So they did change the Warranty policy in regards to Needing the Receipt? Thats not completely off the wall as there are other tool companies that are going this route. In a much smaller aspect i remember when Sears did the same thing on some of there specialty tools such as Torque wrenches. My grandfather bought a Sears torquewrench back in the 70's and around the 90's something broke inside, He took it into Sears and they denied him warranty service initially because of this new policy (1 Year warranty), He then asked to speak to a manager and they did a 1 time warranty because when he purchased the TW it was under the Lifetime warranty.
My Harbor Freight Investment
- Thread starter MechanicNamedJohn
- Start date
So they did change the Warranty policy in regards to Needing the Receipt? Thats not completely off the wall as there are other tool companies that are going this route. In a much smaller aspect i remember when Sears did the same thing on some of there specialty tools such as Torque wrenches. My grandfather bought a Sears torquewrench back in the 70's and around the 90's something broke inside, He took it into Sears and they denied him warranty service initially because of this new policy (1 Year warranty), He then asked to speak to a manager and they did a 1 time warranty because when he purchased the TW it was under the Lifetime warranty.
nothings wrong with what i have, i just want the new better quality ones
scott37300
Well-known member
Then why didn't you buy the "new better quality ones"? If you buy a new car and it has a 5 year warranty on it and they come out with a "new better quality one" do you think that you should be able to trade your used car in for an even trade for a brand "new better quality one"? Some people think that the world owes them something.
ouldn't be warrantying f
Cars don't come with a satisfaction guarantee. That said I wouldn't be warrantying solely for a newer model.
scott37300
Well-known member
HF hand tools don't come with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee either.
"Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that our products meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. "
No where in the lifetime warranty does it say "satisfaction guarantee". Or that you can trade in for newer models just because. In my opinion that is wrong and taking advantage of companies. I know some sellers on here specialize in buying used tools and getting new ones and selling them for top dollar, I also think this is wrong.
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
When you walk in the door to HF, there use to be a sign hanging from the ceiling, stating something along the lines of... Satisfaction guaranteed, for any reason, No questions asked, etc, etc.
30 Days from Original Purchase Date.... (Per Website) for Satisfaction gurantee. This could be a Recent change, as i guess they recently changed there Lifetime warranty wording also.
Last edited:
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
It doesn't matter what was wrong with them, HF policy says for any reason I can exchange, BUT I think this policy is changing.
Compared to the new design I am dissatisfied, that simple.
I think my happiness is important to HF, not just locally either...
How many people here purchased HF items because of me? Seriously, if you did, please post up in here what you purchased and why?
Do you know why the 20% off coupons are limited; do you know why HF is changing there tool line up?
The answer is this site... HF is watching and I have proof.
One example... Look at the inspection camera, the old one would not fit down a spark plug boss, comments about that were made here and few months later the come out with a new redesigned one that will fit down the bosses.
gabeancounter
Well-known member
I agree with Hiball. The store works on very slight margins. Returning non-defective merchandise for no other reason than to have the new set is wrong. I can understand how the manager felt about issuing the "warranty". I doubt the store has made any profit from your purchases after factoring the "warranty" items.
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
The manager didn't care about why... He only cared about how to do the exchange, because he could not find the old part #s. He didn't want to use the new part #s. I didn't actually need the receipt to show proof of purchase or date of purchase. The receipt had the item #s on them, and that is what he really wanted. HF.com no longer has the old stock on the site, so trying to find the item number is near impossible.
Ha...aha... Thats good stuff.
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Ok... How many times did people say, China ****, etc, etc? But, what was then said is that Taiwan is OK, they make better tools vs China, and the labor laws are different. So now all the "PRO" items are made in Taiwan.
I will tell you what, I will predict the future.... HF will soon have vehicle specific tools, or "Specialty Tools." They will be OTC and Kentmoore knock offs.
