Infomercial Ads

DELUXE GOPHER PICK UP & REACHING TOOL

Description: The Deluxe Gopher is the handy helper that reaches so you don't have to. Objects big and small are no match for the Gopher - with just one finger the Gopher locks on so you can pick up, take out, and put back without any effort.

Reviews (18):

Deluxe?
Reviewer: pigluv Glendale, NY 12-26-2002
I bought this as a gift for Christmas, and I'm almost embarassed to give it. I don't know how it can be called deluxe, when it's just thin pieces of aluminum that look like they will bend with use. Of course I can't try it out to see if it works, because it's a gift. I do hope it works...

Works great, but . . .
Reviewer: Terry Torrance, CA 06-20-2004
This product serves it's intended purpose well. It is easy to use, unlike other similar products, it can hold onto objects of unusual shape relatively firmly, without danger of over squeezing them. If you wanted to, you could pick up eggs without fear. That being said, the rubber suction cups which are one part of the design that makes it work so well, are also it's weakest link. They tend to loosen up and fall off, where you do not notice them. We have lost a few now. There does not seem to be any way to order spare parts, so that compounds the problem. If you are willing to check the tightness of the screws that hold the cups on, each time before you use this product, I would recommend it. Otherwise, it will be useful for only a short time.

We love it!!
Reviewer: Anonymous 07-08-2003
It's advertised for older folks who can't reach far, but we found a different use. We have two young children who are forever dropping things in the car. Rather than stop, pull over, get out and give it back, we can hand it to them directly (not the driver of course). We saved valuable start and stop time on our eastern seaboard vacation - besides it's much safer than pulling onto the sholder of a major highway! It's not flimsy at all and it can pick up things as small as hair barretts or a piece of paper without trouble!

Needs Parts
Reviewer: Anonymous Arizona 02-09-2005
My first gopher lost a suction cup while getting a sack of sugar of a grocery store shelf. I have not been able to find replacement suction cups anywhere. Apparently it will not handle five pound loads as advertised.
My second gopher (needed after the first lost an irreplacable suction cup) lost both suction cups while trying to pick up a wrench from a rough concrete floor.
I will not buy another gopher until Ontel provides replacement suction cups (preferably free since I've bought two of them and they both failed in the same manner).
It seems Ontel's opinion is what do you expect for ten bucks. I expect it to work as advertised and last more than six months. I cannot afford a new one every six months so will try to find a competitor who will stand behind his product.

Gopher Pick Up and Reaching Tool
Reviewer: Smokey Ohio 01-03-2005
This product would be the answer to our wishes if only the suction cups didn't dry out and fall off after a few months!
I wouldn't buy another Gopher if they were 50 cents each! It is disappointing to find such a well designed tool, only to have this most important part fail to hold up! Perhaps the rubber is not of good quality or the screws are not the best way to fasten to the prongs...to keep gluing cups back on is not an option for older people.

Totally AWESOME!! Greatest thing ever invented!!!
Reviewer: Smokey Illinois 08-29-2004
Perhaps that is pushing it a bit, but we do love our Deluxe Gopher. We use it for picking up toys on the floor, sippy cups behind and under the sofa, grabbing DVDs stored high...just about everything. We did encounter the same problem someone had below with the suction cups falling off, but once we found them, I used strong glue to stick them in place and it has been working great ever since. In fact, we are getting a ton of them for friends and family for Christmas!! Isn't that insane!

Where's the photo?
Reviewer: zephyrette Orem, Ut 06-28-2004
I am interested in purchasing the Deluxe Gopher, so I'll give it five stars for the idea- but I am wondering why your photo of the product doesn't match the ones in the "demo" photos with people using them for different purposes?I tried to offer my "helpful suggestion" in checking the box which you graciously made available in order to get this helpful feedback, but then entering the box to give the description of the problem, I noticed that there is absolutely NO WAY anyone can respond, as the cursor only allows TEN spaces in which to enter a response! Now what does this convey? Either the web page needs a fix, or the real desire for feedback is just for show.Just wondered. I figure if I write this, someone will at least read it and perhaps it will be helpful. As soon as I see that the photos in the demos are of the same product as the ones shown for sale, then I will purchase the Deluxe Gopher.I'll check back.Thanks for giving me a voice here, as I see no other contact information anywhere else.myfield@webtv.net

Useful But Flimsy
Reviewer: Jon Kreisler New York City, NY 02-18-2004
The Gopher is a useful tool idea that can use some product enhancement. It is nice that it folds for easier storage. It allows you to reach for items in hard-to-reach places. Small items can be retrieved from high shelves with ease. It is rated to lift five pounds, but I don't trust it that much. The heavier the item, the more strain on your wrist and on the Gopher.
I tried using the Gopher to replace a light bulb. Seems like this would be the ideal tool to grab the bulb from a ceiling fixture and replace it. Not so. The locking mechanism doesn't grip tightly enough. You can loosen the bulb, but as the bulb loosens, so does the Gopher's grip. I was also unable to tighten the replacement bulb sufficiently. The locking grip didn't hold and it was too difficult rotating the Gopher while maintaining pressure on the pistol grip.
The bottom line for me, the Gopher is a handy tool for reaching small, light, non-fragile items. It is a definite boon for people who are forced to be sedentary. It does not do the trick, however, for heavy items or items requiring a tight grip.

