Bendpak

[JoeMX82]

I’ve long been following the discussions of Bendpak vs Backyard Buddy and I just have to add my recent experience. I just got my lift in and started the install process this weekend and I’m beyond disappointed. To get to the point i really think they sold me a used lift, I feel cheated. Every piece has some level of damage to it (attaching pics of some) I can see where the runways have been installed before, ramps have marks on them, lots of scraps and chips, much more than just shipping norm and then today I went to remove the plugs on the hydraulic cylinder to blow the ram out (part of install process) and the threads are beyond stripped out! This has to be used! I took the ram to my buddy’s shop and he was not able to get the cap / bolt out. On top of this I had numerous other issues like the ladder thread that holds the weight of the cars had a few threads bound up. Had to retread two of those before I could use them. Now I’m dead in the water. Tried to call customer service and it just says leave a message but hangs up before any message option so I’m stuck emailing. Perhaps they make this right, but at this point I don’t even want this cheap **** lift. I expected a few issues due to being made in China but I honestly feel cheated here. I now have this lift about 80% installed and have realized I’ve been ripped off. Obviously I’ll be calling again Monday but what are my options here? How the hell do you return something like this. What a pain! I would advise strongly to buy another lift as this thing is nothing but issues. HD9 by the way.

Update: 2/18:
- Giving credit where credit is due. BP has been very responsive to my issues thus far. They have offered to have the parts sent for replacement and have an installer finish the install on their dime.
-I am working with them to understand if I was sent a refurbished lift so more to come on that but I wanted to update this post timely. That is not due to the scratches but more so the worn motor mount and grooves on runway from ramps and similar on cross members.
-I'm still frustrated with some of the QC that was missed on this lift (damaged threads on ladder and stripped head on this bolt) but at least BP stands behind their products.
- I would edit the "****" out of my title if I could at this point as BP is trying to make this right, certainly a big step in the right direction.

 

[BillK]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Why don't you wait till Monday and see what they say ???? I wonder if they preassemble them at the factory and that is where the scratches came from ? Doesn't explain the messed up threads but you never know now days.

The scratches wouldn't bother me a bit. If you have ever seen a lift after it has been used for a week in a real shop those are nothing.

 

[JoeMX82]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

I hear you but here is the thing - I have very limited spare time so I planned to have the weekend off work and free from family activities. I expect the product to at least function, scratches are one thing but stripped bolts and just non operating condition is unacceptable. Now I'm back to a crazy travel schedule with limited time to even handle this and can't even use this garage space for one car, let alone two.

As far as scratches not being a big deal, this is going in my home garage where I take great car of things even though I wrench on vehicles a lot so the scratches do bother me but I was moving past that until this final roadblock. Note, I have another lift in my garage that is ~5 year and looks in better shape than this one - no exaggeration.

Why don't you wait till Monday and see what they say ???? I wonder if they preassemble them at the factory and that is where the scratches came from ? Doesn't explain the messed up threads but you never know now days.

The scratches wouldn't bother me a bit. If you have ever seen a lift after it has been used for a week in a real shop those are nothing.

 

[PoorOwner]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Just look like typical shipping scratches, if those picture were all the scratches there are, that is pretty minor cosmetic damage. They will send you touch up paint if you ask.

You said you couldn't get the plug out, how did you determine the threads are stripped? It looks like they painted over the whole plug while would make it hard to get out, looks like you have stripped the hex.

I would think you want those ladder threads replaced if they really are messed up, maybe got banged around too much during shipping.

 

[protegeV]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

My xpr10-axls also had the same kind of shipping boo boos.
No issues with any functional parts or assembly though.

 

[JoeMX82]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

On the plug, I'm saying the hex head is stripped out - that's a photo before we touched it. Assume the threads are okay but head is stripped out - how can that be if not used in someway.

Just look like typical shipping scratches, if those picture were all the scratches there are, that is pretty minor cosmetic damage. They will send you touch up paint if you ask.

You said you couldn't get the plug out, how did you determine the threads are stripped? It looks like they painted over the whole plug while would make it hard to get out, looks like you have stripped the hex.