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
John, you don't need to explain to the morality police. Some of these same people buy up old snap-on tools and ship them back because they know snap-on will ship them new tools and a bunch of other stuff I won't mention (or can't here) so if you are working within the bounds of the HF warranty more power to you. Some of the same people who give you greif do things so underhanded they have no right questioning your actions. I get a little tired of some of the holier than thou attitude passed out around here. Trust me in the case of a few it's all a pure sham. I don't have to name names, they know exactly who they are.
scott37300
Well-known member
John, I like this thread a lot and I know that some of my HF purchases were based on your reviews and this thread and also the HF pass/fail thread.
According to the HF warranty page on the HF website there is a 30 day satisfaction guarantee and then a lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects, not a lifetime satisfaction like craftsman.
I don't agree with returning tools just to get new ones, that may be better. HF changes products all the time. You paid a certain price for a certain set of sockets, and knew exactly what you were getting when you made the purchase. What makes you think HF owes you different sockets just because they changed makers? Sell you old sockets on ebay and go buy the new ones and pay the difference. If there is nothing wrong with your sockets, there is no manufacturer deffects, and no reason to warranty them. I'm all for a warranty if there is something wrong with them or they don't do what they are supposed to do but just warrantying them for fun and wasting money isn't right.
I don't want to turn this into a big right/wrong ******* match so I won't post anymore as to this subject but I do feel it is wrong. Use the warranty for what it is for, not just to get the latest and greatest products for free because you want them.
According to the HF warranty page on the HF website there is a 30 day satisfaction guarantee and then a lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects, not a lifetime satisfaction like craftsman.
I don't agree with returning tools just to get new ones, that may be better. HF changes products all the time. You paid a certain price for a certain set of sockets, and knew exactly what you were getting when you made the purchase. What makes you think HF owes you different sockets just because they changed makers? Sell you old sockets on ebay and go buy the new ones and pay the difference. If there is nothing wrong with your sockets, there is no manufacturer deffects, and no reason to warranty them. I'm all for a warranty if there is something wrong with them or they don't do what they are supposed to do but just warrantying them for fun and wasting money isn't right.
I don't want to turn this into a big right/wrong ******* match so I won't post anymore as to this subject but I do feel it is wrong. Use the warranty for what it is for, not just to get the latest and greatest products for free because you want them.
Harbor freight has always been known to switch back and forth over the years in regards to COO. I suspect it has more to do with Manufacturing contracts versus what "John" or the "GJ" crowd says. There are Many Manufacturers that have moved in the Opposite direction including Gearwrench who used to be Taiwan. I dont doubt that Companies are monitoring GJ and many other websites including Ebay who sells there info to manufacturers. I have no intentsions in Messing in your thread, I was only curious to why you felt HF owed you there Newer Model of tools when the Previous model has been so good to you. Moving On....
Morality Police? I was just curious to why he felt he was Owed the Newer Model of Tools. There is Nothing in the HF policy that allows for trading in for Newer models or Warranting Dirty tools. Again.. I have no reason to give John Grief i was just curious to his thinking.
Last edited:
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
It's fine, I do not want to get into a ******* match either. You're right my reasons may not be ethical at all, but it is a loop hole and I will take advantage of it.
Also, HF is aware this site, it is a fact.
Also, HF is aware this site, it is a fact.
scott37300
Well-known member
And I think it would be great if HF started getting more specialty tools. Would be a great market for DIY that only need the tool a couple of times. I would much rather buy a HF specialty tool than rent one from advance auto. Don't have to return it like a rented tool and you have it if you ever need it again.
warmpancakes
Well-known member
Im willing to bet their margins are alot higher than you think 90% of the cost of china made products is shipping, unless its a china owned ship, even when HF clears stuff out at 4.97 for the sockets they are making money the buy they stuff by the ship load
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
They are already out there... I have a Klann MB spec plate/rod spring compressor - the ONLY compressor that will safely compress the springs on alot of older MB's... paid a bit over $800 for the kit... co worker purchased a very nice copy, made in china, for under $200 this past summer. His works as well as mine, and he uses the knock-off as much as I use the real thing. I can't attest for the quality of the steel in his kit, but it seems to be just as well made as my germany nonsense. Hell, the plastic cases are even the same (mine is green, his is red)... HF does not sell these, but I bet if there were a demand for the kit, they would.
