Does anybody have an All American Lift, Autolifter, or Garage Buddy 4 post type lift? These lifts don't sway like the Chinese lifts. In trying to purchase one for myself from All American Lift in Kansas the shipping is killing me. The lift cost is $3200.00, without shipping. Chinese sway-type 4 post lifts delivered to my door are $1900.00. You get what you pay for. I am in North Dakota. Is there anyone around my neck of the woods interested in an All American Lift from Kansas? I can get a reduction in shipping by buying more than one. I only want one lift. Maybe someone else near me is also looking?? Does anyone know of a cheaper way to ship such an item? I have tried Freightquote without much help. Fuelcosts are high. Is anyone driving from Kansas towards North Dakota? Maybe Bloomington Gold?? Thanks DG
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
I have two four posts from Auto Lifters that I purchased in 1994 and 1996. They are heavy when packaged up, they came with two extra heavy steel ends that are used to assemble each lift into a shipping package.
If you own a pickup or have a trailor or can borrow one, you could arrange to pick up the lift at a shippers terminal close to your home for less cost per haps.
My Autolifters were delivered to my house, however the shipper brought them to my house in big trucks. The Autolifters had to be taken apart in the truck because I don't have a fork lift at the house and there is no other way this much packaged weight could be moved off the truck.
I recommend picking up the lift at the shippers terminal and using a trailor. When you get it home it is possible for one man to unpack and erect the four post lift. With the help of my floor jack I alone erected both of my lifts in my garage. If you have back problems get some help.
Fuel is probably twice as much or more today as it was in 1996. Shipping costs are for sure increasing. -
Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Picking it up at the truck terminal is a good idea. I don't know how much that would save me. I will check. Once home, I would think my cherry picker could handle the heaviest pieces. My tractor can lift up to 450 lbs. Not sure if that is enough for the ramps. Thanks DGComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
I purchased a direct lift from Greg Smith in January and I am very happy with it. It does not sway or move when lifting my cars. I like that it has adjustable locks so I knew I could make it work with my 190" ceiling. It cost right at $2,000 delivered. I store my completely restored 1960 190SL Mercedes on top and my 67 Vette on the bottom.67 Corvette 327/350
60 190SL Mercedes
70 280SE Mercedes Cabriolet
07 ML350Comment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
David: Thanks for the reply. I am glad to hear your lift does not sway. Can you view the lock when it is in it locked position? I saw a new design Chinese made lift with a slotted Lock Ladder. We could not see the lock arm engage it's respective lock slot even with a flashlight after taking off the surrounding shroud. Did you have to bolt your lift down? Thanks DGComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Dick,
I bought one of the lifts from All American Lifts early last year just before their price increase was to go into effect. They were great guys to deal with and modified the locking positions slightly to accomodate the garage I was going to stack cars in. It went together in about a day and a half with my nephew giving me some assistance with the ramps to carry them into the garage-this part of the assembly is definitely not a one man job! It's worked problem free since its assembly. For me, it was a choice between the All American Lift and the one made by Backyard Buddy. I'd seen the BY Buddy lift at the shows held in Carlisle, Pennsylvania but had never seen an AA Lift so I called Earl who hooked me up with a guy in South Jersey who had one of his lifts. I drove down and looked at the lift and watched its operation and was impressed. The AA Lift is a better buy for less money than the BY Buddy. It's rock steady as well with no wobble or movement and positive locking. Shipping costs will continue to rise on all goods so long as fuel prices continue the way they've been going. Bite the bullet and get it now before costs go up even more!
Joseph Evans #45420Comment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
I ordered my All American Lift from Earl today. He will get it built in 2 weeks and then deliver it to my door. He said he will assemble it with me when he gets here. He said he can erect this lift in 1 1/2 hours. Thanks DGComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Joseph,
When you say a "better buy" than Backyard Buddy (which I have been considering) what do you mean? Is the lift itself better or is your comment meant to mean that they're comparable, but the All American Lift is cheaper?
Thanks!
GrantComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Grant,
I think the biggest difference between the AA lift and the BY Buddy lift is the diameter of the release rod for the four individual locks with AA's piece being smaller in diameter than the BY Buddy (1/4" vs 3/8" if my memory serves me). I believe the AA Lift set-up of the release rod mechanism is different than that of the BY Buddy as well but functionally, it makes no difference as mine has worked flawlessly since it was set up. The lift locks positively when raised and releases with no trouble when being lowered. Construction of the lift posts is of the same size square tube steel with individual lock positions cut out. The ramps are constructed of the same c-channel steel reinforcements beneath the deck surface with the top plate welded in place (not "thin" gauge steel bent into a similar shape as with much less expensive lifts).
Before I ordered this lift I talked with Earl at length and one of the questions I asked him was why there was such a difference in the price of their lift and the BY Buddy. Earl told me that they do not travel the country promoting their lift at the various auto shows so their costs in that sense are less and don't get passed along to the consumer. They rely on word of mouth from satisfied customers for their advertising. That explanation made sense and I decided to get my order placed. Spending an additional $1000.00 plus and then having to wait six weeks for the order to be filled by BackYard Buddy when I could save that money and get a lift from All American Lifts that I would be happy with made more sense to me. In the end, I made the right choice as my lift works fantastic for me. By the way, I store a '66 L72 roadster beneath the body of my '65 L76 that I'm working on and I would not take ANY chances with either being compromised. I hope this helps you out Grant.
P.S. There are many lifts out there to fit a variety of different price ranges, however, when I started looking for a lift most of the ones I saw had a post design that was closed in on only three sides with the lock mechanism traveling through the open side as the lift went up and down. The lock tabs were blocks of steel welded to the column. The ramps of these lifts were also not constructed as well as either of the two lifts mentioned above. I'm not knocking other lifts but simply stating personal preference as to construction and design. I was not comfortable with the design of these lifts which is why I began looking at either the AA Lift or the BY Buddy lift.
Joseph Evans #45420Comment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Backyard Buddy would have you believe that every lift on the market except theirs is made from clarinet reeds and Scotch tape, and will collapse, destroying your car and killing you and all your relatives; not a great marketing strategy.
Comment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Hi Guys
What method is used for the "stops"?
Are they welded to a piece of metal stock, or, are the cut-out of the post material?
What is the wall thickness of the posts material?
Thank you
HaNDComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Mike,
Thanks for your comprehensive reply. I don't think I have the 6 week wait issue, as our Canadian dealer for Backyard Buddy keeps them in stock. Shipping (to him from Ohio) is $250 and the US advertised lift price of $4205 (7000 lb standard lift) is the same here, since our dollars are so close in value. I can pick up the lift myself from Hamilton, ON on a same day trip from Ottawa, so $4455 +taxes seems to be the final price. The AA Lift from Kansas would have whatever wait time there is for them to manufacture it plus the shipping time/cost to Canada. The last time I looked at AA's site for pricing, I think the comparable lift was $3850 (FOB Kansas), so with shipping/taxes it wouldn't be a whole lot cheaper than the Backyard Buddy, if at all.
Thanks for your help!
GrantComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
John,
If I recall correctly, you use a Pro-Park Lift, is that right? Any problems/recommendation?
Thanks,
GrantComment
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Re: All American Lifts from Kansas Shipping Costs
Mike Murray,
You can access the design of the lock mechanism of the All American Lift by going to their website, www.allamericanlifts.com, and click on the "design" icon. It will show you how their locking system is set up. I hope this helps.
Joseph Evans #45420Comment
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