Complain about a product or service

Rascal Scooters - Complaints

Rascal Scooters • Electric Mobility Settles Misrepresentation Charges • Rascals Come In Many Forms • Company Pays $225,00 to NJ --- • Rascal Complaints • Rascal Objects to Use of Word "Fined" • David Complains • The Company Responds • A Follow-Up from David • Rascals' Defenders

thelma of pontiac, MI October 23, 2009

Troy talked my mother into buying a scooter when she was bedridden. she was dying from lung cancer, and was not able to get around. she spent 95% of the time in bed. he convinced her it would help her get around. the house is very tiny and it is impossible for this chair to manuver in their home. too cramped. he even went as far as to tell them that should they no longer need it he would buy it back.

i tryed to get him to take it back. he refused. he never lived up to his part of the contract; never demonstrated it, he showed them pictures only. mom never got to ride it. she was only 70# and too ill. we have fought with them from the time of sale even after my mom passed away in 2006, but they say dad is responsible and has to pay it off. They charged my parents $3,277. I think that in itself is outrages. they lived on social security and have no credit. i dont even know how they approved the loan.

Does my dad have any recourse with these people. they have treated him and myself and sister in law who tryed to help as well, horribly. Troy even had the nerve to tell me if I was a better daughter they wouldnt be buying things they cant afford, because i would be watching them better. how horrible is that.

please let me know if you can help my dad. he is 80 and lives on ss. the company takes the payment out of his account automatically each month and will untill paid in full. he cant afford this. it takes away from other bills that he has to pay. he has very little and it goes for his medicine and utilities. He took advantage of my parents and should be made to pay for that. these types of practices should not be allowed to continue. thank you.

Leslie of Schiller Park, IL October 7, 2009

I was reading the complaints against this company and I must agree. My mom was contacted by Rascal shortly after my dad had passed away in 2002. A high-pressured salesman came to the house to demonstrate the turnabout. My mom cannot walk so this would be very helpful. He sold my mom on this scooter and said they would get the ok from Medicare before they would actually put the order in. They told me to call them in a couple days and they would make sure they called Medicare first. Well they took the order and turned it in before Medicare ok'd it so Medicare would not have anything to do with it since they did that and Rascal would not cancel the order either. It ended up close to $10,000 which was way too much for this.

It has gone through numerous bateries. We have had the serviceman out a couple times but they do not like to work on these scooters and when they do they act like it is a big deal and charge alot of money. They would prefer we took it somewhere if we could. The first year maybe it ran good after that even when we changed the batteries the scooter did not run fast and it runs out of juice very quickly. I would hate to take it down the street because it would probably stop and we would have to push my mom back which is impossible to do because it won't move once it runs out of power. That was another thing we were told that it could be pushed if needed to be. Now we are still fighting for service, the serviceman won't even call us back. I would not recommend this product to anyone. I am hoping I can get someone to come and check it for my mom so when she gets home from rehabbing at the nursing home she can use it.

Pat of Larkspur, CA August 12, 2009

I was researching assistive devices when I came across complaints against Electric Mobility that sells the Rascal Scooter. One gentlemen defended them on the basis of his experience as a salesman. He is in error on this one. We had nearly the same experience as David who took them to task. In fact the first time we took it in for repairs the owner of that company said "Oh no! The dreaded Rascal"!

We had to drive 45 miles for repairs to a certified repair place. Then they were dropped by E.M. They (E.M)replaced every part and the drive train many times under warantee. (rather than just give us a new machine which would have been cheaper) The salemans' claims for the most part were not true.(will hold a charge for 17 miles for one)

Michele of Novi, MI April 4, 2009

Michele of Novi MI (04/04/09)
Just found your site & read complaints from buyers of the Rascal scooters. My parents, in their 80's at the time, were also scammed by the saleswoman, promising Medicare would reimburse the cost of the Rascal scooter. Contacted the Rascal company & the creditor to no avail. Contacted the saleswoman & she claimed she never said any such thing and that there was nothing she could do for them now. Unfortunately, my father suffered a massive stroke, and never even used the thing.

I ended up paying off the remainder of the bill, just to relieve some of the stress in the months following my fathers death. It now (2-1/2 years later), sits in my driveway with a For Sale B/O sign. I know we'll never get near the full purchase price. Oh well, live and learn. DO NOT TRUST THE RASCAL SALES REPS!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter of Sprague, WA May 9, 2008

Peter of Sprague WA (05/09/08)
In 2002 I was approached by a salesmen to give me a demonstration on a rascal 600c. I accepted the appt. in all his speil etc. I was talked into buying before I knew what happened. I had problems with it but no one to help me with it. the salesmen had since moved on to where ever and I could'nt get any help by calling the co. do this that and whatever. I finally figured out the problem.

I tried to get a a service manual to no avail. all I could get was a operations manual. nothing about how to work on it nor a parts manual. I tried,but no response to my request. at the time there was a service center about 100 miles round trip and he would'nt tell me zip nor give me a manual, service or otherwise.

the scooter cost me $5600.00. I paid the $500.00 down, which put me back, but I'm a 100% disabled vet and could really use it. I have a bad lower back and hips from injuries in vietnam. I trusted them and I got screwed. the scooter quit early last year, and would cost me a fortune to repair it. they still will not send a repair and parts manual. I'm sure I could fix it for the price of parts. They don't even have the courtisy to reply. I was'nt aware of all thats been happening with this co., no one informed me of this situation or I would have done this long ago.

