The new $9000.00 Harbor Freight Tool Box.
- Thread starter woody 73
- Start date
I think this will be the main factor to the success of the Icon boxes.
"only $** a month you too can have a pro grade toolbox"
Absolutely no one will be paying $9k for the HF complete setup. It's already available for 20% off and it was just released. Eventually they'll be priced like the Homak RS Pro boxes I'd imagine.
And I'd suspecting the KRL prices you are quoting are used boxes since the 1032 lists for $13,270 and they're around $6k for a used one on Ebay.
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u118224
Well-known member
The Harbor Freight fanboys sure have their dander up today.
BTW, you can put me in the “not interested in Harbor Freight toolboxes” category.
BTW, you can put me in the “not interested in Harbor Freight toolboxes” category.
KBigg
Well-known member
Semi pro tool box? Seriously? What is a semi pro tool box and who gets to be the judge of that?
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Mostly likely for wanna be's
There are hundreds of posts pointing out failures of HF products. Every one of my HF purchases was junk and has been removed. Simple things like burrs left on machine products that cause you to bleed to stuff that just does not work like tooling bits.
So you really think they are going to get the act together and put out a good product this time.
kythri
Well-known member
It's beyond amusing that the haters can't even fairly compare the Icon stuff. This mythical "$9K toolbox" is getting compared to single roll cabs of various models, always with the complaint that "nobody is going to spend $9K on this!"
Well, yeah, no ****, because first, there's already a 20% off coupon, but also, that "$9k toolbox" isn't just a roll cab - it's a roll cab, hutch, side locker, top locker, side box, etc. etc.
Also, if there's hundreds of posts pointing out failures of HF products, there's thousands more than that from people satisfied with their HF purchase.
Keep on with the blind hatred, brand fanatics.
Well, yeah, no ****, because first, there's already a 20% off coupon, but also, that "$9k toolbox" isn't just a roll cab - it's a roll cab, hutch, side locker, top locker, side box, etc. etc.
Also, if there's hundreds of posts pointing out failures of HF products, there's thousands more than that from people satisfied with their HF purchase.
Keep on with the blind hatred, brand fanatics.
$5200 for a 73” triple and hutch, width the 20% off, and 0% financing. Another $400 for the stainless top. $5600....
That’s roughly $36 a week for 3 yrs.
But I’m sure the truck option is much better. When you consider the warranty is a pain in the *** to deal with cause the guy you bought it thru was 3 guys ago and he does have time to mess with you. He’s worried about the guys who hang out in his truck for 45 min every week and give him 1/3 their checks every week����
Or he won’t even talk to you or return your calls because your not on HIS route.
I’m not bashing anyone or any brand, just what I’ve seen several times.
That’s roughly $36 a week for 3 yrs.
But I’m sure the truck option is much better. When you consider the warranty is a pain in the *** to deal with cause the guy you bought it thru was 3 guys ago and he does have time to mess with you. He’s worried about the guys who hang out in his truck for 45 min every week and give him 1/3 their checks every week����
Or he won’t even talk to you or return your calls because your not on HIS route.
I’m not bashing anyone or any brand, just what I’ve seen several times.
This is a wierd business isn't it? Everywhere else people chase me when they want me to buy something.
Not sure what you're so defensive about. I think the premise is a really good one. I think the pricing is stupid. Most people know truck boxes are grossly overpriced. HF makes a Chinese version competing in a similar price range and we're suppose to support it? Eh.
kythri
Well-known member
I'm not defensive, and I don't give two shits if you're "supporting" it or not. But if you're going to make a comparison, make an honest comparison instead of the same typical dishonest ******** that keeps getting spread around.
I'm not interested in this Icon stuff - I already have a Tool Vault that I think is far superior to any truck box in the same price range, so I'm set.
If someone is considering spending $4K on an Icon 72" ($5K before 20% coupon), they should get ahold of Shannon at StrictlyToolboxes for a better box, a bigger box, and a far less expensive box.