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
I mean vehicle/engine specific tools, like Cadillac Northstar cam locking plates, or Ford specific timing tools, etc.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
Oh, totally understand:
These compressors are vehicle specific - they don't work on any other that I know of... basically MB w124 - w210 chassis... the springs will bend/snap any other rod/hook style including SO.
Klann (now apparently in an orange case):
Knockoff:
I agree with you and can almost guarantee alot of those other specific tools have already been knocked-off - if you can buy a Northstar waterpump socket at autozone for $10... There are alot of engine specific euro tools (like audi timing locks, volvo timing locks, MB clutch wrenches, etc..) that have already been remade in the far-east. It kinda pisses me off though, when I got back into this racket, I could only get these tools from ze germans for the most part.
Last edited:
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Oh, totally understand:
These compressors are vehicle specific - they don't work on any other that I know of... basically MB w124 - w210 chassis... the springs will bend/snap any other rod/hook style including SO.
Klann (now apparently in an orange case):
Knockoff:
(not my photo)
These were not purchased at HF, correct?
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
correct... why, do they actually sell them there now? I'll have to look. I know, the red cases look really similar to HF cases - eerily enough to wonder if the HF tool suppliers are also making these other tools...
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Not yet, but soon they should have them. It's possible that that are made by the same manufactures, really possible. Just look at the 41" toolbox, HF does not actually make them, they just buy from a manufacturer, you can find the same box offered by a dozen companies with just different badges on them.
Businesses take care of their best customers all the time, even if that means making speial accomodations for those customers that regular shmoes would never get. After all, all the business cares about is getting your money while keeping you satisifed enough to return, time and again. Based on John's exclusivity with HF, and the amount of dough he's dropped there, the local store would lack business savvy if they pissed him off.
Guy on here just yesterday said his truck-tool man gave him a new tool to replace a broken one that he bought for a buck at a flea market, which he was honest about. Why? Because he knew it was good for his business, even if he lost money on that one deal. Small example, same idea, happens all the time.
Guy on here just yesterday said his truck-tool man gave him a new tool to replace a broken one that he bought for a buck at a flea market, which he was honest about. Why? Because he knew it was good for his business, even if he lost money on that one deal. Small example, same idea, happens all the time.
gabeancounter
Well-known member
Maybe the sockets never break?
Bull,
I guess we disagree on who the "best customers" are for the store. I am sure John has dropped more than most folks at HF. That being said he has returned more than most folks as a percentage of purchases.
I doubt John would stop purchasing from HF if they did not allow returns of non-defective merchandise. i.e - dirty sockets.
Example:
Socket set is $10
After 20% is $8
Cost to manufacture and sale $4
Profit $4
Customer then swaps socket set for new set. Store pays $4 for replacement - now the profit is $0.
I spend as much as the average Joe - but not John. Would you rather have 5 of me or one of John? I spent around $2k last year.
FYI- I have nothing against HF and have plenty of pics to prove it, but I disagree with taking advantage of the "loop hole" just because it is available.
One time thing......mmm.. ok. Constant replacements. No.
peelman
Well-known member
Gotta agree with Bull here.
I worked at a smallish hardware store / lumber yard in high school, that’s the mentality we had. There were a lot of local contractors who came to us first, for just about anything they needed, and they were always taken care of. Why? Because when they came in the next week and dropped $400 on a new drill, rather than drive to Lowes to buy it for $300, it made the owner’s day.
How many of those multi-hundred dollar tool chests do you think John has returned? The margins on one of those alone will pay the cost of many many socket sets and ratchets at their margins.