I would think you want those ladder threads replaced if they really are messed up, maybe got banged around too much during shipping.

 

[Ign]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

So I'm not saying you SHOULD have to deal with such things on a new product, but you should expect this with a freight item.

Maybe I'm overlooking something but it seems like a couple taps (or thread restorers), a LH drill bit and some touch-up paint will get ya back in business.

I dunno, I'm a machinist so I just use the shop to fix the shop and all contents.

Since by your admission you're picky you might want to consider Mohawk next time. I'm assuming for 3x the cost they have excellent customer service (but I can't confirm from personal experience)

Small things like hand tools I return if I'm not completely satisfied. Big freight items, I usually just make it work and move on with my life.

You'll just have to determine your personal threshold for keep vs try to return in this case. And from what I recall from other posts on this forum even if BP promises you replacement parts, don't hold your breath (strictly hearsay on my part however)

 

[PoorOwner]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

So I think you HAVE to remove that plug that is later used for the air correct?
The plug is then discarded?

I have some ideas, you have proof the plug is messed up, you got nothing to loose trying a bit harder to remove it. What does the plug look like now?

 

[Viper98912]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

My chinese-replica 4 post came with significant scratches on one of the uprights - you can completely see where a forklift completely went into it and dragged across it.

Aside from that, no issues. With the reputation that Bendpak tries to hold, I would also be extremely pissed if I received something so "worn" that it was possibly a used lift. I'd be livid too, unless I had purposely bought something on discount that was noted as "used".

At this point, I'd say they should deliver and setup a new lift in your garage professionally, and have them take the old one with them.

 

[Charlie Allen]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

The title of this post is ......."Bendpak is seriously ****!"........
That is some waaaaay strong talk about a company who has served many, many shops and hobbyists with a quality product for a long time. I have read many posts on this site praising Bendpak for a great product. No, I do not work for Bendpak and I do not have a lift in my garage, but I do believe that it is possible that they shipped you the wrong lift. You thought it was used.......go with that and call them Monday. I have to believe they will fix this issue for you immediately.

 

[bobabuee]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

well shipping scratches most my lift too ok some chinese guy had bad day stripped out allen head plug it not going to stop you from setup you have to remove plug anyway get easy out or plug is not in there tight pound allen wrench in and turn it out and done. the lift has been loaded and unloaded many times by jockeys and no caring workers at factory container ships etc... if you weighed as much as the lift you would show wear too all pics are cosmetic. anything that is broken or missing they will replace they are very good about that it not a big deal. sure it ***** getting new garage toy but nothing is stopping you from putting together it not like. you're going box it up ship a runway back sure if it is structurally bent damaged i be pissed. they send you paint to fix it if ladder bolt is damaged you fixed it you said but they send you new one. take deep breath walk away come back drink beer or shot or both, start again say to yourself .

" hey i got lift now no more working on my back like a dog or monkey ...life is good"

 

[cspcrx]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

You right to be upset about stripped out threads. You purchased a new product and expect it to function.

As for scratches in paint. Mine showed up with them as well but I realize it’s a large, heavy steel item that gets moved around and is going to get nicked and scratched.

I had an issue with mine arriving with rusted lift pads. I called them and they immediately shipped another set out. They took good care of me and would think they will do the same for you.

 

[pbon]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

My HD9-XW arrived with more dents and scratches than it should have but no stripped threads or anything like that. The paint just started peeling off the inside of one of the posts. Still, I expect it to have a long life.

 

[holdover]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Hope your problems get resolved. I have two Bendpaks with no issues, one is 10 yrs old the other is 9.

 

[ZRX61]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Is that some anti-slip coating on the parts or welding spatter they didn't buzz off with a grinder?

 

[FANTM58]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Mechanical defects are unacceptable, but asthmatic issues are to expected.
These are heavy pieces of equipment. And with any idea of the shipping
Process and logistics of getting the equipment to your door . This
Would be understood. Even if my lift showed up un marred
Within a week it would have been marked with dings and scuffs.
If these pieces of equipment are used as intended. That’s to be expected.

