Greg Smith combo packages gone!

[biggziff]

Greg Smith combo packages gone! Big price increases

Just getting ready to order a 4 post combo package from Greg Smith and found out they no longer offer the combo deals! This is a big hit as far as discount goes. Guy on the phone told me they will offer $100 off if you order a combo. That's $1500-ish more than they were when they offered the combos.

ugh...guess I'll start looking at other brands...again.

 

[larry_g]

Welcome to the trade wars.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[biggziff]

Not only did they dump the combos, they bumped all the lifts by at least $600!

 

[reader2580]

Not only did they dump the combos, they bumped all the lifts by at least $600!

What do you think happens when the cost of steel skyrockets? It doesn’t matter if you buy American or import steel the prices went up.

 

[Falcon67]

Noted the $450 import air compressors are now $550~600. As an old manufacturing guy, don't blame the seller so much, blame their Cost of Goods and materials. Apparently steel has learned from the oil industry. (Sheikh gets a rash, bump the price of gas $0.25 at the pump. Same fuel still in the ground as yesterday, now worth a bunch more)

 

[biggziff]

What do you think happens when the cost of steel skyrockets? It doesn’t matter if you buy American or import steel the prices went up.

When did this "skyrocket" you speak of happen?

 

[8mpg]

Check out the Triumph NSS-8. Its a 8,000lb lift but still the same $2k price.

My local steel place had some aluminum ramps for $65 each

 

[biggziff]

Check out the Triumph NSS-8. Its a 8,000lb lift but still the same $2k price.

My local steel place had some aluminum ramps for $65 each

Do you have this lift?

 

[8mpg]

I do not... Im stopping by their showroom today (local to me) and probably going to order one. May order online to avoid the sales tax. Im hoping they may just give a discount since there is no shipping.

Its the same basic lift everyone is rebranding. Atlas, Trimph, Direct Lift, etc.

 

[firebirdparts]

When did this "skyrocket" you speak of happen?

I know this wasn't a serious question, but I noticed Bendpak warned us (GJ) they were going up September 1. The tariff on Canada went into effect June 1, China was July 1. So it's taken a little while. We don't really buy steel from China, but we buy a lot from Canada. We buy a lot from Brazil but they are exempt. Chinese steel prices went way up for the last 2 years, supply and demand, I guess. That would affect all this imported stuff made of steel.

I was talking to a vendor of process equipment last week and they are going to move production of a certain item to the USA, based on the tariffs. so they say.

 

[8mpg]

Well, I just got back from National Auto Tools. The lift they had on display seems solid. The locking system is not the standard ladder setup. It had 3/4" thick triangles that looked like a sawtooth pattern. The price for the standard 8k lift is $1995 with local tax (8.25%) and the XLT was $2200 with tax. Installation was $400.

The sales guy said his prices will be going up. Not on the next shipment (thats on its way) but probably the one after due to tariffs. He said that Greg Smith prices went up when Greg Smith sold out to IGN or something like that. Greg Smith no longer owns the company..its a $500M company that owns it now.

 

[biggziff]

Well, I just got back from National Auto Tools. The lift they had on display seems solid. The locking system is not the standard ladder setup. It had 3/4" thick triangles that looked like a sawtooth pattern. The price for the standard 8k lift is $1995 with local tax (8.25%) and the XLT was $2200 with tax. Installation was $400.

The sales guy said his prices will be going up. Not on the next shipment (thats on its way) but probably the one after due to tariffs. He said that Greg Smith prices went up when Greg Smith sold out to IGN or something like that. Greg Smith no longer owns the company..its a $500M company that owns it now.

That's pretty cheap pricing and likely more in line with what these things should cost. Did you take any photos?

 

[8mpg]

That's pretty cheap pricing and likely more in line with what these things should cost. Did you take any photos?

I did not. It just seemed like a normal 4 post lift. Nothing special about it but the price. Im probably going to order one tomorrow and have it installed. I'll update here when I order. Its in stock, just a matter of scheduling the install Id presume.

 

[biggziff]

I did not. It just seemed like a normal 4 post lift. Nothing special about it but the price. Im probably going to order one tomorrow and have it installed. I'll update here when I order. Its in stock, just a matter of scheduling the install Id presume.

I looked them up. Looks good. I'm sold on the square tube columns vs C-Channel as I keep reading the C-Channel allow the whole thing to sway a bit when loaded where the square columns and outside sliders will not. I'm sure either is fine.

 

[8mpg]

I looked them up. Looks good. I'm sold on the square tube columns vs C-Channel as I keep reading the C-Channel allow the whole thing to sway a bit when loaded where the square columns and outside sliders will not. I'm sure either is fine.

Triumph uses a c-channel like most out there including the 9k Bendpak. If you want square tube, check out Wildfire and Advantage. They are both 9,000lb lifts and are the same price of a Bendpak.

