"Dumb question. Whats so special about harbor freight?"

[dagofast]

The 20% off coupon says directly on it that it can't be used with other coupons.
The cashier might be letting it slide but he/she is not supposed to take both the 20% off coupon and free tray coupon.

It is possible you misinterpreted that. You can't use the 20% off coupon with an item specifically excluded on the 20% off coupon or on an item already on a super coupon. But you CAN use the 20% off coupon on any qualifying item AND get a free gift. I've been doing it for well over a decade in multiple HF stores in 3 states.

 

[measuredtwice]

It is possible you misinterpreted that. You can't use the 20% off coupon with an item specifically excluded on the 20% off coupon or on an item already on a super coupon. But you CAN use the 20% off coupon on any qualifying item AND get a free gift. I've been doing it for well over a decade in multiple HF stores in 3 states.

Hmmm. I took "cannot be used with other coupon" literally. I guess I missed out on 2 free trays this week.

 

[bczygan]

I used to be a perfectionist.

Would look down my nose at anything that wasn't the "Ne plus ultra".
.
I would look down my nose when passing Harbor Freight

Then I realized that I would never be able to afford anything with that attitude.

After investigating their offerings, I saw that a number of their things were things I would pay more to have better quality.

But many of their products were of serviceable or better quality, for affordable prices.

So, explain to him that they fill a need for certain price points.

Bill

 

[dagofast]

As far as the OP's original post and the naysayers, go or don't go to an HF. It's your loss if you don't go and if you do go, the money you save will be yours to keep or spend it on more tools.

HF has democratized shop equipment and tools for the everyday person. How many motorcycle riders used to be able to afford the luxury of also having a motorcycle lift when they cost $1,000 or more? But at $250, you too can stand upright and work on your bike. Yeah, I heard the naysayers back in 2003 when I bought mine. "I wouldn't put my precious bike on one of them cheap china lifts." Fine, lay on the ground, *******. Mine still works flawlessly all these years later and they're still on their knees or laying on the ground. Sure, they might need knee replacements now but damnit, they've got their principles!

My dad was not a tool guy or much of a handy man. But when he was 70 we built him a helluva nice deck with a 10" mitre saw and a couple of cordless drills from HF all purchased for about $100. He sold the mitre saw and one drill afterwards and recouped about 60% of his money.

The are hundreds of thousands of people out there with similar stories. Just average people that got stuff done with affordably priced tools. Home Depot and Lowes sell the same dream. Why is it okay for them but not HF?

 

[setfocus]

It's great for shade-tree mechanics that need that one tool for that one time it will be used every 5-8 years.

How many other stores are there dedicated to tools? Northern Tool is close, but not the same. I enjoy taking a 20% coupon, buying that one thing for $15 and browsing for an hour talking myself out of buying a bunch of other things I might need someday.

I agree, as an auto tech I have mostly tool truck stuff at the shop because of daily abuse, ease of warranty, and such. Even as a pro, not every tool needs to be top end. I still use some HF tools at work. The giant doyle channel pliers for checking caliper slides, checking for play in ball joints, or lining up a strut in a knuckle. They aren't abused or a critical tool, why pay 3x more for the tool truck ones

There are also some things I would never cheap out on, coworker had a friend that bought an engine compression gauge from HF, gauge read low compression on his sled, rebuilt the motor... same result, motor was never bad. The POS gauge read wrong

HF is also nice for guys starting a career as an auto tech, if you stick with it, replace the stuff that breaks or doesn't do the job well with higher end tools, as you can afford it. Or find a way to get into the snapon student program, like I did. 50% off snapon tools FTW

whenever I get a more functional garage, I can see myself buying more at HF to build a home tool set

 

[JRC3]

Harbor Freight is Walmart for tools. They don’t specialize, some good, some bad, all inexpensive, but they have what you need when you need it usually and they have almost any and everything.

