Backyard Buddy @ Corvettes at Carlisle this weekend!

[Backyard Buddy]

Backyard Buddy will be at the Corvettes at Carlisle this weekend!

Stop by our booth J151-157 to check out our lifts for cars and special promotions!

If you have any questions call us at 1-800-837-9353 or visit us at www.backyardbuddy.com

Thanks to all and we look forward to seeing you!

Backyard Buddy Team

 

[krooser]

Good to see you guys here along with some of the "other" lift guys. Maybe now we can hear the other side of the story regarding why your lifts are considered so expensive by some folks here. Others want to know why BB lifts aren't certified while some imports are...

I don't have a dog in the hunt since my antique Weaver is doing just fine...

 

[tatra]

look forward to seeing if they join in on the convos or just spamming.........

 

[Backyard Buddy]

Thanks for the questions! We like that there continues to be a lot of discussion about our Backyard Buddy lifts.

Because of our high quality steel, 4x4 tubing and design that doesn’t require an anti-spreading bolt, our lift is indeed more expensive. Or quality has not gone un-noticed by our customers who have never seen any of our lifts compromise under weight of their vehicles.

Backyard Buddy is an American-made product, built entirely in Warren, Ohio. We believe that American ingenuity, American labor and American quality mean something and we are not ashamed to say we are American made. American made structural steel is typically more expensive than imported steel, primarily because American steel needs to follow U.S. government regulations that ensure quality and safety.

Your question about certification is one we get from time to time. There was a time that certification meant something. However, the compromises made to lower standards more than twenty years ago to accommodate off shore manufacturers was a sign to us that there was a move to endorse lower quality foreign-made lifts and products. Another reason why we are not certified by a listing group is due to the fact that we are American made and have very high quality standards. Instead of standing by politically driven certification processes, we will, instead, stand by our track record that Backyard Buddy lifts have never had any accidents (unlike our “certified” competitors).

We will never compromise quality or safety for the sake of endorsing a flawed “certification” that endorses lower quality and lower standard products in this value and safety conscious industry.

We are proud to call ourselves a company committed to providing Americans with jobs and the best American product available.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
You can always call us at 1800-837-9353 to share your doubts or concerns!

Backyard Buddy Team

 

[Ezzie]

... well I hope you never try and sell these to consumers in Ontario, Canada. I have no doubt your product is extemely well made as far as the steel, etc. goes. But what about the electrical controls?? If you don't have an ETL label (for electrical safety compliance), the local ESA electrical inspectors will red tag it and order the owner to disconnect it until the customer gets a "special inspection" done by CSA, ESA or Intertek, etc.

Complete Hydraulic just had to do a recall of all product they have sold in Ontario because of a lack of CSA or ULc listing. If you want more info on what I just had to go through with an "uncertified" lift, see this thread for more info.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39677

 

[mechamunch]

Yeah...that's great and all but as far as I know there's nothing about third-party certification that demands that you make your lifts crappier. It's just a verification so I have something else to go on besides your word and the positive reviews you post on your site. And besides, you aren't endorsing them...they're endorsing YOUR product. Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but I just don't see how your not getting ALI certification is somehow a benefit. Even if your lifts freakin' rule, which they very well could.

 

[Falcon67]

Having been involved in quality certification in the past, I would agree - if you exceed the cert requirements, no problem - it just becomes a cost of doing business. Can it be political? You betcha. Just give it to the marketing people (marketing - 2 drink minimum) and let 'em run with it.

 

[sammerdog]

Mario Manningham (WR) and Prescott Burgess (OLB) were both from Warren OH.

Both them brothas played some ball down in Ann Arbor for the Wolverines.

Full disclosure: Prescott and Manningham both played for the U of M before this whole Rodriguez cluster bang came to town.

 

[Defender Chassis]

Full disclosure: Prescott and Manningham both played for the U of M before this whole Rodriguez cluster bang came to town.

You reap what you sow! Lets Go Mountaineers!

 

[mad57]

Thanks for the questions! We like that there continues to be a lot of discussion about our Backyard Buddy lifts.