I believe this is identical to the Atlas lift.

 

[biggziff]

Triumph uses a c-channel like most out there including the 9k Bendpak. If you want square tube, check out Wildfire and Advantage. They are both 9,000lb lifts and are the same price of a Bendpak.

I believe this is identical to the Atlas lift.

That makes sense and I agree they appear to be the same as Atlas. I've made a tentative agreement with Tony at Advantage and hope to end up with one of his lifts.

 

[8mpg]

Sounds good man. I just ordered the 8K lift from National Auto Tools. We will see how it goes. What did the lift run you?

 

[biggziff]

Sounds good man. I just ordered the 8K lift from National Auto Tools. We will see how it goes. What did the lift run you?

3200 for the lift and $1000 for 2 of the rolling manual jacks.

 

[reader2580]

When did this "skyrocket" you speak of happen?

I read various reports a few months ago of buyers of steel reporting increased prices of 35% and up on steel. There were also reports of steel vendors who stopped taking orders for a time because the steel in their warehouse was worth more each passing day.

I do think companies are using this as a chance to raise prices and blame someone else.. The steel vendor decides to increase prices a a few extra percent and blame the tariffs. The company buying the steel also increases their prices a few extra percent and blames tariffs too. How do your prices go up 35% if the tariffs max out at 25%?

 

[8mpg]

Sounds good. I think thats about the same as Wildfire.

 

[biggziff]

Sounds good. I think thats about the same as Wildfire.

Wildfire is 3700 for the lift and I believe they get another few hundred for the jacks. I guess Wildfire is the same lift just different paint. Story i read is that a dentist bought one of the Advantage lifts and started buying them himself from China rebranded, but that they never have stock (6 weeks backorder) and refer people to advantage for parts, etc.

 

[8mpg]

Wildfire is 3700 for the lift and I believe they get another few hundred for the jacks. I guess Wildfire is the same lift just different paint. Story i read is that a dentist bought one of the Advantage lifts and started buying them himself from China rebranded, but that they never have stock (6 weeks backorder) and refer people to advantage for parts, etc.

Dont know about the story but I wouldnt doubt it. I found Wildfire on craigslist for $3200 shipped. I have heard Advantage doesnt include shipping.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/fod/d/brand-new-4-post-car-lift/6658622028.html

Oh...one last thing. The Triumph 9,000lb lift is the same as the advantage/wildfire

 

[biggziff]

Dont know about the story but I wouldnt doubt it. I found Wildfire on craigslist for $3200 shipped. I have heard Advantage doesnt include shipping.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/fod/d/brand-new-4-post-car-lift/6658622028.html

Oh...one last thing. The Triumph 9,000lb lift is the same as the advantage/wildfire

I'm buying the XLT model which is a bit more, but I'll check the prices on the others to compare. Thanks!

 

[8mpg]

Just got a call from National Auto Tools. The installer wants to install tomorrow morning. Will post pics.

 

[biggziff]

Just got a call from National Auto Tools. The installer wants to install tomorrow morning. Will post pics.

Dang! That's fast. Please post pics and provide your impression.

I found the 9000XLT version on National Auto Tool's website. Spoke to them earlier. Appears to be identical to the Advantage, but with free shipping. Still, after discounts from Advantage it's $200 more for theirs and I prefer the gray and red colors and Advantage is 5 yr warranty. Gotta make the shop match!

 

[8mpg]

Heres a couple pics. The guys just left:



Locks:


After messing with it, I had a very small hydraulic leak on a fitting. It was easily fixed with a 1/4 turn of a wrench. Up and down is very smooth. Very easy to roll on the casters. While I wont ever put 8,000lbs of vehicle on it, I think its plenty strong. The c-channel doesnt worry me after really seeing it in my own garage. I'll try and get a vehicle on the lift later today. I'll do a full review later on.

 

[biggziff]

Heres a couple pics. The guys just left:



Locks:


After messing with it, I had a very small hydraulic leak on a fitting. It was easily fixed with a 1/4 turn of a wrench. Up and down is very smooth. Very easy to roll on the casters. While I wont ever put 8,000lbs of vehicle on it, I think its plenty strong. The c-channel doesnt worry me after really seeing it in my own garage. I'll try and get a vehicle on the lift later today. I'll do a full review later on.

Congrats! Looks good and I'm sure it's all most of us would ever need. I ordered the Advantage last night. Going to be a few weeks before they deliver it.

