Black & Decker Alligator Lopper Kit LP1000K

Comment: This is a fine product, works as advertised. However, buy it directly from Amazon.com, not the merchant on Amazon selling it as a "kit" (LP1000K) for $199.99. I paid 95.04 for the lopper on 8-17, without the black bag and goggles - plus free shipping. Don't fall for the absurd "kit" price. Someone from Amazon should check into this. . .

Comment: I recently (June 2008) purchased a Black & Decker Alligator Lopper Kit as advertised on Amazon. I read many reviews for the Alligator Lopper (Model #LP1000) and for the kit (Model #LP1000K). I placed an order for the kit, and had a bad outcome. Please read and learn from my experience.

The descriptions for the kits in the reviews varied a bit, but I wasn't worried, as I've had good luck purchasing from Amazon vendors in the past. The Black & Decker Alligator Lopper Kit arrived about a week after I ordered it. The B&D box was bent up a bit, even though it was in a cardboard overbox. I noticed that the factory sealed B&D box had been opened, and taped back shut, which was not a good sign. When I opened the box, there was no owner's manual, guarantee or registration paperwork. The B&D box was opened by someone, and the two items from the kit (a cheap pair of plastic goggles, and a sleeping bag sack) were placed inside. I expected more items to be included in the kit, based on reading the Amazon reviews. I contacted the Georgia-based vendor (my overbox had a different named sender on it - so the seller used a drop-shipper) and they refused to send the missing kit items. They did promise to send a set of manuals, warranty, and registration paperwork - but never did so. I was not satisfied with the purchase in many ways.

My order from the vendor was supposed (based on other reviews) to include: spare chain, extension cord, B&D gloves and more. I did not receive any of those items. The vendor claims that those items are not included in their kit. This was a puzzler - how could this be? When I checked with Black & Decker, I learned that there is no such thing as a LP1000K model number. Instead, the vendor added a "K" to the B&D model number to make buyers believe the kit they bought was a genuine Black & Decker Alligator Lopper Kit. And the vendor I chose advertised just the goggles and bag listed with the lopper.

So my big lesson in all of this is that there is no such thing as a Black & Decker Alligator Lopper kit with the LP1000K model number. If you buy one of these loppers - keep in mind that any kit designation is fiction, and get a specific listing of the other items you are promised. And as my factory-sealed box was opened by someone, I have no way of knowing what else was removed from the box that was shipped to me. Insist that the vendor send you a brand new B&D LP1000. Don't settle for anyone tampering with a new product.

So far I've contacted Amazon, Black & Decker and my credit card company, as the vendor did nothing to solve the problems, and I waited for over four weeks for them to take action. The Amazon A-z guarantee has been very poor to this point in time, as I have been told that I will have to ship the box back to the vendor and pay for the shipping myself. That will cost around $20 for insured and tracked shipping. It is unclear if I will be reimbursed, so I'm very unhappy with how Amazon has handled this transaction so far.

As I paid for this transaction with my credit card, I can get the charges reversed for this transaction. As a review, the vendor did several things wrong: (1) Advertised a kit with a factory model number when one did not exist; (2) Opened a factory sealed box, removed the owner's manual, guarantee paperwork, registration paperwork, and who know what else; (3) Gave faulty e-mail responses to Amazon with regard to my order, and (4) Has treated this customer very, very poorly. I won't be giving them any recommendations.

So please learn from this disaster of a buying experience, and be very careful when you buy one of the LP1000 Alligator Loppers. I can't comment on how it works - because I haven't used the one that was sent to me (FYI - the #LP1000 is made in China, the People's Republic of China (PRC), the country that is hosting the Olympics in August 2008, and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of refugees in Darfur) and won't use it because I'm sending it back. Perhaps another more ethical company will soon offer a different model lopper - one that is not made in China, and is sold by more ethical vendors!

Comment: I did not get my lopper from this site and paid about $100 less.

I do love the way the machine handles and it took a lot out of my yardwork time which is amazing in itself. I feel much safer that you have to use both hands in order for it to work being as though I've never worked a chainsaw before. Needless to say - I high recommend this product to anyone!

Comment: The alligator is the perfect choice for pruning and cutting up big branches from trees . I was very pleasantly surprised at how powerful the cutting jaws are. It easily sliced through 3-4 inch branches. Chain saws are so noisy, heavy and dangerous. I felt very safe using this. I can think of no cons...just pros and therefore highly recommend buying this. The kit was wonderful. The extention cord, gloves and glasses are high quality and very nice to have. Overall, the perfect pruning tool for homeowners with trees!

Comment: We just got the Alligator lopper today .Would you beleive my wife and I fought over who was going to use it first.She won,I got to try it later. The chain did come once but I think I my have been my fault. Its best to let it get full speed before cutting and to be sure you cut straight, Ihanks Black&decker- Its a great tool.