America's Pride lift AMPRO

[sneezer41]

Sadly, it appears that these guys have nearly 2k of my money and no intention of sending me product or returning my money. Perhaps they have meant well, bu tit sure doesn't seem so

The evidence builds, wish I had waited:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=america%27s+pride&Search=Search

[bmwpower]

Which story is yours? I hate hearing stories like this...

[sneezer41]

Hey, I hate being IN a story like this

Mine is not posted yet, for some reason or another.

Was promised delivery in 12 business days,paid by bank check 9/14 When
> product failed to arrive, I called and left on hold many many times,
> with no explanation. Was told 10/22, but did not believe it, since the
> woman who answered the phone came up with it quickly when pressed. I
> called back 10/26 and finally said i was going to call the atty general.
> Quickly received a call back[first time since sale was made] and was
> read a prepared statement to the effect that customers since June/July
> were not receiving product and I would not be receiving product or a
> refund for some months to come. They also stated that they were
> continuing to make sales to finance ongoing operations, knowing full
> well they could not meet their commitments. This is either a company in
> a death spiral or they are conning me because I paid with essentially, cash

[OldCarGuy]

I wasn’t impressed with America’s Pride when I was researching lifts. In fact after a single phone call,, I wouldn’t use their lifts even if they gave me one. Plus I would be extremely apprehensive dealing with any company that tries to pass off their poorly made Chinese junk by having a name that indicates it was made in USA.

You get what you pay for in this world. It is best to only purchase a lift that the manufacture took the time to receive an ALI ETL Certification!

Thanks for sharing your bad experience. It goes a long way letting others know what kind of problems they have dealing with sub-standard companies.

[Vicegrip]

...You get what you pay for in this world ...

And sometimes you don't even get that.

[Junkman]

I purchased my original Bend Pak lift from them and picked it up at the warehouse in RI. It turned out that it was missing parts, and wasn't the lift model that I had purchased. I returned it and they billed me additional money from the "special" price to get a new unit directly from Bend Pak. I had to chase them for almost a month until they sent the money to Bend Pak for my lift. I was also protesting the charge on my credit card at the time, and I learned then, that your credit card doesn't protect you that well in all circumstances, when you purchase merchandise and return it for a credit. That alone is another story. In the end, I did get my Bend Pak lift, and it was cheaper than any other re-seller of the brand, however, they did mis lead me in the size. I told them that the wheel base was 145 inches, and they said that it would fit on the lift. Unfortunately, they don't consider the diameter of the tires in that figure. I really need the longest lift that Bend Pak makes, but now it is too late, unless someone locally wants to buy mine, so I can get what I need.

[Junkman]

Just wondering if there is any follow up information about the problem of no deliver and no refund on this lift purchase. Just hate it when we are left in suspense, not knowing the final outcome.

[Wastedwagesracing]

On another site I go to we have had people have good success using this web site to get help to resolve issues like this. Not sure if it will help you or if it's to late but worth taking a look at it.

http://www.fbi.gov/hq.htm

[sneezer41]

no updates yet

[rickas]

You are not alone, unfortunately. http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q5=America's%20Pride%20&q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&Search=Search

[jay50]

A bunch of low life crooks.

[dawg]

I was gonna buy a lift from them but their prices are way outta wack.
And the salesman kept calling if i wanted one and they said they would charge for delivery?
I went here instead and got a great deal and free shipping
http://www.asedeals.com/index.html

[rock_climber]

I just talked to them and they can have me a lift in 7-10 days. But they are waiting on some to come from China.:mad::mad:

[Junkman]

I just talked to them and they can have me a lift in 7-10 days. But they are waiting on some to come from China.:mad::mad:


It would be a cold day in HELL, before I would buy anything from Americas Pride, based on my personal bad experience, and the experiences of others. If you don't mind throwing away your money and getting nothing in return, then send it to me. At least that way, you will know that it is going to a person that gives good advise in exchange. :lol_hitti What makes you think that they have changed their ways of doing business?

[rock_climber]

Junkman, sorry I was not clear. I called to see if they would still sale a lift they did not have. THEY WILL!! People like them piss me off.

The good part is I think I woke her up.

[sneezer41]

http://reports.bosbbb.org/Boston/Public/Reports/BrandedReport.aspx?firm=24193


BBB finally agave up on them

[Willy Victor]

http://reports.bosbbb.org/Boston/Public/Reports/BrandedReport.aspx?firm=24193


BBB finally agave up on them

Well I guess that about says it all for America's Pride. I s this the one that also has a store in Indianapolis?


