Well "rebuilt" is one thing, reconditioned is what I referred to.
The batteries aren't simply "checked as good" and re-sold. Often times cells are replaced, acid levels are adjusted, the battery is cleaned and re-painted, new cables are installed. Granted that is not what most people would consider rebuilt but it is reconditioned. I trust that many of the same people who take issue with reconditioned batteries sell reconditioned forklifts all the time. What exactly makes a reconditioned forklift any better than a used forklift?
The answer is all the same things that make a reconditioned battery better than a simply used battery. They are checked for problems, repaired as needed and repainted and they cost half as much. I would go so far as to say that the quality of recon batteries I've seen over the years far exceeds the quality of recon forklifts I've come across.
I know Gib in Indiana sells an excellent product and I've seen a few other dealers that do a great job but most dealers selling a reconditioned lift are simply selling a cheap paint job and a tune up. And maybe battery dealers are the same, I don't know. I just know that the batteries we sell are obtained from excellent, reputable vendors and our customers are happy with their purchase.
As to the original post on this thread, I contacted Midwest Lift through their website and they claim the negative comment on their google page stems from a guy in OH who dropped his forklift 4 feet from the loading dock and tried to turn it back in on their 30-day money back promise. The very dangerous condition was that it caught fire. They point to their 100% positive feedback rating on ebay.
But as far as batteries are concerned, our typical customer calls up and says they need to get their truck up and running again without spending $4500. Most if not all of them use their lift less than 2 hours a day. In these cases, a new battery is a waste of money. The 80% recon battery will last a long long time at only 2 hours a day use, a few times a week. And for that, $2200 is a much better deal.