Anyone have issues returning damaged HF US General toolbox?

[inane2]

Hey guys,

Picked up my yellow 44" top yesterday. Had to order it, no one even close stocked it. Guy explained they sell a few 5 drawer carts in yellow but not much in anything bigger. Took just shy of 3 weeks to arrive so I was pleased with that.

Picked it up yesterday. Employee and I cut the straps, lifted it off the pallet and into the back of the SUV. Get it home and placed on top of the 44" lower. Instantly noticed it didn't sit level, rocked front right corner to rear left corner. Then I noticed the lid wasn't sitting even close to flush. The culprit - both front "uprights" were crinkled, enough to break the powder coat. This thing must have taken a good fall or gotten squished somewhere.

I'll take the hit for not checking it for damage at the store. The cardboard box, for once, was mint. Even the questionable pallet looked good. The box itself doesn't have scratch on it and no other visible damage. I've got it back in the cardboard box with all the plastic and other packing material, just like it came (minus the pallet and banding straps). I've only returned / exchanged a handful of small items and have had zero issues. I didn't make it back to HF today but will tomorrow. I plan on returning this and reordering another box if there isn't one available locally.

Has anyone had any issues with returning a new damaged box?

(Not trying to slam HF, this is the 6th box I've purchased over the years and the first time I ever had any damage.)

 

[inane2]

Will probably be at the parking lot sale this weekend!!!

 

[rijndael]

The side of my 26" top box was dented. I went back to return it, but they enticed me with a credit. I ended up getting it for about $100. They had no issues with taking it back if that's the route I preferred.

 

[inane2]

Thanks rijndael. Very interesting about the credit.

I'm 45 mins away but lucky enough to have this store on my commute. If it was a dent or scratch, I probably wouldn't fool with loading it back up. The more I looked at this box last night, it needs to go on a frame machine!

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I have purchased a 5 drawer cart and a 44 inch box from my local HF. Each time, I made sure to have them completely unbox them so I could inspect it. They are reluctant to do so and definitely don't want to re-box them. Both had minuscule damage but I made it seem like a catastrophe and they gave me a significant discount without even asking just so they didn't have to re-box it and put it back.

 

[rijndael]

FWIW: My top chest was also damaged, but the box was perfect.

 

[My Old Tools]

I bought 5 lowers and one upper 44" in red. All were perfect when unboxed at home. Luck of the draw I guess.

 

[inane2]

About 5-6 years ago, I picked up a red Gen 1 56" lower. The box and mystery wood pallet looked like it was thrown from the row boat ashore and then molested repeatedly by a fork lift. Opened it up and it was perfect. Couldn't believe it.

Then I get the yellow upper mentioned above in a pristine box and it's squashed!

 

[WAID]

I had to exchange the first 26" cabinet I got for a decent dent in the bottom corner. Could see some box damage at the store but it was a short drive and hoped for the best, then made the drive back and they made what must have been the fastest exchange I've had at harbor freight.

 

[BSWS]

That damage is nearly identical to what I saw 3 weeks ago on a 26" box after I got it home. Again no signs of damage on the packing. The manager here was great, without hesitation he told me to bring it back and he'll order another. The new one came in about 2 weeks and was perfect.

 

[cajunrebel`]

That damage is from the box rocking during transport. I sent a brand new Westward box across country for a training mission in 2015 and it had similar damage in the same spot. It was worse because it was loaded with hundreds of pounds of tools. It had cracks in those spots about an inch and a half long. The box had to be warranted. Then we had another identical box (the unit owned 3 identical kits) crack from daily use. We had to rivet on a beef up plate there inside and out. Turns out the base of the box was resting firmly as the top wobbled end to end. We now make sure to brace our boxes prior to shipment to prevent this.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

 

[DFB]

Droppin that cargo container

 

[SteveCh]

I think HF must regularly refund or exchange damaged boxes. I went to HF store a few years ago, cash burning a hole in my pocket for a big box after reading on GJ how wonderful they are. Got there, saw they had a fairly large area set up with about any and all configurations of boxes one could imagine. Large, small, with tops, with side cab's, different colors and configurations, on and on. I made a beeline over there, found that every single one was junked: drawers hanging down or falling out, tops warped, boxes warped, sheet metal sides crumpled, cabinet doors hanging by one hinge, one had two wheel twisted almost off and was propped up with something or another. In other words, they had all these damaged boxes and accessories as display.

Employee came up and asked the usual, I said I was disappointed that the boxes were clearly junky. She said, with a little smile, "Sad, isn't it?"

I went home and called StrictlyToolBoxes.

 

[inane2]

That damage is from the box rocking during transport.

Thanks cajunrebel. I knew it couldn't be from anything I had done. The whole box is out of square now. Drawers opened and closed fine, but the top lid was jacked up.

Returned it with no issue and ordered another. Will be checking this one out at the store.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

That damage is from the box rocking during transport. I sent a brand new Westward box across country for a training mission in 2015 and it had similar damage in the same spot. It was worse because it was loaded with hundreds of pounds of tools. It had cracks in those spots about an inch and a half long. The box had to be warranted. Then we had another identical box (the unit owned 3 identical kits) crack from daily use. We had to rivet on a beef up plate there inside and out. Turns out the base of the box was resting firmly as the top wobbled end to end. We now make sure to brace our boxes prior to shipment to prevent this.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

Eh, I kind of doubt that. The HF boxes are made really well for the price. I would wager it was dropped before it was crated or the pallet sent all of the shock load to the box when dropped or slammed down.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[2000-cvpi]

I think HF must regularly refund or exchange damaged boxes. I went to HF store a few years ago, cash burning a hole in my pocket for a big box after reading on GJ how wonderful they are. Got there, saw they had a fairly large area set up with about any and all configurations of boxes one could imagine. Large, small, with tops, with side cab's, different colors and configurations, on and on. I made a beeline over there, found that every single one was junked: drawers hanging down or falling out, tops warped, boxes warped, sheet metal sides crumpled, cabinet doors hanging by one hinge, one had two wheel twisted almost off and was propped up with something or another. In other words, they had all these damaged boxes and accessories as display.

Employee came up and asked the usual, I said I was disappointed that the boxes were clearly junky. She said, with a little smile, "Sad, isn't it?"

I went home and called StrictlyToolBoxes.

I’ve been to multiple HF stores and I’ve never seen a display like that. It’s exactly the opposite.

 

[kythri]

I’ve been to multiple HF stores and I’ve never seen a display like that. It’s exactly the opposite.

Hey, don't let pesky things like facts and reality get in the way of a good HF bashing.

 

[bcradio]

I went home and called StrictlyToolBoxes.

Good, more for us!

 

[cajunrebel`]

Eh, I kind of doubt that. The HF boxes are made really well for the price. I would wager it was dropped before it was crated or the pallet sent all of the shock load to the box when dropped or slammed down.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Drops usually damage the bottom and the casters, not the top.

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[DFB]

I'll bet they were stacked in transport

 

[rijndael]

Drops usually damage the bottom and the casters, not the top.

If it's not the piece receiving the impact (on the ends), perhaps it's a box in the middle of the stack, it depends on where the weakpoints are.

 

[javyLSU]

I found the exact same damage on a 26" box I bought in store. Didn't discover the damage until I got home and unboxed it. I put it right back in the truck, and HF exchanged it for a new one without issue. They opened the box of the new one to check it for damage before putting it in my truck, which I appreciated.