Like with a fat GF...nobody admits they go there right

Ever run into an acquaintance at Walmart? Within the first sentence or two they will say how they never have or don't normally shop there. lol

 

[zendriver]

Ever run into an acquaintance at Walmart? Within the first sentence or two they will say how they never have or don't normally shop there. lol

Around here, all the high rollers shop at Target, or Meijer.

 

[DFB]

Ever run into an acquaintance at Walmart?

I don't shop there

 

[BDT/NWMN]

HF doesn't charge admission, and gives visitors free stuff.

Stroll around; You will likely spot some gems that You will find useful.

 

[thesilverone]

I don't shop there

same here

 

[Jacobson]

How many motorcycle riders used to be able to afford the luxury of also having a motorcycle lift when they cost $1,000 or more? But at $250, you too can stand upright and work on your bike. Yeah, I heard the naysayers back in 2003 when I bought mine. "I wouldn't put my precious bike on one of them cheap china lifts." Fine, lay on the ground, *******. Mine still works flawlessly all these years later and they're still on their knees or laying on the ground.

This is the perfect summary of the HF battle.

I have tons of tools in my chest that I would never pay $50 for using once. But, I gladly paid $5 or $10. That is the true power of HF, to allow access to tools you simply could not justify at the old price point.

 

[measuredtwice]

It's not a choice between either buying the most expensive thing or buying at Harbor Freight. There are lots of cheap tools at other stores also.

And buying from Harbor Freight is not always the cheapest. As an example, Harbor Freight used to market their Quinn 6 piece set as cheaper than the similar Husky set at Home Depot. Then Home Depot lowered their price. It was cheaper to buy the Husky set so Harbor Freight changed their marketing from "compare to Husky" to "compare to Duralast". They couldn't beat the price at Home Depot so they just cherry picked another comparison that made their price look good.

Walmart doesn't get much love on this forum. But you can buy a lot of high quality tools like Knipex, Klein, Channellock from their website directly from Walmart. Can't get that stuff from Harbor Freight. Also Walmart gives free shipping over $35 and free pickup at any price.

 

[Tdubyac]

It’s the best place to go on a Saturday when you need that tool you forgot to grab to finish that weekend project imo.

 

[AirJunky]

If I have 10 tools from HF (and I have way more), at least 8 or 9 of them is still with me. I have a combination miter saw that is like 10 yrs old. A bandsaw that is maybe 8 yrs old. I did have an angle grinder die on me recently, but it was at least 5 yrs old & had been abused a lot.
I bought an Earthquake cordless ratchet about a year ago. LOVE that tool. I use it all the time, and it doesn't **** at all.

 

[BigBoreFan]

If you have to ask, you just don't get it.

 

[Bigbandguy]

I recently needed a work light for a one time project. I went to the orange box and they would have sold me an LED version for about 40 bucks. Only choice. I went to HF and got a 15 buck halogen with a Coupon. Problem solved. HF also has the LED light most likely made in the same factory as the orange box version for around 25.

That is why I go to HF.

 

[JRC3]

I recently needed a work light for a one time project. I went to the orange box and they would have sold me an LED version for about 40 bucks. Only choice. I went to HF and got a 15 buck halogen with a Coupon. Problem solved. HF also has the LED light most likely made in the same factory as the orange box version for around 25.

Were you working in a septic tank or something?

 

[Cgw1984]

I buy from HF.
a bunch.
But I'm always, always aware that the purchase may fail me when I'd least appreciate a failure. Their sheet metal (as on tool carts and such) is particularly disappointing.

Ya, youre in the absolute minority on this one.

What? That's probably their single best offerings out the whole catalog

Agreed.

 

[Fedwrench]

Off the top of my head I would say nothing.

However, while Sears died, the big box stores offer just as mediocre tools as harbor Freight, and many auto parts houses offer even less in the way of tools, Harbor Freight continues to grow with new locations and they are even improving the quality of their offerings.

Are they perfect? Hell no!!! do they still have some items that are pure ****? Absolutely!!

The sad fact remains that while other tool venues are dying on the vine, and my choices are dwindling, Harbor Freight keeps ticking right along.