 

[JoeMX82]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Bit of an update and things to clarify. I do not mind some scratches and things as I expected that with a product coming from China. As I was going along with assembly I noticed the scratches and although worse than I would have liked I kept going, it was as I put the runways on, lined up the ramps that I noticed all the deep scratches lined up where it looked like the lift had been assembled and used before. Even the motor mount has worn down paint like a motor has been hung on it for a while before. I do not care about the worn paint but I do care if I paid retail for a used / returned product. Then the stripped head on the cylinder bolt was the final straw for me. I understand where some are saying make it work, bolt extractor, left hander screw, etc. I tried all of that. I'm pretty handy for a non professional (built a few cars, metal work etc.) and I tried all the normal tricks. Broke a few bolt extractors, cut a groove in the head for a BIG flat head and even with a wrench on the screwdriver shaft and a cheater bar, nothing but the metal giving way. I'm assuming the threads and completely in a bind and now I'm going to have to drill this out and re-tap it (I do not have taps big enough) or cut the whole bit off and weld up a new one. I just say this as if I could make it work I would have. This is about the most stuck bolt I have encountered and it is made worse by the fact that it is recessed down like a set screw.
I'll contact Bendpak and reply back with their response, I am hopeful the can get me a new cylinder timely and no more issues.

 

[ItsNemo]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Welcome to Bendpak...their quality is questionable at the best of times, it took nearly a year of back and forth with them before I had all the little broken/misfit bits replaced on my MDS-6KF. They did eventually get things sorted, so I will give them points for that, but it was a pretty disappointing experience. For such a big company with their reputation I was surprised at how poor the lift was when it showed up.

Mine was hardly scratched luckily but the hydraulic hoses didn't fit right (bad design with too long of a solid fitting), the bars on the end caps wouldn't go in, an air release piston had stripped fittings, there was rough welds/splatter/etc in spots, the manual hardly matched so the instructions were pretty useless, plus it took them months to deliver.

 

[PoorOwner]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Try tack weld a bolt that fits in the hex hole.

 

[mcbane]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

When you buy a Chinese product you save money but need to be prepared to roll with the punches. Get one size up taps to rethread the malformed threads and use bushings to put it together. And get some rattle cans to touch up the paint. You are still thousands ahead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gorilla]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

It might be a bit unfair to blame all your issues on Bendpack. The dealer you bought it from may have assembled it for some reason before he sold it to you and the scratches are on the shipper. The damaged fitting is most likely a Bendpack issue. My experiences with Bendpacks warranty people were excellent.

 

[kingchevy]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

looks like there is enough of the plug sticking out to weld a nut onto.

 

[macdabs]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

I had a leaky cylinder and Bendpak sent a new one out within 2 weeks. Same lift HD9 four post. My lift was packaged and shipped like you expect a piece of Harbor freight equipment vs Snap on. The quality of the Bend pak lift does not even compare to my Rotary.
Mac

 

[logical]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Mine had only tiny scuffs from freight, well within what I would expect. A toolbox I'd expect fully enclosed and protected to arrive pristine. A lift I'd expect some handling Mark's. So on the damage topic my experience is that Bendpak is not ****. If the OP is not exaggerating the cosmetic issues then I'd find it excessive and not accept it.

As far as fittings and fasteners, there is no way I'd be drilling, tapping, welding or otherwise Magivering a lift to make it work. Call the dealer first thing Monday and expect every single issue corrected. Don't start modifying it yourself or the dealer/Bendpak could legitimately not want to deal with it. Mine went together with no issues, first one I ever put together and I didn't have a great deal of struggle following the instructions.

I had one minor issue where one of the air triggered safety catch cylinders was a little finicky but the issue was easy to sort out just by looking at it and taking a burr off the coupling.

 

[barnee]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Did you buy directly from bendpak? Who installed the lift?

 

[Matt M PA]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

I too would like to know what dealer sold this lift. I suppose it is possible that it was used, or a demo, etc.? If you bought from BendPak...call them.

I'd call the dealer Monday AM, and if you get no satisfaction...try BendPak.