Gathers Eggs
Reviewer: Anonymous 02-21-2005
I use the Gopher to gather my chicken eggs. This way I don't have to bend over or have the chicken peck if she is upset. It is also useful for picking fruit, like apricots, that are bunched along a branch.

Suction Cup Problem
Reviewer: Anonymous 08-12-2004
I love this product except for the fact that it keeps losing its suction cups. I re-attach them as long as they will stay on... but I'm on my 3rd tool already. I don't think I'll be buying another one.

Handy except for lost suction cups
Reviewer: Anonymous 12-21-2003

This is a very handy item for picking up anything without having to bend over, but the suction cups have a tendency to come off and get lost. It would be nice if replacement cups could be located and purchased.

Flimsy folding joint
Reviewer: Robert S. Traber Escondido, CA USA 05-25-2005
If you want a strong tool this is NOT for you. The folding joint broke within 3 or 4 weeks under normal household use. The rubber cups easily pull off metal studs. There is no place to get repairs. While the Gopher is really cheap, I now need to buy another one because it only lasted a month! I found the original version of this product called the ArcMate EZ Reacher and it's guaranteed forever! The price is twice the Gopher but the durability and guarantee make it a better bargain. The Gopher product seems to be a cheap knock-off of the more durable ArcMate reachers.

Gopher- no replacement parts?!
Reviewer: A Content Mom "J. Trahan" Santa Clarita, CA 05-10-2005
When I saw the tv ads for the Gopher I knew it was just what I needed and my husband ordered the deluxe set for me. I used them constantly to reach and grab things as I have a herniated disk in my lower back and am not supposed to bend over or reach above my head. I gave one to my grandfather and used the other one until the cable snapped about a year later(the locking mechanism broke first). Just like others have shared here, this product is not able to pick up 5 lbs. and the suction cups are always coming unscrewed. We replaced both (so I can have one upstairs and down), only buying 1 Gopher. I recently accidentally stepped on the Gopher and broke one of the suction cups and am disappointed there is no replacement part available. I will try gluing it back on as I don't feel like investing in another one at this time or buying another EZ Reacher by Arcoa(at $20) since they are not as convenient. I bought the EZ Reacher from the local hardware store when I couldn't find any Gophers and I liked it's heavy-duty capability. The suction cups are bolted on and there is no inner cable that can break. However, it does not have a locking mechanism and can't be folded. Finally, it would be nice for such a useful tool as the Gopher (or any of its counterparts) to be better designed and more reliable, but I guess that's asking too much of a "bargain" tool.

needs parts
Reviewer: sherman Arizona 02-09-2005
My first gopher lost a suction cup while getting a sack of sugar of a grocery store shelf. I have not been able to find replacement suction cups anywhere. Apparently it will not handle five pound loads as advertised.
My second gopher (needed after the first lost an irreplacable suction cup) lost both suction cups while trying to pick up a wrench from a rough concrete floor.
I will not buy another gopher until Ontel provides replacement suction cups (preferably free since I've bought two of them and they both failed in the same manner).
It seems Ontel's opinion is what do you expect for ten bucks. I expect it to work as advertised and last more than six months. I cannot afford a new one every six months so will try to find a competitor who will stand behind his product.

Totally AWESOME!! Greatest thing ever invented!!!
Reviewer: sherman Illinois 08-29-2004
Perhaps that is pushing it a bit, but we do love our Deluxe Gopher. We use it for picking up toys on the floor, sippy cups behind and under the sofa, grabbing DVDs stored high...just about everything. We did encounter the same problem someone had below with the suction cups falling off, but once we found them I used strong glue to stick them in place and it has been working great ever since. In fact, we are getting a ton of them for friends and family for Christmas!! Isn't that insane!

Rusted suction cup screws. Cannt find replacement cups
Reviewer: Anonymous Boston, Ma area 07-28-2006
I bought the Gopher for use in a greenhouse. The attraction was the stainless steel arm and aluminun shaft. One would expect the screws to also be SS, but they rusted immediately. Cannot find replacement suction cups anywhere and no mfr name/address is stamped on the product. Great idea, but unfortunately useless junk due to two worthless screws!

need replacement suction cups
Reviewer: Anonymous 09-18-2007
product is helpful but suction cups fall off all the time and I am unable to order replacements - therefore would not recommend this product

useful for a very short time - very shoddy workmanship
Reviewer: Anonymous Jupiter, Florida 01-11-2008
Used to lift cereal boxes from the top shelf of the cabinet. The suction cup disappeared and now we cannot use the gopher. It was barely three months old!! I certainly expected to get more use from the gopher that is advertised as being strong enoughn to lift a five pound bag of sugar!! I will not buy another gopher and will advise my friends and relatives of it's poor performance.

Average Reviewer Rating:

Add my review on this item