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I had to post this in the shopping and consumer section, because it's a prime example of how a business, actually a whole industry, does not care about consumers.
My sig. other had a foot/ankle injury, and the orthopedist decided to put him in a lower-leg cast for a few weeks. They were out of crutches but wrote him an Rx for crutches. Well, first surprise: no pharmacies around here carry crutches. Well, no chain pharmacies do. We did find a few mom & pop pharmacies that did carry them, but they were either out, or they only had extra-tall. All pharmacies said the same thing: "you need to go to a medical supply store."
Okay great. Medical supply store. Did an online search of medical supply stores in my town. One hit. Called them, and the number was disconnected. They closed down. Widened the search. Found a few listed in online "yellow page" directories, but NONE had a website. None. Is this the only industry that has not discovered that there's an internet?
Called the rest, and got messages that they were all closed. This was like 6pm. They're only open 9-5. Of course. He and I are both at work during those hours, like the rest of the world.
Oh, and most of the ones we did find are not in nice safe suburbs. No, they're in the inner-city in Trenton or Philly. Great fun.
He called the orthopedist again for advice on where on earth to get crutches. The doctor said "let me guess, you couldn't find any online or any that were open." Bingo.
So even doctors know about this problem. I am fortunate that I've never needed to find a medical supply store until now, and frankly, I hope I never have to again. I guess when people need medical supplies, they are at the mercy of the retailer. The retailers don't have to be accommodating or convenient, after all, customers NEED them. If you have some time, you could probably order the supplies online, if you find a retailer with a website; but when it comes to something like crutches, you really can't wait a few weeks for them to get delivered; you need them now.
Then after he was able to borrow crutches from a relative, after two days of hopping around on one foot, we had to go through all this again to find a waterproof cast protector. Guess what? They are only available from medical supply stores. I got to travel through lovely Trenton on my lunch break to get that.
We live in PA and work in NJ, and we are in hospital-dense areas. You'd think there'd be a few medical supply stores open until, oh, maybe 7pm. Nope. One retailer actually had a website, but he was 50 miles north of us, and also only open from 9-5.
What on earth do all you people do who have to care for a sick/handicapped family member? I know the person who is disabled doesn't work 9-5, but he/she isn't the one who has to go shopping for the medical supplies. It's the able-bodied person, who probably also has a job.
If anyone needs a great idea for a new business: open a medical supply store that is open till 9pm. Add in minimally decent customer service, and a website, and you'll be rich in no time. Oh, and don't locate yourself in a slum. There you go for a great business plan.
I got my crutches from the hospital that did my knee surgery. I have bought a pair at Walmart, or was it Target, before though. I know the medical supply store here is only open until 5pm, but since I have been able to find everything they have at either Walmart or Target for cheaper, I guess I just don't worry about it.
Now if anyone had told me that Walmart or Target had that stuff, that would've been great. But all we heard was "you have to go to a medical supply store."
Now if anyone had told me that Walmart or Target had that stuff, that would've been great. But all we heard was "you have to go to a medical supply store."
Yeah, they might not have realized that Walmart carries them. I always check Walmart.com and target.com, usually because it is cheaper than anyplace else 9 times out of 10.
Well, the injury is long past at this point. I still look from time to time in CVS and Target to see if they have crutches, and they are usually sold out or they only have super-short or super-tall. At the point when someone needs crutches, there usually isn't the luxury of time to order them online--you kind of need them immediately.
I have to say though, I would be hesitant to buy used crutches. There's something about using something that's been in a stranger's armpit that kind of grosses me out. Just sayin'.
I thni its more a caee of your area. Where i live most doctors roder them by telephoe and they are delivered that day like most medical supplies. I am surprise the doctor didn't know where to get them even if its thru a hosptial he is affilated with. Before medical supply stores opened that was were most such things were gotten.
walgreens and walmart are where i get most things for my grandparents (papa had to get crutches just this past january)
also - i always post on my local freecycle group if its something that can maybe wait a day or two (long enough for someone to see the email, imo). its amazing what stuff people have laying around that they dont need and will give you (free!) if you just ask!
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