Since 1995, people around the world have been using eBay to buy and sell new and used items. As an auction site, eBay allows you to create an individual auction for your manual, power, or transport wheelchair.
You can create an auction for your wheelchair under the Mobility & Disability Equipment category (listed under Health & Beauty) for a small fee. You have multiple options for your listing, including adding a list price, a "Buy Now" price, and item description, photos, payment and shipping options. You also have the option to allow local buyers to pick the item up from you rather than paying for shipping.
Whenever selling something online, whether it is a DVD player or large mobility equipment like a wheelchair, it is important to ensure that you create a detailed description and add photos of your item to increase the likelihood of a sale. After all, seeing is believing for many buyers!
Craigslist is an online classified advertisement website that connects users via locally-based sites and diverse categories devoted to a variety of topics. People use the site to buy and sell housing, equipment, tools, clothes, medical equipment — virtually anything imaginable. It’s also a place where people can network and find jobs.
For someone with a spinal cord injury who no longer needs their used wheelchair and wants to sell their used equipment to recuperate some of the cost, Craigslist can be the perfect spot to list an ad. You can sell manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and other new and used mobility equipment under several of the “For Sale” categories, including:
Like eBay, you can provide a wealth of pertinent information about (and images of) your item so the buyer can assess your old wheelchair's quality and condition.
The CareCure Community forum on the Rutgers University website is a resource that provides information on spinal cord injuries and related conditions. The site, which is frequented by people with spinal cord injuries, their loved ones, and medical professionals, has more than 29,000 registered users. The Equipment & Services category of the forum is a place where people can buy and sell used wheelchairs and other used mobility equipment.
If you don’t want to sell via a private sale and want to go through a commercial reseller, some companies buy and sell new and used wheelchairs and mobility equipment online. Here's an example of one such site:
The Mobility Market USA website is a place that connects people who want to buy or sell pre-owned wheelchairs and other mobility aids. It provides a place for you to list a description of your wheelchair, its location, your asking price, contact information, and any photos you have of the item. For items that are valued for less than $100, there is no fee for advertising your item. However, if the value of your wheelchair is higher than $100, there are one-time fees that would apply to your listing.
If you are looking to connect directly with a potential buyer (or seller) the Inspired SCI Forum has a Classified section built just for you. Listings are not limited to wheelchairs, and you may enjoy reading other areas of the message board as well.
There are many options when it comes to selling your wheelchair and used mobility equipment. It boils down to how much time and effort you want to spend and how much of a financial return you wish to receive. We hope this article is helpful and provides you with several options for selling your wheelchair online.
If you have sold a wheelchair online, be sure to share your thoughts, experiences with the process, and any recommendations you may have in the comments section below.