Griots Garage Floor Jack......

[ulev1st]

Does anybody here have one? Are they worth the EXTREMELY high price? Would you buy it again if given the choice? Besides the LOW PROFILE BODy what makes it so much better than my trust 69.95 Craftsman 2 ton?

2-Ton Floor Jack
Europe's Finest 2-Ton, Ultra Low Profile Floor Jack Will Get Under Almost Any Vehicle.
I refuse to lower my standards. When it comes to floor jacks, you shouldn't lower your standards, either. After selling this Floor Jack years ago, I've brought it back, this time with improvements you'll appreciate. (I know there are only a select few that would appreciate what this jack can do, for those of you still lifting vehicles with cheap equipment... tisk, tisk. I guess what you're saying is that your life isn't worth $399.00.) With a 3" saddle clearance, our 2-Ton Floor Jack has the lowest profile in the world yet is capable of lifting 4,000 pounds to a height of 20". In a jam? Take the saddle out and your lifting point is just 2 1/4"! Notice the side rails, too. (Most jacks have side rails that go up immediately, so no matter how low the jack pad, the jack is useless if you can't get it under the car due to high side rails!) This floor jack has a central pivoting wheel that allows you to swing the jack in any direction before you raise the saddle. This eliminates sliding the jack in and out from under the vehicle when positioning it. The ergonomic, rubber grip handle also makes the descents more controllable. (Ever try to lower a jack with a "round-tube" handle while your hands are greasy?) Simply pull up and rotate the handle to smoothly lower the load; let go and the spring-loaded handle automatically stops the descent. The convenient foot pedal also allows you to pump up the saddle quickly to the lift point, then use the jack handle from there. For safety, the jack is also fitted with a relief valve within the hydraulics to prevent overloading. Built-in lug nut tray keeps track of fasteners! Rubber saddle pad is included much to the chagrin of our accounting department. The optional 2" thick Saddle Extension is great for SUV's and extends the lift height to 22". This is the nicest floor jack I've ever had the pleasure of using. Made for you in Spain.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I have a feeling that Griot's likes to toot his own horn, bragging about his is the ONLY wax he uses on his $500K roller skate, his Ferrari quality tools, etc. I USED to get his catalog, and the only thing I remember buying was a license plate frame that I gave to my extremely obnoxious BIL, or maybe it still sets in my shop someplace. I also sent a letter to Griot's explaining how I wasn't going to contaminate my $60K-$70K worth of Snap On tools, which have done everything I ever asked of them, with what I consider off brand, and possibly, for all I knew about them, HF quality tools.

 

[Vinko]

I don't know if he has good quality or not, but he writes good catalog copy. Has nice presentation of product -- has done a nice job of "branding". I tried his detailing kit a few times, and it was pretty nice -- clay, wax, interior stuff. I'm not a pro, but I liked it.

By the way: I want one of those Danish floor jacks, but no one seems to be able to stock them in the US anymore?

 

[Danglerb]

Griots is a place I have no trouble sending anybody to, high prices, but I haven't seen anything yet that wasn't first quality. The shop my car is at buys gallons of the various detail sprays.

Floorjack I think I want something sold by more than just one place so I know parts will be available.

 

[jshillin]

That's a little pricey... I just picked up a RFJ-3000LPF Low Profile Floor Jack a couple months back and really like the jack. It is heavy, but it's what I was looking for. Long frame, low Height: 2-3/4" and high lifting: 24"(I measured 25", but it say's 24"). It goes under my lowered cars and lifts my truck sitting on 32's.

 

[vette-kid]

That's a little pricey... I just picked up a RFJ-3000LPF Low Profile Floor Jack a couple months back and really like the jack. It is heavy, but it's what I was looking for. Long frame, low Height: 2-3/4" and high lifting: 24"(I measured 25", but it say's 24"). It goes under my lowered cars and lifts my truck sitting on 32's.