Willy

[jay50]

http://reports.bosbbb.org/Boston/Public/Reports/BrandedReport.aspx?firm=24193


BBB finally agave up on them

Great way to run a business, just screw over the customer and keep their money.:mad:

[Junkman]

Well I guess that about says it all for America's Pride. I s this the one that also has a store in Indianapolis?


Willy

Nope..... the store in Indy is Greg Smith. They are a very reputable dealer that won't screw you over.

[sneezer41]

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/tls/533397054.html


Dunno if this gives me hope or not

[Junkman]

Hope is eternal.......... Possibly they saw the error of their way when they were potentially faced with criminal fraud charges? Taking money and not delivering the product is just plain bad business and also illegal.

[jay50]

Hope is eternal.......... Possibly they saw the error of their way when they were potentially faced with criminal fraud charges? Taking money and not delivering the product is just plain bad business and also illegal.

It's interesting that that did not respond to BBB complaints to try to explain their situation with overseas manufacturing change. They are probably just trying to clear up their image to wait and snare the next batch of ill informed buyers.:mad:

[Kevin54]

It's interesting that that did not respond to BBB complaints to try to explain their situation with overseas manufacturing change

To me, the BBB is a joke. I had some dealings that me and a few others got ripped. Finally turned it in to the BBB with all info along with others. The BBB sends a letter out to the business in question. If the business does not respond, then the BBB will post something to the fact that the business does not respond to the allegations. That is as far as it goes. A couple of letters. So if you actually want to research a business, you can look it up on the BBB website. If the business is listed with them and they have had good customer relations, then you are good to deal with them. But if the business is shady, either there will be postings about them, or they just are not a member of the BBB, and you get what is dished out to you. Best thing to do if you are going to make a major purchase on something like a lift is just what is done on here. Ask first and see what the responses are from others that had dealings with that company. The internet made the world a smaller place, and there are enough different websites out there that you can usually either get good word of mouth or bad word of mouth about a company. Ask that company for references and then e-mail the people that have bought off of them. That is one reason that I don't like dealing with someone a few states away. I want to be able to knock on their door and possibly their head when the try and screw me over. It's a shame but there are people out there that when they get a few bucks of someone elses money, they will stick it to you. And they know that by being a few states away, to get a lawyer, travel time, etc, it is more cost prohibitive than just cutting your losses.:mad::rocketwho:uzi:

[Junkman]

Let me start out by saying that I am an internet equipment salesman. I won't say for whom. I am not looking for sales or to beat up the competition. I am only writing this to give you as consumers a little info. Unfortunately I hear these type of stories all day long. I know a little more about lifts than most other salesmen because I actually installed lifts for over 20 years. I have seen it all. Here are few tips when shopping for lifts. Hopefully they will help some of you keep from getting scammed.

Not all import equipment is bad, and not all American made is good. Some import lines are better quality than American. Do your research and try to get some references first. After all, lifts can be dangerous if they are inferior or not used properly.

Always try to make purchases on a credit or debit card. You have a little more protection. Most credit card companies will immediately suck the money out of a vendor's account.

They have to allow the selling dealer time to reply, and the credit card companies have to abide by the selling terms of the dealer. If the sales receipt says no cash or credit refunds, you are screwed. I know, because I ran into this problem with America's Pride when I purchased with a credit card. I was lucky, because after a month of hassleing them for the lift that I had paid for, I did get it. From what I have read on these and other forums, others have not been so lucky.

Don't try to find the cheapest price out there. I always hear that it's just for personal use and they don't want to spend a lot. If you can't afford at least a mid range priced lift, wait and save more money or don't buy one. If you are trying to find the cheapest lift, you will probably get burned. Either by the company, or the quality of the lift. I have several of these cheap lifts in my warehouse that have been removed after only a few short weeks. One only made it 3 days before being removed and replaced with a better lift. These people ended up buying two lifts. The company refused them a refund. They claimed it was because of misuse.

What brands in your opinion are "cheap" lifts, and why, beyond the price.

Make absolutely sure the equipment is in stock and available for immediate shipment. Either from the vendor or directly from the manufacturers warehouse. Sometimes equipment does get backordered from major suppliers, but not often.

Easier said than done. You have no way of knowing until after the lift is paid for if the salesperson lied as to delivery.

Most of the brands you see out there now are not real brands. They are labeled buy the distributor. I can name over 10 comapanies that sell the exact same lift under 10 different names. It makes it a little more difficult to figure out who has what. Especially when they use pictures of completely different lifts than the ones they are selling. I have even seen guys at car shows with a good quality 4 post stacker lift, but sending the customers that bought one a cheaper product.

