Garage door opener rip off

The_Deep

My current garage door motor, a Liftmaster, is coming to the end of its life after 16 years of sterling service without even a service. The current price for similar Liftmaster in Screwfix is £210, and Amazon sells cheaper brands from as low as £95.

I have had two local firms come out and both quoted £650 for a "top of the range" German model, as much as four cheap washing machines.

Why should anyone want a "top of the range" opener, I do not drive a top of the range Roller, what does it do that a cheapo one does not?

Who pays these daft prices? I can understand someone paying extra for a Miele w/m, but for a garage door!

This surely is just another example of Rip off Britain.

rich13348

As you have already pointed out there is a competitive market so I'm not sure how you can be getting ripped off. I'm sure other people will have their own reasons for having the top of the line garage door who doesn't understand why you pay ridiculous money for a washing machine when you can just buy a £100 every few years. I don't think your opinion constitutes a rip off.

Also how can it be rip off Britain when you clearly stated the top of the line model comes from Germany.

The_Deep

I think you have misunderstood the raison d'etre of this forum Mr Rich.

wealdroam

The_Deep wrote: »

I think you have misunderstood the raison d'etre of this forum Mr Rich.

I however, do understand the raison d'etre of this forum, which is why I ask why does anyone need an electric garage opener?

The_Deep

wealdroam wrote: »

I however, do understand the raison d'etre of this forum, which is why I ask why does anyone need an electric garage opener?

I take it that you have a single garage. My Garage door is over 5 metres wide, and weighs in excess of 60 kilos, it is extremely difficult to open manually

rich13348

By the sounds of it you were quoted for a whole garage door. I found a Hormann (I'm assuming that's the German brand you were talking about) for 220 including VAT. So you can't compare like for like. Also did the local firms quote you for fitting. Screwfix doesn't do fitting. I still don't understand your argument if someone wants quality then let them pay more no one is making you buy German.

The_Deep

By the sounds of it you were quoted for a whole garage door.

No, the door cost over £2,000, in 1999, this is just for the electric motor.

I agree, if someone wants to pay silly money for a German door, that is up to them, but the fact remains that the existing door worked perfectly for 16 years. If is not as if one is buying a BMW or Audi, a garage door motor is just that, an electric motor.

I suspect that the two firms who quoted enjoy a huge mark up on this product, which is why this is the only one they supply, it is a wonder that they stay in business.

27col

Your money. Your choice.

Alias_Omega

The_Deep wrote: »

The current price for similar Liftmaster in Screwfix is £210

£199.99 on the trade account, even less with the 10% off Promo code.

The_Deep

Alias_Omega wrote: »

£199.99 on the trade account, even less with the 10% off Promo code.

Ah, a true money saver.