HF going after pro-tools now with ICON line.

[nelstomlinson]

I suppose HF could deliver from the stores they same way auto part stores do.

The NAPA parts babe will deliver parts and tools to your shop several times a day. That beats a truck that might swing by once a week. If I worked in a shop the tool trucks visited, I'd probably buy a lot more NAPA tools.

 

[DFB]

It seems people with no money shop at Harbor freight and people with plenty of money (but don't want to spend it) shop at Harbor freight. Seems ironic

Not wanting to spend it is pretty common with people with money. I direct retail and often the seemingly more "successful" folks of my clientele won't hesitate to try to bargain or ask for discount where as those that seemingly come across as to least afford something most always pay the asking price without hesitation.

My best one was the guy that drove right into my spot with a $70,000 Maserati, made sure I knew it was $70,000 Maserati and then wanted me to lowball my prices for him

 

[nelstomlinson]

Like what cant they figure out about making a wrench?

Quality control. Consistency.

 

[Negen]

Oh sorry links were wrong the 259$ ratcheting 103-135 for non ratcheting. Think it's time to get eyes checked.

 

[zendriver]

Despite popular opinion, I don't think any of this, signals the end of the world.

HF is just a different company, than it was 40 years ago.

 

[Shane6377]

Wow did anyone get that HF email today comparing the Zurich Pro scanner to Snapon Solus Edge

I can't even begin to BELIEVE that Harbor Frieght actually will try to market anything with almost a 2k price tag to it! $1999.99

Coupon for $600 off til Christmas Eve 12/24 or $1399.99

Compared to the Snap On price at $4,550... I bet HF will sell a ton of those.


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[fordkid88]

Compared to the Snap On price at $4,550... I bet HF will sell a ton of those.


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Well at my location we have not sold a single one. Im not even sure how were going to move the icon tool box when they come in at 8000.

 

[mudflap]

The NAPA parts babe will deliver parts and tools to your shop several times a day. That beats a truck that might swing by once a week. If I worked in a shop the tool trucks visited, I'd probably buy a lot more NAPA tools.

You have a NAPA parts babe...? ours is a grumpy old fart...

 

[L.Cheapo]

Compared to the Snap On price at $4,550... I bet HF will sell a ton of those.


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They can be had on promo (often) from a dealer for under $2500.

I can't see the guy who shops for $9 torque wrenches paying $2000 or even $1400 for a scan tool, but I've been wrong before.

 

[Partsguy57]

They can be had on promo (often) from a dealer for under $2500.

I can't see the guy who shops for $9 torque wrenches paying $2000 or even $1400 for a scan tool, but I've been wrong before.

Lol yep

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[Shane6377]

They can be had on promo (often) from a dealer for under $2500.

I can't see the guy who shops for $9 torque wrenches paying $2000 or even $1400 for a scan tool, but I've been wrong before.

HF will put theirs on sale too. You assume only guys who buy $9 torque wrenches shop at HF. Lol


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[Partsguy57]

Well at my location we have not sold a single one. Im not even sure how were going to move the icon tool box when they come in at 8000.

The problem is they built their base on cheap tool sales. Every knows that but some refuse to admit what they bought...cheap tools at a cheap price. You got what you paid for.. they may bring some sort of quality maybe even
good quality to the market but will have a tough sale I believe guys that have no issue buying better will just not want anything h.f. in their box or boxes... even if it is better then their past stuff. I know that's me as I will never have h.f. in my shop.

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[Brownsfan]

They can be had on promo (often) from a dealer for under $2500.

I can't see the guy who shops for $9 torque wrenches paying $2000 or even $1400 for a scan tool, but I've been wrong before.

Hence why the new Icon boxes and tools. Going for the professional and ********* diy. Seems to me that they are going after all tool buyers. Like others have said. Good , better and best. I bet a HF credit card with 12 months no interest wont be far behind. Then guess how many will be sold. I would buy that scan tool with 12 months no interest if it does what i need it to.

 

[Wamsutta]

Going for the professional and ********* diy.

Their charm isn't going to work on me. I have a boat load of snobbery that will easily overcome anything ICON has to offer.

 

[Partsguy57]

Hence why the new Icon boxes and tools. Going for the professional and ********* diy. Seems to me that they are going after all tool buyers. Like others have said. Good , better and best. I bet a HF credit card with 12 months no interest wont be far behind. Then guess how many will be sold. I would buy that scan tool with 12 months no interest if it does what i need it to.

But the question is how long will it do what you want it to do? H.f. is legendary for their limited or one time use tools....

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[Fedwrench]

But the question is how long will it do what you want it to do? H.f. is legendary for their limited or one time use tools....

