I purchased my Little Giant a few years ago. I have used it intermittently for the entire time, however have never been abusive in its use.
My ladder developed a lot of slop in the hinges. The travel, or play, in the hinges in the A-frame position is over 6 inches. The play is over 1 1/2 inches in the extension configuration. The play in the extension configuration is enough that you feel very unsecure when getting on and off the ladder. I believe the hinges are failing. They were not like this when I purchassed the ladder.
I sent my ladder back to Wing Corp. Via Fed Ex after many emails and a few phone calls. They told me they would have the warranty department look at my ladder. I told them I was skeptical as I had spoken with a man who had this same issue, which indeed resulted in the ladder collapsing and him being severly injured. He was told by Wing at the time that the ladder was fine and it was his fault. He had to get a lawyer. Wing ended up paying the medical bills and sending him a new ladder.
I was assured on the phone that they would inspect my ladder thoroughly and make things right. Today, I was told by their customer service representative that the ladder had been inspected and that it was fine. The play in the hinges is normal, not only for my ladder, but for all Little Giant ladders. When I heard this I asked why they didn't build them that way if this was the norm? The ladder was not like this when I bought it, and in fact the demonstration showed how solid the ladder was when assembled.
We arrived at an impass. I plan to have my ladder inspected by an OSHA representative, and file complaints with the better business bureaus in both Utah and Oregon. One customer service representative told me that the ladder, as I described it, was unsafe and shouldn't be used. A salesman for the company told me, in person, that my ladder should not behave in this manner and that he felt the Type I was unsafe.
This company has the worst customer service I have run into. I believe that they are completely aware of the issues with this ladder model and design/workmanship and don't want to face replacing a lot of ladders that they have sold.
Watch for my YouTube video coming soon, demonstrating the defective ladder.
0 comments