I worked at a smallish hardware store / lumber yard in high school, that’s the mentality we had. There were a lot of local contractors who came to us first, for just about anything they needed, and they were always taken care of. Why? Because when they came in the next week and dropped $400 on a new drill, rather than drive to Lowes to buy it for $300, it made the owner’s day.
How many of those multi-hundred dollar tool chests do you think John has returned? The margins on one of those alone will pay the cost of many many socket sets and ratchets at their margins.
e-tek
Well-known member
Is that a challenge Bull? Certainly there must be others here that can get their signiciant other to pose on their box?
The gauntlet has been thrown DOWN!Tell the wife to give us some credit - where not total louts!!
OK - I don't care what you think of HF or SO - THAT was funny!!!!
It's FEBRUARY and Valentines Day is coming!!!!!
poprockcrusher
Banned
the lumber yards here are booming - despite the hd lowes
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Is that a challenge Bull? Certainly there must be others here that can get their signiciant other to pose on their box?
+1... Lets see em'.
no2tracks
Well-known member
John
Can you consider doing a summary for those of us that haven't been following this thread and don't have time to read all of it? Maybe in July for the 1 year anniversary of this thread. I'm interested in how much $ was bought, and how much was returned/exchanged/broke/failed. I'm a limited HF supporter but my buddy at work is a naysayer.
Thanks.
Can you consider doing a summary for those of us that haven't been following this thread and don't have time to read all of it? Maybe in July for the 1 year anniversary of this thread. I'm interested in how much $ was bought, and how much was returned/exchanged/broke/failed. I'm a limited HF supporter but my buddy at work is a naysayer.
Thanks.
John, what's your experience with the HF tap and die sets...
is the carbon steel set ok... this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piece-metric-carbon-steel-tap-and-die-set-39384.html
or do you have to get one of the alloy steel sets to get a quality set? seems the SAE and Metric sets favor SAE which I don't use... and I don't want to spend $85 on the titanium nitride coated one... anyways, any opinion on this is appreciated.
btw, Nice tools!
is the carbon steel set ok... this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piece-metric-carbon-steel-tap-and-die-set-39384.html
or do you have to get one of the alloy steel sets to get a quality set? seems the SAE and Metric sets favor SAE which I don't use... and I don't want to spend $85 on the titanium nitride coated one... anyways, any opinion on this is appreciated.
btw, Nice tools!
WSMC633
Well-known member
John, what's your experience with the HF tap and die sets...
is the carbon steel set ok... this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piece-metric-carbon-steel-tap-and-die-set-39384.html
or do you have to get one of the alloy steel sets to get a quality set? seems the SAE and Metric sets favor SAE which I don't use... and I don't want to spend $85 on the titanium nitride coated one... anyways, any opinion on this is appreciated.
btw, Nice tools!
I'll chime in too since I have a little experience. We bought a set of the Metric Tap and Dies. I was very disappointed in them, which I wasn't shocked about since the price was pretty low. In my opinion, there is no substitute for quality Taps and Dies. I have a Set of Metric Cman T/D from the early 80's that is miles above the HF set.
That's just my Opinion though.
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
John, what's your experience with the HF tap and die sets...
is the carbon steel set ok... this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piece-metric-carbon-steel-tap-and-die-set-39384.html
or do you have to get one of the alloy steel sets to get a quality set? seems the SAE and Metric sets favor SAE which I don't use... and I don't want to spend $85 on the titanium nitride coated one... anyways, any opinion on this is appreciated.
btw, Nice tools!
I stated in one of my videos how great they are. I have had zero issues with them.
OP
MechanicNamedJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,344
Yeah, I can do that... When? Not sure. I still owe updated pics and videos, that I promised awhile ago; just have not had the time to do so. One day I will.
awesome, thanks! I was gonna watch the videos but they were so long! pictures did it for me lol!