 

[kctyphoon]

Simple answer.. walk in, and find out..

 

[steveo3002]

dont knock the place too hard , try being in the uk and look at the overpriced china cr@p we have on the shelves ...id kill for a harbour frieght here

 

[nelstomlinson]

Cheap stuff, cheap price. Chinese factories have zero QC, so occasionally something usable slips through. You can buy four or five and use the one that lasts, and still save money, because stuff is so cheap. If you don't need consistant quality, HF can be a good value ... unless you buy four or five and none of them are good enough. Then you call it Horrible Fright and start slamming the place.

I just wish we had one in Alaska.

 

[JRC3]

Chinese factories have zero QC

This isn't true. In fact, it's rather ignorant. They have QC because they have to compete not only globally, but with other Chines companies. They also have to build to the customer's specs or the customer won't give them the money or continue business. If the product is of quality, then those are the specs the customer asked for. If it's sloppy and junky, the same applies.

Who made that computer or tablet you post here on? Amazing it works, you know, being made in a factory with zero QC. Better get that thing of of the house before it burns it down.

I wish we made everything here in the states and N.A, but we don't. The reason is because we get better prices with adequate QC elsewhere.

 

[sberry]

I bought one socket set 25 yrs ago that was junk. I didn't buy much for a while, but since,, maybe 20 or so some, not everything in the store but can't recall another thing g that didn't work like it was spozed to and some of it is downright impressive and even doubly when the cost is considered.

 

[DwightS]

Back in the mid 80’s my dad bought a socket set from a Harbor Freight somewhere... The first nut he tried to loosen, the socket split. He cussed and threw the entire set in the trash. Years later, his Craftsman vise broke while trying to use it in a unintended way. He went to Harbor Freight and bought the biggest Made in China bench vise they had which was much bigger than the Craftsman. It took all the abuse my dad could throw at it and there’s absolutely no slop in the jaws.

A neighbor of mine has done auto body repair and mechanic work on the side for years. He’s got the tool truck brands in his box but his go-to ratchet is the Pittsburgh Pro composite. He said he prefers it to everything else he has.

There’s bad and good that have come out of Harbor Freight through the years. Their quality has definitely improved.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[kody1234]

where do you think milwaukee stuff is made?china even owns the brand.

 

[WittHay]

dont knock the place too hard , try being in the uk and look at the overpriced china cr@p we have on the shelves ...id kill for a harbour frieght here

Interesting, if a HF store would open in my area I doubt it would stay open for very long, too much competition from existing brick and mortar stores. I personally have heard HF being mentioned only a couple of times besides the internet and that was regarding tool boxes.

Its a brick and mortar tool store probably not many in the US. Walk in and form your own opinion. Its a smaller store about the size of our liquidation or dollar stores. Regular tool stores are much larger than HF. Each store has some interesting items

What is unique or special about HF is having only Asian products in their own house brands. The marketing and comparing of these house brands to name brands is unique to HF. Coupons and more coupon is a HF specialty. The 90 day warranty is not available elsewhere usually a 1 to 3 year warranty up here.

Products that are special or unique to HF are the tool boxes in various colors and the original Snap-on copy jack along with some of the newer hand tools. Everything else is available in different brands up here

 

[neophyte]

I went into Harbor Freight right before Christmas at a major mall in my city.
The customers at the HF were the most polite people I ran into in the entire mall, with the exception of the customer service at the McDonalds.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I didn't know HF was a thing for a long time. I borrowed tools out of my dad's toolbox, and combined with my Kobalt ratchet and socket set I accomplished quite a bit on my own. Once I started making friends with other car people, I got bitten by the HF bug and bought my first jack and jackstands, and some other tools.

Nearly a decade later, I've given several of my friends who are just starting out some basics from HF, generally composed of ~$100 worth of basic hand tools to facilitate them doing their own basic maintenance. It may not be the highest quality in the world, but it's a good springboard for beginners to have the basics.

 

[kctyphoon]

where do you think milwaukee stuff is made?china even owns the brand.