What are the brands that are alike and sold under other names? If you have this information, why not share it with us?
What brands of lifts have you seen sold at car shows that have delivered a cheaper product afterwards? I would charge these sellers with fraud if it happened to me.

Lastly, just use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Do your research, shop several companies and try to get a feel of who you are doing business with and what you are buying.

I patiently await your respones........ thanks Junk:thumbup:

[Junkman]

As to credit credit cards, not all are the same. I have had people receive the lift, install it then dispute the claim. Our money was gone and we had to prove our case to get it back. It all depends on the processing company. usually they consider us guilty until proven innocent. They may not offer you total protection, but it's still better than a check or money order.

I know that Visa, Master Card, Discover, & American Express all have very specific rules as to how and why a charge-back is allowed and is processed. I deal with credit cards daily in my business, and I know the rules all too well. The only time that they will seize the money is if they don't believe that recovery at a later date is possible, and then they will not credit it back to the card-holder, but hold it in a suspense account until the claim is either substantiated or discharged. If you are a ongoing commercial account with a good track record, they don't automatically reverse transactions. If you were talking about American Express, the card holder can do no wrong, and the merchant can do nothing but give the money back. If you refuse, then they will seize the money from your account immediately. Amex charge backs are terribly unfair, and that is why we no longer take American Express. Most of the places that take American Express today are restaurants.

Cheap lifts...These are a little more difficult for the end user. These are my personal opinion only. Complete Hydraulics, National Auto Tools, most of AMPRO, Super Lifts, some Eagle to name a few. Anything you see under $1400 is a dead give away.

I haven't seen a lift for $1400 anywhere in the last 3 years. In fact, I can't seem to remember any that were more than $5 under the $2000 mark recently.

Some of the ones that are all the same or at least sell some of the same products under other names...America's Pride, Pace, Panther, Metro, Eagle, Garage Gadgets and the whole Prokar ring, ASE & Derek Weaver to name a few. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Most of these are good compaines and most of these lifts are good lifts. It just makes it harder to know what you're buying when everyone puts their own brand name it.

I asked what brands are the same, not what companies sell some of the same brands. There is a big difference in the wording of the question and the wording of the answer!!! Your response reminds me of the type of response that I would expect from a politician. Once again, what are the names of the 4 post lifts that are alike and sold under different brand names? This is what you claimed in your post, and this is the clarification that I am looking for. Sorry if I sound harsh, but you made the statement, and I am looking for a clarification of the statement. If you don't have the information and your statement is unable to be substantiated, just let us know.

As far as the car show thing, it happened years ago when these 4 post stackers first came out. Those guys have been long gone.

What is the purpose of even mentioning this if it was long ago, and the company is gone????????????:headscrat

[jay50]

Each one of those companies sell lifts under their own brand name. Call Panther and ask what brand it is. They will tell you it is a Panther Lift. Call Eagle, same thing. Garage Gadgets calls theirs a Prokar. Greg Smith calls theirs either Atlas or Master. They are the same lifts. Each company buys a lift from an import source and puts their name on it. They all buy from the same source. Some have more than one source, but they all buy some of the same products and advertise them as their own brand. That's not a politician answer. Today these lifts are best known by who sells them, not a brand name.

Yes, American Express is a pain. If you swap to Paypal credit card processing, they are no longer a pain. We quit accepting Amex and Discover until we changed over to Paypal. No more problems.

If you haven't seen a lift for under $2000 you obviously haven't looked lately. Ebay is flooded with $1300 - $1400 lifts. So are most of the websites on the Google pay per click ads.

As far as the car shows, I was just stating some of the scams I have seen in my 20+ years in this industry. And how crooked some of these companies can be. I sit here all day and listen to horror stories from customers.

I'm not sure why you are so hostile. I was just stating some facts and some opinions from my personal experiences.

:monkey_po:monkey_po:monkey_po:monkey_po:monkey_po :monkey_po:monkey_po:monkey_po:monkey_po

[Motley]

Sorry you don't want to hear the truth. I have installed somewhere close to 15,000 lifts. I tought I could offer a little help and a little insight, but obviously not.

[OldCarGuy]

I feel that Motley's original post was very informative and correctly stated. Having common sense dealing with any company goes a long way in getting the BEST deal. And the best price, particularly when it’s significantly lower than a known brand item, more times than not may not be a good deal after all. With today’s internet, it doesn’t take very much investment to put up a fancy webpage with flashy pages. Attracting unwary and trusting consumers to purchase their poor quality junk. Only to find it time consuming and difficult to remedy.

[sneezer41]

Funny, I don't see Motley's original post,except where quoted.

