Never thought this blog would ever be noticed. OOPS

The DIY industry is making everyone an expert. My posting are here to caution the buying public that they need to know more about what is being sold online. I hear from people every month how they have bought a lift or elevator and now have no one to help them finish the installation or repair a new unit they bought on-line from a company who's sales person told them they could install the lift with a wrench and a screw driver.

DIY industry changes

DIY self installed Stairlifts, Dumbwaiters & home elevators is finally meeting with resistance from some manufacturers, State & local inspection agencies and well established elevator companies. Today Country Home Elevator & Stair Lift Removed the DIY option from its' websites. As the slow economy removes some of the most fradulent DIY companies, the local brick and mortar dealers continue to prove a solid investment for your stair lift purchase.

Please contact Craig at 800-898-5090 www.home-residentialelevators.com
countryhomeelev@cs.com

Thank you for your interest.

Creating Symmetry

So in an effort to create something special. That is unheard of in our industry, I have removed my comments in the interest of balance and compromise for the betterment of the whole.

If you understand the significance of this, thank you!

Nigerian DIY Scam

Nigerian Scammers have found a new way to get your credit card information. The rising volume of Do-It-Yourself Installations is giving rise to credit card fraud. I heard it rumored that one of the on-line listing companies offering Stair Lifts as a do it yourself - DIY install is a Bogus Nigerian scam site taking credit cards and not shipping products.

I have said it many times "Buyer Be aware" many of the good looking, slick websites are not to be trusted. If you can't meet the company sales person at your front door, you probalily have a company that you won't be able to locate when you need help. My rule of thumb is to have a knowledgeable expert visit your home and look at all the factors in the installation and your specific application. They will be able to quickly see if there is a problem with the stair layout, before you get your lift installed.

Don't give your credit card to a stranger over the phone. Check your local phonebook listing. You want to know the the $3,000 investment will last and that you can locate the company in your area. Even Lawyers are hesitant to chase a criminal into South Africa, India or a carribeen island.

Check your National Associations for qualified installers at http://www.naec.org/ http://www.bbbonline.com/

Summit / Harma Warning

Note to any customer of a Summit / Harmar Dumbwaiter.

Summit / Harmar has sent out a Warning Notice of a potential product hazard with the Ascent Dumbwaiter. In some cases the 1/8" steel cable was not crimped enough to prevent the cable from slipping out and causing the cab to fall on the slack device. If the slack device was not tested in the field by the installer, it could not be functional and allow free fall of the cab.

Most Installers and Mechanics know that it is not safe to climb into a dumbwaiter hoistway without first securing the cab overhead, but for those self installed or contractor installed units or a unit that a handyman is maintaining, there is a real danger to be aware of.

If you have a Summit Ascent Dumbwaiter, please conact your installer or Summit Lifts before you operate the unit to confirm the required repairs, if needed.

Our company will be calling all customers to set up a time to make the corrections, after we get them from Summit.

Questioning failure rate

Today I talked to Mr. Updike in Grove, Oklahoma. He said his Acorn was not working and the Freedom Town Stair lift company he bought his Acorn from was out of business. His unit was installed 10 months ago. I wonder if this was the 1 of the .033% failure rate claimed by my Acorn rep.?

I will follow up to be sure he gets help and the full Warranty from Acorn.

Supporting Humor - It's just Nut's

Even Squirrels can tell a bad Acorn by looking at it!




This photo was circulated in Dallas at the NAEC elevator convention. While NAEC is a non-partisan group that promotes safe and well managed independant elevator companies and has no connection with this statement, there were many in attendance who were concerned with Acorn having a booth at a trade show where the whole point of meeting is to have better and safer installations.

If you reseasch "Acorn complaints" you will quickely see where there is a lot of buzz about the quality and integrity of the Acorn / Brooks products, both in the US & UK marketplace.