“China” does not own the brand.
TTI is the parent company of many popular brands, which is also a manufacturing company. It would only make sense for them to acquire successful companies which they could then, manufacture the products for.

Milwaukee tools is still an American company. They are currently owned by another company out of Hong Kong.

 

[Moose97]

Let me preface this with "I'm not a pro", just a guy keeping his families vehicles running. I've had good luck with the HF stuff I've bought generally. I mostly buy the once every 10 year stuff but I have bought a few items I like a lot and use pretty regularly.
This weekend I got a 20% off coupon for the ICON line. Bought a 3/8th's ratchet. It's pretty darn nice and I really like it.

 

[kody1234]

hong kong is in china

 

[bob15]

“China” does not own the brand.
TTI is the parent company of many popular brands, which is also a manufacturing company. It would only make sense for them to acquire successful companies which they could then, manufacture the products for.

Milwaukee tools is still an American company. They are currently owned by another company out of Hong Kong.

HK is under china control.....has been since 1997.

Milwaukee is owned by TTI whose HQ is in HK, with factories in china.

 

[kctyphoon]

The government of ‘China’ does not own Milwaukee tools or TTI.

TTI is the parent company of Milwaukee tools and TTI is located in Hong Kong. Milwaukee tools is a U.S. based Company. They are incorporated here. They pay taxes here. TTI and Milwaukee are two different companies. The guy that owns TTI is actually German if I remember correctly, and his wife is Canadian. He relocated to Hong Kong and started TTI in Hong Kong, where its currently headquartered today.

If years ago, the original owners of Milwaukee tools decided to relocate their private residence to Germany, as Milwaukee tools happily ran inside the US, would Milwaukee have then become a German brand, even though nothing left other than where the owner lives?

If TTI sells Milwaukee to some rich guy in Mexico, does it become a Mexican company just cause ownership changed hands, yet their USA operations stayed the same?

If i opened a company inside China- where it was completely operated inside China, would it be an “American” company just cause I owned it? Or would i simply be an American owner of a Chinese company?

When Milwaukee tools closes its major operations inside the USA, fires most of their staff, relocates to China where it opens it new Headquarters, and conducts the vast majority of its day to day business in China - with just a few satellite locations left inside the US - then it will be a “Chinese” company.

Same thing with HF..
HF is an AMERICAN company. People give them **** cause they SELL imported tools - but ignore that the company and its employees are here. HF are not tool manufacturers. They are a retail sales company.

 

[bob15]

The government of ‘China’ does not own Milwaukee tools or TTI.

TTI is the parent company of Milwaukee tools and TTI is located in Hong Kong. Milwaukee tools is a U.S. based Company. They are incorporated here. They pay taxes here. TTI and Milwaukee are two different companies. The guy that owns TTI is actually German if I remember correctly, and his wife is Canadian. He relocated to Hong Kong and started TTI in Hong Kong, where its currently headquartered today.

If years ago, the original owners of Milwaukee tools decided to relocate their private residence to Germany, as Milwaukee tools happily ran inside the US, would Milwaukee have then become a German brand, even though nothing left other than where the owner lives?

If TTI sells Milwaukee to some rich guy in Mexico, does it become a Mexican company just cause ownership changed hands, yet their USA operations stayed the same?

If i opened a company inside China- where it was completely operated inside China, would it be an “American” company just cause I owned it? Or would i simply be an American owner of a Chinese company?

When Milwaukee tools closes its major operations inside the USA, fires most of their staff, relocates to China where it opens it new Headquarters, and conducts the vast majority of its day to day business in China - with just a few satellite locations left inside the US - then it will be a “Chinese” company.

Same thing with HF..
HF is an AMERICAN company. People give them **** cause they SELL imported tools - but ignore that the company and its employees are here. HF are not tool manufacturers. They are a retail sales company.

Did you actually read what I said?

Did I say Milwaukee is a china company? NO!!!! I said Milwaukee's parent company is ITT and they are based in HK and their factories are predominately located in china.

