Yet another story that was submitted to USA TechGuide that reflects the ever growing issues that people are encountering with their powered wheelchairs.

It’s not always the getting of a new wheelchair that is the hard part. It’s maintaining your independence after the fact that may be even tougher.

“Permobil’s distributor ATG Rehab of Cerritos, CA delivered a defective C300. Someone in the world will be getting this “new” chair without knowing it required major repairs after two weeks of use. After 30 days of use it suffered 4 major failures of its electrical system, the leg lift mechanism detached. Thank God I was at home when fell off. It is much too heavy for us to lift. John Coffy of Permobil refused to discuss the malfunctions and defects. He is a difficult person to work with since he never returned telephone calls and emails regarding the issues. ATG Rehab took the chair for repairs and has not returned it for almost 1 year. They received full payment for a new chair without defects. I had the chair less than 30 days after March 11, 2008. An attorney was required to get a replacement chair without defects. I have requested an extended warranty because of the established and patterned repair issues. The chair is what I need to enjoy a good quality of life as best as I can with Charcot Marie Tooth Disorder. Permobil please be honest with your other disabled clients. Defective chairs should not be delivered to your disabled clients and their caregivers. Medicare will not give us chairs for five years assuming your medical devices will last that long. I used mine for less than 30 days before it had major malfunctions.”