4-post car lift shopping - prices skyrocket?

[bartz32tt]

I've been doing a lot of researching concerning 4-post car lifts. I dug up an old thread on GJ which stated Costco was carrying a Dannmar 4-post for $1800-$1900 shipped! I checked the other day and Costco doesn't seem to be carrying any 4-post lifts anymore; only the MaxJax. Northern Tool carries the Dannmar but it's now $2700! What the ****? Why have the prices increased so much?

I'm trying to find a comparable 4-post around $2000 shipped. I can pick it up at a terminal if need-be and unload it myself. Are there any good brands out there? Rotary, Bendpak, and Dannmar are all the main ones I'd like to stick to but they're much higher than my pricepoint. I don't need the extra wide models; just the base model will do.

 

[fitz11]

How old was that thread? Prices go up that's part of life. Steel prices fluctuate frequently which would affect the price of a lift greatly.

 

[rice rocket]

That's not really price increasing, that's just Costco not carrying it and others charging full retail for it.

i.e. NorthernTool also carries the MaxJax at $2499, whereas Costco will come down to ~$1899 when it's on sale.

 

[bartz32tt]

How old was that thread? Prices go up that's part of life. Steel prices fluctuate frequently which would affect the price of a lift greatly.

2011. I'm going to strongly disagree that steel prices have increased 34% in the last 3 years.

 

[bartz32tt]

That's not really price increasing, that's just Costco not carrying it and others charging full retail for it.

i.e. NorthernTool also carries the MaxJax at $2499, whereas Costco will come down to ~$1899 when it's on sale.

That's a valid point. I guess I'll wait for a 20% off northern tool coupon unless I can find one cheaper elsewhere.

 

[zkdiesel]

Then buy used locally

 

[ACDNate]

2011. I'm going to strongly disagree that steel prices have increased 34% in the last 3 years.

Retail pricing isn't based solely upon material costs.

 

[bartz32tt]

Retail pricing isn't based solely upon material costs.

I'm fully aware...I was responding to fitz11's assertion that steel pricing is the reason for the sudden skyrocket in price. Hence why I quoted him in my reply.

Then buy used locally

I've been looking for months. There's nothing in my area for sale of a quality name brand. Even if I did find one, it'd have to be a heck of a deal for me to justify the inherent risk with buying a used product for something that will hold several thousand pounds above me. Add the fact that I'd have to tear-down, haul, then reassemble the lift myself. Suddenly the price of used seems less justified than paying for a new lift delivered to me (that I'd only have to set up).



I'm getting unintended replies to this thread, so I guess I need to be more specific. My original question remains: does anyone have a recommendation for a 4-post lift at the $2k pricepoint comparable to Benpak, Rotary, or Dannmar (ALI certified)? Or a retailer for the aforementioned brands at the same pricepoint?

My point is this: If Costco was able to sell these at $1800 shipped 3 years ago, surely this is an indication that the profit margins at $2700 are a lot higher than we are led to believe. This suggests there's room for a lower price adjustment while still allowing the retailer to make a profit. Considering all this, I find it hard to believe that there's not a cheaper option for a new lift, so maybe someone knows of one they can share with me. Or is Costco really the end-all-be-all retailer of automotive lifts?

Sidenote: I will NOT buy from Greg Smith...too many mixed reviews to feel comfortable with forking over my $2k+.

There, end discussion about retail pricing structure and recent U.S. economic changes mysteriously causing sudden price gouging in only 1 industry.

 

[cspcrx]

When I was looking at scissor lifts I found similar pricing changes. A few years ago people were getting them for $1500 now they are $1900, bendpak. Probably a result of the economy coming back some.

 

[Dakota00]

When I bought my Direct Lift 4 post in May, the company I bought from increased their prices by $250 in March. I was like WTF?!?! Increase was due to shipping costs going up.

 

[Casey69]

i too was looking at those danmar 4-post lifts @ costco a few years back. iirc, costco won't mark anything up >14%, so costco's cost would have been ~$1600 at the time.

didn't buy it because i didn't have room for it then. i'd snap one up in a second if they started carrying them again.

 

[fitz11]

2011. I'm going to strongly disagree that steel prices have increased 34% in the last 3 years.

I'm not saying it is just due to steel prices. Think about it big picture. In 3 years how much did steel, fuel, other raw materials, labor, shipping, and other manufacturing costs go up?

 

[bartz32tt]

I'm not saying it is just due to steel prices. Think about it big picture. In 3 years how much did steel, fuel, other raw materials, labor, shipping, and other manufacturing costs go up?

Not 150%. Or even close to that.