It hurt me financially. Money that I really did'nt have, but the unit sure did help while it ran after I got it going myself. serious electrical, which I traced out. factory faulty plug in socket. The whole episode was and has been for quite sometime. along with all the problem with the war flashbacks and being screwed by people who claimed they respected veterans and wanted to help us poor suckers as it may be. I would at least like to have it fixed by the dealer, whereever and have them pay for it. better yet take the damned thing back and refund some of my money. I paid enough interest on the loan that it should'nt be a problem.

Debra of Rockford, IL January 3, 2008

Debra of Rockford IL (01/03/08)
My father, an 80 year old man post stroke with poor judgement, answered a contest ad to win a Rascal from this company and had a high pressure salesman come in and convince him to purchase this for his daughter (me) a fifty year old ambulatory woman who has a bad knee. He purchased this in November of 2007 and gave it to me as a Christmas gift on 12/25/2007.

On 12/27/2007 I began attempting to return this purchase. I was first told by Carol that they would not discuss this issue with me unless I have POAF. I did and promptly faxed it to Carol. During this same conversation she asked me if a payment had been sent and I stated yes my father sent one on 12/26 and should I stop payment? She stated this would not be prudent or in my Father's best interest. I never heard from Carol, so I called the salesman, Bob, on 12/31/07 who stated to give Carol a few more days due to the holidays or call him back and he would help. I also sent the same fax again to assure her receipt of it. When I still got no call back, I called and spoke with Rosemary because Carol was not available and she stated they had not received any fax. After I got angry and refused to send another but stated I had two fax receipts stating they got them, she miraculously found them.

I then was told since a payment was made there was no way to return the Rascal. When I did not accept this answer and asked for a supervisor I was told she was unavailable and then given an extention. I was called back by Elizabeth who never made who she was known, but Dawn the supervisor never returned my call. I was told they no longer own the scooter, that the Finance company owns the scooter and I had to call them and write a letter to them but had no address. When I contacted the finance company and told them they now owned the scooter. I was laughed at by Maureen who was curious as to what Rascal is trying to pull. I was told by Maureen, and she confirmed it with her supervisor Ambrosia, that when Rascal picked up the Rascal they needed to inform the finance company and they would return the total money to my father within three weeks. On 1/3/08, I called Eliazabeth with the response from the finance company and she stated well that's what I was told. She plays the good cop very well and is trying to help me solve this problem. She requested sometime to work on this and would call me back. Well she returned the call with MARVELOUS NEWS! They will negate the contract and pick up the scooter for a small restocking fee of $898.00. This is totally unacceptable. This equipment has not been touched since delivery, it is in perfect condition and I have attempted to rectify this situation within fourteen days of reciept of it as a gift. This is a short version of this companies practices.

I feel they are exploiting elders. Their mission statement is to improve quality of life for mobility impaired Well, my father and I are both ambulatory and our quality of life has been ruined financially and emotionally by this company. I would like to know how an organization with such standards could be accredited by an organization like Joint Commision?

My father is on a fixed income and now has a $571.64 bill for the next 6 months. He has a scooter that neither he nor I need, and his poor judgement since his stroke has made him suseptible to this type of scam and pressure sales making him feel inadequate and stupid, ruining his self esteem. He is also at risk for physical damage to himself because he would have to lift this heavy scooter into his car. He has a history of incarcerated hernias. He, of course can purchase a lift from this same company they were quick to point out.

James of Livingston, TX December 21, 2007

James of Livingston TX (12/21/07)
I am basically very happy with my scooter. However, their service policy is something else. I recieved a letter telling of a problem with a bolt that may be defective or possibly to weak to do safely hold the seat in position. Upon calling the 800 number furnished I was told this repair could only be completed at an authorized service center which the nearest one was in Corpus Criste, TX. The bolt could not be sent to me or done by anyone else.

I traveled to Corpus (160 miles one way). I had an appointment for 1:00p.m. The (repair center) is an automotive garage, no mention anywhere about Rascal Scooters) and was told that only Roy could do the work. Roy did not show until 2:00p.m. and then he mainly just suppervised a holper whole did the work. Also before the work began, Roy had to do a lot of reading to find out what he had to do. I also advised him of an unusual sound the scooter recently started making. He said he couldn't hear it. Probably because of the load road noise and other local noises in the area.

He added a little air to the tires and said that was probably the noise and he looked no farther. Some two hours later to replace the bolt, he actually replaced 8 bolts which he showed me, the job was completed as far as he was conceerned. The unusal noise was and is still there. My question, why did I have to take it to an auto shop for the repair. There is a scooter shop in McAllen, TX., about 6 miles from where I am at for the winter, who does other work on Rascal Scooters?

Joyce of Beloit, OH June 6, 2006

Joyce of Beloit OH (06/06/06)
My father purchased the rascal scooter the end of November 2005 and when he went to use it in April the HBar had to be replaced. The service guy came out and ordered the new Hbar and said to call when it came and he would repair the scooter. Well the part arrived and my Dad was told they didn't do the installation and it would cost $65 for the man to come down and put the part on and he should try to find someone top it on for him or do it himself. My dad is 92 years old and can not stand unless holding on to something. This company is very rude and does not care about the senior citizen. All they care about it there money. My dad asked them to take the scooter back and refund his money and they refused.