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KBigg
Well-known member
Im not rooting for either side here but the box is what a person uses it for. If a guy puts it in his garage and works out of it on the weekends then its a home box. If he uses it in a professional setting then its a professional box. Look up DEBOSS Garage, he works out of a Milwaukee box in a professional setting. Therefore its a professional box.
The Fall
Well-known member
I'm all in with a 75% off coupon.
ratdoggy
Well-known member
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Guy talks about "working" with HF to demonstrate the product.
It's an advertisement. Of course it's going to present info in a specific way to further the agenda. Just like a Snap on ad skews things in their favor. I'd love HF to blow the truck boxes out of the water, on quality/support/price. I'd be happy to buy one. We shall see. I imagine both will find/keep their niche in the ecosystem.
Those are manufacturers. Hf is not.
I don't care either way about these boxes. They'll sell or they won't.
The Fall
Well-known member
Most Americans don't need a toolbox (or a family needing two or three outside of this board) and the manufacturing process isn't that complicated. A whole infrastructure (highways) wasn't built for toolboxes or an economy around it. It's not like we're talking late 1970s Chrysler here and a real need to innovate. Additionally, HF's price point has gone WAY up for a box that dollars to doughnuts isn't there with Snap-On's in terms of quality. I don't see the parallel.
The US General boxes are the way to go. With the exception of their impact sockets and breaker bars, that's the only HF product I've got. I don't get these big dollar ICON boxes. And I agree regarding future product support being an issue.
I'd go US General or a used truck brand. I have an HF box (luckily given to me) that's honestly pretty amazing for the price. I'd buy another one after checking out the latest CMan run. And I'm not a Harbor Freight fan.
HF has a few all-stars, but at Icon's price point, I'd MUCH rather spend the extra bucks for Proto, SK or CDI. I like using good tools.
RV8guy
Well-known member
It's great that HF has a box that appears (I haven't seen one personally) a step above US GENERAL. What this isn't is any sort of competition for SanpOn and Mac.
Right, you just highlighted the whole problem and my complaint. These boxes are nothing special and NOT game changing. Homak, Tool Vault, Extreme tool boxes and even masterforce are all very very nice boxes, and all cheaper than these. No? How is highlighting that "fear of harbor freight succeeding"
kythri
Well-known member
Because all the brand-fanatics are clutching their pearls and searching for any opportunity to bash HF.
Like I said, the fear of the Icon line being a success is palpable in all of these threads.
As for my ToolVault, while I love it, I most certainly did not have any opportunity to buy it on 36 months interest free credit - StrictlyToolboxes is fantastic, but they aren't gearing up to offer that service. HF is, and there's no way that can't help sales.
Like I said, the fear of the Icon line being a success is palpable in all of these threads.
As for my ToolVault, while I love it, I most certainly did not have any opportunity to buy it on 36 months interest free credit - StrictlyToolboxes is fantastic, but they aren't gearing up to offer that service. HF is, and there's no way that can't help sales.
To point out what SHOULD be obvious (and I’ve already stated once in this thread), Harbor Freight doesn’t HAVE to make a dime on these things. It is THEIR WAY of saying “We’re a competitor, now!”. It shows that they can, and are willing, to offer a higher-end market. By offering these, it makes folks take their lower-end boxes/tools more seriously. Car companies do the same thing (think GT40, Viper, Corvette) to get folks to make their other cars more palatable to potential customers.