 

[evil16v]

i have a two ton Napa i got about 15 years ago. still works great. I bought it for my lowered 16V Scirocco (note my handle) It sits about 2 1/2" off the ground in front and requires a low profile jack.

It also works wellfor my Z71 and K2500 Suburban(4wd/tall/heavy)

Griot's isn't bad. I wouldn't mail order a floor jack though... I have bought a few things from there like my porter cable buffer with a polishing kit. Everything worked well and as advertised. I think he sells High quatlity pieces, but i think we all know we can more than just get by for less cash outlay). Griot's is for the upper class **** garage guy that wants PRETTY.

 

[ktm450]

Local Costco has a low clearance floor jack (Arcan brand), looks almost identical to the Griot's, but is 3.5 ton for <$100. So far am extremely pleased with it. Only thing it doesn't have is the quick lift feature and the loop on the handle like the Griot's. It also has a higher lift height. I needed both low clearance (for my mercedes) and high lift (for my silverado) along with at least a 3 ton capacity.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I guess what you're saying is that your life isn't worth $399.00...

Hrmm. Are we presupposing that none of the customers are smart enough to use jack stands?

Not sure about a $400 jack, but I have no issues trusting my life to $150 jack and $40 worth of jack stands from HF.

 

[Islands62]

Everything is quite over priced in that catalog and the tools are mostly asian it seems. I used to like reading about FACOM, but they haven't carried that stuff in a while. Most of the items can be found elsewhere and cheaper, and there are better detailing products out there.

 

[stricht8]

I'm not so sure that Griot's jack is overpriced. It is expensive but then again the quality is high and it is made in Spain, not China, like the other jacks mentioned here. A new US made jack which will not be inferior to Griot's will also be in the $400 range or more. A nice alternative would be to find a quality used US made jack. Good luck on that one!

 

[48548]

Also everyone is forgetting to mention what makes Griots great, they STAND BEHIND EVERYTHING THEY SELL!!!!!!!! Also for the life of the product, if something breaks a few years down the road they will be there to help you out, and I have tried it first hand and they are great at support, unlike other places that sell the same things.

 

[Vinko]

I have no issues trusting my life to $150 jack and $40 worth of jack stands from HF.

I do -- whether it's reasonable or not. I'm paranoid about it. But more people probably kill themselves working under cars from being stupid than from faulty equipment, I don't know.

 

[-B-]

Also everyone is forgetting to mention what makes Griots great, they STAND BEHIND EVERYTHING THEY SELL!!!!!!!! Also for the life of the product, if something breaks a few years down the road they will be there to help you out, and I have tried it first hand and they are great at support, unlike other places that sell the same things.

Not when they discontinue a tool and no longer sell it trust me on this ! There are very few products that stay from year to year in the catalog. Prices could be more reasonable if they stopped producing more than 14 catalogs a year.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I do -- whether it's reasonable or not. I'm paranoid about it. But more people probably kill themselves working under cars from being stupid than from faulty equipment, I don't know.

Well, all I was trying to say was that once I jack a vehicle up and put jack stands under it, the quality of the jack is no longer a safety issue. It's kind of silly to tell a customer he doesn't value his life just because he doesn't blow a huge amount of money on a high priced jack. You're much safer using a cheap jack and quality jack stands than no stands and the best, most expensive jack in the world.

Besides, the HF 6-ton stands, good and cheap, are some of the best you can buy.

 

[stricht8]

Personally I like using a jack, jack stands, and slide a tire under my car (if I take it off). All at once. I actually don't like getting under a jacked up car period. I might slide part of my body underneath for short spurts but I try to position myself so that I can make a quick escape.

Well, all I was trying to say was that once I jack a vehicle up and put jack stands under it, the quality of the jack is no longer a safety issue. It's kind of silly to tell a customer he doesn't value his life just because he doesn't blow a huge amount of money on a high priced jack. You're much safer using a cheap jack and quality jack stands than no stands and the best, most expensive jack in the world.

