4 Post Lift delivery problems


gtjim

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 28, 2006
238
After putting off the decision on a 4 post lift, I finally pulled the trigger. Kendall was very helpful in steering me towards a solution. Thanks.

I ended up ordering the BendPak HD-9.

The folks I talked with were very helpful. Bruce Dodson, BendPak Tool and Equipment Specialist, was very responsive even while he was on the road. I was pretty impressed with everything until the system was delivered.

When it came the packages were pretty beat up. I haven't opened the packages, but it looks to be surface damage to the lift post paint only. It's pretty obvious it was done with a fork lift, either at the factory or the shipper. Looks like they were pushed around from the sides instead of lifting from the ends as is supposed to happen.

Like I told the BendPak rep, it’d be one thing if this was to be used in a shop setting where blemishes would occur in short order anyway. It’s another when it’s to be used in a personal garage setting with cars costing over $400,000 on and under it. I want the setup to look as flawless as the Aston Martin and Ford GT that will be on top and under it.

It's now sitting in my garage unopened waiting for BendPak's response. Their initial response was quick. I informed them mid-day on Tuesday, BendPak initially responded late Tuesday, and I sent them a follow up email with pictures mid-day Wednesday.

They had to talk to someone else; as of now they don't seem to have decided what they're going to do about it. Having been in the service side of business for many years, and understanding that this was not a fault of the customer, I'd have made the decision to correct the situation immediately, sending out a replacement. Only after that would I have worried about whether the fault lay with my own factory staff or the shipper. Oh, well ...

I've heard nothing but good things about this company so I'm assuming they'll take care of me.

Jim Schneller
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,211
North Carolina
It's pretty hard to damage these lifts....... as they are so heavy. BTW there is a can of paint for touch up.
 

HIRISC

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Mar 14, 2007
259
Minneapolis, MN
jkritzer@bendpak.com = SVP of Marketing.. he's active on a number of Forums.

I've emailed with him several times over the years if I needed an executive's push.

G/L getting it worked out.
 

RPM217

2005 white/blue stripe
Jun 18, 2010
1,658
Rye Brook, New York
Got my Bendpak double wide installed in November, there was a problem with the lift that was due to a "malfunction", and did cause significant damage to one of the posts. It was quickly replaced, no questions asked. I'm very happy with my lift, and service (so far!). Good luck, I'm sure it'll all work out properly!!!
 

otis

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Nov 13, 2011
349
Stillwater, MN
I had same issue with mine and one post was even bent. They sent another post, but it added 2 weeks to the process since I had to wait for a freight truck to fill up the load before they'd ship. They took care of me. Bendpak seemed used to this problem when mine arrived. Maybe helped it was shipped to my installer first who confirmed my issue.

Rob
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
My bendpak arrived scratched and scuffed as well (custom GT red paint job) and they asked that I contact the shipper to sort it out. Wound up polishing them out as best as I could, then used some Bendpak supplied paint for touch up and just lived with it. Sadly the average person no longer understands "A type" people like us anymore.....course they're always more than willing to except our money they just can't always deliver.
 

FBA

GT Owner
Dec 5, 2010
1,663
31.022340° N / 44.846191° W
Had that been me, they would have gotten the lift back up their asses from me with a reversed credit card transaction. They ship it - their problem to see it gets to my door in perfect condition, AFAIC!
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
Just like the others posted, my HD-9 arrived scuffed up. cosmetic issues only.

Installation instructions very poorly written if you plan on assembling it yourself. Assembly is not as complicated as the instructions imply.

Lift functions fine and is sturdy. I admit, I bought it cause it was a relatively low priced unit. If I had paid big dollars, I would have rejected it. The problem was piss poor packaging. :frown
 

scotttroilo

GT Owner
Dec 25, 2010
39
Scottsdale AZ
Got the exact same lift. Very happy with it. Dealt with a very nice sales rep named Tiffany Peterson with Dannmar Equipment out of Moorpark Cali. (800-261-7729, Ext 112) Even called me after it was installed to check on the process and make sure I was happy.
I would wait a little longer to see if they get back to you and fix the problem. You may be dealing with the distributor and not the manufacturer. I've got to believe when you speak to the right person you'll get the attention and answers you need. Happy to call my rep if that helps get you in touch with the right person.