I installed my HD9 almost 10 years ago. Aside from some minor scuffs, which I touched up with the included paint, I have not complaints. In fact, while assembling, I followed the torq specs for the bolts that retain the ramps to the cross pieces, and they snapped off. I called BendPak and they offered to send more bolts. I opted to just buy new ones locally. The tech folks helped me with another question, too.

I also disagree with the title of this. OP has yet to contact the seller to see if there's a mix-up on selling a used lift, etc. His concerns may have noting to do with BendPak. My HD9 has been fine for almost a decade.

 

[bradysdad]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Bit of an update and things to clarify. I do not mind some scratches and things as I expected that with a product coming from China. As I was going along with assembly I noticed the scratches and although worse than I would have liked I kept going, it was as I put the runways on, lined up the ramps that I noticed all the deep scratches lined up where it looked like the lift had been assembled and used before. Even the motor mount has worn down paint like a motor has been hung on it for a while before. I do not care about the worn paint but I do care if I paid retail for a used / returned product. Then the stripped head on the cylinder bolt was the final straw for me. I understand where some are saying make it work, bolt extractor, left hander screw, etc. I tried all of that. I'm pretty handy for a non professional (built a few cars, metal work etc.) and I tried all the normal tricks. Broke a few bolt extractors, cut a groove in the head for a BIG flat head and even with a wrench on the screwdriver shaft and a cheater bar, nothing but the metal giving way. I'm assuming the threads and completely in a bind and now I'm going to have to drill this out and re-tap it (I do not have taps big enough) or cut the whole bit off and weld up a new one. I just say this as if I could make it work I would have. This is about the most stuck bolt I have encountered and it is made worse by the fact that it is recessed down like a set screw.
I'll contact Bendpak and reply back with their response, I am hopeful the can get me a new cylinder timely and no more issues.

I would not settle for anything but a new replacement unit. The few scratches are to be expected as others have indicated, due to heavy freight shipment. But in my opinion, the remaining issues are unacceptable, especially when you are paying premium dollar for a “ premium” brand.

When I was researching which 4 post and 2 post to purchase, I read too many negative things about BendPak quality and issues. For a company that used to be the standard, I think they may have gotten too big for their own good and lost sight of quality in exchange for revenue. I hope things turn around but your example is one of many I have run into, and the reason why I went a different route.

For the folks on this thread that say “just fix it and call it a day” when I spend $3,000-$4,000 on a product, I don’t expect to have to fix it to make it work properly. That’s like saying when you purchase a new car, all you have to do is tune it and fix the broken transmission and it will be just fine. Sounds silly to me.

I would pursue BP and as one other poster said, have them make this right by delivering a new unit and see if they will install. Time is money and their response will speak to how customer service focused they are or if it’s all about the bottom line.

There is a gentleman on these forums that is one of their Sales VPs. Sorry I can’t remember his screen name but he is usually pretty responsive on here and might be able to help if customer service doesn’t do the right thing.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

[American Locomotive]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Bad reviews of Bendpak lifts have been happening for at least 10+ years if you search GJ. It seems they have a lot of QC and packaging problems.

 

[346ci]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Bad reviews of Bendpak lifts have been happening for at least 10+ years if you search GJ. It seems they have a lot of QC and packaging problems.

+1 here, didn't take me long to decide BP wasn't for me.

 

[finn]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

No problems so far with mine. A few shipping scratches, but they are pretty much unnoticeable when the lift is in use.

Bend Pack is probably the largest lift retailer for the hobby lift market, so they will likely have the most complaints.

I also noticed that many, if not most of the complaints are from people like bradysdad that don’t even own a Bend Pack, but read on the Internet, from some anonymous source, that they have massive quality problems.

Bend Pack isn’t a perfect lift by any means, but it is good quality for the market it serves, at a price point that made this type of product within reach for a hobbiest.

 

[bradysdad]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

No problems so far with mine. A few shipping scratches, but they are pretty much unnoticeable when the lift is in use.

Bend Pack is probably the largest lift retailer for the hobby lift market, so they will likely have the most complaints.

I also noticed that many, if not most of the complaints are from people like bradysdad that don’t even own a Bend Pack, but read on the Internet, from some anonymous source, that they have massive quality problems.