Because of our high quality steel, 4x4 tubing and design that doesn’t require an anti-spreading bolt, our lift is indeed more expensive. Or quality has not gone un-noticed by our customers who have never seen any of our lifts compromise under weight of their vehicles.

Backyard Buddy is an American-made product, built entirely in Warren, Ohio. We believe that American ingenuity, American labor and American quality mean something and we are not ashamed to say we are American made. American made structural steel is typically more expensive than imported steel, primarily because American steel needs to follow U.S. government regulations that ensure quality and safety.

Your question about certification is one we get from time to time. There was a time that certification meant something. However, the compromises made to lower standards more than twenty years ago to accommodate off shore manufacturers was a sign to us that there was a move to endorse lower quality foreign-made lifts and products. Another reason why we are not certified by a listing group is due to the fact that we are American made and have very high quality standards. Instead of standing by politically driven certification processes, we will, instead, stand by our track record that Backyard Buddy lifts have never had any accidents (unlike our “certified” competitors).

We will never compromise quality or safety for the sake of endorsing a flawed “certification” that endorses lower quality and lower standard products in this value and safety conscious industry.

We are proud to call ourselves a company committed to providing Americans with jobs and the best American product available.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
You can always call us at 1800-837-9353 to share your doubts or concerns!

Backyard Buddy Team

hey welcome aboard, would you guys please just get certified allready and shut up all the haters out there... you have a great product just do it allready.

 

[e-tek]

Yeah...that's great and all but as far as I know there's nothing about third-party certification that demands that you make your lifts crappier. It's just a verification so I have something else to go on besides your word and the positive reviews you post on your site. And besides, you aren't endorsing them...they're endorsing YOUR product. Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but I just don't see how your not getting ALI certification is somehow a benefit. Even if your lifts freakin' rule, which they very well could.

Couldn`t have said it better myself. In fact, no one could. Come on BBB, you MUST realize that people have a harder time with your `We don`t need no stinkin`certification` argument than they do with certification. Sure, it`s hard to eat your words after crowing against it for so long, but hey, tomorrow`s a new day!

 

[up4speed]

I've seen the back yard buddys in real life and while they do seem like a VERY nicely made lift, they are expensive and DO NOT have a certification. I have a big problem with this. If the product is so good, why not just get the so called BS certificate just so the people who are not involved in designing or making the BYB can feel comfortable standing under it. Using a track record of safety is useless to me because I'm sure there are many crappy lift companies out there that also "never had an accident". Even if it's an inferior standard I see no valid reason not to get the certification other than......you guessed it, it may not pass!! I just bought a Directlift recently because it was a great price and it had the BS certification. Now I know the lift can lift at least 1.5X the rated capacity, has a double safety lock and has a slow release valve in case of a hose failure. Those are 3 requirements that are part of the so called BS certification that I find very important. It's your money and your life you decide!
As for BYB I really like the way their product looks and works, if they just lowered the price a little and added that sticker I think their sales would sky rocket!!!

 

[mikeyr]

I call BS on the certification reasoning. My views are clear and posted here MANY times before, I see certification as merely a way for some group to rip money off from a manufacturer. And I put my mouth where my money is, both my lifts are NOT certified. All certification would do for Backyard Buddy is cost them more money that they would pass onto the customer for absolutely no safety or any other benefit to the user.

But come BB, say the real reason instead of putting on some marketing BS that every one see through, its cost, plain and simple. I have seen your lifts and used your lifts, I have no issues with them at all but to call them a superior design that does not certification is bull without proof, if they really are superior prove it other wise they are just another lift. Granted just another lift that I would rather have even over some certified ones.

 

[e-tek]

I call BS on the certification reasoning. My views are clear and posted here MANY times before, I see certification as merely a way for some group to rip money off from a manufacturer. And I put my mouth where my money is, both my lifts are NOT certified. All certification would do for Backyard Buddy is cost them more money that they would pass onto the customer for absolutely no safety or any other benefit to the user.

But come BB, say the real reason instead of putting on some marketing BS that every one see through, its cost, plain and simple. I have seen your lifts and used your lifts, I have no issues with them at all but to call them a superior design that does not certification is bull without proof, if they really are superior prove it other wise they are just another lift. Granted just another lift that I would rather have even over some certified ones.

