I just received a letter from the CEO and Founder Of the VGM Group, Van G. Miller.
It is about time someone with Mr. Miller’s status and position spoke up and starting calling companies out on their actions.
Any consumer out there that is in the need of any type of power mobility product, may it be a scooter, electric wheelchair, or a custom power chair, you better think twice before purchasing one from the SCOOTER STORE. They are also the new owner’s of a company called ALLIANCE SEATING AND MOBILITY.
The Scooter Store commercials look good on TV. The Scooter Stores “Claim to Fame” is they will do all the paper work for you and have a power chair delivered to your home at no cost to you.
I already posted in my last Blog about the downside of receiving medical equipment from locations other than your local reputable medical supply company. The story is the same here; when you need service, you will be looking real hard for help. The salesman’s tactics and sales pitch from these companies are very convincing. It’s almost like you are purchasing a resort timeshare, but I assure you… there are no incentives for you in this deal.
What you also might not know is the Scooter Store has recently made a $17 million False Claims Act “settlement”. If they agreed to settle for 17 million dollars, I can’t imagine how much money this company has swindled out of Medicare and all consumers who have received products from the Scooter Store.
WHO PAYS FOR THIS TYPE OF CONDUCT, WE ALL DO!
The Scooter Store just paid their fine, moved on and in my opinion have not changed any of their questionable tactics.
Why Medicare, Medicaid Beneficiaries and any insurance program still accept billing claims from these two companies is beyond my belief. To all consumers out there, I suggest you think twice before picking up your phone and dialing the Scooter Store or Alliance Seating and Mobility.
Now, to all HME dealers, WAKE UP, SMELL THE COFFEE AND TAKE YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND.
We knew which company has been supplying the Scooter Store. We have heard it for years now from every salesman that sells us scooters and electric wheelchairs. “PRIDE MOBILITY” I always knew it was Pride Mobility that was selling to the Scooter Store under a no name product. I admit, I also looked the other way for years. I have walked into Pep Boys and BJ’s and have seen Pride Mobility products.
They completely cut our throat and undersell us on one end and have the audacity to send their reps into our facilities to also buy from them for a more inflated price.
But now, we are in a different and difficult time in our industry, “Competitive Bidding”. The bottom line is Pride Mobility has helped the Scooter Store win bids in all areas where it has become implemented. Many companies have already gone out of business.
I suggest we choose carefully who we buy our products from. I can tell you that Seventh Street Medical Supply, Inc will not be purchasing anything from Pride Mobility. I have completely removed all of their equipment from my catalog. I will only deal and support companies that will work with me and not undercut me at the same time.
We as HME dealers should take a stance and let it be known that we won’t be fooled any longer.
Mr. Miller, Thank you!
To see Van G. Miller’s letter “Who is on your side”? Click here.
Good Luck to everyone!
Andy Scolnick, VP
Seventh Street Medical Supply, Inc
307 E. Pennsylvania Blvd.
Feasterville, PA 19053
(215) 396-2450
Seventhstreetmedicalsupply's Blog 
Yeah, Van G. Miller is a great professional, His analysis will be correct.
I am going to pass this information on for sure. Mobility related information needs to get to those in the “need to know” sooner than it currently is.