My Demo Scooter Still For Sale - 2 1/2 Years Down The Road

Apparently no one wants a deal on a to all intents and purposes new Rascal 306. I bought it as a new demo when rascal folded in 2011, it had been used as a demo once, a guy I met on 1st moving to Calif. actually the owner of the rental agency where rented a car, was thinking about starting to rent scooters. He's located across Harbor Blvd from Disneyland, and he kept seeing tourists who'd rented Pride scooters from another business tip over in the middle of Harbor. At least that's what he told me.
I explained to him that the Rascal 600B 3 wheel was almost incapable of tipping over because of the way it's designed. Rascal moved the tip wheels forward to where they're next to the front wheel and made them bigger. When it turns too fast or is on an uneven surface the tip wheel on that side touches down and it becomes a 4 wheeler. Now, I told him, it's not impossible to tip, but in a year and a half or so selling them to the VA I never saw one tip over, and in the beginning when demoing to the VA I offered 20.00 to anyone who could tip it and some really tried, but no one got 20.00. Unfortunately he turned out to be a flake, lots of talk no action, and Rascal went toes up a couple weeks after the demo.
Unfortunately as you can tell from the title, I still have it. The good news is I don't have to carry my laundry to the washing machines and I have a comfortable seat while I read and wait.
I have had at least a couple dozen, mostly from craigslist, offer lowballs of 3-400. thinking I'm going to give it away, not even one came to check it out and see if it fits.
I'm asking less than the retail (3900) a lot less, but I'm not giving it away. Right now it's sitting in my studio apt, in the way, the handlebar is a great place to hang a jacket, but there it'll stay until I get the reasonable price, or I need it for myself, which isn't impossible either, but not yet. I'll only sell at any price, to someone that comes here to Fullerton, and tries it out to make sure it works for them.
If someone reading this could use it, comment or email an inquiry.
FYI my job has kept me from posting on either blog as much as I'd like, so I want to thank those who keep coming back, I really appreciate it.

Lee

Made It To California

What a trip!!  I never want to do that trip again. Although you never know, after I've rested, and gotten back to, or close to, normal, you never know. I've got a friend that does it on the spur of the moment. Both my parents and my brother did it several times. Maybe it'd be different not driving a truck, hauling a trailer, in mid winter.
I thought it'd get warmer and the weather would be nice as I went south. But those who watch the weather channel, or those who live between New York State and say Dallas, know what a bear the weather was between Jan 7 and 14. I swear the winter was following me, showing me what to expect if I ever came back. It was cold, it was snowing, the roads were icy. Of course living in NYS for so long had equiped me for dealing with it, and truthfully by NYS standards it was almost laughable, an inch or two of snow, and some slick roads. BUT it wasn't funny to the people that lived there, they didn't have a clue how to drive in it, they weren't equipped to deal with it. I heard on the news that one county down there had one, yes one, snowplow, for the whole county.  Not to mention I was driving a truck, hauling a trailer. So I took my time, drove slower than neccesary sometimes, and stopped overnight until I was almost out of Texas. Of course it wasn't all due to the weather, I lost my taillights the first day out, which made it neccesary to stop at night too.
I left NY on 1/7 and finally got to Ranger Texas on the 12th, I left Ranger about 7am on the 13th, and had a bright idea. The trailer was due back at Uhaul on the 14th, I had about 1300 miles to go, and it was Thursday. I stopped at a Walmart, and a Tractor Supply, and bought two 6 volt flashlights, some red paint and the stuff to attach them to the rear of the trailer, voila' taillights....  I should say, the weather had turned around and was fantastic too, sunny, blue sky and dry roads. I was driving 65-70mph most of the way.  Thursday night, I also lost all turn signals and emergency flashers. So now I drove the rest of the way, no taillights, no turn signals, no emergency flashers, just two flashlights with lenses painted red for taillights. To make a long story short I drove 31 hours, arriving safely in Fullerton CA about 1:30pm Friday the 14th.
After doing a couple errands, I drove to the storage center I'd reserved long distance, and unloaded the trailer, it had so much crammed in that it nearly filled a 10x15 space. Then I got the trailer to Uhaul, and turned it in, on time...
Then I took the truck and drove around looking for a motel, I was exausted and in desperate need of a shower. It was dark, I had no taillights or turn signals, and although there'd been a motel or several at almost every exit from NY to Calif, suddenly I found none. Finally going south on Beach Blvd in Buena Park I spotted something called the Covered Wagon on a side street, so I went around the block. I passed a house with 3 or 4 police cars and was very aware of my lack of lights, but figured they were busy enough they wouldn't notice me. Finally I turned right and was driving down a street, seeing the Covered Wagon sign ahead, when who pulls up next to me? A Buena Park cop, I saw him look at the back of the truck in the mirror, then he pulled up and looked at me, I slowed down and turned in to what I thought was the Covered Wagon place, and the cop pulled off. I was actually in a Super 8 motel, but didn't realize it until the next day. I registered, took a shower, badly needed, and got much needed sleep.
The next day I rented a Camry from a car rental place across from Disneyland on Harbor Blvd. When the guy came to pick me up to go back and do the paperwork, he asked why I was here.  I explained that I sold Rascal scooters to VA hospitals, and had come out to take over a territory. He mentioned that he had seen several scooters that a company down the street rented to tourists tip over in the crosswalk. I immediately started telling him about our new three wheeler and that so far it was impossible to tip. To make a long story short, he was the owner of the rental co. and told me he'd be interested in buying some scooters, to rent out. In addition he referred me to the owner of the other company, a medical supply company, currently buying and renting Prides.
I spent the rest of the week, looking for and buying a vehicle and an office. I looked at several vans and dozens of warehouse office combos, buying or renting none, either not right or too expensive. But finally on Friday, I bought an Escort to get me around until I need a van, the price and 25 mpg made it very attractive, and it was in excellent condition too. The same day I rented an office in Fullerton, no warehouse, just an office. But again it was priced right and will work until sales volume says I need a bigger space.  
So here I am now, on my 8th day in Calif. getting ready to empty the truck, and set up the office. Then I start making sales and moving Rascals, also I found out on Friday that Disneyland has and rents scooters, and I'm sure safety is important to them too.

