The G2's are very decent ratchets, I have several...
Two negatives, from my perspective:
- They currently are only available in pretty long versions.
- At full list price, they aren't much of a bargain. At 20%+ off, they start to become more attractive.
Agree 100%
What is the verdict on adding a bit of Super Lube grease in the G2 ratchets? For some reason there was a trend of all the YouTube tools guys doing this on the Gen 1s.
Use the oil, not the grease. I'd also say less is more too...
My top 5 current gripes with ICON:
1. Their screwdriver handles are uncomfortable. If they made a hard-handle grip, I’d be all over them! Also, why no T10 - T30 Torx screwdrivers, or long Phillips/slotted screwdrivers?
2. No 12 point sockets. We’re running into more and more 12 point fasteners in the heavy equipment field.
3. The only color available is red. I would like to see orange, blue, green, purple, yellow, even “blackout”, etc… If you want to compete with the tool trucks, you need to beat them at their own game.
4. How about a comprehensive master service set like the Matco 122 piece set, or the Cornwell Blue Power 288 piece set?
5. Promote. Promote. Promote. ICON t-shirts, hoodies, hats, beanies, socks…
HF runs things pretty clearly by a specific business model and is trying to keep things pretty trim from an inventory perspective. Singles means a lot more SKU's to track/manage/ship/stock. Same thing for colors. I thought they did dip their toe into a master set, but not sure it made it as an ongoing offering.
As for the merch and beating the trucks at their own game, I think HF is not at all interested in competing directly with the trucks. They focus on core products and while they've expanded to a lot more shop-centric tools, they're clearly being pretty selective.
While many of us see it differently, I honestly don't think HF thinks they're competing head-to-head with SnapOn (but they do compete indirectly in certain categories) and SnapOn doesn't really worry about HF at all.
If Harbor Freight wanted to, they could easily run a company-owned truck of some kind based within a certain range from their brick-and-mortar stores, but that would have to move a lot of volume to be successful and really make them change a lot about how they do business.
I had a few thoughts and did some napkin-math on the idea a while back, and while I'm probably only in the general ballpark it's not too hard to see why they're not doing it.
On the other hand, if SnapOn wanted to be more "retail" they'd have their online store structured differently and charge a lot less for shipping. Everything they do protects their current business model of trucks and corporate/gov sales (where most of their profit comes from). HF is a small potatoes to them, picking off the least-sticky business they have. The truck-owners feel differently I'm sure, but that's a whole different thing (and a losing battle anyway - if HF disappeared Lowes/HD/whoever would fill the space and provide similar "competition").
I thought they stopped the entire set required thing... Never had to test that.
That's never been the policy, but has been how some poorly trained or lazy employees have done it here and there.
I thought of i brought in a single they would break a set then put it on the discount track on the back
That's the way they are supposed to do it. If you ever bring a single and they say they need the whole set, ask to speak with the store manager or call their 800 customer assistance line.
