Customer Reviews
A Winner 
2006-08-29
Should have bought this long ago....very sturdy, very stable, and works as advertised. Replaced my 16' ladder, 10' step ladder, and 6' step ladder. Effortless to use. Got it for $99.00 at the local Costco.
Why Did I Wait? 2006-08-27
I had always been attracted to the Swiss Army Knife characteristics of this type of ladder but felt I could never justify buying one. An upcoming job changed that, I need to do some work for a customer that has a ceiling too low for a stepladder and not high enough to justify my 20' extension. So after reading everything about all the ladders sold on Amazon, I settled on the MT-17 because for $99 at Costco, like so many other who wrote reviews, how could I not? I was concerned it might not be large enough for future work but after testing it out by changing air filters in my own 14' ceiling I was extremely impressed.
I would also take a line here to complain how ladder manufacturers think it's a valid point to advertise "reach" based on an "average" person on the topmost level as more important than the actual size. Like measuring TV's diagonally. Except different. I just want to know the length of the thing, not how far they think I should be able to work from it.
Forgetting about the price for a moment, the size and weight when folded pretty much sold me. It can even sit unobtrusively in a home closet and be ready to go in a second. The mechanisms work smoothly and solidly, the operation is a little challenging alone, but certainly easier than wrangling the huge extension ladder through a narrow hall. A friend who had one complained about the aggressively sharp edges of the hinges, to this I would say "wear gloves". I usually do anyway. There is a possibility of guillotining one's arm when lowering the extension while vertical, but with practice this can be avoided. For the record, it weighs in at 36 pounds.
It is solid and stable and I wish I had bought it long ago. Should it prove too small for a job in the future I might consider the MT-22, but for now this is perfect. I know the Little Giant has more frills (wheels, even) but seriously, 3 times the cost? Usually when I see a high-end brand name in use I am impressed, but now if I notice a LG around I'd think, "Someone didn't do the math."
Why does this ladder cost half as much at Costco? 
2006-08-05
I don't know what I was thinking; I saw some others here saying that they found this ladder at Costco for $99, but for some reason, I thought they were looking at a knock-off. Nope--on my most recent visit to a local Costco (in July 2006), there it was. Same ladder, same model, same packaging. $99. Grrr. And no, it's not available on Costco's site (else you could get Amazon to match the price). I'm especially ticked off because I anted up for an Amazon Prime membership, and I still had to pay an extra $25 for shipping. Grrr, again.
As for the ladder itself, it's fine. It's quite heavy, mainly because you're carrying around two ladders in one. That's not a big complaint; because it's so heavy, it's very, very stable. It feels very safe to use even on uneven ground. But extending it is much more work than with an extension ladder, because you must lift both sides at once. The locking mechanisms are pretty stiff, but I haven't gotten around to lubricating the ones on mine.
I wish the angle of opening had more adjustment points. It only allows you to have the ladder fully collapsed, or one open stepladder-oriented position, or in extension ladder orientation. Some points in between would be very useful.
Another gripe: Perhaps it's my imagination, but the steps seem shorter than with other ladders. When I stand on it, I like to brace my knees against the next step from where I'm standing, but on this ladder, the next step hits me in the shins--not very comfy.
But overall, owing to the extreme sturdiness and stability, I think it's a good product.
Going to keep it till it breaks, then buy the same again!!! 2006-07-15
Best value for money, at 108 including tax from costco, this is by far the best ladder you can get. Works great as a simple ladder, plus you can use it as two separate sawhorses, or extend it to climb on the roof of your house (like me!). Extremely sturdy and feels really strong! I'm really glad I read the reviews here and did not waste money on a Gorillaz or Giant Ladder.
Great 14 FT Ladder; $99 at Costco 2-2006 2006-02-26
After researching this ladder online and the Little Giant, I checked my local Costco in Los Angeles (Marina Del Rey) to see if it really was available. Yes, it was the only ladder, the only size they had. At $99 it is a great deal.
Be aware that the extension rating is misleading. I needed a 13 ft ladder to reach my roof. I first purchased a Werner MT-13 (13FT) at Loew's on sale for $79, regular price $99, only to find the maximum extension was actually 10 1/2 ft NOT 13 ft on a ladder advertised to be 13 ft. So I returned it then found the helpful notes on this site about the availability of the Werner MT-17 ft ladder at Costco for $99 -- the same regular price as the 13 ft ladder at Loew's. Likewise, the 17 ft extension is actually about 14 1/2 ft NOT 17 ft.
The extension has an unusual and unexpected flex at the main hinge when fully extended which is a bit unsettling and, once understood, one may find it acceptable or not.
Loew's also carries a 17ft ladder made by Cosco (not to be confused with Costco) at about $159. It is also a Little Giant knock-off but has a lower weight rating (225 lbs) and is a bit cheaper with plastic parts and less sturdy. Go for the Werner; it is a better ladder all around: sturdier, with a higher weight rating (300 lbs) and made of better materials. The Werner 17ft ladder is a great buy at Costco at $99 particularly considering it is the same price as the smaller 13 ft ladder.
Compare with Little Giant Ladders, Werner wins 2007-07-07
I defy most anyone to tell the difference, if indeed there are any significant differences -- I can't find them -- between Little Giant brand ladders and Werner. Where you will find the difference is at the check out cash register. Werner is half the price. Oops sorry: I meant less than half the price. This is a great ladder, with its versatility, flexibility, and robust strength. Well designed. Stores in a small space too.
great product 2007-01-15
Received the ladder quickly and it was everything it was stated to be. Am very pleased.
Costco is out 2007-01-04
I was at my at my local Costco store last night looking for one of these ladders, I only could find one abandoned in the back, the service desk told me this the last one they have and it is a return, but this item is deleted from their inventroy and no longer will be carried by Costco, ( pattent problem ?) she searched the other stores in state and could not find one, so I grabbed the one they had, and I am glad I did. this ladder is solid as a rock and a winner. Sorry I can not tell you about the Amazon ladder.
Toolman 
2006-09-29
I purchased this ladder for the capability to use it in a tall stairway, and for the use with scafolding. I have the same looking scafolding as in the picture on the sale page, however the ladder rails are 1/4" too narrow, so it won't work. The extra braces for setting up the scafolding with the ladder part that separates from the main ladder won't stay in the groove of the rail. They're not made very well to fit where they should, and I shouldn't have to modify them to make it work. On a positive note the ladder is useful otherwise.
No work platform? 2006-09-12
From all the reviews I have read here this ladder looks like the one for me. One thing I have not seen in the reviews is the work platform that comes with the Werner MT17 offered from Q.V.C. for $172.68 + $23.72 S&H. I would think a work platform would cost about $40.00 if purchased as an accessory which Amazon does not offer. And the reviews form the people purchasing this ladder from Costco did not mention anything about a work platforn included. So this ladder from Amazon is not a great buy if you have to lay out extra money for a work platform, which I need. Totals > From Q.V.C. with work platform > $172.68 + $23.72s&h + N.Y. tax= $214.64. From Amazon > without work platform $173.35 + $25.00s&h + $0 tax= $198.35 -$25.00 Cash back until 9/30/06 = $173.35 + $40.00 work platform =$213.35.
Less than one dollar difference! I guess if my Costco has the MT17 for $100.00 that is the best way to go. Just don't know where to get the work platform accessory from?