We got the scooter running for him now thanks to my husband. They wouldn't even send the salesman back to pick up the old part. My dad wasn't told what to do with it and he threw the box away after 3 weeks figuring he didn't need it anymore. Then he receives a bill for $499.00 for the part. He had till June 6, 2006 to return the old part. It cost us $20 to get a box and ship the Hbar back to them. They did pay the postage. There is no reason why the saleman could not have stopped to pick the part up and return to the factory. I would not recommend the Little Rascal to anyone unless they have plenty of help to keep the scooter in working order.

p

Dudley of Carlsbd, CA June 5, 2006

Dudley of Carlsbd CA (06/05/06)
My 82-year-old mother received an unsolicited high pressure sales call today from a salesman named Mike who insisted he had an appointment for a scooter demonstration and said he would not leave unless she agreed to a demo. When she said she had not requested an appointment and did not want a demo and was not able to participate in a demo because of her health, he became very hostile and repeatedly said he would not leave until she agreed to a demo. She said she was going to call the company and demand to know who said they scheduled the demo. The salemand physically jerked his business card from my mothers hand and left.

The hostile and high pressure sales tactics including refusing to leave when asked threatened my mother who is recovering from hip replacement surgery with complications from a staff infection.

Karen of Rural Hall, NC May 30, 2006

Karen of Rural Hall NC (05/30/06)
Electric Mobility sent a high-pressure salesman to the home of my parents. No doubt the company uses sucker mailing lists that led them directly to my parents' door. My mother is disabled and would not even be able to safely transport herself on one of these motorized scooters. But the salesman talked her into buying a Rascal 600 on the spot. I don't have the original paperwork, but I know that the price charged exceeded $3000. What burns me up is not only that my parents were taken advantage of; it is that no mention was made of getting Medicaid approval, which would covered a considerable amount of the charge for the scooter.

My mother only needed to be given time to talk with her doctor. But we all know that time must move quickly in order to close a sale. Without any knowledge of possibly getting Medicaid reimbursement, my parents were talked into setting up monthly payments (with an interest rate of over 20%) on the scooter. On top of that they purchased a ramp that it would take two strong men to even set up to use with the scooter. I have no idea what the additional charge was for the ramp but am sure it was another high dollar purchase. Neither of these items have ever been used at all by my parents.

I have advised my parents to make no further payments on the scooter/ramp and am unsure of how much has already been paid. They are both in their 80's and need not have any concern about having their credit ruined, since they never buy anything on credit. I contacted Electric Mobility and told them to come pick up the scooter and to refund whatever money my parents had already paid them. I have gotten no response from the company and am now beginning the official complaint process.

My parents have never ONCE used the scooter and were unable to comprehend the purchase process or even realize that they would have no use for the scooter and ramp. Having been overcharged and taken advantage of because of their age, they should not be penalized in any way for purchasing the Rascal 600.  As power of attorney for my parents, I will offer Electric Mobility a real deal. Refund my parents' money in its entirety and pick up your scooter and ramp. That way it can possibly be resold, since it is in perfect shape minus a layer of dust.

J.o.gilliam of Glenpool, OK May 15, 2006

J.O. of Glenpool OK (05/15/06)
The scooter malfunctioned. Called them and asked for a schematic so that the control board could be repaired. They sent a manual that they claimed would help us fix the problem. There was no schematic in the manual that showed the control board circuits. By troubleshooting we found that the control board was bad and the dash engager (makes it go forward or reverse). They said that a new controller was $499.00 and a new dash engager assembly was $69.95. So we ordered the parts.

They sent old used parts. The dash engager was obviously cut with dikes midway across the connectors and the pot was dirty. We cut off the partial connectors and installed it as the scooter was already down for two weeks and was needed. The controller was newer but was also used. The reset for the controller came with not mounting hardware because the threads were so messed up that you cannot get a nut onto it to mount it. So to get it going we taped the reset to the bumper.

We called them to complain about paying for new parts but getting old parts. Kristen at Electric Mobility acted as though we are lying. She wants us to remove the parts and send them back to them to evaluate if they are indeed old parts. Then they will send us more NEW parts. So the scooter will be unusable for two more weeks minimum and of course to remove the dash engager will require cutting the wires again making them even shorter. They are not offering to pay for all the laybor to remove the parts again and replace them again.

Lafonne of Laramie, WY November 20, 2005

Lafonne of Laramie WY (11/20/05)
I too answered an ad in the mag Arthritis Today and had a saleman immediately call. He insisted on coming out to the farm house in Western Nebraska, where I lived at the time, to give me demostration. I liked the unit; he offered it to me for $5000. I said no. He then called his boss who offered it to me for $4000. That really made me suspicious -- $1000 off the unit immediately? I gave him a firm No. Later I got a postcard offering the unit to me for $1200. By then I'd done some research and knew that that was a legitimate price, so I bought it. Have had a lift installed with problems because I drive a Honda CR-V. Lift was not the Mobility brand. It is not very satisfactory as I'll still have to grab someone to help me get the lift set up and the scooter out. I am very pleased with the scooter, however -- it is light and small and fits me nicely.

