Advice on offer for used 4 post lift

[6S1284]

One of my 15 year old daughter's friends has a Dad who is a car guy but took off to another state to get a divorce and left his ex-wife with stuff that she could sell. The mom knows I'm a car guy and asked if I would be interested in buying the 4 post lift they have. I already have a Greg Smith 4 post lift but could use another one. This one is a Direct Lift 4 post 8,000 lb. unit - but has the sliding hydraulic center jack that I could not afford when I bought my unit which I really would like to have.

The Direct Lift is six years old and I guess they have about 2,700 into it with the hydraulic center jack. She didn't say what it cost but said she would like 2,000 but make an offer. It does not look heavily used. It's in a small over-crowded residential attached two-car garage.

No way I'm paying 2,000 so I am asking for input on what a fair offer might be with the important consideration that my daughter is fairly close friends with her daughter and I don't want to insult her - plus I am sure she can use the money.

I just have no idea what used 4 post lifts go for - I would be willing to add a bit extra given the situation with our daughters being friends. I would of course have to disassemble and reassemble which would be a couple of days work.

Thanks for any advice -

 

[justanengineer]

Some of other fellas will be along shortly to argue I'm crazy, but IMHO auto lifts are like most other professional tools/machines, they lose most of their value the minute theyre installed. I go to a LOT of shop closing sales and at a well advertised/attended auction a similar like-new lift from a top brand like Bendpak or Challenger would be ~$750-1k tops today, being a lesser brand it'd likely be $5-600. On an off-day where deals can be had divide those numbers by two. OTOH, if youre shopping ebay, craigs, or other instant-gratification site prices will be in another world, many times being almost equal or even more than the lift cost new.

 

[Richard Cranium]

sounds like you are in a tough spot. Between getting a good deal and paying too much.

 

[CNGsaves]

NEED Pics of the ex-wife . . . . . Is she a smokin' hot **** ????

^ ^ ^ ^ This will be PRIMARY factor in determining what you're willing to pay !!

 

[Capt Chrysler]

2700 new, 1350 now, if you have to take it down 750 to 850.

Capt. Chrysler

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Can't comment on the price, but I would say that since you're not talking to or buying from the guy who used it, you're basically buying an as-is lift. Maybe it works great and was perfectly maintained. Or maybe it never quite worked right and dropped on him once, and he never trusted it after that. You just don't know...

 

[ovilla]

Even if the lift still looks new, it's still a used lift, with no warranty. Just like tools, I think it's worth between 1/3 to 1/2 of what it costs new - maybe less if it has issues or unknown history.

I'd simply focus on what I would pay ANY seller for this particular combo and offer that much. This way you don't feel taken either. I'd probably offer up 1K and then offer to do a few brake jobs (free labor only - she would pay for parts). This will allow you to help out their family and keep things cool between the girls too. You basically need to make this a win/win for everyone involved.

 

[Angelfire]

Depends. If she's selling the items and he's getting the money, then $1. If it's money going to her, then more.

 

[38Chevy454]

The $2700 is probably what she knows it cost, and the $2000 was a guess since it is in good shape and not used much. I know you would like to maximize your savings, and at the same time you are not wanting to take advantage of the situation.

If you were to get a new lift (assume same as this one), your cost is $2700, so any amount below that helps you out. I do understand that there is no warranty and it is purchased as-is.

Given this, I think if you bought it for $1350-1500 that is fair, since you have to disassemble and move it. It also helps the lady out, I am sure with the guy bailing out she is not in the best of financial health. It could also help the overall relationship between your daughter and her friend. Sometimes doing the right thing is OK to not try and get the best deal, but an OK deal is good for the situation.

 

[Falcon67]

Used lifts here coming out of commercial buildings seem to run $500~1000 depending on who you know (insider heads up) or don't know (man on the street). You can get comparable 4 posts new for $1500~1800 so $1000~1200 would be a good figure. The 9000 lb 2 post list on my perpetual Xmas list is $1600.

Like the saying goes, most car guys know that when they are gone the wife will sell the stuff for what he told her he spent on it, so it'll all go way cheap.