 

[jomobco]

If Costco was able to sell these at $1800 shipped 3 years ago, surely this is an indication that the profit margins at $2700 are a lot higher than we are led to believe. This suggests there's room for a lower price adjustment while still allowing the retailer to make a profit. Considering all this, I find it hard to believe that there's not a cheaper option for a new lift, so maybe someone knows of one they can share with me. Or is Costco really the end-all-be-all retailer of automotive lifts?

Sidenote: I will NOT buy from Greg Smith...too many mixed reviews to feel comfortable with forking over my $2k+.

There, end discussion about retail pricing structure and recent U.S. economic changes mysteriously causing sudden price gouging in only 1 industry.

You don't understand Costo's business model. They will often take a slight loss depending upon the sales price or a greatly reduced margin on a larger ticket item on limited quantities bought through a third party by validating possibly on their part as a marketing investment. You missed a deal. Not much you can do about it. Also make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

[bartz32tt]

You don't understand Costo's business model. They will often take a slight loss depending upon the sales price or a greatly reduced margin on a larger ticket item on limited quantities bought through a third party by validating possibly on their part as a marketing investment. You missed a deal. Not much you can do about it. Also make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Ugh, another pricing structure debate? Seriously getting sick of this.

I really doubt they lost money on the deal. What purpose does costco serve to lose money? I'd like to see the source you pulled that from, sounds counter-productive to me.

Sure I don't know all the ins and outs of their business model, but I know enough to understand how costco is competitive. Their annual membership charge, methods to reduce overhead with a barebones warehouse type of store, buying in large quantities to save from the manufacturer, and lack of advertising all help. Please don't accuse me of not knowing their business model when you yourself clearly don't. That's not even what this discussion is about. There are many competitors who offer sales and coupons too. I'm trying to find any that I'm not aware of.

Most importantly, LETS STICK TO THE TOPIC. (See my question intentionally written in bold letters in which you skimmed over). If you have nothing of value to add to my search for a comparably priced 4-post lift of good quality, please do me a favor and don't respond. Thanks in advance. (This is not directed at those who shared their same observations of costco's prior sales - thank you for reinforcing my point). Surely someone can point me in the right direction. And for the love of god, no more retail pricing discussions please.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

There was a very recent (within this last five days or so)thread about importing your own from china.
very informative and completely broken down as to cost and time and rules and fees.
I think he saved well over a thousand bucks.

Someone better at searching can find it for you.

I would be interested in seeing that also.

 

[zkdiesel]

Finding a comparable new lift to rotary or bendpack for 2k is just am unrealistic goal.....
Used is your only option

 

[dmeadow]

There's no question lift prices have increased. A couple years ago I used to get regular sales "special" emails from a company that sold a cheap Chinese 4 post lift for as low as $1300-$1400. That company no longer even sells lifts.

I've also noticed that it is harder to find those cheaper style lifts-- the ones that have the c-shaped poles and small stop blocks welded inside them. Most of what I see now have ladder style stops.

Maybe the cheapies were just too unsafe and liability insurance got too high for the distributors? The cost of manufacture in China has gone up considerably in the last few years, so maybe the prices just went up?

In any case, finding a sub-$2k lift may be impossible, and maybe you don't really want the one that comes that cheap...

 

[bartz32tt]

In any case, finding a sub-$2k lift may be impossible, and maybe you don't really want the one that comes that cheap...

I agree - I don't want anything that's not of good reputation. I'm pretty adamant about sticking with the 3 brands I mentioned earlier (or identical variants under a different brand name, if anyone knows of any).

Finding a comparable new lift to rotary or bendpack for 2k is just am unrealistic goal.....
Used is your only option

Well, I just may have finally found one close to my priceponit that fits my needs.
http://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com...r-7000-formerly-d7-p/dannmarcommander7000.htm

Gonna call today to see if it's ALI certified. Just may pull the trigger on it. Just ***** that the caster kit/dip trays/jack platform cost an additional $300 though. Sale is through 7/31 for anyone else interested (they have other Dannmar models on sale too).

 

[Dakota00]

^^^

Direct Lift!!
http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lift-Pro-Park-8S-Standard-P44C9.aspx

ALI/ETL Certified, 8,000lbs capacity, INCLUDES caster kit, drip trays and jack tray.
$2195

That's the one I have and I love it!!

 

[thickhead]

I spent a long time this winter looking for lifts and realized that the Bendpak HD9 is tough to beat at the delivered price point.

Shopping for a really cheap lift is like shopping for anything really cheap. You'll get what you were looking for.

Just my two cents.

 

[bartz32tt]

^^^

Direct Lift!!
http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lift-Pro-Park-8S-Standard-P44C9.aspx

ALI/ETL Certified, 8,000lbs capacity, INCLUDES caster kit, drip trays and jack tray.
$2195

That's the one I have and I love it!!

Thank you, I'll check it out. It doesn't say shipping is included though, so the Dannmar might end up being cheaper.