Right, you just highlighted the whole problem and my complaint. These boxes are nothing special and NOT game changing. Homak, Tool Vault, Extreme tool boxes and even masterforce are all very very nice boxes, and all cheaper than these. No? How is highlighting that "fear of harbor freight succeeding"
Toyota, Nissan are such great trucks and going to dethrone the big three
, been hearing that for years and not happening no matter how how much the haters say and hope it will.ICON May be a good brand but come back in 10 years to show how they hold up before I'd consider them a option over SO. Guys buy SO for a reason, HF will take a few sales but not enough to lose sleep.
plinker
Well-known member
As for the success or failure of any brand of tool box depends on how it holds up and what parts are available. Marketing does help too. Masterforce boxes got revamped and are very tempting (IMO much better built then the HF box I saw), They appear to be very well built and would likely hold up well, but can you get drawer slides, casters, ete.. ten plus years from now? Hard to say, so far they've been available while the current models are available. For the price of these boxes, it can be worth it I would say. All depends on who is using it and taking care of it.
One observation, How many actually need to finance a box? Pro's will do truck credit for the most part. If the box is around 2k or less your typical DIY buyer wont likely need to take a loan to buy one. Sure some can pay cash outright or save for it, but at what point do you have to get a loan? Kinda seems like a somewhat limited market for those needing to finance. Then again, if the financing terms are better then a truck loan, it may take off. I'm not sure a bank would loan money for a 3-5k tool box with an interest rate too different the the tool trucks.
From what I see there isnt much gap between a pro and DIY, they're either going to go with a less expensive box and pay cash/plastic or go all out for something "better" and get a loan of some sort.
I agree, I didn't go Tool Vault, but I went Extreme Tools. I believe both of these are better options than the HF.
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lbpd716
Well-known member
I'd be curious to see the Icon box put through the tests they did with the KRL and other major boxes when Snap On was pushing the KRL really hard. The videos are still on YouTube.
sberry
Banned
I feel inadequate. I have a box I might have paid 600 for that I use for storage and the main one I work from I paid 75 used for almost 30 years ago. Use a couple makeshift carts most of the time. I was feeling pulled toward a US General but changed some drawers around till it passed.
WittHay
Well-known member
No, one Cornwell dealer in Washington state has 2 trucks, the exact same amount of stores that sell HF Icon tool boxes
Couple of pictures of Cornwell boxes sold in the last few months to guys that work in truck shops.
I like the semi-pro comment. Basically a tool box usually Chinese made that can be bought by any diy on the weekend. Describes the ICON box perfectly. Super box for the diy, good box for the auto mechanic and a make do/okay box for the diesel mechanic
Heavy duty mechanics usually prefer the 30" depth boxes. Custom drawer configuration, color choice and easy parts availability.I have had to replace drawers and slides before
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jgromada
Well-known member
Well, you know, Snap-on invented the toolbox when they invented the ratchet.
Loved that comment!
I can't believe all the upset, what exactly did Icon steal? There are probably at least another 20 or 30 manufacturers that built something similar to what SO offers.
I think what will eventually be dead is the SO business model of having a truck pull up with your Tool box or tools. Order online and have your local fulfillment center delivery similar to what Auto Parts suppliers do now.
Strouty
Well-known member
I am still waiting for someone to buy one.
jgromada
Well-known member
Yet you seem inclined to post in a Harbor Freight thread?
kythri
Well-known member
Every store sells them, just not every store has them on display.
Mechanical Noise
Well-known member
The expensive HF ICON stuff makes all the usual HF stuff seem like an even better bargain to the HF customer. I expect HF to raise prices on the usual HF stuff just to keep things in balance.
WittHay
Well-known member
What the heck is a fullfillment centre. I know Amazon built a huge new warehouse near the container port. Cheapest way to get stuff from China is through BC, Canada and then to the US. Problem is they are have trouble finding employees. Nobody wants to be a professional box thrower working for a American company. Below most people's pay grade up here
Regarding seeing a tool box in person. Snap-on has over 3000 dealers in the US. Then there is Mac. Matco and Cornwell all have at least one or two US made boxes in them.
Compare that to Harbor Freight who orders enough Icon boxes to fill up a container or two and ships them to a few stores in the US. Not hard to understand if you want to actually pull a drawer on a new Icon .You simply cant in a some states
Easy to find a Cornwell truck than a HF Icon store in a lot of areas