37 replies to this topic

[IronmanG]

Sorry to read of your disappointing experience. It does raise some questions for sure.

I'm actively going out of my way to but anything but Chinese now days. Apart from such mixed qualities, many other manufacturing companies are moving their operations out of China over the past couple of years. It seems the Corona Virus has given the world it's long overdue wake up call that putting all our eggs in one basket isn't smart. I feel by buying goods made in other countries is doing my small bit to help this situation.

Last Jack I bought was a Bahco, made in Sweden. Pleasantly, it was no dearer than the Chinese Jack it replaced. The Chinese item did work well, but only lasted about 2 years before the hydraulics gave up. I figured I could repair it myself, on disassembling it, I found that the fasteners were neither metric or imperial and the seals within were totally oddball, that was when I gave up on it as a bad joke. I've had the Bahco now about 6 or 7 years, still going as well as the day I bought it. It also has a 2 stage pump so is much nicer to use than the Chinese item.

I've found it's definitely worth spending a bit more time seeking out alternatives. While the Jack here was the same money, often what I buy is dearer, but not by a lot, however the quality has been chalk and cheese.

Couldn't agree more

[Vanman20]

I've had snap-on and Sealey trolley jacks in the past.
When I took the snap-on one to my local repair shop for a refurb I was told they are all made by the same factory in China and once they arrive in the UK the appropriate branding labels and packaging are assigned to them.
This was a good few years ago. May have been ******* but lots of red professional jacks did look identical regardless of the brand

[Homersimpson]

While you shouldn't have to modify a new product surely all it wants is a longer bolt with the end ground down to fit in the slot?

 

If the product and price were right then that sounds an easy fix to me.

[PoolGuy]

While you shouldn't have to modify a new product surely all it wants is a longer bolt with the end ground down to fit in the slot?

 

If the product and price were right then that sounds an easy fix to me.

Twenty years ago I’d have done exactly that, unfortunately it’s not a realistic option in these times, you’d lose the warranty for a start. 

[coopertaz]

 

While you shouldn't have to modify a new product surely all it wants is a longer bolt with the end ground down to fit in the slot?

 

If the product and price were right then that sounds an easy fix to me.

Twenty years ago I’d have done exactly that, unfortunately it’s not a realistic option in these times, you’d lose the warranty for a start. 

 

not if you kept the original bolt

[sonscar]

So you buy one of these and are less mechanically adept than some and reason that new from a major retailer means OK.You pull on the handle,it comes out and you injure yourself?It is possible that the retailer has done his due diligence and the manufacturer has altered the parts.Unless they are made aware they will not know.
Take it back is the right thing to me.Steve..

[stuart bowes]

Halfords is alright for sockets, floor mats, etc but for things like jacks / engine stands / 230v or air tools I always prefer Machine Mart .. personally I've never once had anything sub-par from them but I suppose other opinions might vary

 

the worst thing about Halfords is their stock-checking system, recently I checked online, saw the stock was good (but I knew the system is dogsh1t) so I rang as well and asked, they 'looked' and yes sure it's here.  was it "£$"£ .  got them to ring a different branch and sure we've got one.  travelled all that way aaand.. no.   seriously do you ever just forget to breathe and die by accident.. jeez

 

no I avoid them wherever possible

 

at least they stopped making bikes out of tin foil, they're supposed to be pretty good now.. not that I would risk it

Edited by stuart bowes, 29 January 2022 - 05:50 PM.

[cal844]

I have one of the yellow/black Halfords Jacks, it's good but it will drop slowly over a week (doesn't bother me as I usually have timbers or ramps under the floor of the car).

[GT Jimmy]

Got my jack from Costco, can't remember the make but great bit of kit. It doesn't get a lot of abuse though

[InnoCooperExport]

The jack I use most often is a Sonic aluminium racing jack. Lightweight, and not made in China (well they do have a factory in Taiwan but I'm not getting into that particular kettle of fish!). It hasn't let me down yet and I've been using that for yonks. Don't know if you can get Sonic in the UK as they are a Dutch company.

 

Generally, anything that my life depends on I tend to not go to Halfords/MachineMart/HBM/HarborFreight whatever cheap tool retailer you can think of. I have a company nearby who specialise in garage equipment, tools, and consumables for businesses but are open to the great unwashed such as myself. I would always go there for anything like a jack or axle stand. Or I would buy a name brand online. If it's meant to keep 2 tonnes of car from crushing me I'm not going to save a few tenners for safety's sake. Friend of a friend got crushed by his Healey because of improper jacking. Not putting my family through that for the cost of a better jack. 

[MIGLIACARS]

 

 

 

Why is it useless? I never have my lever in permanently as it stores much easier without it attached..

How do you maneuver your jack into position or pull it out from under a vehicle without an attached handle, Spherix?

That's why it's useless, as a pocket in a shroud.

 

 

I use two hands and a brooming motion rather than a tug.

 

I used to drive a van that you could only get into through the passenger door, but I'm fairly sure it wasn't like that when it was new.

 

I had a nova with both passenger and drivers door handles knackered, I used to go in through the boot   lol

[Icey]

I've had snap-on and Sealey trolley jacks in the past.
When I took the snap-on one to my local repair shop for a refurb I was told they are all made by the same factory in China and once they arrive in the UK the appropriate branding labels and packaging are assigned to them.
This was a good few years ago. May have been ******* but lots of red professional jacks did look identical regardless of the brand

I bought a low-profile jack from CostCo a few years ago on a tip-off that they were the same as Snap-On. Put it next to a Snap-On jack and yep, exactly the same baring the labels. While I'm sure most Snap-On stuff is better than average, I have no trust in those big brands anymore, too easy to cash in on brand reputation without any actual quality.

[bpirie1000]

I have to say the majority of my halfords prof3ssional stuff has never given me any issues. Sockets/ratchets and spanners Ll good. Appart from loosing my 10mm and 13mm several times they perform great.

I would also say well done to halfords for straight off replacement.. bravo.. so many companies try to resist these days..

I would also say that i saw the staff changea light bulb whilst my wife was in another shop..... oh my my... rough as you like.... broken clips and charged a fortune.. sure they left it in a right mess.....

Cars these days have so many differences with bulbs and fitments they should up their game and get it right as they loose customers... remember back in the day asking for a clutch and they got it spot on because they knew how to look at the car. These days the staff appear to be students filling in until they leave the study enviroment...

[Icey]

These days the staff appear to be students filling in until they leave the study enviroment...

That’s mostly because it is, at least that’s what I’ve seen. And the reason is that we don’t value retail. No one with any mechanical chops is going to spend any time working there as I assume the wages will be pathetic.

Smaller parts places are a little better but when I’ve seen job ads for them, it’s still barely above minimum wage.

[bpirie1000]

These days the staff appear to be students filling in until they leave the study enviroment...

That’s mostly because it is, at least that’s what I’ve seen. And the reason is that we don’t value retail. No one with any mechanical chops is going to spend any time working there as I assume the wages will be pathetic.

Smaller parts places are a little better but when I’ve seen job ads for them, it’s still barely above minimum wage.

Pay the peanuts........gets the monkeys......