Lee Murray

Yes... You Can Buy a Scooter From Me - Wherever You Are

I'm not sure if I've ever said this, I thought I had, but maybe I wasn't clear. You can email me or comment to let me know you need a scooter or powerchair, a lift, or anything else we sell. Yes, as I said in the previous post I am moving to the west coast, and yes, I'm taking a brief hiatus from selling to the VA's but based on a conversation I had a day or two ago, I am going to continue working with Rascal and selling to VA's in the LA area.
But that aside, in the past, I have sold a scooter to a friend of my mother when I was living in NYS and he was in Buena Park, Calif. He called and said he needed one, I asked him if he could go online to http://www.rascalscooters.com/ ? He said he couldn't, so I mailed him a brochure, called in a couple days and he bought a 600T three wheel scooter by credit card.
The VA div. asked a rep in Calif. to deliver the scooter and do the training. My mothers friend was so pleased that a couple years later he bought a second scooter, a 600F four wheeler for his girl friend, at the time he was in his 80's she was 76. Unfortunately he bought the second one from an inhome rep not from me. He appologized later, when I asked why, they called him from Rascal to follow up, I guess he mentioned wanting another one and they sent a rep out the next day.
My point being that I can and have sold equipment by telephone. If I can do it for my mothers friend, I can do it for you. If you need something, and can go online, or not, contact me and I can help you, even while I'm moving. Although I may not be checking my email or this blog every day, I will contact you ASAP. So whether or not you're a veteran, (if you are contact the VA first, before even thinking about buying yourself), I can and will help you get your own Rascal. We accept Cash, major credit cards, insurance, and offer financing.

Lee Murray

From Rascal Pertaining to Safety of Three Wheel Scooters - Two Recent Innovations That Make the Three Wheel Scooter As Safe as a Four Wheel Scooter

PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR  3 WHEEL MOBILITY SCOOTERS

For Medical Professionals, Medical Equipment Dealers and Administrators of Government and Private Programs Who Authorize Mobility Scooter Purchases

BACKGROUND OF MOBILITY SCOOTER’S SAFETY

3 Wheel Mobility Scooters provide independence and convenience to millions of people who have difficulty walking long distances. Since 3 wheel scooters were introduced in 1977, they have improved the quality of life for the elderly and people with disabilities who utilize them for indoor and outdoor transportation.  Because 3 wheel scooters can be accidentally tipped over sideways, more stable 4 wheel scooters were introduced in 1990. However, most scooter users prefer 3 wheel scooters over 4 wheel scooters because they are more maneuverable, more comfortable (more legroom) and easier to use (steer). In the past, stability was the only drawback in selecting a 3 wheel scooter over a 4 wheel scooter. Manufacturers, Dealers, Sales Consultants and Medical Professionals regularly warn new 3 wheel scooter users about the danger of sideways tipping. Some manufacturers have equipped their 3 wheel scooters with side anti-tip wheels to reduce sideways tipovers.  Despite warnings about accidental tipovers and the use of anti-tip side castors, thousands of people tip their 3 wheel scooters over each year.  A review of published articles analyzing data from the Consumer Products Safety Commission reveals an alarming trend of a three-fold increase in wheelchair related injuries and fatalities over a fifteen year period. Between 1986-1992, research of hospital emergency department admissions revealed an average of 36,599 wheelchair accidents causing serious injuries.
1  By 2003, the number of serious injuries increased to 102,300 according to data compiled by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS – a Division of CPSC). Tips and falls accounted for more than two-thirds of the incidents.
2  To determine how many serious injuries occur annually as a result of tipovers on electric scooters, an article analyzing data of manufacturer’s reports to the FDA of adverse incidents was reviewed. The proportion of incidents reported to the FDA related to the use of scooters was 52.8% compared to manual and powered wheelchairs 47.2%. Sideways tipping was the most common direction for scooters’ tipovers.
3  In the article that analyzed the 1986-1992 CPSC wheelchair-related injuries, the author noted that: “Presumably many accidents result in no injury, in injuries for which the affected person seeks no medical attention or in injuries for which the affected person seeks attention from his or her family physician or other health care worker. It is therefore likely that this study significantly underrepresents the incidence of accidents and injuries.”
4  If 52.8% of the 70,000 serious wheelchair-related injuries caused by tips or falls occurred on scooters in 2003, then as many as 36,960 of the serious injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in just one year can be attributed to scooter usage, with sideways tipping being the primary cause.

