I am disabled, elderly, and live alone in a house with stairs on 2 levels. I wanted to install an elevator, as my disability will likely worsen with age and I want to be independent and stay in my home. I was quite clear when I spoke to All in One that I needed battery /generator backup in case of power failures to be able to access the entire house (to find my battery lanterns, prepare food, use the fireplace for warmth, shower, etc.). At no time was I told that the elevator model I was buying would just take me to the garage, lock itself, and strand me there. If I had known this, I would have immediately looked for a Generac generator, and would have had it installed over the spring/summer. Now, we are heading into another cold winter, and there is a 9 month wait for Generac generators (a whole house one with an elevator costs $13,000.00, plus wiring and installation, and a propane and natural gas connection).
In February 2021 I lost power for 12 consecutive days. After spending $100,000.00 on the elevator, and experiencing another power outage of 3 hours in 10/25/2021, I found to my dismay that the elevator is programmed to go to the garage level and cannot be called again, as it 'locks' itself. This may work in a fire situation, but not for a 2 week power outage in freezing temperatures. After trying to call it for 15 minutes, the battery died. I have difficulty walking, and cannot go up/down stairs. If we have another extended power failure due to ice in the future, my elevator is useless, as the battery backup is inadequate for anything except taking a person to the ground level.
A disabled person in their garage alone for several days without power or heat, unable to get upstairs to even get a drink of water is in a life threatening situation, especially in an ice storm when rescuers cannot reach me. The elevator has a phone, but since it locks its door, it is useless because I cannot open the door to use it. I called All in One to discuss what they could do to remedy this situation, and I agree with the other commenters that the woman who answers the phone is a nightmare. She is curt, and said that if the problem is not with a defective part in the elevator itself, but rather the battery/generator, there was nothing they could do. At this point I became angry, told her how much I had spent on the elevator, and that I expected better service from them and ideas to solve the problem. She argued with me, saying I 'did not spend that much money on the elevator'. I guess she is too stupid to understand that the elevator cab itself is only one cost - it has to be framed, a concrete foundation has to be poured, wired, and installed, including putting in a phone, and the added cost of a dedicated phone number. I did spend slightly over $100,000.00, I have the receipts. She then proceeded to chastise me because she did not like how I was speaking to her. I hung up on her, and tried to speak to the owners without luck. They have since told my contractor 'they want nothing more to do with me'. Sure..... after they sold me an elevator that will not work in a power outage situation. These people have no expertise with disabilities, all they want to do is make money selling products whether they work for the needs of the disabled or not. I notice the positive reviews are for wheelchairs. They are clueless when it comes to the needs of the disabled for residential elevators - they should stick to selling wheelchairs.
The bottom line is that if you are a disabled person in a wheelchair, walker or with other mobility issues and buy an elevator from these people, you will not to be told the complete truth - apparently getting a 2-hour battery for the elevator (although available online for other elevators) is not available for the type of elevator they sell, and the disabled person risks being trapped in the garage for days during a power outage without a way to get to safety upstairs to their fireplace, bathroom, shower, kitchen or bedroom. If you have mobility issues, run away from these people and don't buy an elevator from them - it could cost you your life. I wish I could give them negative numbers in this review. read more