Overpriced mobility scooter.

[AniaSM]

About 3 years ago a friends mother, who is 73 bought a mobility scooter. She paid �5000 with �3000 down and the rest to pay on credit but she hasn't paid any money since.
Now the company is hounding her for the money but she doesn't have it. I've looked into the price of these things and the top range ones were about �2000 so surely she's been charged far too much at �5000?
She is willing to return the scooter virtually unused. How do you think I should handel this situation as I'm determined to help because I hate companies that exploit old people?

[puddicat]

not so old people i hate those things, it seems that anyone can have a go like middle aged peeps and pensioners that think they are like the police demo team team in town centres, my mum doesnt have one and she is 77!!!

[saxy_jag]

If she's signed an agreement to repay the loan, then she's legally bound to pay it. What she could do is to make a reasonable offer of payment. If the company refuse and subsequently take her to court, then she could make the same offer and will most likely have to submit a statement of means. She is unlikely to go to prison or to have the scooter repossessed if this is her only 'offence'. I'm no lawyer, though, and would advise you both to take legal advice on this, possibly via CAB. I do know, however, that the company aren't allowed to harrass her, so if she's getting difficult phone calls and/or personal callers, then you can take action.

The fact that she paid well over the odds for the scooter, well, nothing can be done about that now. I do agree, however, that there are companies who will do this simply because they have a captive market. All I can say is next time, shop around and don't give companies like this the satisfaction. It may be worth you contacting your local paper, radio and/or television and getting their consumer people onto it - local rags are often really good at this sort of thing.

Puddicat, I do appreciate your annoyance at them in crowded areas, and I will own there are people who have them simply because they're too lazy to walk. I'm pleased, too, that your mum appears well enough not to need one. She's a lucky woman. However, do be aware that some people need them. My own mum is 76 and she has one. She doesn't go into town with it, but she does like to trundle around the local streets, meet the neighbours and see what's going on in the world. She's widowed and she can't walk - hasn't walked since 2002. She can't even stand up straight and gets around the house in a wheelchair. If it wasn't for her scooter, she wouldn't get out of the house at all.

[bednobs]

no wonder the company are hounding her if she has let the debt accrue for 3 years. If, for example i bought a plasma tv for 5000 pounds 3 years ago but only paid 3000, do you agree i shouldnt pay what i owe because they are now 3000 pounds? but hey, i ve hardly used it so they can have it back, i dont want it anymore.
as saxj says, if she signed an agreement to pay the money then she should pay it, plus interest charges for the 3 years credit

[AniaSM]

But shes a frail pensioner and it was at least �3500 over the odds!

[RATTER15]

AniaSM, She agreed at the time, I'm afraid it isn't any good moaning about it now. If there was a problem with the price it should have been sorted at the time not 3 years later.

The best thing to do now is to go and see Citizens Advice Bureau, see what they can advise, not all is lost yet!!

Puddicat, so are you suggesting that the disabled shouldn't have these electric scooters and just because your Mother doesn't need one, no one younger than her should have one!!
So you have to walk around them, bloody shame!!!! I bet they would rather be walking!!!!

Just because you cant see a disability doesn't mean they don't have one!!!

Stop being so selfish!!!!!

[leelapops]

I know what you are saying AniaSM, but bednobs has very valid point too. It isn't nice to be duped, but if you sign up to a credit agreement then the money needs paying either way. Things depreciate in value: what I may have paid for my mobile phone when i got it (if indeed I had paid and not got it on contract!) is significantly more than it costs to buy new now. A supermarket might cut the price of a tin of beans, but I wouldn't take my beans back to get them for 10p less!

It's all relative, really, and the point of shopping around is that then you will be able to make informed choices about what you're buying. So with all due respect, I for once don't think it's unreasonable for the lending company to expect their money back.

The get out of jail free card people seem to be leaning on at the moment, which allows them to spend until they can no longer fit their new gear in their home, and then get an IVA or declare bankruptcy, lulls people into wanting to have it all, and there aren't enough consequences. But that's a different story, sorry.

[joko]

so, because she is old you expect companies to 'let her off' with not paying??

her age is irrelevant - she ordered the item, and has had it for 3 years!

it is now second hand so they won't get the full price for it - it is also undoubtedly an older model.

i cannot believe you expect them to allow her not to pay just because she is old.

lots of people are old - should they all order expensive items and not pay for them too?

she ordered it at that price - so that is the price she pays.

if i charged you �50 for a plain old biro - and you paid it - thats your tough sh!t,
no-one would have forced you to pay over the odds for a pen - and i certainly would not give it back

[bednobs]

also you may find the finance company has nothing to do with the scooter company at all, they just provide the finance. They will not care what she borrowed to money for, or if the thing she bought with their money is overpriced. I agree with joko. i'm frail,, and cant get around easily either, perhaps i'll get a scooter and the claim to be ripped off so i dont have to pay!

[gardener2]

Perhaps one of the reasons the price was so high was to allow for people like your friends mother who obtain the goods by paying a deposit then fail to pay the balance.
As previously advised the contract would have been with the finance company not the supplier of the scooter.

[Shooby279]

This is a very old thread but I thought it wise to let you know that I have it on very good authority that finance companies find it very difficult to repossess mobility scooters. This lady was exploited and I'm sure they have broken at least a couple of the selling regulations let alone moral obligations. As for the person who 'hates' these scooters just wait until they are ill and can't walk very far or walk at all and then they'll be the ones being stared at! I am only 50 and have MS - my illness is not visible on a scooter so I get many strange stares! Just because some older people are shy about using them does not mean that they are not a good thing - they are wonderful if your legs no longer work - may God keep you all in good health but if not then these scooters are wonderful!