Used Wheelchair Pickup in Metro Detroit
Manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, and power chairs tend to end up folded in a closet or parked in the garage long after they're needed. Send us photos and we'll tell you whether yours qualifies for pickup, and whether a power or specialty chair may qualify for a cash offer.
Looking for a wheelchair, not getting rid of one?
A lot of people searching for free wheelchairs nearby actually need one for a few weeks after a surgery or injury. Renting is often the simplest answer — see wheelchair rentals. For a chair at no cost, local medical loan closets are worth a call.
Which kind of chair do you have?
The type of chair makes the biggest difference in what we can do with it. Here's an honest rundown.
Standard & transport chairs
The folding chairs most families have from a hospital stay or surgery. Usually a free-pickup item, and more likely to be accepted when they fold smoothly, the brakes lock, and the seat isn't torn.
Lightweight & ultralight manual chairs
Aluminum or titanium frames, quick-release wheels, often fitted to one person. These can qualify for a cash offer depending on the brand, age, and how specialized the setup is.
Power wheelchairs
A priority category for us. A chair that drives, with its charger and healthy batteries, is the strongest candidate for a cash offer. Power seating (tilt, recline, elevate) is worth mentioning.
Bariatric chairs
Wider seats and higher weight capacities. Tell us the seat width and the weight rating from the label — bariatric chairs are harder to find and may qualify for an offer.
Tell us about the chair
Pick "Manual Wheelchair" or "Power Wheelchair" in the form. For a manual chair, a photo of it opened up plus close-ups of the tires, brakes, and seat usually tell us enough.
For a power chair, we'll also want to see the joystick, the batteries, the charger, and the label with the model and serial number. If you know roughly when the batteries were last replaced, put it in the notes.
Submitting doesn't commit you to anything, and it doesn't guarantee acceptance, pickup, or an offer.
Five-minute checks before you send photos
- 1. Measure the seat. Armrest to armrest, across the seat. Most adult chairs are 16 to 20 inches; anything wider is worth flagging as bariatric.
- 2. Find the label. It's usually on the frame under the seat or on the back crossbar, and lists the model and weight capacity.
- 3. Fold and unfold it. A manual chair should open flat and lock without forcing.
- 4. Test the brakes. Push the chair with the wheel locks on. If it rolls, mention it.
- 5. Charge it overnight (power chairs). Then see whether it drives forward, back, and turns. A chair that won't power on can still be worth reviewing.
Pickup from your home or garage
Folded manual chairs are easy. Power chairs are a different story — many weigh well over a hundred pounds with batteries and don't fold, which is exactly why a lot of families in places like Farmington Hills and Warren end up asking us to come get them. Let us know if the chair is in a basement or behind stairs.
Thinking of it as a donation?
Everlift Mobility may accept qualifying used medical equipment at no cost to the owner. Some higher-value equipment may also qualify for a cash offer.
Please note: Everlift Mobility is a for-profit company, not a charitable organization. Equipment provided to Everlift is not a tax-deductible charitable donation.
Wheelchair checklists
What to include and photograph for manual and power chairs, and what affects whether we can accept them.
Manual Wheelchairs
Usually free pickup
Manual Wheelchairs
Usually free pickup- Brand and model
- Seat width (measure armrest to armrest)
- Weight capacity
- Standard, lightweight, transport, or bariatric
- The chair fully opened
- The tires and casters
- The brakes
- The seat and back upholstery
- Footrests and leg rests
- Tire and caster wear
- Brakes hold
- Frame folds and unfolds
- Upholstery has no tears
Standard manual wheelchairs usually qualify for free pickup rather than a cash offer. Specialty, ultralight, and bariatric chairs are the exception.
Manual Wheelchairs pickup details →Power Wheelchairs
Cash offers common
Power Wheelchairs
Cash offers common- Brand and model
- Seat width and weight capacity
- Battery age and whether it holds a charge
- Whether the charger and key are included
- Any power seating functions (tilt, recline, elevate)
- The full chair from the side
- The joystick controller
- The batteries
- The charger
- The tires
- The serial/model label
- Drives forward, back, and turns
- Batteries hold a charge
- Joystick and wiring intact
- Upholstery and cushion condition
Power wheelchairs are a priority category for cash offers, especially newer models with healthy batteries.
Power Wheelchairs pickup details →Items we generally can't accept
Everything we take has to be safely cleaned and put back into service, so we generally can't accept:
- • Equipment with bodily fluid contamination
- • Mold
- • Bed bugs or other pest exposure
- • Severe rust
- • Broken frames
- • Unsafe electrical equipment
- • Cut or frayed power cords
- • Missing critical parts
- • Severely damaged upholstery
- • Open sterile supplies
- • Used disposable medical supplies
- • Prescription medications
- • Oxygen tanks (unless specifically approved)
- • Equipment that can't be safely refurbished
Wheelchair pickup FAQ
Will you pay for a standard manual wheelchair?
Usually not. Everyday steel and transport wheelchairs are common and inexpensive to replace, so they generally qualify for free pickup rather than a cash offer. Power wheelchairs, ultralight and custom manual chairs, and bariatric chairs are where cash offers come into play.
Do you buy power wheelchairs?
Power wheelchairs are a priority category for cash offers, especially newer models whose batteries still hold a charge. Include the charger and a photo of the joystick and batteries.
Do you take transport chairs?
Case by case. Transport chairs — the lighter chairs with small rear wheels that someone else pushes — are often accepted alongside other equipment. Send a photo with the chair opened up so we can see the frame, brakes, and seat.
The power chair was covered by insurance. Can I give it to you?
Only if it's yours to give. Some power chairs paid for by Medicare or insurance were purchased outright, but others are on a rental arrangement and must go back to the supplier. If you're not sure, call the supplier listed on the chair or your paperwork before sending it to us.
Can I donate equipment to Everlift?
Everlift may accept qualifying used medical equipment at no cost to the owner. Everlift Mobility is a for-profit company and is not a charitable organization.
How quickly can pickup happen?
We review submissions quickly and contact you with the next step. Once equipment is accepted, we coordinate a pickup time directly with you. Pickup timing depends on our route schedule and where you are in Metro Detroit.
I'm looking for a free wheelchair. Can you help?
We don't give equipment away, but renting is often a low-cost way to get a wheelchair for a few weeks or months, and we deliver. Local loan closets are also worth calling if you need one at no cost.
More ways we can help
Need equipment instead? Wheelchair rentals →