Mike, nothing personal, but you ARE NOT listening (reading) to what the CONSUMER is saying!! The certification (any certification) provides a meaningful BENEFIT to the consumer - educated or otherwise. It is a way of knowing that the lift you are considering meets a set of standards that are easily recognizable and include important SAFETY features (in the case of lifts). We (the consumer) are saying it's a BENEFIT - why would you (the seller) say otherwise??
In your second paragraph, you state it clearly yourself...What "proof" does anyone have of a superior - or even adequate - design, without some third party, or industry standard, to measure them against.
If me and my "Buddy" built a lift in my "Back Yard" - out of 2x4's and string - and told you "it doesn't need certification, it's a superior design, take my word for it!!!!" Would you?? Well, that's what you and BBB are doing.

 

[twostory]

If me and my "Buddy" built a lift in my "Back Yard" - out of 2x4's and string - and told you "it doesn't need certification, it's a superior design, take my word for it!!!!"

This looks like a superior design

 

[revlover]

This looks like a superior design

Certified!

 

[e-tek]

This looks like a superior design

Certified!

Thanks - I'll pay you gus $500 per lift and price my lifts at.......let's say.....$12grand each! (But that includes the casters!!)

C'mon - CERTIFIED lifts made with RENEWABLE resources!!! What's NOT to like??

 

[jayoldschool]

TOUGH CROWD!

 

[mechamunch]

Mike, nothing personal, but you ARE NOT listening (reading) to what the CONSUMER is saying!! The certification (any certification) provides a meaningful BENEFIT to the consumer - educated or otherwise. It is a way of knowing that the lift you are considering meets a set of standards that are easily recognizable and include important SAFETY features (in the case of lifts). We (the consumer) are saying it's a BENEFIT - why would you (the seller) say otherwise??
In your second paragraph, you state it clearly yourself...What "proof" does anyone have of a superior - or even adequate - design, without some third party, or industry standard, to measure them against.
If me and my "Buddy" built a lift in my "Back Yard" - out of 2x4's and string - and told you "it doesn't need certification, it's a superior design, take my word for it!!!!" Would you?? Well, that's what you and BBB are doing.

Kudos right back at you, sir. Everything I wanted to say exactly.

This looks like a superior design

Arg, that pic. It's cruel to gamble with a Corvette's life like that.

 

[ovilla]

If certification was not worthwhile then why would all of the leading lift MFG's (BendPak, Rotary, Mohawk, etc) all have certified lifts? I have to wonder if Backyardbuddy is simply not willing to do this since they'll never have any commercial applications for their product. Seriously, do you think any shop is ever going to use one of their lifts? They are a hobby lift at best with no past commercial applications to reference. Also, consider the fact that they only make four post lifts, which further limits the use of their product.

What's interesting here though is that BB is most certainly already benefiting from certified lifts. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before they realize that secondary safety locks to monitor cable slack is a GOOD (and safe) thing that consumers want. If they listened to their customers, or checked out any boards, they'd also quickly discover that all lift companies say that their product is the best and it's only through certification that consumers find out which MFG's have taken the extra steps to back up their claims.

BB keeps touting their design as the best. Why? You don't think that a company like BendPak, which has been around for 40+ years (and brings numerous new innovative products to the market), hasn't evaluated every MFG's lift offerings to see if it's a design worthy of consideration? It's not like BB has an exclusive on the use of structured steel 4X4 columns that can be purchased anywhere, by any company.

Finally, here's what I don't like about BB's "exclusive" design. Imagine that you're lowering your car on your BB lift and a cable get's caught on one column (say because it just did or a lock simply didn't engage - not too far fetched when you consider that every column may not be set to unlock at the same time). Now as the lift is coming down on the other three columns the one "caught" column does not allow for flex and will of course end up bending (what else can it do). How's this a superior design when compared to other MFG's that have a "C" column that would simply not allow the column to bend since there's wiggle room (due to the design of the column) for this to occur? Seriously, if their design was truly so great, then every cheap lift company would be copying them, and yet nobody does.

 

[revlover]

Seriously, if their design was truly so great, then every cheap lift company would be copying them, and yet nobody does.