William of Northfield, NH May 12, 2003

William of Northfield NH (05/12/03)
I originally ordered a Rascal 265 LE that went 6.5 miles and hourand Rascal claimed it was no was longer available.So Mr. Richard Martin martinRi@electricmobility.com called me back and told me to go online and look at www.rascalscooters.com at the speciality model Rascal 325. I did but it was like $5,8000.00 or $2,600.00 more than the one I wanted. I said I cannot afford that. He said yes you can I will send that scooter to you for same price pluce $199.00 shipping cost. Well this scooter broke down after 1 ride. Quit right in front of my home,so I called and they sent me another one which died also,and finally another one that just died after 4 rides and on a cross walk in heavy traffic. Rascal Scooter promised to get a service and repair shop in NH but lied about that as right now I understand the repair people are out of Mass. I told Rascal of two companies, Advent Medical out of Hudson NH and Herron & Smith out of Hooksett NH, and supposedly Mr. Martin was going to set it up with one of them to start doing their repairs et cetera. This was all hype to make my warranty expire. I feel I should have been able to buy and get serviced locally but because of pressure and misleading statements this scooter has problems electronically and it needs to be corrected before they sell any more to disabled folks.

Harry of Fresno CA writes (9/19/02):
My mother-in-law saw an advert in a magazine for a competition to win a motorized scooter. She agreed to speak to a salesman. He used high-pressure sales techniques to sell her a scooter. She was adamant she wanted one of these scooters, so I agreed to see the salesman. He came back later that evening and demonstrated it for me. During the course of the demonstration we determined that she would not be able to assemble and disassemble the scooter herself.

The solution was to have a lift installed that would take the scooter and lift it into and out of the trunk of the car. The lift was an extra $500, which we agreed to. The scooter was delivered sans lift. The sales person told us the lift would be delivered to the installing engineer in a neighboring town. We chased the salesman for almost a month (the chair being unusable without it). He procrastinated at first, and eventually stopped returning my mother-in-law's calls.

Eventually I called myself and made it quite clear that if he did not contact them immediately, we would return the scooter and report him to the BBB. He called back a few minutes later, claiming he was in Hawaii for his father’s funeral, and would make arrangements when he was back in California. Two weeks later, with still no lift, my mother-in-law contacts the New Jersey office and speaks to a Ms Lane, who promises to sort things out. After a number of conversations they are now claiming that we never ordered a lift, despite the fact that it is on the contract.

Had we gotten decent service, we would have been happy, even thought the scooter is expensive. However, considering the terrible experience we have had so far, we do not wish to do business with these people. We have a scooter that cannot be used, we were either lied to by the sales person or by the staff in new Jersey. My mother-in-law is a senior, and will only be able to afford the scooter if we (her daughter and I) pay for it. Only my mother-in-law signed the contract, and she cannot afford it. What are our options, other than my mother-in-law filing for bankruptcy?

The mother-in-law should send a certified, return-receipt-requested letter to the company, advising them that they are in breach of the contract. Legal help might be a good idea. The mother-in-law may qualify for free or reduced-fee legal help. Check "Legal Services" at our Family Caregivers Database.

Judith of San Diego (9/24/02):

I had often seen a TV ad I assumed he was from that company and I believed they were the only company selling such an item. After my first contact with the salesman, it became evident that he had made promises which the company was unwilling to back up. When I began making demands for follow-up actions over the phone, I was passed from person to another until someone, seemingly in authority, promised action and a prompt return call. They kept this routine up over many weeks.

At each call from me to them I reached a different person but all of them seemed to follow the same script: To put me off and let valuable time pass during which I could, according to the small print, have returned the chair. I feel they broke the contract and I want them to return my money and take the chair back. I have already received their demand for a final payment which was due on September 16 despite the fact that I have yet to receive some of the items specified in the contract as well as certain services.

I got desperate and asked for the help of the good offices of the BBB. Today I received the second Letter from them with a second notice from the Electric Mobility Co. that they are still waiting for a NOTARIZED RELEASE FORM ostensibly to share details of my purchase to the BBB. I assume this to be a delaying tactic since I already signed the first form but refuse to have it notarized since such action was NOT required when I signed the contract, i.e., they can verify my signature from that document if it were really a question of legality. In addition, I am unable to leave the house since the mechanism for loading the chair was not delivered nor have I been instructed - contrary to their promises - in its use.

The salesman - quite openly in front of me - pretended to make phone calls "to ascertain" that a large portion of the cost of the chair was covered by my insurance and that my doctor's office had assured him that it will file the necessary paperwork and a prescription to prove my qualification for such expenditures.

I have an excellent financial record and these people are threatening to ruin it. I am on a fixed Social Security income and used up all my savings plus borrowed money to pay the first half of the total cost in the belief that I was dealing with a licensed and bonded firm, doing federally sanctioned interstate business. This experience has been a nightmare ever since I had my first contact with Electric Mobility. Every phone conversation with them is a torture because I know that I am being lied to and they are aware that I am in no condition to fight them since I have no husband to help. Thus it is with great effort that I force myself to confront this problem every day. Sometimes I feel my heart will stop if I only hear the name of that firm or look at the expensive wheel chair that I can't use and which will cost me another $3,200.

Barbara of Lancaster, CA (8/22/02):
I agreed to purchase a RASCAL Model 200 with some accessories for the total sum of $2,303.38 on 7/25/02. It was delivered to me via No. American Van Lines on 8/15/02. I paid for this using my Discover Card on 7/25/02.