 

[6768rogues]

Tariffs have given some manufacturers a way to jack up prices without taking any blame. Suppose you have a product that sells for $2500. You wholesale it for $2000 delivered to the retailer. If you are making money, you have a profit margin, so perhaps it costs you $1500 for all costs to make it. Our of that sum, you have to pay for your facility, utilities, labor, benefits, and materials. Let's consider $900 of the money to be materials. You need to buy a motor and pump, hydraulic lines, welding supplies, paint, etc. so maybe the steel costs $600. A 25% tariff is placed on the steel, raising that $600 by $150. So what do you do? Raise the price of the lift by $600 and blame the tariff!

 

[biggziff]

Tariffs have given some manufacturers a way to jack up prices without taking any blame. Suppose you have a product that sells for $2500. You wholesale it for $2000 delivered to the retailer. If you are making money, you have a profit margin, so perhaps it costs you $1500 for all costs to make it. Our of that sum, you have to pay for your facility, utilities, labor, benefits, and materials. Let's consider $900 of the money to be materials. You need to buy a motor and pump, hydraulic lines, welding supplies, paint, etc. so maybe the steel costs $600. A 25% tariff is placed on the steel, raising that $600 by $150. So what do you do? Raise the price of the lift by $600 and blame the tariff!

Ya, well it cost Greg Smith a sale this time around. Not that they care, but I certainly do!

 

[8mpg]

Tariffs have given some manufacturers a way to jack up prices without taking any blame. Suppose you have a product that sells for $2500. You wholesale it for $2000 delivered to the retailer. If you are making money, you have a profit margin, so perhaps it costs you $1500 for all costs to make it. Our of that sum, you have to pay for your facility, utilities, labor, benefits, and materials. Let's consider $900 of the money to be materials. You need to buy a motor and pump, hydraulic lines, welding supplies, paint, etc. so maybe the steel costs $600. A 25% tariff is placed on the steel, raising that $600 by $150. So what do you do? Raise the price of the lift by $600 and blame the tariff!

The guys at National Auto Tools said Greg Smith sold out and that is why the prices have jacked. Not necessarily because of the tariff.

 

[reader2580]

The guys at National Auto Tools said Greg Smith sold out and that is why the prices have jacked. Not necessarily because of the tariff.

Why would a retailer jack up the price if they are sold out of the product? Is it because they know the next shipment is going to cost more due to tariffs?

 

[sleek98]

Re: Greg Smith combo packages gone! Big price increases

Sold out meaning he sold his business to a new owner, not out of product.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[reader2580]

Great business model for a new owner. Buy a company and then jack up the prices.

 

[MikeF2316]

There's probably a bit of both happening here. Costs go up because of things out of a business's control (like energy, raw material, currency exchange) and they raise prices to compensate, and a little bit more. I know if I ran a business, and my raw material cost went up x%, and I saw my competitor raise prices by x+10%, well I'd raise mine by x+5%. It's only natural.

 

[8mpg]

Great business model for a new owner. Buy a company and then jack up the prices.

This is business..and thats all it is. If they can raise prices and create a larger profit margin...why wouldnt they? Atlas has a name as well as Greg Smith. People will continue to follow that reputation and continue to buy the lift at higher prices.

 

[biggziff]

This is business..and thats all it is. If they can raise prices and create a larger profit margin...why wouldnt they? Atlas has a name as well as Greg Smith. People will continue to follow that reputation and continue to buy the lift at higher prices.

Maybe, but I didn't and I won't recommend them due to this.

 

[AJ44PCT]

Hello guys. I am new on this site. I am looking to see if anyone has purchased an Atlas 9k lift from Greg Smith? They are not that far from where I live and I can pick the lift up in New Jersey. But I don't know anyone that actually purchased a lift from them. Their prices are very reasonable when you pick the lift up from their store.
Thank you
AJ

 

[biggziff]

Hello guys. I am new on this site. I am looking to see if anyone has purchased an Atlas 9k lift from Greg Smith? They are not that far from where I live and I can pick the lift up in New Jersey. But I don't know anyone that actually purchased a lift from them. Their prices are very reasonable when you pick the lift up from their store.
Thank you
AJ

They lied to me on the phone regarding pricing so I bought from Tony Weber at Advantage lifts. I'd recommend considering Advantage.

 

[PoorOwner]

Hello guys. I am new on this site. I am looking to see if anyone has purchased an Atlas 9k lift from Greg Smith? They are not that far from where I live and I can pick the lift up in New Jersey. But I don't know anyone that actually purchased a lift from them. Their prices are very reasonable when you pick the lift up from their store.
Thank you
AJ

They have been around for a long time. Store pickup is the way to go, the price will be lower than the website because the shipping is not needed. plus you can see the lifts in person.

You should buy it now. The price has raised but will be expected to raise a second time very soon

 

[robert mitchell]

Purchased lift from Greg Smith about a month ago---pickup
in ga. warehouse. Quick and easy pickup.Had small issue after it was up and running.
One phone call and problem fixed..Great lift for the price. A 10,000 lb lift.