These are different. The ICON tools and boxes i saw at SEMA were top notch in finish, feel, and balance. I couldn't try fit because they were only on display.
Now i am not a loyal Harbor Freight customer by any stretch but, i can honestly say that i liked what i saw from ICON at SEMA. My questions are what will be their price point and how long will Harbor Freight support the line up? i'm more interested in the Icon tool release than anything coming from the new Craftsman.

 

[Brownsfan]

But the question is how long will it do what you want it to do? H.f. is legendary for their limited or one time use tools....

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Yes that's the million dollar question. Im not a HF loyalist. Dare I say there are better tool box options that are a better value than the HF. Especially the new Masterforce boxes at Menards. The 72" box they sell is leaps and bounds better than the HF. Just my opinion. Now if they stick to this I can see it working. Especially with a in store CC. They will sell a ton of boxes from the Us General and the Icon. I think the tools will last . My worry would be after the sale support with the Boxes and scan tools. If you need drawer slides or software updates for your scan tool. Will they still support these new pro offerings.

 

[flying eyeball]

 

[Partsguy57]

These are different. The ICON tools and boxes i saw at SEMA were top notch in finish, feel, and balance. I couldn't try fit because they were only on display.
Now i am not a loyal Harbor Freight customer by any stretch but, i can honestly say that i liked what i saw from ICON at SEMA. My questions are what will be their price point and how long will Harbor Freight support the line up? i'm more interested in the Icon tool release than anything coming from the new Craftsman.

These are different. The ICON tools and boxes i saw at SEMA were top notch in finish, feel, and balance. I couldn't try fit because they were only on display.
Now i am not a loyal Harbor Freight customer by any stretch but, i can honestly say that i liked what i saw from ICON at SEMA. My questions are what will be their price point and how long will Harbor Freight support the line up? i'm more interested in the Icon tool release than anything coming from the new Craftsman.

I don't disagree... there are obviously trying to expand their base... but everyone knows what they built their base on and the earned reputation because of this. Hence no harbor freight in my box ever. You can call me a snob or whatever but I can afford to buy what I want and I will. I think they will grow their base with the average DIY, but not the ******** DIY or pro. I base this on my experience as owning a napa store for years (sold in 2002) about half my sales were to pros and in the millions of parts sales I had very few pros that would buy napa tools. ( and napa tools were decent back in the day... far above the h.f of today)

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[Strouty]

People forget that China, Taiwan, and India make tools to someone's specifications, if they are good specs, then the item is good too, if they want cheap disposable **** for the mass market, that is what they make.

 

[sberry]

They seem to know what they are doing so far.

 

[M6erfan]

They seem to know what they are doing so far.

$5 billion/year in sales says so...

 

[gabeancounter]

How did the plate compactor work out for you? Was it a pass or fail?

Actually ran very well for the 20-25 hours I used it. I did a wide driveway entrance bedding crusher run, gravel footer, and a pole barn with 36 tons of crusher run spread around. Works well for these type projects but not really enough compactor for a bunch of footer work. Rent a jumping jack for those.

I wound up selling it on craigslist for $30 less than I bought it for, just turn the fuel off and let the gas run out, and it will fire right up next time.

The only grip I had was no pickup point on the compactor. I have a tractor with a boom pole to move it around with and had to rig up straps to move it.

 

[DFB]

Their product support seems to be the full replacement warranty they sell.

I have bought a lot of stuff from HF in the past two years at least a couple of grand worth of stuff for my flea mkt tool tent flips and on many things you buy they offer extended full replacement warranties I have to listen to the spiel a dozen times or more during my checkouts sometimes
and they tell you things like you could run it over and they replace it no questions asked


Guess will see how that works on the new expensive stuff

 

[Shane6377]

I know plenty of pros who have HF tools mixed right in with their Snap On. Especially if the tool isn't going to be used very often. They may take a little **** from the tool snobs but they're every bit as good at their job.
I know a few guys who buy everything off the truck and they have the payments to prove it.
I don't think HF is targeting the tool snob crowd... their after pros with some common sense who don't want a tool mortgage to pay.



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[Tallpilot]

This is going to be a long thread if we argue about this all the way to May. My response is always the same though. More competition will lead to higher quality and better prices everywhere. Be happy there is all this competition and growth in the industry.

The big 3 tool oligopoly got lazy, just as one would expect from entrenched players. Now they will have to innovate again to justify their premium, lower prices and hope for increased sales volume to offset lower margins or suffer profit declines.

 

[CR888]

With tool trucks offering more & more Taiwan even China tools at hugely inflated retail prices, even the 'slow' fellows are realising they are often paying way more for the same quality/product they can get at a fraction of the cost. Tool tucks I think are in a challenging time as decent tools have never been cheaper. They have always provided products you could not buy elsewhere that were much better quality. Nowadays, not so much. SO is sticking to the traditional T/T model but in many cases price themselves out of the market for 99% of consumers. That's a big chunk for players like HF to capitalise on.

