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It’s been close to a year since I posted anything about my saga following my lift collapse. I decided it was important to stay quiet and keep things out of the public eye until it all got worked out. I am happy to report that this is all now in the past. Insurance paid for all the damages to my cars and my house, and I just received final compensation for the value of the lift itself.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of reading all about this 1 1/2 year ordeal, here's some history:
Please note:
I'm not saying that there's anything intrinsically wrong with this lift or it's design. Accidents happen and I think this occurrence served to alter users and manufacturers that a well defined maintenance plan should be included and performed on any major piece of machinery. In the end, I would up being about as knowledgeable about these suckers as anyone in the hobby. And if anyone cares to know, yes, I will eventually be buying another lift!
I thank Bud at Gemini for working with me to get all this settled.
Chris, glad it's over for you, however I was reminded of your ordeal at Corvettes@Carlisle when thumbing through BackYard Buddy's booth they had all you pics off of the Internet :cool: I too had been casually looking at lifts and did buy a BackYard Buddy for $3075 back in April(BEFORE I EVEN WENT TO CARLISLE). I took my car trailer to the factory where they loaded it with a crane onto it. I put it together with some of the heaviest lifting being done with the help of neighbors. I'm not bragging, but I viewed ALOT of lifts, and putting this one together myself I will say one thing---this lift is one HEAVY DUTY SOB!!! I love it---greatest thing I've owned 'cept for the Corvettes themselves. I don't know how I've been working on these C3s for as long as I have without it :lolg: Glad it worked out for you, oh, by the way-where did the "damaged" lift go to??? Back to the mfg???
Re: 4-Post Lift Collapse - Final Chapter (GrandSportC3)
Finally! Glad to hear they did the right thing. Hopefully they also realize that it would have been cheaper (and better) for them had they stepped up to the plate and taken care of things right-off-the-bat.
I'm new round these parts (and to Vette ownership), but after reading through your unfortunate experience I'm sure glad to hear nobody was injured, your cars were not irreparably damaged, and that all the parties involves came through and did the right thing in the end. I personally feel you handled all your documenting posts in a mature and professional manner. Much more so than many of us may have. I'm just happy to hear everything is finally settled, and that life goes on, and we're all a little wiser, one way or another, as a result. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for the thoughts and congratulations. I'm just happy to have all of it over with.
Yewah, it took a LONG time. In the span it took to settle this, my wife and I split up, she bought me out of our house, I sold a few Corvettes, I rented a house for a full YEAR, and just bought a new one for myself. Its a completely new life for me! Now all I need to do now is go back over to the ex's and get rid of the rotting hulk of a lift. I gave Gemini the option of removing the lift or giving me $400 to remove it myself. Now I just need to figure out how....
I wish I could claim that I got a hefty settlement. All I got was the value of my damages. I'm whole and that's what matters.
Its good to see that you guys are still buying lifts. I never wanted the lift industry to be impacted, although I know it was. I should actually talk to Backyard Buddy. They shouldn't be using my pics without my permission. Oh well. I'm gonna be looking into a Double Park once I get my finances settled out.
Also now maybe I can finish getting my f-ing 69 Coupe restored!!!!! :yesnod:
Re: 4-Post Lift Collapse - Final Chapter (joeveto)
That's a hell of a lot of effort to go through only to get what was justly owed to you in the first place. On the bright side, at least you did get compensated for the value of your property. Better luck with your next lift. ;)