Bend Pack isn’t a perfect lift by any means, but it is good quality for the market it serves, at a price point that made this type of product within reach for a hobbiest.

With all due respect, how do you research a product you are planning on investing in? Or do you just go and purchase something blindly based upon name recognition and hope for the best?

The web and forums like this, are full of good and bad experiences for a lot of items. And not from anonymous sources. People who invested in a product and then shared their stories. You are correct, I do not own a BendPak, due to my research. Not some blind devotion to a brand name. Personally, I don’t have an extra $3,000 laying around for a purchasing mistake. Glad you do....

 

[pattenp]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

……..
I also noticed that many, if not most of the complaints are from people like bradysdad that don’t even own a Bend Pack, but read on the Internet, from some anonymous source, that they have massive quality problems.
…..

So... from what you've read on the internet you are judging and throwing bradysdad into a group of non-owners of Bend Pak who've read bad reviews of Bend Pak on the internet. Kind of a double standard don't you think.

 

[58Yeoman]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

If you don't get satisfaction from BP, and if you paid by CC, call your CC company and get a chargeback, and let BP come and get it.

 

[Matt M PA]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

In reading this thread again, I can't help but wonder why the OP is ripping BendPak when they have yet to contact the seller, (providing it wasn't a direct sale) or BendPak.

Sure seems to be the case these days with forums. I get it...folks get annoyed with something and need to vent.

Seems to me the first thing to do is contact the seller and find out what may have happened. Of course, you can dispute with your CC company, but they are going to ask if you've contacted the vendor.

Are there better/worse lifts that BendPak? Of course. That being said, they aren't in business as long as they are by sending out junk and not helping customers.

i'm anxious for an update from the OP about the seller and how it winds up being resolved.

 

[ItsNemo]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

In reading this thread again, I can't help but wonder why the OP is ripping BendPak when they have yet to contact the seller, (providing it wasn't a direct sale) or BendPak.

Sure seems to be the case these days with forums. I get it...folks get annoyed with something and need to vent.

Seems to me the first thing to do is contact the seller and find out what may have happened. Of course, you can dispute with your CC company, but they are going to ask if you've contacted the vendor.

Are there better/worse lifts that BendPak? Of course. That being said, they aren't in business as long as they are by sending out junk and not helping customers.

i'm anxious for an update from the OP about the seller and how it winds up being resolved.

Uh, OP said in his first post:

Tried to call customer service and it just says leave a message but hangs up before any message option so I’m stuck emailing.

Not being easily able to get a hold of them is a problem too.

 

[bradysdad]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

The fact that there are that many complaints and issues for a brand new product, speaks to BP’s level of commitment to quality and manufacturing. Great if they take care of problems but they need to address the source of the problems for long term client satisfaction and business sustainability.

 

[Charlie51]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Sounds like Bendpack needs a Joe Juran or W. Edwards Deming to straighten things out.

 

[Garett]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Bendpak is hands down the best at advertising and marketing, that's about it.

If they donated to my shop I'd happily use them!

 

[protegeV]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Bendpak is hands down the best at advertising and marketing, that's about it.

If they donated to my shop I'd happily use them!

Without a doubt. Just about every car show uses them and it's the only lift I've ever heard referred to by the brand name instead of just saying the lift. "Next we'll get the car up on the bendpak and take the wheels off."

You never hear anyone saying to put the car up on the rotary or the mohawk.

 

[LX-Markham]

Re: Bendpak is seriously ****!

Didn’t have much choice when I selected Bendpak as there weren’t many double wide lifts that would suit my needs. The Benpak lift was perfect for me. Was totally satisfied with the lift, Babco (Canadian retailer), and the installer. The only issue I had was delivery delay because I ordered it in a custom colour (black, when the standard colour was blue).

Ordered the bridge jack a year later and had a couple minor issues. The valve pedal was broken. Notified the retailer and they shipped a new pedal promptly. Second, the rolling wheels were siezed with paint. Had to disassemble them and free them up. Minor issues.

Overall, i’m totally pleased with their products.