Internet Sales Warning
We know that you have a choice of vendors from which to purchase accessibility equipment. While we hope
that our company will be your first choice, we feel obligated to warn all consumers about the dangers of
purchasing this type of equipment over the internet. Accessibility equipment sold direct to the consumer
for self installation is not a wise idea and is quite often a major problem. Don’t waste your time and money
on something that could be inoperative, unsafe, or even illegal.

• Sight Unseen - When a customer buys over the internet, they are purchasing a lift sight unseen.
The customer does not really know what the lift looks like or how it really operates. At McKinley
Elevator, we have a showroom where you can see the units, ride them, and really get a feel
for how they could fit into your everyday life.

• Site Visits - The internet companies cannot see the customer or their stairway either. All
stairways present some sort of application challenge such as width, top and bottom clearance,
headroom, or the physical limitations of the user. A customer could very well be purchasing
something that will not work on their stairway. At McKinley Elevator we provide free in-home
estimates to measure your stairway and recommend the proper equipment to suit your needs.

• Installation - Contrary to what some internet sites say, these lifts are not easy to install the first
time. Without the proper training and experience, an installation could take days or may never be
completed. If the lift is incorrectly installed, it may not work properly or could even be unsafe. All of
the technicians at McKinley Elevator are factory trained with many years experience to insure that
all our equipment is installed properly, safely, and quickly.

• Straight only, no curved chairs - Local dealers also have the ability to install curved stairlifts
to give consumers a greater choice of options. Internet sites only offer straight units which are
not suitable for many applications.

• Advance payment - Most internet sales companies require the customer to pay 100% of the
purchase price in advance. You are paying up front for a piece of equipment that you have not seen,
has not been installed, and possibly may not work. Also, once the rail is cut, they will not allow a
unit to be returned or refund your money. You could be stuck with an expensive piece of equipment
that has never worked for you.

• Warranty - Most internet sales companies provide no labor warranty for their products. If you
experience a problem with your lift, you will have to disassemble and return it to the factory at your
time and expense. If the manufacturer determines that the problem was caused by improper
installation, they will not cover the repair and you will have to pay. You could also be without the
use of your lift for weeks. McKinley Elevator has factory trained technicians with fully stocked
service vehicles. We normally respond to most service calls within one day and can usually solve
the problem immediately.

• State Certification - California requires a certification for all installers of accessibility
equipment. If you install the lift yourself or hire a local handyman with no training to do it,
you could be in violation of state laws. All McKinley Elevator technicians have been factory
trained, and carry full liability insurance.

• Finally, the sales of accessibility equipment over the internet where the equipment is shipped
direct to the consumer for self installation is against the policy of the leading organization for
accessibility manufacturers and dealers, AEMA (Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers
Association). Please click the AEMA link to review their position on this type of transaction. It is
also against the policy of another national mobility organization of accessibility products,
and you can view their position through this link,
(http://www.nmeda.org/Consumer%20Internet%20Purchases.pdf).
No reputable manufacturer or dealer of accessibility equipment would sell their products
directly over the internet. McKinley Elevator Corporation is a proud member of AEMA and
abides by their guidelines.

Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself about this important topic in the accessibility industry,
and we hope that it proves helpful in your decision to purchase mobility products