I spent a good while looking for a good diy trolley jack and after reading a lot of reviews, plumped for a low entry one, model TJL2, from SGS Engineering in Derby.

 

Granted, it was only £40 including delivery, but after reading the reviews on their site, I was expecting better than what arrived.

 

It does not sit flat on a flat surface, there is weld spatter on the inside of the side walls, the bolts are ill fitting in the holes and in the width of the assembly, the lifting arm does not sit central and the handle and lifting mechanism is ridiculously loose.

Also I have removed three sharp bits of metal from the edge of one of the wheel support brackets which could have caused quite a nasty gash if I had not seen these.

Also it takes approx. 45 pumps to full height, is this normal? (I appreciate it is not sold as a "Quick Lift" jack). And I had to bleed it otherwise it was 95 pumps. No exaggeration.

 

All of the 31 reviews are very positive and every single one has been given thumbs up. Just the odd thumbs down thrown in.

Would anyone else find this a bit suspect? I do not think these are verified purchases / purchasers either.

 

My main gripe is the (dodgy? IMO) reviews.

 

Any input before I leave a review.

 

Cheers.

 

Have you contacted the supplier about your discontent?.

IMHO it's only fair you give them an opportunity to rectify the issue before you 'get all keyboard warrior' JMTPW

This was a consideration of mine also, but what could I expect them to do though, apart from me returning it, which would be a right pain.

It is probably not much worse than any other jacks at this price, and identical to a yellow Halfords one on ebay @ £35.

I wanted some input before I communicate with them, and to know if the lifting strokes at 45 to full height is normal?

Cheers.

I would say not fit for purpose given tthat it does not sit level on a flat surface and has a lifing arm off centre.

I would say not fit for purpose given tthat it does not sit level on a flat surface and has a lifing arm off centre.

I don't think I could argue this, as so long as it lifts a car safely it would be fit for purpose. I haven't tried it yet though.

 

My worry, and the reason I looked at so many reviews (inc Auto Express) for quality, is that when I borrowed a neighbours old jack, upon lowering it, the (fixed) pin through the front of the two side connecting rods hit the side of the jack and would not lower. I had to use another jack to remove that one.

 

Thanks tho.

I have looked at their Website, read the reviews on the £39.99 jack.

 

I would be contacting them tomorrow and see what they want to do before writing any review.

Then you will fairly be able to commenting on what you received and how they dealt with the issues.

Edited 25 March, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

I am still using a 2 ton Trolley purchased cheap nowadays for £12 from Motorist Discount Center and it has not caused damage to any Skoda I have owned.

Pretty sure an old Halfords one has done me fine for years. Only slight downside is it doesn't have a flat plate.

My halfords low jack was £40 i think

Well made and about 10 pumps to full height

A jack that does not sit flat on a flat surface is (NOT) safe to use or fit for purpose. When you lift, all the Weight will be on one side of the jack.

If you got it online. You can send it back in 7 days no questions asked by law.

If you email them and they are a decent company they will replace/ refund or compensate you.

I have a silverline very cheap jack works well and no dodgy welding marks, it hasn't malfunctioned yet.

If you got it online. You can send it back in 7 days no questions asked by law.

 

 

I think it's 14 days from delivery.  

A jack that does not sit flat on a flat surface is (NOT) safe to use or fit for purpose. When you lift, all the Weight will be on one side of the jack.

To be fair on this one, I am talking kitchen worktop flat, and it is not that far off. The ground is never going to be that flat.

Once the jack started lifting the weight of the vehicle it would all touch down, I am sure.

 

Thanks for everyone's  input. I think I will send correspondence and see what they say. Cheers.

I have looked at their Website, read the reviews on the £39.99 jack.

 

I would be contacting them tomorrow and see what they want to do before writing any review.

Then you will fairly be able to commenting on what you received and how they dealt with the issues.

Thanks for looking bud.

 

Would you agree, or not, that the reviews look a little suspicious?

Yes i would.

From your OP i was not sure if you bought direct or via Amazon.

 

I have various similar jacks i carry in vehicles instead of a OEM Jack.

Some are OK, and i have over the years had ones that sat unused and when called upon did not and would not work.

 

You never know when something is a crap copy, or the real deal and a proper Bargain.

 

As far as i would go with this Company is let them make the gesture of sending you a replacement,

maybe an Upgrade and their Courier or Postal Company can return the Duff one.

 

If they advertise Full Price, and offer price, the Value & Quality should not be the 'Much Cheapness' Price and the item just Sharn.

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-contracts-regulations

I have the same jack, and after very little use it started leaking at the collar.  Contacted SGS and they asked me to return it for repair.  Took about a week for my jack to be returned and although I didn't get my promised refund of postage, they did repair it satisfactory and it has been fine since.

I have the same jack, and after very little use it started leaking at the collar.  Contacted SGS and they asked me to return it for repair.  Took about a week for my jack to be returned and although I didn't get my promised refund of postage, they did repair it satisfactory and it has been fine since.

What about the overall quality of the rest of the jack when it arrived?

How long ago did you purchase it, and did you leave a review?

 

I purchased mine directly, but unsure if they actually manufacture these themselves. I assumed they do, BUT their website only states they STOCK the best. And Halfords Ebay have an identically designed, yellow one.

 

I have sent an email now, so awaiting a reply. I don't want the hassle of sending it back.

 

Cheers.

Edited 26 March, 201511 yr by Tilt

My SGS 2.5T Racing Jack has been absolutely faultless as has the press I bought from them

I have 2 of the SGS 2T I think they are standard jacks (2 as it means I can jack both sides and I can't really use the longer handled ones in the confined garage), both have been faultless for 6months or so and my car has been up and down more than an average maintenance home mechanic would normally do.

 

I would take yours in for repair or even exchange. May be easier to do if you can pop to the office and do it in person.

The cheap SGS jack looks identical to the one I bought from machine mart, apart from the colour.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

What about the overall quality of the rest of the jack when it arrived?

How long ago did you purchase it, and did you leave a review?

 

I purchased mine directly, but unsure if they actually manufacture these themselves. I assumed they do, BUT their website only states they STOCK the best. And Halfords Ebay have an identically designed, yellow one.

 

I have sent an email now, so awaiting a reply. I don't want the hassle of sending it back.

 

Cheers.

 

The jack itself was fine when I received it.  Nothing like the things you describe.  I would say it is worth the money I paid for it (from them direct on their website).  Don't write reviews normally, so this was no exception.  Sure it is not nice to send it back (especially as it weighs a tonne!) and be promised something that then doesnt materialise, but the repair was good and I've had my money's worth of use out of it now.

 

If you ask me, would I order one again, then the answer would probably no, I'd go for something more expensive and durable...

I would never buy any big piece of garage kit online as I like to see it first.

I bought a Halfords jack from their professional range around 15 years ago when it was on sale for £70 and it is still going strong now.

Its always worth paying a bit more for good kit on something like that.