Stannah stairlifts and similar

Can your council's Adult Social Services not help with installation or is that only for disabled people rather than those with age related issues?

I fall under the former and they are happy to install a through floor lift as my stairs will not accommodate a stair lift.

Indeed, Simpo Two - it is something of a "grubby" business - but a custom made lift is made for a specific staircase, so the rail system is unique and worthless to anyone else (unless it is a modular type, which have their own set of inherent limitations). The carriage (drive unit) and seat are re-useable and are the only components that have value. However, they have to be removed, reconditioned, re-marketed and reinstalled, with a new rail system that has to be surveyed, sold and purchased from the manufacturer. All that activity has cost attached to it.

Popeyewhite - I think we have things wrapped around the axle - my assumption is you are referring to a reconditioned straight rail lift - which would be eminently re-useable and in the price range you mention (though that was a real bargain, depending on the lift type.
When I was in the re-purposing game, I never paid anything for a second-hand lift, but I would remove it free of charge. That's all most people wanted in the final analysis - the lift being a visible reminder of a lost loved one.

Of course, the down-side of any second-hand lift is a potential lack of transparency, regarding the history and use/misuse of the lift and very often, significantly less comprehensive warranty coverage.

Stairlift rental is where the big money for old rope is......

My PIL got their second hand one from Stairlift Express about three years ago. It's a very straight forward set of stairs. It was £750.

It's been completely reliable and Stairlift Express come every year to service it for about £150. This includes a warranty.

They're in the north and my PIL are in Kent.

Dad had one fitted, died within 12 months, don't know how much he paid.

It had a sticker on it from a local firm, I asked if they would buy it back, the guy laughed and said he'd take it away for nothing.

Likely make a tidy sum selling it on, looked like new, had it away in less than 20 mins, needed to get rid quick because we'd already sold the house.

We were warned to be careful trying to sell it as a used model because we couldn't guarantee it was in sound working order.

I confess to being unfamiliar with Halton Stairlifts. Supplying and installing (and subsequently un-installing) an Acorn 180 lift for a net charge of GBP1,360 - minus what they paid for it in the first place means they bagged around 1k for the entire transaction. Installing an Acorn 180 takes 2 guys about 4 hours, if they know what they are doing. Removing takes one tech about 2 hours - so - 10 hours of labour. Then there's fuel, premises, marketing and the time it takes to persuade the homeowner to buy one in the first place. They are essentially operating as a charity. This is assuming that the council did not also pay for the lift and Halton ripped-off your folks for the extra. Would not be the first or last time that little prank was pulled...

Sorry, re-reading my previous, it comes across as officious and assumptive.

Congratulations - you got the deal of a lifetime there.

For reference, Acorn sells a 90 degree 180 lift for GBP8,500-10,500 without a middleman mark-up.

Had one for my mum 3k. Six weeks later passed away. Stairlift company said if anything like that happened they would buy it back. Offered us £250 quid.

I donated it to a company who look after St Luke’s patients so it will be put to good use for a number of people.

Maintenance Pffft this is clearly the race to the bottom (or not) budget stairlift thread

Shop around, mum had one it was great.

I recently installed one in a large secondary school, to a single room upstairs, large curved stairs considerably higher than domestic, easily twice the distance and massive sweeping curve and two runs, was less than £12k.

In a house I'd be expecting at least half this, I seem to remember mums being a couple of thousand that was perhaps 10 years ago??

Then again - East Yorkshire, not sure where you are.

After some years of use for the in-laws, we found ourselves with a Stannah to remove and take away
We sold it to "webuyanystairlift.com" for £100
Yes, it is a real company, paying real cash.

They are expensive items, and clearly not worth what you pay (especially as they generally need a regular ££ service!), but the Stannah units work well.