Another bleepin ladder post.

[Ben H]

Check this out guys. I'm shopping for one of those new fangled telescoping ladders all the kids have now a days and came across this.

This is a prime example of why you must shop carefully on e-bay. At first glance this seems like the deal of the year. A 12 ft Xtend and Climb for a buck fifty shipped? Hell yeah, I'm in. But don't click that buy it now button so fast. Look closely and read carefully. It's a knock-off ladder. BUT......

The real Xtend and Climbs are made in China. I'll bet dollars to donuts this one is too. Who thinks they roll out of the same factory?[:-blindfo I'd say it's plausible.

I thought I'd share and maybe you folks that actually have a real X&C could look at that tiny pic, and give up a comparison.

Ladder

[Richard Saunders]

I wouldn't buy it no matter where it's made.

[John Kogel]

I would say if it really does weigh close to 30 lbs, it is likely to be very similar to the real thing. Will what they ship match what's in the picture? It is not that much $ to take a gamble and try it.

You could always resell it on eBay. []

[Bill Kibbel]

The first picture is of the 15.5' Type I Xtend & Climb. The following 2 pics are of a product I don't recognize.

Some time ago, Xtend & Climb issued a warning about purchasing inexpensive copies from auction sites. If it seems to good to be true...

[Robert Jones]

I paid about $170 for my Xtend and Climb around 4 yrs ago. I purchased it off EBay and that price included the shipping. I love it for the interior attic scuttles.

BTW; I could swear that the max weight for their ladder is 300#'s.(Top of the line model)

[caryseidner]

It must be my eyes Ben, but where does it say or why do you believe it's a knock-off?

[Brandon Whitmore]

It must be my eyes Ben, but where does it say or why do you believe it's a knock-off?

The statement below has me wondering.

HEAVY DUTY EXTEND AND CLIMB TELESCOPIC STYLE LADDER

[Ben H]

It must be my eyes Ben, but where does it say or why do you believe it's a knock-off?

HEAVY DUTY EXTEND AND CLIMB TELESCOPIC STYLE LADDER

The real ladders are Xtend, no E in the name. You might be right Carey, it may be real, and the seller just doesn't know how to spell.

[Richard Moore]

The picture is of the 15.5' model (rated at 250lb). Also, as Rob said, the max rating is 300lbs for a "contractor grade" 12.5' model which is much heavier ladder than the 24lb quoted.

I'm really not sure what that all adds up to. A knock-off, or someone who has gotten hold of a bunch on the cheap and just doesn't know he's talking about? My bet would be the latter. BTW...if you put "extend & climb" into E-bays search box there are also some at $93.99 or under $120 with shipping. It looks like the same guy though.

Maybe 3 or 4 years ago, I found a vendor with Telesteps on sale for $100. I bought 2, sold one, and kept the other as a backup (still unused). They sure seem like the real thing. I should have bought more.

I would say at $120, it's worth the gamble. Just don't expect the heavy duty model.

[caryseidner]

It must be my eyes Ben, but where does it say or why do you believe it's a knock-off?

HEAVY DUTY EXTEND AND CLIMB TELESCOPIC STYLE LADDER

The real ladders are Xtend, no E in the name. You might be right Carey, it may be real, and the seller just doesn't know how to spell.

Anybody can make a spelling error. For instance my name is spelled "Cary" not "Carey"[]

[Ben H]

It must be my eyes Ben, but where does it say or why do you believe it's a knock-off?

HEAVY DUTY EXTEND AND CLIMB TELESCOPIC STYLE LADDER

The real ladders are Xtend, no E in the name. You might be right Carey, it may be real, and the seller just doesn't know how to spell.

Anybody can make a spelling error. For instance my name is spelled "Cary" not "Carey"[]

Touché[:-paperba

The other part that makes me think I might get took is the fact that this seller list all auctions private, and there doesn't seem to be the link for "ask seller a question". I've been buying and selling on Ebay for years, I think my rating has tipped 500. I've yet to be burned. But on the other hand even if it is fake, if it's built half decent, my 180 pounds 3 times a week in a attic hole shouldn't be too hard on it.

[Jim Katen]

. . . But on the other hand even if it is fake, if it's built half decent, my 180 pounds 3 times a week in a attic hole shouldn't be too hard on it.

Ah, but the question is: When it fails & you fall down, will the floor be too hard on you?

[Ben H]

. . . But on the other hand even if it is fake, if it's built half decent, my 180 pounds 3 times a week in a attic hole shouldn't be too hard on it.

Ah, but the question is: When it fails & you fall down, will the floor be too hard on you?

Point taken Jim. I don't know why I'm trying to talk myself into a junk ladder. I don't buy cheap tools, period. A ladder is no different.