 

[6t7gto]

Paid 900 for mine.
no hydraulic jack.
I had to take it down and move it.
About 5 yrs ago.

My son and I did it in half a day.
That is take down and put back up.
1/2 hour travel time between locations.

 

[Ipassgas]

I'd just be straight with her. Tell her that with the labor to remove, and unknown history, and your finances, you just can't do $2k, but you'd like to help her out.
If she wants you to help write a craigslist ad, you'll do it, or if she wants the money and it out of the house, she'll have to do better.

I'm also in the 1/2 price camp. But that may insult her.

 

[countryroad82]

Just saying from the sky high prices of junk in my area so don't go crazy on me. Around here I have seen used 25 year old lifts go for $1,500. Crazy right? Very rare do I know of anyone getting a lift used in my area without paying at least a grand. I'll never understand why people ask so much for junk around here. But anyway I'll give my take on the situation. Browse your local Craigslist and find something similar, show it to the mom. Tell her that regardless of age and condition it's still viewed used equipment. If you don't mind giving a little more, offer $1,500 and see what she thinks. If not just pass on the whole thing and let someone else make the deal so it doesn't hurt friendships.

 

[mmb617]

I'm of the opinion that used and in good condition normally brings about 50% of new. I think $1500 would be a more than generous offer, especially considering you'll be doing the tear down as well.

Actually $1200 is probably more in line.

 

[jhelrey]

http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lifts-C9.aspx

You're looking at approx. $2800 brand new. Also when new, a 2 year warranty on some stuff and 5 year on other. Made in China!

I agree with the no more than 50% gang at $1400 tops.

 

[LXCam]

I vote for the 50 off as well. It's fair and it saves her from dealing with the CL crowd as well which makes it priceless.

 

[NICKS]

Aren't the center hydraulic lifts like a $1500+ addition to the price of the lift?

 

[LXCam]

Aren't the center hydraulic lifts like a $1500+ addition to the price of the lift?

I paid 800 for my 10k jack. They're not that expensive, but they don't give them away either. The lighter duty ones used to be about 5 bills.

 

[rsanter]

You have to assume that say they paid 2700, then there was tax and perhaps delivery and even setup. She may remember that they paid $4000 after all was said and done. So she is asking half...

I'm thinking $1500 to 1700 tops assuming that it is good operating and I want it and I want to offer decent money for it

Bob

 

[T_R]

I would do $1500. It's a generous offer. You said it's lightly used. So you get a good deal vs. a new one while helping her out. Win/win

 

[holdover]

I assume it is still hooked up, if so go over there and lift a car, make sure it works correctly. If all is OK I'de say about 1500 for the lift and rolling jack. Takedown and reassembly is easy, shouldn't take more than 90 minutes down a couple of hours back up. Bought my 12K Bendpac used, son and I had it loaded on the trailer in less than an hour.

good luck

 

[glider]

I have a Direct Lift with a bridge jack and it has been a good lift, but. I would like to upgrade to a Bendpak.

 

[LXCam]

Holy ****, just for kicks I looked up what the bridge jacks were going for now and you guys are right, starting at 1,200. And the one I got is almost 1,700 now. ****, I've always wanted another one, but that's not gonna happen. Maybe you should consider 2K if it's in great shape.

 

[6S1284]

I really appreciate all of the input from this helpful community. I took each response in consideration and offered her $1300. She took it in about 27 seconds.

Once again - thanks for your feedback.

 

[Strouty]

Glad things worked out for you.

 

[cat06]

congrats on your new to you lift

 

[James-W]

Congratulations on getting the lift, you no doubt got a really good deal.

On a personal note, I would have offered her at least $1,500 and I would have done it for two reasons. One, I would figure I saved at least $1,200 on the deal, and two, I would figure that under the circumstances, she could use the money and after all, her daughter is my daughter's friend.

 

[Strouty]

I can't wait for this thread to pop up in a year or two with someone saying it is only worth $500.

 

[finn]

Or that it's made in China and Sears screwed him.

 

[Rod N]

This still doesn't get you out of showing us pictures of the mother.