The RASCAL was driven off the No. Am. Van by the driver up to my door. He turned it off in order to show me how it worked and be sure I knew what to do. It would not restart. He tried very hard to get it started. Ended up reporting it on his cell-phone. I don't know to whom he reported this. I have called daily for a week with little attention only a promise someone will contact me within 24 hours. The latest was that a technician from Lakewood would call me within 24 hours. So far I have had no true action and it has been here a week.

Follow-up (9/22/02): Barb reports "Electric Mobility took care of my problem finally" and says that everything is now working properly.

Carol of Loganville GA (7/31/02):
After a day beginning at 9:30 am and initially ending at 3:00PM as the family had to leave and take me, the victim, with them, I was FORCED to make a decision to buy this scooter, which had to be THAT DAY, or not at all, in order for him to agree to leave.

He would not leave and he kept calling someone named "MR. LURCH" in New Jersey, and playing a game of coming down on the price. And then later he lied and said he said this and that. I do not trust him, his company, and therefore not his product. I want my money back, I am refusing shipment and will not pay any more.

Jimmy of Prairieville LA (7/14/02):
First, we asked the Little Rascal salesman what he tought would be best for me. I have had several strokes. I told him that since we had to finance the scooter we would be able to purchase whatever he told us we needed. He advised us against the four wheeler and sold us a three wheeler which hasn't been stable enough. I have turned over numerous times breaking both shoulders one of which was replaced.

In addition we have had numerours problems with the scooter. We have had to replace three drive trains, two speed dials and two engagers, a wiring harness plus several tire rims that blew out. We have owned the scooter for five years and now it is out again. We had trouble with the frame and took it to the Electric Mobility representative here in Baton Rouge and he did bandaid repair to it. The rear wheels were dragging, didn't bother to find out the cause, just clipped some plastic off and later on it got worse and the rear fenders were dragging so we had to remove them to be able to use the scooter. Electric Mobility called me last week and offered me $1,000 rebate to buy another Little Rascal.

When I got through talking to him, very nicely I must say, I told him I would never buy another Little Rascal and I have ordered a Pride Scooter.

When you call Electric Mobility and ask to speak to a technician they give you customer service reps. which do not help a bit. They will not let you talk with a tech. What they don't realize is that some of us can't afford to throw money down the drain and that is what they make you do.

Damage Resulting: Broken shoulders, spending money on parts over and over again and the stress and concern of not having a way to get around.

Joe of Tulare, CA (5/28/02):
Zack is a high-pressure salesman, he lied about a lot. He sold me on things that were not needed, he had cheaper better solutions which he did not tell me. I have tried to contact him by phone to correct some problems. I tried calling the company directly but I get the wrong answers.

I had just recently been notified by the V.A. hospital that I had prostate cancer that had advanced to my bones so I was not at my best mentally to deal with the high pressure sales pitch. I do not want to go through any lawsuits, I don't feel I could take the pressure.

Betty of Austin TX writes (5/22/02):
Ruby B., my mother, is 86 years of age and can’t hear. Howard B., my father, is 82 years of age, and has Alzheimer’s.

Consider this letter a complaint against two of your sales representatives in Austin, Texas. Attached is a copy of the Purchase Incentive Release Agreement signed by them. One name looks like Mike J. and the other is not legible.

On Thursday, May 16, 2001, these two men came to my mother and father’s home with big smiles and a chocolate cake. They arrived at 2:00 pm and left a few minutes after 6:00 pm. Before they left, they had my father’s bank account information (they asked for a bank statement), Social Security number, Medicare number, and his Veterans Administration information. My father told my mother he had signed a check at their request, but he told me he had not. He did say, however, he had signed other papers but did not know what they were.

My mother was so upset that she called me, but they left just before I got there. Had she called me earlier, they would not have been there for more than four hours, and they certainly would not have gotten personal information from my father, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. When I asked him why he had given them all that information, he said that the “old man” was hard-headed and wouldn’t leave him alone, so he gave him what he wanted.

As a result, not knowing what he had signed, we had to go to the bank the next morning and have their checking account closed and a new one opened. Then we had to contact Social Security and get their direct deposit information changed, which was quite a challenge since he doesn’t do well on the telephone (he gets confused) and my mother can’t hear.

The receipt my father signed has no printed address or telephone number for your company, but one of the men wrote his cell phone number on the bottom of it. I called him and all he could do was assure me he was on the up and up. I asked why he wanted my father’s bank statement, and all he would tell me was, “I gave it back to him.” I told the man on the phone that if he had talked to my father for ten minutes, much less four plus hours, he would have known he was not competent to be signing papers, contracts, or whatever. He said, “He did mention that he had Alzheimer’s.” That should have been his clue to stop right then and there.

My father said a woman had called about the scooter (which he doesn’t even need) the night before and talked for 30 minutes. He says he told her he didn’t want a scooter, but the men showed up the next evening anyway.

Let this letter serve as notice that these people are not to contact my parents either in person or on the telephone at anytime.

Scott of Lilburn GA (8/23/01):
My mother, Pearlie S., was followed home from the hospital by one of Electric Mobility's salesmen who then pressured her into buying a Little Rascal for $4,500.00. My mother passed away on August 19, 2001. The Little Rascal was never used and there was no way my mother could have ever gotten use out of the Little Rascal. My mother was bedridden and required full time caregiver assistance.

