Internet DIY Stair lift scams drive down consumer price awareness. If I advertise a really low price just to get traffic and never sell or never have that unit to sell, is that wrong?
It would seem that the Internet scalpers have found a good living selling Stair Lifts from their living room. When I see the * or a note of clarification after a price, I immediately think, "Here is the real price or why your unit will cost more."
Brooks Stair lift = US Stairlift (Oddly enough not a US company) is offering a $1499 Stairlift price, but when you see the note, it only covers a 7 step used unit and only in certain areas and may already be sold and on and on. If you are not familiar with British sale tact's, it is not uncommon to see outright fraud just to sell a unit.
I had a manager get all excited about a new British scheme to offer a 100% money back guarantee. It had an official looking certificate that boldly proclaimed the Money back offer, but after you read the actual certificate you still paid their costs if it was removed.
If you are looking for a Cheap product, buy the online specials with little expectations and you won't be disappointed. Check before you buy to see if your Internet dealer has anyone to install or service your unit. Get a quote on what they will charge if you need service. My most recent call was from a Summit - Lift / Harmar buyer who had a unit less than one year old that she could not repair her self and the nearest service person was 4 hours away in Lake Lottawana. It was going to cost her $600 for a service call.
Her original price was $ 2600 her service call was $ 600. So her actual cost for the cheap lift was $3,200. $ 400 over what the local dealer would have charged and serviced at no charge because it would have been under warranty or just a $ 65 local service call.
Just remember Internet promises are virtual.
Elevatorexpert
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
How many experts makes an elevator company?
In the last two weeks I have been asked to finish 3 projects that were started by Elevator Companies? Both companies had some long term connection to the elevator business, but were either one man operations or one elevator mechanic and a helper or family member.
While one Arkansas company may have had a real business licenses, it still relied on just one man. the internet now offers an even greater source to inflate a companies real assets and capabilities. Country Home Elevators proudly shows photos on its website of the Corporate office, 6 company vehicles, 6 installers, accounting staff, 3 full time salesmen, Actual Elevator Installation Insurance and current elevator training certificates CET-s and educational programs for technicians.
Again, what does it take to make an elevator company?
Elevatorexpert
While one Arkansas company may have had a real business licenses, it still relied on just one man. the internet now offers an even greater source to inflate a companies real assets and capabilities. Country Home Elevators proudly shows photos on its website of the Corporate office, 6 company vehicles, 6 installers, accounting staff, 3 full time salesmen, Actual Elevator Installation Insurance and current elevator training certificates CET-s and educational programs for technicians.
Again, what does it take to make an elevator company?
Elevatorexpert
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Everyone's an expert
As new manufacturers come into the elevator marketplace, the need to sell units will begin to outweight the functional safety and strict requirements for certified installers. The pressure will drive the lower end manufactrurers to offer home elevators to just about anyone. While there are capable contractors, there are also many more incompetent ones.
Having installed over 500 elevators, I have a good understanding of contractors and their lack of focus on specifics. If I had only 50% of the expenses that contractor spent re-doing hoistways because they could not read the plans, I'd be rich.
While I hope that direct sales of residential elevators never happens, I know the need and greed of companies when they get in a bind. They will make short term decisions that sell units in spite of the long term liabilities.
Keep this in mind. You would not trust a roofer or a carpenter to repair the brakes on your childrens school bus. Right? Why would you allow a plumber to install your home elevator?
Just like the (No name elevator company) guy; He did not know if his unit had a line rupture valve or what would happen if the line did rupture and cause the uncontrolled decent of the car and your family and remember the zip tie on the slack safety?
Elevators are not furniture in a box that only require a screw driver to assemble. Although I would guess there will be an internet salesman selling elevators in his underwear in india or North Carolina who will convincingly market just this application.
Be safe and think about what could happen.
Elevator Expert
Having installed over 500 elevators, I have a good understanding of contractors and their lack of focus on specifics. If I had only 50% of the expenses that contractor spent re-doing hoistways because they could not read the plans, I'd be rich.
While I hope that direct sales of residential elevators never happens, I know the need and greed of companies when they get in a bind. They will make short term decisions that sell units in spite of the long term liabilities.
Keep this in mind. You would not trust a roofer or a carpenter to repair the brakes on your childrens school bus. Right? Why would you allow a plumber to install your home elevator?
Just like the (No name elevator company) guy; He did not know if his unit had a line rupture valve or what would happen if the line did rupture and cause the uncontrolled decent of the car and your family and remember the zip tie on the slack safety?