Interestingly enough, I chose this lift not as the cheapest, it was not, but because they had much more detailed pictures on their site,and it had many nice details[in the images anyway] It would appear that everyone sells the same 'cheap' lift, and it is the same picture in all ads.

There is some movement in my case, should know by the end of the week.

[sneezer41]

Looks like there is something at the freight terminal, waiting to be delivered on monday. Will have to see what it is. Box of rocks, old engine block.....

[Junkman]

Sorry you don't want to hear the truth. I have installed somewhere close to 15,000 lifts. I tought I could offer a little help and a little insight, but obviously not.

It is generally an accepted rule that there are 300 business days in a year. That is removing holidays, and weekends. If you installed close to 15,000 lifts, that would mean that you installed a lift every business day of the year for the past 50 years. If you did 2 a day, it would be 25 years of work. You must be very tired after all this work. :shocking::lol_hitti

[sneezer41]

Well, as if by miracle a lift arrived on my dock. With kind thanks to the efforts of the Seekonk police, a bit of prodding proved to be the tipping point.

It is not the lift I paid for but it is a lift none the less.

I will follow with many more details.

[sneezer41]

So, the lift they have shipped me is a National Tools NT9, not the 10k lift I paid for. I dunno how National hooked up with them, but they paid the freight although it shipped out of ampro's warehouse in RI. I could have bought this lift for 300 bucks less directly from them without waiting 5 months. Oh, but I did get that nice plastic oil drain bucket.

This is all really so sad. While the lift will serve my purpose, I would have liked to get the one promised.

More to come when I have more time

[jay50]

So, the lift they have shipped me is a National Tools NT9, not the 10k lift I paid for. I dunno how National hooked up with them, but they paid the freight although it shipped out of ampro's warehouse in RI. I could have bought this lift for 300 bucks less directly from them without waiting 5 months. Oh, but I did get that nice plastic oil drain bucket.

This is all really so sad. While the lift will serve my purpose, I would have liked to get the one promised.

More to come when I have more time

So they are subcontracting out their lift products...wtf?
Would be like you ordering a Chevy and dealer delivering you a Ford...:lol_hitti

[Itzkwik]

Would be like you ordering a Chevy and dealer delivering you a Ford...:lol_hitti
Naw, that would be a good upgrade.:thumbup:

[Motley]

It is generally an accepted rule that there are 300 business days in a year. That is removing holidays, and weekends. If you installed close to 15,000 lifts, that would mean that you installed a lift every business day of the year for the past 50 years. If you did 2 a day, it would be 25 years of work. You must be very tired after all this work. :shocking::lol_hitti


Well, I did install lifts for 20 years as stated previously. I was an independent contractor that installed lifts for several different companies. Yes, I stayed very busy. There were very few days that I did not install a lift. Most days I installed multiple lifts. I usually kept a 2-3 week backlog on installations. There were many occasions that I would install 4-6 a day if they were in the same location, or install one and move 2 or 3. A dealership may get 15-20 or more. Yes, I am very tired after all that work. That is the reason I sell now. I blew my knees out and can't climb a ladder any more. I had to sell my business and go to work for someone else. You may think it 's comical, but I don't.

If you count 300 work days a year, that's only 2.5 lifts a day. I usually worked 6 days a week. That's not an outrageous number as you claim.

[Motley]

So, the lift they have shipped me is a National Tools NT9, not the 10k lift I paid for. I dunno how National hooked up with them, but they paid the freight although it shipped out of ampro's warehouse in RI. I could have bought this lift for 300 bucks less directly from them without waiting 5 months. Oh, but I did get that nice plastic oil drain bucket.

This is all really so sad. While the lift will serve my purpose, I would have liked to get the one promised.

More to come when I have more time

The NT9's had a problem with posts spreading and the rollers on the carriages falling off. They would get about 2 - 3 feet from the ground coming down and jam up. I had to take several of these lifts out. The guy who purchased my company took one out about 2 weeks ago. I installed all of these around Sept. - October last year. Hopefully they have resolved the problem since then and you won't have any more problems to deal with.

[The Alchemist]

What's everyone's take on the Pro-park line of 4 post lifts. I plan to pick up one from GregSmith equipment on site in Delaware. It's for home use, but that doesn't mean safety isn't critical.

Thanks.

[jimval]

I've got two Pro Park 9 wider than wide lifts from Greg Smith. Installed them last July. I am happy with them and the service from Greg Smith Equip was great.