3 WHEEL SCOOTER SAFETY BREAKTHROUGH

Recently, two new patent-pending stability technologies have been developed that make 3 wheel scooters just as stable as 4 wheel scooters. These breakthrough ideas provide both the superior maneuverability of a 3 wheel scooter and the stability of a 4 wheel scooter.  One technology introduced in 2008, actually turns a 3 wheel scooter into a 5 wheel scooter, with three steerable front wheels. The Quingo®, developed in the UK by Advanced Vehicle Concepts Limited, with a design to prevent accidental sideways tipovers, is now in use by thousands of scooter users in Europe.

The second technology was introduced by The Rascal Company in 2009. This
breakthrough technology is relatively simple and maintenance free.
Magnetically controlled swivel castor wheels are positioned on each side of the scooter’s steerable front wheel, slightly above the ground. If the 3 wheel scooter turns too fast, the outside swivel castor wheel touches down and instantly turns to follow the single front steerable wheel. During most turns, the 3 wheel scooter becomes a “4 wheel scooter”, but one that remains highly maneuverable.
According to The Rascal Company, over 2000 Rascal® BalanceTM scooters are in use by customers without a reported incident of sideways tipover. Test reports conducted by an independent test lab posted on the Rascal Balance website (http://www.rascalbalance.com/) show the exact same stability ratings for the new Rascal Balance 3 wheeler compared to the Rascal full sized 4 wheel scooter.  The incidence of 3 wheel scooter sideways tipovers is believed to be so prevalent as

many as one of every two 3 wheel scooter users may have tipped over. Many users are embarrassed because they tipped over. Others do not want friends and loved ones to know they tipped because they fear losing their driving privileges, much like the use of an automobile. The cost of scooters is frequently covered by insurance companies or government programs under Medicare and Veterans benefits. Medical expenses to treat seriously injured scooter users and the rehabilitation necessary to return them to better health are also covered by the same programs. “Medical bills incurred in wheelchair-related falls, including rehabilitation are often between $25,000 - $75,000.”6 The cost savings for private insurers and government programs such as Medicare and Veterans Hospitals as the new stability technology for 3 wheel scooters is adopted will be significant - as much as $2.3 million to $7 million a year.  The inherent instability of 3 wheeled ATV’s and the serious injuries and fatalities they caused resulted in a government ban on new sales by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 1988. Hopefully, as the community of Medical Professionals, Dealers, Sales Consultants and FederalHealth Care Programs embrace the cost-savings and safety of these new advanced stability technologies, they will no longer recommend or purchase 3 wheel scooters that lack 4 wheel stability.

1 Ummat S, Kirby RL. Nonfatal wheelchair-related accidents reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1994;73:163-167
2 H Xiang, A-M Chany, and G A Smith. Wheelchair related injuries treated in US emergency departments. Inj Prev 2006; 12:8-11
3  Kirby RL, Ackroyd-Stolarz SA. Wheelchair safety—adverse reports to the United States Food and Drug Administration. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1995 Jul-Aug;74(4):308-12
4  Ummat S, Kirby RL. Nonfatal wheelchair-related accidents reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1994;73:163-167
5 E061810-02 Test Reports of Rascal Balance 3 Wheel and Rascal 4 Wheel Scooters, Ammer Consulting, June, 2010 - Attached
6  Gavin-Dreschnack D, Nelson A, Fitzgerald S, Harrow J, Sanchez-Anguiano A, Ahmed S, Powell-Cope G. Wheelchair-related falls: current evidence and directions for improved quality care. J Nurs Care Qual. 2005 Apr-Jun;20(2):119-27

This article was commissioned by The Rascal Company of Sewell, NJ. For more information or to set-up an interview, please contact the firm at  http://www.rascalbalancesafetyprogram.com/