Electric Mobility turned this purchase over to Heartland Finance. My mother realized immediately that she had made a mistake and started trying to get out of this situation. My mother did not let me know about this and I only found out about this after my mother passed away in the hospital.

My mother and one of her caregivers started making attempts to contact Electric Mobility and then asked for help from an advocate for the elderly that works out of Rock Hill, SC. All correspondence received from Electric Mobility was negative. They accepted no responsibility for the high-pressured sales tactics of Mr. T. nor were they willing to get involved. I am prepared to initiate legal action against Electric Mobility if they are unwilling to resolve this matter by simply taking back the never-used Rascal.

This entire matter caused my mother much anxiety and fear. She did not want me to know about this because she knew that I was already spending $2,000.00 per month for her full time caregivers, so she decided to keep this information from me.

Anita of Colleyville TX (9/17/01):
Salesman for Electric Mobility sold my friend, Mildred, who is a nursing home resident, a $4998 R5 235 unit which she is unable to use. The nursing home does not allow them. She is not in a position to leave and they even sold ther the "large" shopping basket.

Apparently worked with her through three attempts to write her name on a check after looking through her personal file cabinet to find the check book. We called Diane at Electric Mobility when we discovered that it had been ordered and before it was delivered and they still refused to take it back and refund her money. It has been in a storage room at the nursing home since delivery.

We were hoping to upgrade her wheel chair, but now she's spent $5000 on a scooter that she can't use.

Mrs. L. Reidsville NC (5/11/01):
My husband Roger was comning out of his mobility van on the rascal scooter. The van has a lift that is 8" off the ground at the highest point. The scooter got half way out on the ramp and threw my husband off of the scooter. He fell straight back and broke a bone in his back. He broke his right wrist. He was in the hospital for 6 days. The seat, batteries, and the handle bar flew off of the scooter.

When he was found lying on the ground the scooter was sitting straight up in the air on the ramp. My husband is not able to walk at all. They knew this when they sold this scooter to him. He is now in such great pain he cannot lay down to sleep. He is sitting up all of the time. Before this happened he could drive his self around. Now he cannot go anywhere by his self. I have to help him out of the chair or the van. I cannot leave him alone because he may fall.

The doctor has told us another fall could leave him paralized.My husband is on dialysis. He is in such great pain he cannot stay on the dialysis machine for his full treatment. I have had to hire someone to come into our home to stay with him so I can go back to work. I have missed 2 and 1/2 weeks of work so far. I feel this scooter is unsafe.

Tom of Fredericktown OH (5/15/02):
My sister called and spoke to a customer service representative (who was of no help), so she then asked to speak to a supervisor or manager. The supervisor never returned the call. After several more calls, my sister was finally able to reach a supervisor on April 19, 2002, only to be told that the supervisor could not give any information to her because a permission slip was not on file from her mother. The supervisor said she would send a waiver right away. To date, no waiver has been received.

I am filing this report on behalf of my parents since they do not have Internet or email access and phone calls to your company have produced no results. Rest assured that no sale would have been made had they discussed the purchase of a Rascal with me prior to meeting with your salesman.

My father is currently in the hospital and possibly headed for an extended rest home stay to recuperate in a few days. If the Alzheimer's symptoms continue, it is probable that he will not be able to return home. My mother has been taking care of him at home up to this point and she is physically and emotionally exhausted. She doesn't need the additional disregard from this company at this time.

My grandfather wanted a scooter that would help him get from the house to his garden. Karen said the 4-wheel scooter would be his best bet. She asked what type of vehicle they would be transporting it in and they told her an Explorer. She said then it should fit. My grandparents said that they needed more time to think about it. Karen told them that this offer was good only for that day. My grandparents decided that they would purchase the scooter and paid them for half of it.

When the scooter arrived and after the installer came, the scooter would not fit into the Explorer without the back seat laid down. Karen did not menion this to my grandparents. We contacted Electricity Mobility Corp. and they said that Karen offered to measure the Explore and they refused. This was not the case. My grandparents use their vehicle to transport people places and at times they have the back seat full.

We kept hearing the same thing from the head office, "It will fit if you fold down one of the seats." We have tried repeatedly to find someone who will help us.

On March 13, 2001, Patricia of Akron wrote:
My brother-in-law was sold a Rascal scooter while his companion that made all of his business decisions was dying in the hospital. My brother-in-law now resides with me and I have power of attorney for him. He is nearly blind, cannot read, write, or comprehend business transactions. His health is so poor that we cannot leave him alone for long. He in no way was ever a good candidate for a mobility scooter.

When I took over his affairs I asked the company to take the scooter back. One person told me they would, but then another called and stated they would not take it back. I have made numerous calls to the company without any resolution. He originally was living in West Virginia, but now lives in Ohio with me. Many if the calls I have made to the company have been long distance.

My brother-in-law cannot afford this scooter. He now is on Medicaid. His health is fragile and he is very worried and upset that this company has taken such advantage of him. I feel he wasn't competent to make the decision to purchase this. The salesman even drove him to the bank to help him withdraw the $324 out of his safety deposit box. The salesman told him he could drive on the road with this scooter. I figure that salesman was laughing his head off as he drove away from taking such advantage of my brother-in-law.

Peggy of Salisbury, PA, writes:
A salesman named Barry spent 2-1/2 hours of high-pressure sales with my mother and I. In the end I had to threaten to call the police several times (I wish I had called immediately) in order to get him out of my mother's apartment. He was very emotionally intimidating. If she had been by herself I don't know what would have happened. I am not seeking damages for myself, I hate to think of these salesmen intimidating elderly and handicapped people who may not be able to get out.

