Why the cheapest option may not always the best option in the long run!
In 2021 all businesses, in every industry are trying to reduce costs, save money and provide better value for money. This includes the medical/healthcare industry and all this activity is occurring against a backdrop of worldwide pricing increases from manufacturing shortages and increased international shipping, all resulting from the knock on effects of Covid-19. The question that needs asking is, is the cheapest option the best options for our loved ones and patients?
When it comes to delivering value for money, especially in healthcare, there are many factors to take into account including product price. The questions that need answering when coming to an overall value decision, should include the following:
Have the products been tried and tested for comfort?
It’s important for many products to feel and try, before you buy. If you buy a costly item like a bed, scooter or chair, it’s very important to ask questions and understand exactly what it does in advance. It’s too late after you’ve used the product to then find that some of the functions you need are not available.
Is the product or brand recognised for quality?
In the current global community there are more suppliers than ever with many being of dubious quality. That’s why we welcome visits to our shops where you can talk with our friendly and expert staff, as well as knowing that we only represent quality-approved suppliers. A better manufactured product will mostly last years longer than a more basic one. The reasons savings are often made with unrecognised brands is that they save with lower quality materials or components.
Is the product CE certified?
If a product is CE marked this means it’s been quality passed for sale within the EU. Many products that are sold without CE certification have not passed the more stringent EU quality testing.
Is the supplier based in Ireland and can they be trusted?
With the explosion of internet purchases, more than ever suppliers position themselves as being Irish whilst shipping from abroad. That causes after-sales and servicing difficulties. We have traded in Ireland since 1974 and we take our service and reputation very seriously.
Have you understood the after-sales service capability of web-based suppliers?
We, as an Irish web-based and bricks & mortar business with two Dublin shops, have often been asked to help service a product that has been purchased over the internet that’s covered by warranty, but the scooter or chair needs to be returned to the UK or beyond. The end result is often that the cost of returning the product for a service in the UK, and subsequent return, costs £100’s more than the apparent saving when comparing prices over the internet.
Have you checked dimensions or components for shrinkflation?
We’ve often noticed similar looking products are sold for lower prices and while nothing was misleading, the actual product is inferior for a few possible reasons. Here’s a frequent example: A standard wheelchair made form aluminium is lighter than one made from steel, but cost more. It looks the exact same when viewed on a website. Steel is cheaper but often weighs too much for an elderly person to lift into a car.
Oftentimes the difference in price between a trusted supplier and an unknown internet supplier can be 5-10% and for many of the reasons above it may not actually provide better value for money. At Murrays we stand over the quality and after sales service of all our products and you can be confident that we provide competitive prices with outstanding after-sales service – to allow you to buy with confidence.