Elevators are not furniture in a box that only require a screw driver to assemble. Although I would guess there will be an internet salesman selling elevators in his underwear in india or North Carolina who will convincingly market just this application.
Be safe and think about what could happen.
Elevator Expert
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Home elevators - Maintenence required
Unlike many home appliances, residential elevators are designed to be serviced. Like any mechanical device, elevators have moving parts the new to be clean and have proper lubricants on the frictions spots.
As units are worn in, the limits and stop switches may need to be adjusted. Many home owners never learn the proper operation of the elevator and therefore assume that errors in operation are signs of a bad installation. If your installer does not provide an operational turn over and explain the diagnostic tools to operate your elevator, ask for an operational turn over and review your owners manual.
Each manufacturer has a diffrent type of diagnostic tool to deterimne errors in operation. Learn about your elevator and be sure all safeties are in working order.
Keep your home safe - maintain your elevator every six months.
As units are worn in, the limits and stop switches may need to be adjusted. Many home owners never learn the proper operation of the elevator and therefore assume that errors in operation are signs of a bad installation. If your installer does not provide an operational turn over and explain the diagnostic tools to operate your elevator, ask for an operational turn over and review your owners manual.
Each manufacturer has a diffrent type of diagnostic tool to deterimne errors in operation. Learn about your elevator and be sure all safeties are in working order.
Keep your home safe - maintain your elevator every six months.
Friday, December 21, 2007
GCE Elevator repaired
We made the corrections and got the GCE working safely. We found another safety left disconnected. Both Car gate safeties were not operational. We corrected the slack rope safety and connected the gate safeties, made rope adjustments, installed the missing slack rope switch and wired it in as designed.
After many adjustments to get a good ride and consistant ride, we turned over a working elevator. We will be doing follow up visits to assure the unit is in good working order.
No matter how much your company name and website say that you are residential elevator experts, you are still Amatures if your units are not safe!
Buyers Be Aware! Not everyone who claims to know elevators really does!
After many adjustments to get a good ride and consistant ride, we turned over a working elevator. We will be doing follow up visits to assure the unit is in good working order.
No matter how much your company name and website say that you are residential elevator experts, you are still Amatures if your units are not safe!
Buyers Be Aware! Not everyone who claims to know elevators really does!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Elevators are just parts
We Americans are truly ingenious. We fix our own cars, program our own computers, design our own houses. Why can't we just design and build our own elevator? I have seen some very excellent concept elevators made from garage door openers, forklift masts & Screw jacks.
We go to engineering school to learn applied hydraulics or electrical system design. Then 20 years later we begin to build our dream home and think that our vast knowledge of engineering certifies us to build our personal home elevator.
While there have been successful attempts at this science project and the applied science is good, the practical applications are missing some very crucial concepts that we in the industry take for granted.
SAFETY, SAFETY,SAFETY!
I asked a would be elevator expert today if he had a line rupture valve on his project. He kept saying he had seen other units and his was much safer. The answer was devoid of real understanding. "It will just slowly drop down".
I know his understanding of reaction = opposite reaction may not be felt till his knees buckle as the cab slams into concrete. But it will have worked for some time and he will have only spent 120 hours finding all the parts, 60 hours troubleshooting why his first unit would not stop at the top floor and put a hole in the roof, 40 hours making the call button light stay on when pushed, 200 hours making the cab pretty and 5 minutes to consider what he will say to his son when his grandchild is caught between the 8 inch space between the car and the hoistway door.
Take time to consider your family's safety over your educational pride.
We go to engineering school to learn applied hydraulics or electrical system design. Then 20 years later we begin to build our dream home and think that our vast knowledge of engineering certifies us to build our personal home elevator.
While there have been successful attempts at this science project and the applied science is good, the practical applications are missing some very crucial concepts that we in the industry take for granted.
SAFETY, SAFETY,SAFETY!
I asked a would be elevator expert today if he had a line rupture valve on his project. He kept saying he had seen other units and his was much safer. The answer was devoid of real understanding. "It will just slowly drop down".
I know his understanding of reaction = opposite reaction may not be felt till his knees buckle as the cab slams into concrete. But it will have worked for some time and he will have only spent 120 hours finding all the parts, 60 hours troubleshooting why his first unit would not stop at the top floor and put a hole in the roof, 40 hours making the call button light stay on when pushed, 200 hours making the cab pretty and 5 minutes to consider what he will say to his son when his grandchild is caught between the 8 inch space between the car and the hoistway door.
Take time to consider your family's safety over your educational pride.
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