Wow dude... good point!

 

[chrislehr]

Wish you had at least MSRP pricing on the site. Also - I couldnt find dimensions.. did I not look hard enough?

 

[krooser]

Wow dude... good point!

Ummm...maybe it's too expensive for every cheap lift manufacturer to use...

BTW... my old Weaver lift isn't certified but I'd trust it over any Chinese import... certified or not.

 

[up4speed]

I just watched Back Yard Buddys video that bashes the Directlift, and all I can say is WOW! These guys should definitely get their facts straight before they make a video. I used to love the BYB lifts but they are losing credibility by the second. A few things on their video that I noticed. First of all there were 2 instances where they blocked the audio to avoid any questions, I'll get to that later. Then they were talking about the locks, saying that the ladder system was just floppy and that was not a secure way to engage the locks. What he didn't mention was that right at the point where the locks actually engage, the ladder system is held in a channel to hold it securely in position allowing the locks to click in SECURELY. Then the second time they eliminated the voice on the video, he started to explain the gold sticker certification and the fact that it has to carry 1.5X the rated weight. Why did they block the voice on that? did he not want everyone to question why the so called cheap lift is certified and theirs is not? then he went on to completely lie about the construction! He was talking about that cheap looking plastic pulley on the cable. he said it was there to keep tension on the cable. I couldn't believe my ears! that is absolutely NOT it's purpose. That pulleys ONLY job is to "feel" the tension on the cable and if there is any slack in the cable from any failure, the SECONDARY locks will engage. I'm guessing that the BYB does not have secondary locks, maybe that's why he had no clue what he was talking about. Then he had the nerve to say that if there was a failure in the cable, the cheap nylon roller was supposed to "grab" the cable disalowing the lift to come down. Again, it does nothing other than feel tension and apply spring loaded locks if there is reduced tension. If the cheap pulley itself fails, it will just apply the secondary locks. Maybe a slight inconvenience, but not dangerous at all. Hey I would rather have a secondary locking system give me a little false trouble, rather than not having one at all!! One last thing he mentioned about the shake of the lift, and that is why they have to have mounting holes so it can be bolted down. Well, I would like to point out that the lift passed the certification WITHOUT being bolted down. I think it is a good idea though just for some extra security. By the way, what's wrong with bolting it down anyway? Like I said, I used to like the BYB, and yes I do like their locking system and construction, but get the darn thing certified if you want any credibility and stop outright lying about the competition. WOW

 

[ovilla]

To get the BB certified they would have to add secondary locks to their lifts, which I'm sure would add another 1K to their "Call us" pricing.

 

[e-tek]

Anything to add BackYardBuddy?

 

[jayoldschool]

I'm thinking they regret starting this thread...

 

[Bender78]

I'm thinking they regret starting this thread...

Yea.....pretty costly free advertising.

 

[mechamunch]

I'm thinking they regret starting this thread...

That's too bad. A wasted opportunity for them. But I guess that kinda proves they were more interested in trying to BS us than actually opening a dialogue and win supporters with lift quality rather than *shiver* marketing.

 

[SportFury59]

Testing Testing Testing

 

[SportFury59]

I did the above test because recently after logging in and posting, my post doesn't show up and I get msg that I'm not logged in and I lose what I tried to post.

Anyway, I have a friend that tells me that a company called Extreme Equipment has a lift based on the BYB design but about 2 grand cheaper. He says the fellow he talked to on phone was Jason Woods, the guy who does (or did) the BYB video. Anyone know anything about this? Is my friend correct? He was all set to buy a lift from Extreme but found a used BYB locally and got a good deal on it.

 

[Matt M PA]

I just did a search on "extreme equipment" and found their site.

The 4 posts do indeed resemble the BYB...and even the verbage on the site sounds familiar. Hmmm.

 

[jayoldschool]

Run a "WHOIS" on the sites and you will find who and where they are registered to...

 

[mechamunch]

I just did a search on "extreme equipment" and found their site.

The 4 posts do indeed resemble the BYB...and even the verbage on the site sounds familiar. Hmmm.

