Well that went quite badly!

It seemed like such a good idea when I saw it on the endcap at the LHBS. I bought a Fermtech Auto-Siphon for 3/8" regular carboys/pails/jugs, but there was a problem. It neglected to say on the package that this product only works with really short carboys. I had to modify the thing in the middle of trying to rack to the secondary and then I was able to get it through the mouth of the carboy and extend it. Then in the process of moving the end to get out of the trub I lost my siphon but there was no way to restart it since the part you have to hold on to to pump was down in the carboy What a pain in the rear. I guess I'll stick with the racking cane.

Are you sure you didn't buy the MINI one, which is intended for 1-gallon mini-batches:
http://www.fermtech.on.ca/resources/ASS3web.jpg

The full-sized one has been more than long enough for all the carboys/buckets I have ever used it with...
http://www.fermtech.on.ca/resources/ASS1web.jpg

edit: you say it's the 'regular' one.... How tall is your carboy??

The bigger one is long enough for use in my 15 gallon fermenter...

that definitely sounds like the mini-siphon, which is maybe 14" long, while the original auto-siphon is like 32".

its hella handy for 1-2gal batches, which I do for mead sometimes.