Besides, the HF 6-ton stands, good and cheap, are some of the best you can buy.

 

[48548]

Not when they discontinue a tool and no longer sell it trust me on this ! There are very few products that stay from year to year in the catalog. Prices could be more reasonable if they stopped producing more than 14 catalogs a year.

Actually when this happens like on a polisher, they will give you the current model, I have seen this from a friend and if you ask them, they will confirm this. Not sure on a jack though, but if in doubt call and ask what they will do, sometimes when they discontinue something they will give you the money back.

 

[rodm1]

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM-G1020&N=700+115&autoview=sku

 

[Monte]

The Griots jack is made by "Melchor Gabilondo, S.A" who sells their products under the "Mega" brand http://www.mega.es. They are also sold here in europe with the Facom brandname on them and others ("Rodac", "Weber")

 

[homesale]

Does any one actually have the Griots Garage 2-Ton Floor Jack? Does it leak over time?

 

[Lump]

Hmmm. I make automotive parts catalogs for a living, including taking photos, writing copy, printing, establishing strategic pricing, etc. It gives me a slightly different perspective when I am looking at OTHER catalogs and items for sale.

Years ago I saw a Griot's catalog, and glanced through some pages. I have seen some of the SAME products with different brand names elsewhere for a lot less. But when I saw their "special" terry cloth rags for polishing your car for about $50 each, I had seen all I needed to see.

To each his own. No way I would debate about whether one company is "better" than another for OTHER people to do their shopping. But when I'm spending MY money, I will use my own best judgement. I recommend that others should do the same.

 

[dwm]

There are some things Griot's does very well. Detailing products, in particular, are quite good. While I don't use their polishes or waxes anymore, they still have one product for which I haven't found an equal: their microfiber drying towel. I own over 200 microfiber towels, 40 of those being drying towels from many 'top' brands, but I keep using the Griot's because nothing else has been as good or lasted as long.

The floor jack... meh, I much prefer my AC.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Yeah Griots is a middle man of sorts, but IMO they do a very nice job of choosing quality products. I know there were quite a few Wera drivers in their last catalog...and we all know those are solid.

I've been eyeing this jack for a while, and my HF one is leaking.

 

[Vinko]

Yeah Griots is a middle man of sorts, but IMO they do a very nice job of choosing quality products. I know there were quite a few Wera drivers in their last catalog...and we all know those are solid.

I've been eyeing this jack for a while, and my HF one is leaking.

In a sense, the internet has helped to trouble the idea of a "middleman" for these products that Goriot sells. He's done a good job "curating" a collection -- but that can be done on-line now. And it can be done for less. I wonder how his business is doing?

There's something to be said for assembling all the stuff he has, and offering it up, but again, guys like us who seek out the OEM, can get it cheaper elsewhere. Though it's alleged that the chemicals are now made in house.

 

[Danglerb]

The detail business is crazy now, with a dozen or more special goop sellers as well as all the old big names trying for more market. I suspect a LOT of high dollar customers go to a detailer and expect to see X, Y, and Z product brands on the shelf, or may specify the products they want used.

OTOH a really good detail these days is flat amazing, both in cost and in results.

 

[Vinko]

Remember the days of a can of Turtle Wax and maybe a specialized car shampoo? Some chrome polish, and that was about it.

 

[BQuicksilver]

In a sense, the internet has helped to trouble the idea of a "middleman" for these products that Goriot sells. He's done a good job "curating" a collection -- but that can be done on-line now. And it can be done for less. I wonder how his business is doing?

There's something to be said for assembling all the stuff he has, and offering it up, but again, guys like us who seek out the OEM, can get it cheaper elsewhere. Though it's alleged that the chemicals are now made in house.

Great point about the internet. That said, I've checked their prices and they're really not much higher than the same product outside griots in most cases.

they're really not doing anything different than SO, but with a FAR smaller mark-up. Might start a thread on this...

Most of these prices seem fair.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/category/tools/hand+tools.do