Stay away from Simers

[bubb1957]

Last year after a sump pump burned up, I bought a Lifetime warranty 3/4 hp Simer with a vertical float switch. (Bought it before I started reading this fourm). It lasted about 4 months before the switch failed during a heavy rain. Simer would not refund my money, and sent me to Sears. Sears would not give me my money back, but gave me another Simer model 3988 3/4 hp "lifetime guarantee" pump. This float lasted from Dec 5 2006 and has already failed! I have been using a "sump watcher" switch that I purchased online, but tested the original switch today that came with the pump, it failed. Once again, Simer customer svc would not help me, and told me to take it back to sears for exchange. I now have a Zoeller M98 which I will be installing to replace the Simer. Note to all: stay away from Simer and other big box store brands. When I get back from sears, I will have a new Simer for sale

[speedbump]

Simer pump is Red Jacket under another name, now owned by ITT. If you want retrubution, get in touch with someone at ITT.

I guess we know how much "worth" goes into a lifetime warranty.

bob...

[Pumpman]

I'd say that the "lifetime warranty" is a selling point, rather than a testimony to how good the pumps actually are. As I've said before, big box stores sell pumps at a cheap price for a reason. That reason isn't "we want to sell you a really good pump for a really cheap price". I'm sure they've calculated it out that if you have to bring back a pump once in a while, you'll also pick up a few things while you're there.
On the other hand, how many pumps are installed in a service that they were not intended for, and when the pump failed, it took the blame rather than the installer? Many of my service calls involve pumps that are placed in a service for which they were not intended. Yet, when they fail, the DYIer wants to blame the manufacturer. I'll bet Speedbump and others in this business see this all the time, too.
Ron

[speedbump]

We sure do Ron. And the stuff they carry into our shop. If it's Big Box, we don't work on it. First of all we can't get parts for most of it and wouldn't anyway because it's all throw away product.

What's amazing is that for a little more the difference in quality does not offset the difference in price.

bob...

[carmel corn]

We sure do Ron. And the stuff they carry into our shop. If it's Big Box, we don't work on it. First of all we can't get parts for most of it and wouldn't anyway because it's all throw away product.

What's amazing is that for a little more the difference in quality does not offset the difference in price.

bob...

I cringe seeing people buying their sumps at the big box stores. HD has their Rigid brand and will also sell the Flotec junk at prices that seem awfully high to me. Simers are sold at M****d's. It does not take too much effort to find local sources for higher quality equipment (ex. Zoeller, Hydromatic, etc.) at prices that are sometimes less than what they would pay for to get the plastic junk at the big boxes.

[Rancher]

I shop around, but also buy from the big box guys and especially SEARS, why... cuz you can get repair parts, I just fixed a 12 year old 150.00 garage door opener for 30.00, which was the complete set of gears and sprockets, it took me maybe 30 minutes total...

Rancher

[bubb1957]

I guess that unless you are in the business, homeowners like me find out the hard way. When you pay over 175.00 for a "lifetime" pump you would think it would last more than a few months. I now have graduated to the zoeller level, but I will still have to deal with the switch failing. My next house will be one without a basement---problem solved! The knowledge you folks share is awesome. Thanks again.