Scotty T
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
Not to miss lead, I do like the lift just bummed about the scratches. I did the install myself and it was easy, lifting the ramps was the only hard part. It has worked flawlessly for 5 years now.
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
Not to miss lead, I do like the lift just bummed about the scratches. I did the install myself and it was easy, lifting the ramps was the only hard part. It has worked flawlessly for 5 years now.

+1 Just the cosmetic stuff here too.

The Bunk that is the killer is the one with the Hydraulic ram. Holy shit it is heavy. If you assemble as directed, you will need 4 men or a mechanical lift to get it up 4 feet into the air to set it on the crossmembers. :rolleyes
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,832
Largo, Florida
This thread reminds me why commercial vendors don't like dealing with homeowners. :lol
 

gtjim

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 28, 2006
238
Ok, folks, it looks like it got worked out - at least so far so good.

After the first contact I had with the Bendpak folks I really wasn't sure where I'd end up. I was, as suggested, ready to call the credit card company at first. In this case there were two things wrong with the delivery, the damage and it ended up being the wrong lift (HD-9STX vs HD-9).

A far as the wrong lift, when it was ordered the rep put the right name on the form but the wrong part number.

As far as the damage with the original delivery, it looked to be cosmetic, although given the marks and the number of packaging breaches by someone wielding a fork truck, there certainly could have been additional damage. Even if only cosmetic, like I took the Bendpak contact, I'm using the system to store cars on and under it that cost over $400k and I expect the lift to look as flawless as those vehicles. If it was commercial shop use I'd have grumped about it but most likely let it go or try to get some concession.

Not sure where I would've gotten if it was the right lift. The Bendpak gent I was speaking with indicated it'd much easier to resolve if it was in fact the wrong system. In that case it was their fault and they'd have to deal with it. For just damage, I got the impression they'd have put it back on the shipping company. It sounded like he wanted to help me but it looked like his hands might have been tied if they could have pushed blame on the shipping company.

The lift that came today appears to be the correct one, the packaging was much better and there was almost no damage to any of the packaging and no apparent damage to the contents. This time around it was a operator owned vehicle running for CRST and the whole load was Bendpak lifts (10 of them) to different locations. Last time it was Conway with who knows what in the trailer and warehouse loaded instead of factory loaded. Took a long time to get here but told them I was ok with that if there was a better chance of it arriving undamaged.

In the end, although the gent I was talking to at Bendpak wanted to help, the two things that seemed to perk their ears up were it was athewrong lift and the fact that I let them know I was providing commentary on a Super car forum so others could see how this was resolved.

As of now, I'm belatedly happy. As long as all the parts are there and I can get time to put it up, I'm assuming it'll be OK.

Appreciate all the input.
 

Beach-GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 8, 2006
887
Seminole Florida
I bought the narrow lift...can't remember the part number. It came scratched up but I just touched it up and it looks fine. The rear lifting saddles are not wide enough to clear the GT rear tires so I had to saw the saddles off at an angle to get the tires past without gouging them. It requires a dead center drive on but every thing fits. Check yours before pulling your GT on.
 

MTV8

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 24, 2010
1,017
Houston Texas
I bought the narrow lift...can't remember the part number. It came scratched up but I just touched it up and it looks fine. The rear lifting saddles are not wide enough to clear the GT rear tires so I had to saw the saddles off at an angle to get the tires past without gouging them. It requires a dead center drive on but every thing fits. Check yours before pulling your GT on.

Setting up mirrors is the best bet for centering the car on a narrow lift.
 

Beach-GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 8, 2006
887
Seminole Florida
I use three wireless video cameras and a hand held monitor. It is tight I say.
 

PL510*Jeff

Well-known member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Nov 3, 2005
4,876
Renton, Washington
Tennis ball on a string works. Simple and reasonably priced.