From the extreme equipment site, talking about two post lifts:

"As we have previously stated, there are more of these units in use than any other. That is probably why the Chinese companies have put so many of these lifts on the market. The good news is that the price will almost always tell you where they are made."

What?! People make products that have a track-record of selling well so they can turn a profit?! How dastardly! Yes...the "good news" is that you have the opportunity to pay a premium to determine where something is manufactured...you couldn't just, I don't know, look at the label.

Whoever wrote this must have an extremely low opinion of their audience's intelligence.

 

[Never Enough]

Interesting info.

 

[bop_pa]

Well just to throw my two cents out there. First of all a certification does not show or indicate which lift is superior to one an other. It may be a standard to acheive but not a measuring device that could be used to tell which "certified" lifts out performed each other. Yes, I believe there are many fields where cleaver business man have all but created certified standards they want to the industry to follow. It's plain and simply another business. And they use the public perception to force manufactures to get the certification in order to continue selling lifts and helping their customers sleep good at night. If Back Yard Buddy does not believe in the certification process or the extortion those groups want to get certified then they should at least consider, on their own dime, hiring an independent company or group to perform testing on their and their competitors lifts and include the results. Having secondary locking systems may make total sense to a buyer, but also having a reliable primary locking system is also important and if the manufacture could factually prove or show the primary system is not prone to failure then a secondary is just extra money. Not everything in the world needs or should have a back up, but it also doesn't hurt. For example, would you toss your car away in favor of a new model that had a back up braking system in the case or a total primary brake failure? ...... Backyard Buddy, sounds like you have gotten quite a bit of feedback. I suggest you **** it up and get certified or take some advertising funds and pay for independent testing. Either way, its your call. And if your willing to send me a free lift, I'll certify it myself with my own rigorous testing...lol.

 

[Defender Chassis]

Well just to throw my two cents out there. First of all a certification does not show or indicate which lift is superior to one an other. It may be a standard to acheive but not a measuring device that could be used to tell which "certified" lifts out performed each other. Yes, I believe there are many fields where cleaver business man have all but created certified standards they want to the industry to follow. It's plain and simply another business. And they use the public perception to force manufactures to get the certification in order to continue selling lifts and helping their customers sleep good at night. If Back Yard Buddy does not believe in the certification process or the extortion those groups want to get certified then they should at least consider, on their own dime, hiring an independent company or group to perform testing on their and their competitors lifts and include the results. Having secondary locking systems may make total sense to a buyer, but also having a reliable primary locking system is also important and if the manufacture could factually prove or show the primary system is not prone to failure then a secondary is just extra money. Not everything in the world needs or should have a back up, but it also doesn't hurt. For example, would you toss your car away in favor of a new model that had a back up braking system in the case or a total primary brake failure? ...... Backyard Buddy, sounds like you have gotten quite a bit of feedback. I suggest you **** it up and get certified or take some advertising funds and pay for independent testing. Either way, its your call. And if your willing to send me a free lift, I'll certify it myself with my own rigorous testing...lol.

Very well thought out and logical post.

 

[brownbagg]

my bend pak does not have a backup safety system, just one, and its certified

 

[chevelle67]

It is the same Jason Woods, if you watch the extreme engineering video its clearly him. Pretty funny I watched videos at BYB and extreme engineering and its the same guy selling both.

 

[mechamunch]

It is the same Jason Woods, if you watch the extreme engineering video its clearly him. Pretty funny I watched videos at BYB and extreme engineering and its the same guy selling both.

He seems to also be the owner of Defiant Sales Consulting. "Harnessing the aggression that markets react to"
Check out the extra-sweet dagger at the top of the page: http://www.defiantsales.com/

He's also got a pretty excellent, night-vision green video that's good for a few chuckles AND a youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/55closer#play/all/uploads-all/2/svFTlwoB_n8

Here's his LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jason-wood/15/71a/944) profile...you know, if you wanted to hire him for consulting purposes and be swept off your feet by his gentle, deep gruntings.

Oh, and while trying to gather info on BYB, I found a completely different kind of Backyard Buddy...the kind your dog's supposed to sh** on:
https://www.buybackyardbuddy.com/?MID=597805