[jjsjedidiah]

ok. i am going to give all of you a little slice of truth here.

if you live in a small town, you may still have a small family owned drug store or grocery store. most likely you do not still have that in your town anymore due to large corps coming in. this same trend over the past ten years has also taken affect in the automotive lift industry. the small distributor is being weeded out and the large companies that sell direct to you are taking the majority of the business. the only people that will survive this trend are those that buy container loads directly from the overseas manufacturer. the end user can now buy a quality lift for 20-30% less off the internet than they can buy it from a local distributor.

this is a good thing and a bad thing. good part is that you dont have to pay a higher price so that the local distributor can make their cut. bad thing is, a company can just throw up a website and sit at home and sale while laying out by the pool. watch out!!! their are alot of companies that dont have a warehouse, have never installed a lift, and sometimes are not even the company that runs your credit card.

as far as warehouses and companies that sell the same lifts with their own labels, take into account the following. even the people who buy container loads direct from overseas cannot buy directly from the factory. the way the china government has the economy set up, you have to go through a "trading partner". the china government will not allow USA companies to buy auto lifts directly from the manufacturer. therefor, most USA companies have no idea what factory they buy from, unless they actually visit china. i can assure you that most of the internet based companies have never visited the factory where the lifts were made.

here is what you do when looking to buy an auto lift:

there are also a few large warehouses in the USA that sell to internet based companies who then re sell to the end user. you probably have noticed the same picture used on many companies websites. they are in fact all buying from the same warehouse and selling to you. just get them in a price war and they will undercut each other until they make almost zero profit.

if you get put on hold 4,5, or 6 times when calling to ask questions and try to buy the lift, you can probably be assured that you are dealing with one of these home based companies. they dont know the answer to the questions so they put you on hold and call someone else to get the answer. or they may have to go tend to their kids while your on hold. or they may have to answer they front door while your on hold. why would a company put you on hold when you are wanting to give them your money? doesnt make sense to me.

see how long they will stay on the phone with you. if they try and push you and push you and you don't budge then they try and end the conversation quickly after that, then you probably don't want to deal with them. if they are willing to stay on the phone while you tell your life's story, then you might know that they actually want to help you and get you want you need not what they want to sell you.

make sure that the registered address with the state or the one on the BBB is the same address where your credit card is ran. if they ask for a check, make sure you send it to the same address as their registered address. if they ask you to send it to another address or they run your card from another address, you can be correct in assuming they are one of these work from home companies.



in reference to backyard buddy, they do make it a point to bash other companies. they have several cartoons on their website bashing those "other companies lifts". the thing they fail to provide, is any evidence of when or where these "cheap lifts" fell and hurt someone or the vehicle. give us some medical records, court records, or police reports. the last two are public record and if their claims were true, they could provide this evidence. the only time i have heard of a lift falling was once when the user removed the safety locking system and then continued to use the lift. the user did like having to disengage the locks every time they were going to lower the lift.

[Junkman]

You have made a total of 2 posts since registering, and both posts have been to threads that are long dead in the overall scheme of postings on the website. You could only find these posts by doing a search for some common word, and it isn't "lifts". I don't know who you are, or what your agenda is, but is sure would be wonderful if you were to tell us. You won't be the first person to come to these forums and make posts that are purported to be informative, but are just because you have some axe to grind with some other competitor. If you work for one of the lift companies, then come clean and say so. If you are not willing then, please crawl back under your rock.........:mad:

[Junkman]

Took some digging, but I believe that you represent one of the companies that imports lifts from China. I found this article (http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/332/RipOff0332661.htm) by someone that uses the same "handle" as you do....... seems that he got ripped off on some imported items from China.... You ought to take those sour grapes and learn to make wine........ Oh... that right, you already know how to whine...... :lol_hitti

[Defender Chassis]

Took some digging, but I believe that you represent one of the companies that imports lifts from China. I found this article (http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/332/RipOff0332661.htm) by someone that uses the same "handle" as you do....... seems that he got ripped off on some imported items from China.... You ought to take those sour grapes and learn to make wine........ Oh... that right, you already know how to whine...... :lol_hitti

Whats your issue with people with a low post count. I found his post informative and if you are correct he speaks from experience.

[jjsjedidiah]

You won't be the first person to come to these forums and make posts that are purported to be informative, but are just because you have some axe to grind with some other competitor.:


please remember that i only questioned one company specifically by name. backyard buddy. i feel justified in doing so because on their website and on the phone they make a large sweeping judgment encompassing every other lift company in operation. i therefor have to call them out on it.

the other things i said must have struck a nerve in you. maybe you operate your company in the same manner as i described. maybe you are one of the companies i described. either way, all the statements i made refer to regular business practices used by alot of the lift companies on the internet. it doesnt matter if you like it or not. that is the truth.