John of Interlachen, FL, writes:
On October 13th,2000 Ward W. representing the Rascal Scooter came to my house at 9:30AM to demostrate the Rascal scooter to me. He and his wife finally left my house at 3:40PM. This all started with a phone call that I could possibly be the winner of a scooter if I was the one chosen for that month, if I would allow them to come out to my house and demostate the scooter to me.

I said ok. They arrived with a small plant and a small cake, real nice couple.(she was learning the business so she can be the representative to the VA hospital). They told me they wanted to show me the scooter and its uses. My daughter and granddaughter came over because I'm 77 years old (Dec.78) and lost my wife of 59 years on June 6, 2000.

Ward showed a video and we mainly watched him show off the scooter in the driveway. I did try it out. He implied that what he was showing us all came with the scooter. He talked and talked. Well I had made up my mind not to buy until I could talk with over with my daughter. Both of my family members thought it was cut and dry that a decision would be made at a later day. At about 2:00PM they both had to leave for appointments, and they felt that these two people were safe,after all Ward and his wife go to our church (which we didn't know before) and my granddaughter knew Anita the wife as a customer at her business.

After they left (I was very tired by then) Ward told me the price of $10,000.00 but he might be able to do better and if I sign today ONLY there was a $1,000 saving bonus to me. Well he kept talking and telling me what all he was going to do for me. Well, it finally ended up at $5200+ and he had me sign some paper, there wasn't any writing on it so I thought it was nothing important. I am a vetern and he said I DO NOT qualify for any help from Medicare,and signed a paper saying I did not meet the eligibility. I now think how STUPID he was not a doctor to make a statement like this.

Well, this was on Friday. The next day my daughter was a little upset because of the harassment (they had another appointment in Ocala and were leaving when my family left, but they were three hours late for that appointment, because he called from my house). I told him at church Sunday that I had to cancel and he was upset. So on the 17th I called Rascal in N.J. and talked to Mr. Cooper and told him I wanted to cancel. He was upset.

So I thought OK, we called the bank and they were trying to take the $5200+ from my credit card. So we put a dispute on the card. Now they say they are sending the scooter on the 19th. It's the 24th today. I'm not accepting the scooter if the delivery truck comes to my house. By the way my family was there also because my daughter has the power of attorney over me. The high-pressure salesman got me at a exhausted state and I just wanted them to leave. He told lies, lies, and more lies, and him suppose to be a Christain.

Since John's daughter has his power of attorney, she should immediately send a certified, return-receipt-requested letter to Rascal notifying them that the sale is null and void and that the shipment will be refused.

James of Emerald Isle, NC, writes:
I tried to find out the part number for a resistor on a Battery charger printed circuit board used on the Rascal scooter manufactured by Electric Mobility. I ordered batteries on 8-15-00, and was told the next day that they could not provide me with information of that type. This is probably a $1 item, but they want me to buy a $199 part and pay for its installation.

My father-in-law who is on vacation with me, is totally home-bound without the item. I am a retired electrical engineer with over 37 years experience in this type of circuitry, and it would take no more than a trip to Radio Shack and 15 minutes of my time to get him "moving" again. This is just plain cruel and unfair.

Mary of Fremont, IN, writes:
I wrote you a couple weeks ago and told you about how many things I have had to replace on my scooter and how it was making a bad noise again. I had called the salesman-service man on a Friday and he never returned my call. On Monday May 5th., while going down my ramp my brakes went out. I lost control and one of my front wheels went off the ramp and threw me.

I spent four days in the hospital with a broken leg. I guess you know I won`t be getting on my scooter anymore! I am so angry about this whole thing. To be a paraplegic and have a salesman sell me something for almost $4300.00 that has so many things break on it and then to end up with a broken leg. I don`t know how these people can continue to do this kind of stuff to handicapped and the elderly.

Mary should consult an attorney whose practice includes personal injury.

Karen of Hammond, IN, writes:
My mother, who will be 82 in June, informed us that she purchased a Rascal. I asked what a Rascal is and she explained it was an electric cart. She has been having problems walking due to back trouble and cannot drive a car for the time being.

The representative, Mr. Hartman, told her the cart would go 25 miles and took it out on the road by her house so she could drive it to the corner and back. Because she said it would go 25 miles on a charge, she thought she could ride this cart into Logansport, which is about 13 miles from her home.

I explained to her that this cart could not be driven on the road, that it only goes five or six miles per hour. I explained that it was meant to be taken and used at other locations, not driven to them. She said he also sold her a trunk lift. The cart would not fit in her trunk in one piece and would have to be disassembled and put back together.

We tried to call the salesman yesterday, who lives in Camden and foolishly has a listed phone number, but he never returned our call. My brother contacted Electric Mobility this morning and told them we wished to cancel the contract. He also faxed a copy of the "cancellation" portion of the contract. And further to cut our mother's losses, we had the bank put a stop payment on the check.

My mother has been widowed for just over a year and for the last couple of months has been experiencing difficulty walking. She has always been very active and self sufficient and is not taking this well at all. She is looking for a way to gain back some of her mobility and this salesman took complete advantage of her. We tried to be very gentle in telling her we had to cancel the Rascal, but she was upset and feeling very foolish, I am sure. The one valuable lesson I learned is that we need to get a guardianship, or whatever it is called, so that we are notified of large expenditures my mother makes.