 

[zendriver]

Wow did anyone get that HF email today comparing the Zurich Pro scanner to Snapon Solus Edge

I can't even begin to BELIEVE that Harbor Frieght actually will try to market anything with almost a 2k price tag to it! $1999.99

Coupon for $600 off til Christmas Eve 12/24 or $1399.99

The sad irony is, that now days, two grand is not a lot of money.

That could be a years worth of car insurance.

I had an eye exam last week and got two pairs of replacement lenses- nearly 600 bucks and that's lenses only.

Still cheaper than $4500 as others have said


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[WittHay]

Wow, I haven't been on this site in a couple of years. Stumbled back tonight, clicked on the top thread, which just happened to sound quite interesting. I then spent 45 minutes reading through page after page of bickering, wondering if there would be any pictures or info and finally remembered around page 5 why i gave up coming here. Oh well. Merry Christmas everyone. That is, if we are still allowed to say that. Oh forget it.

PS- Didn't we used to have pictures next to our names and emojis?

Icon a new line of precision and professional tools brought to you by Harbor Freight selling "Quality Tools at Discount Prices sine 1977"

 

[zendriver]

They can be had on promo (often) from a dealer for under $2500.

I can't see the guy who shops for $9 torque wrenches paying $2000 or even $1400 for a scan tool, but I've been wrong before.

It's a tax-deductible expense, if you own a business. Maybe it's just a matter of time.


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[Skin]

Their product support seems to be the full replacement warranty they sell.

I have bought a lot of stuff from HF in the past two years at least a couple of grand worth of stuff for my flea mkt tool tent flips and on many things you buy they offer extended full replacement warranties I have to listen to the spiel a dozen times or more during my checkouts sometimes
and they tell you things like you could run it over and they replace it no questions asked


Guess will see how that works on the new expensive stuff

Like I said in the other Icon thread, open stock will make or break this line for any pro or enthusiast tool user. If they need to warranty out a complete set because you broke 1 socket or ratcheting wrench that's going to be less than stellar. I hate big box stores but if you stroll the tool isle half the space that hand tools takes up is dedicated to open stock. That's what HF needs to do as opposed to the current setup of prepackaged everything.

 

[Negen]

It's a tax-deductible expense, if you own a business. Maybe it's just a matter of time.


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You don't have to own the business to deduct taxes if it is work related and you itemize. Issue now is standard deduction is high.

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[M_George]

Alright, 1st Cav Div... Hurrhurr.

 

[M_George]

I haven't seen it mentioned here that HF has been supporting educational institutions. This makes them popular with the young bucks coming into the work force. I remember back in the early 90's when Microsoft used this tactic.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

Like I said in the other Icon thread, open stock will make or break this line for any pro or enthusiast tool user. If they need to warranty out a complete set because you broke 1 socket or ratcheting wrench that's going to be less than stellar. I hate big box stores but if you stroll the tool isle half the space that hand tools takes up is dedicated to open stock. That's what HF needs to do as opposed to the current setup of prepackaged everything.

HF is perfectly willing to break up a pack to get you what you need.

 

[Shane6377]

For a little prospective... the average car mechanic/auto tech makes $39,000. Not all of those guys are buying Snap On scan tools. That's 7-12% of their annual income for a single tool.


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[LarryFahn]

It's funny how a good company can make a bad product and get bashed and trash talked till they fail (craftsman). But a ****** company can make a better item than they previously did, and they get a pat on the back and succeed.

 

[zendriver]

The real irony is, both of those diagnostic units use the similar basic components as a $300 iPad and they don't do much more but store or display information fed to them from the vehicle. Through the ODB2 port.

In today's world low cost electronics it's interesting that they can justify a $2000 price tag or even worse, $4500.

Other than the fact, of course that people are willing (or maybe willing)to pay the price.


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[shawhite]

The real irony is, both of those diagnostic units use the similar basic components as a $300 iPad and they don't do much more but store or display information fed to them from the vehicle. Through the ODB2 port.

In today's world low cost electronics it's interesting that they can justify a $2000 price tag or even worse, $4500.

Other than the fact, of course that people are willing (or maybe willing)to pay the price.


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The high price tag is for the databa if information and the bi-directional support.

 

[acer66]

The problem I have with made in China is not the quality, it is that you are supporting a regime which is threatening the world order as we know it and we will have to spend more tax payers money on the military and send troops into harms way because of that.

Just read the resigning letter of James Mattis, look what they are doing in Afrika etc..