Did I say china owns ITT or Milwaukee? NO!!!! I said HK has been under china control since 1997.

 

[kctyphoon]

Did you actually read what I said?

Did I say Milwaukee is a china company? NO!!!! I said Milwaukee's parent company is ITT and they are based in HK and their factories are predominately located in china.

Did I say china owns ITT or Milwaukee? NO!!!! I said HK has been under china control since 1997.

I wasn’t responding to just you.. i removed your quote, happy?

This comes up in here, over, and over, and over again.. then the gripe (for BOTH companies) will be that some of the money goes overseas, and people will say how they boycott them cause of American jobs - which is mind blowing - cause in their mind the way to bring jobs here, is to NOT support companies that have jobs here.. I’m just ahead of curve this time.

HF is an EXCELLENT place if they have items that fit your needs (or requirements). There are diamonds, and there are duds. The prices and reviews will probably clue you in on what to expect. Outside of the tools - you might surprise yourself just how much of the store has made in the USA products on the shelves.

Thankfully, they finally have an American Flag thats actually made in the USA now too.

 

[JRC3]

Outside of the tools - you might surprise yourself just how much of the store has made in the USA products on the shelves.

Like what? All I can think of is stuff like overpriced brake and hand cleaner and such. Lucky for me Menards and HF are right across the street from each other.


*edit*
There is certainly one thing I rock from HF that I'm pretty sure is made in the US. https://www.harborfreight.com/ez-lock-trailer-lock-98518.html Funny it doesn't say in the description.

 

[kctyphoon]

Like what? All I can think of is stuff like overpriced brake and hand cleaner and such. Lucky for me Menards and HF are right across the street from each other.


*edit*
There is certainly one thing I rock from HF that I'm pretty sure is made in the US. https://www.harborfreight.com/ez-lock-trailer-lock-98518.html Funny it doesn't say in the description.

Most all the name brand chemicals/cleaners like brake cleaner, electronic cleaner,WD-40 and other oils. The Meguiars products (they used to have the pads too) a lot of the HFT branded epoxy / thread locker, gas cans, grease, hand cleaners, hand lotion, gasket sealers, hydraulic oil, spray paint, body filler, anti freeze, rust remover, plastic-dip, pepper spray, the coin roller, headlight repair kit. Now one of the American flags. I literally went though the store and took pictures of everything i could find once. With the tariffs there might even be more - which is exactly the reason why they are effective in some instances. The list i just gave may not sound like much - but in total that’s probably more than 100 products at least.

When it comes to the tools, no - but as manufacturing is expanding and new plants are being built, hopefully even that might change. I would LOVE to see HF strike a deal with Wilde Tools for pliers and things (Hf is already flirting with that price point with Doyle pliers) or for a forge to pop in a few years and help launch some old craftsman grade sockets and wrenches. The domestic industry has to be able to compete. Finally with changes in the past few years - that is changing.

3 things have happened - 1 -the overseas stuff has improved in quality and risen in price for SOME of their tools. Enough so that they have reached craftsman level consumers to fill the void. That PROVES there WAS/IS a void. 2- The economy has improved where people are starting to buy things again. Overseas items improving and raising prices proves that as well. 3- And lastly the tax’s on businesses have been dropped to a point where now it makes sense to invest here - and companies are. They feel they CAN compete now. The future is brighter than its been in a LONG time.

When it gets to a point (and it seems like it will) where there are more jobs available than labor to fill them - things will really take off..

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

When young I worked for an importer, his overseas cost was 10% of the retail cost. A pretty standard mark up. That other 90% was local.

 

[JRC3]

But that's my point, the name brand stuff is severely overpriced, so you can't really count them. The ones that aren't overpriced are just the normal price but some knockoff brand.

One example, CRC Brakleen is $5.99 at HF. $2.99 at Menards...We used to get it for $2.50 for 6 cans.

https://www.harborfreight.com/19-oz-crc-brakleen-brake-parts-cleaner-62229.html
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...eaner-19-oz/05089/p-1444427766745-c-10098.htm