It's a good thing Karen reacted quickly. Actually, guardianship might be going a bit far but perhaps Karen's mother would sign a power of attorney so her daughter would have the authority to take actions on her behalf.

Richard of Ann Arbor, MI, writes:
My father requested literature on a scooter, and proceeded to write the salesman a check for the full amount -- $4,587 on 10-15-99. 

I was notified of a disbursment request from his bank as I am his legal guardian, I refused the request. No scooter has been received. 

I called Electric Mobility 10-25-99 and talked to a person named Becky. When asked how I could reach the rep, I was told they do not give out that information, but they would have him call me. 

What can I do to cancel this contract and is it legally binding to begin with? My father is an Alzheimer's patient.

A contract is not valid if one party is incompetent.  Richard could retain a local attorney to have a declaratory judgment entered in court.  Or he could simply refuse delivery of the scooter and let the company waste its time and money trying to sue for damages.  

My mom was sent the wrong ramps, and when she was removing the Rascal, she fell off the track and was injured.

She wanted 6 or 8 foot ramps, but she received 10 foot ramps, which are entirely too big for her to be loading. She has called Rascal numerous times to no avail. She paid in full for the Rascal, and she has no idea on how it works except for what she has learned the hard way.

How can we get a representative out to show her how to us this properly?  She had a concussion and was extremely sore from the fall.

Bob of Lehighton PA writes:
Both of my parents are in their 80s. They responded to a newspaper ad about a free demo of the Rascal scooters. They called and the sales rep came to their house.

He told them if they bought one on the first visit he wiuld deduct $250 from the price. They told him that they would buy one if my father could drive it and it could be placed in their vehicle to transport it.

He also told him that they would probably quailfy for a rebate from Medicare. He would fill out the application for them so they could get reimbursed through medi care. He told them that since they had a discount coupon from the paper, he would give them a ramp for free and would come back to demonstrate how to load the Rascal in the car.

They paid him for the purchase. He never came back to show them if or how to put it in their car. And never sent the ramps needed. They called his number several times and called the company direct. He doesn't return the calls and the company said they know nothing about the ramps.

Upon checking the Rascal it doesn't have a serial number where it should be and the rascal is not even the same model they paid for. The compny now tells them it is up to them to contact Medicare.

They have a piece of equipment that they paid $4,587 for that they can't use and isn't what they ordered.

Update:
Just to let you know a company rep from Electric Mobility called and wanted to send us a ramp so we can get the Rascal in the house. My parents had ramps built at the house about 3 years ago. It wasn't for the house, it was to get the Rascal into the car.

When I asked her how 3-ft ramps would help get it in the car, she said she didn't know. Now she is telling us that the salesman didn't have the right to tell us that we could return it if we couldn't use it and the two page "right to return or cancel" papers that were not attached to the contract aren't important.

I asked her why they charged my parents over $2,000 more than we could have bought the rascal at other places. Her response was, "You should have shopped around."

Further update:

Just to keep you informed. Electric Mobility never sent the ramps as promised. We have notified them that we will no longer accept the ramps and the only thing we want is for them to pick up the Rascal and issue a refund. We have sent the file to an attorney for whatever action is necessary.

One final update from Bob:
Just to let you know that we hired an attorney who sent the Rascal company a letter telling them that we were about to file a law suit within in 10 days. They then said that they would take the scooter back and send a refund check. We insisted that they bring the check when they came for the scooter. They first said that that was impossible. But then finally agreed. Thanks for your help.

G.M. of Kimberling, MO, writes:
On approx. 11-17-99 I took my Rascal to a repair station and was told that I would have to replace the rear end so the repairman called and was told that the customer would have to call, so I called and was told it would cost me $750.  

I tried to explain that I had a five year warranty. I told them that I need the cart repaired so I charged it.  

On December 1, I called and wanted to talk to a manager and they gave me customer service who told me my warranty was replacement for the first three years and prorated after that.  I again asked to speak with a manager and was told they were all busy and so I asked for them to call me back which they have not done.

So that means customer service doesn't count after they see their merchandise.  I purchased the Rascal 11-1-96 according to my paper work.  This is the second Rascal I have had and the first time that the service and warranty have not been up to standards.  

We had to do without a electric cart for over a week.  I should not have been charged for a repair and parts that were under warranty.  

Patricia of Baltimore writes:

I am alarmed. I also sent a coupon from a mmagazine to win a free Rascal and was visited by two high-pressure salesmen My husband and I ageed to purchase one and made a down payment of $500. The scooter is to be delivered soon (within a week). Help! Should I refuse delivery of the thing? Any advice?

Anyway, my contract gave me 10 days (this was printed on the reverse). I called right away and let them know I wanted them to come get it and I wanted my money back. (I also wrote a letter and sent it certified mail).

After a lot of waiting for the men at their headquarters to get back to me, arrangements were made to pick the scooter up. A week or so later it was picked up and I received a check about ten days later refunding my downpayment. If I had kept the scooter, I would have not been able to use it - I have no ramp and it was useless indoors.

The salesman told me that Home Depot would build a ramp for me if I paid for the materials. I called Home Depot and they have no such program. They said it must be a deal the salesman has with one of the employees.

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