Buy Harbor Freight Toolboxes In Canada?

[InjectorService]

Hi guys,
I'm wondering if you guys have come across this. I am trying to buy 3 of the 44" HF toolboxes but I am from Canada.

No problem, I do this all the time, have it shipped to a US boarder town, and go pick it up. Easy peasy.

BUT.... HF ONLY takes credit cards from US addresses! I've never heard of such a thing, I buy stuff from around the world and have NEVER experienced this.

I'm buying the boxes from there because they are decent quality, and a good price.

Maybe you guys have another suggestion? I don't know why Princess Auto up here (basically Harbor Freight) has jack all for toolboxes.... man this is frustrating.

Blake

 

[jayoldschool]

Well, the border is closed so even if you order, you're not getting across to pick up.

I suggest the boxes at Costco, they're good, local, and id you don't like, no problem returning. I've used one for years.

 

[gerryw]

HF sales and shipping are for US shoppers only, thats why it has to be a US address.
Its too bad but thats their business i guess.

Gerry

Edit: yes PA box choice is very limited isnt it.
Buy a used box?

Gerry

 

[InjectorService]

Well, the border is closed so even if you order, you're not getting across to pick up.

I suggest the boxes at Costco, they're good, local, and id you don't like, no problem returning. I've used one for years.

I can try there, I really like these HF boxes. It must have not been a problem in the past as I have done exatly this before.

And I know you cant cross, but you can if it is for business, which this is. I just sent a truck down a week or 2 ago.

 

[InjectorService]

HF sales and shipping are for US shoppers only, thats why it has to be a US address.
Its too bad but thats their business i guess.

Gerry

Edit: yes PA box choice is very limited isnt it.
Buy a used box?

Gerry

Yeah they seem like arrogant assholes to be honest. Most people in the US I have dealt with are great and realize that there is a much larger world out there than just the US.

Seeing as most of their stuff comes from China, I would think they of all people would realize this.

 

[gerryw]

Oh for the days we could just drive over!

Good luck, cheers!
Gerry

 

[GForceJunky]

HF isn't the only company that does this. I am Canadian but live in the US now and initially I had US dollar credit cards through a Canadian bank with a Canadian billing address and even though I lived in the US and had a US shipping address, it was a USD credit card, etc., I had at least one or two companies refuse/unable to complete the transaction.

It's an unfortunate reality, as rare as it is. I've had the same thing happen trying to order stuff abroad - having a shipping address in Europe wasn't enough - needed a European billing address. It happens.

 

[noid]

Get this:

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-10-drawer-cabinet-55-in-0581366p.html#srp

It goes on sale from time to time for $699 CAD.

Its crazy good value; and you wont have to worry about it rotting.

 

[SamuraiJack]

Credit card payments with international customers adds a whole level of complexity for back office operations. Assuming HF has done the cost benefit analysis and determined the expected cost outweighs the benefits. If they could make a profit they would sell all the chinese product you could buy.

There is a HF in Grand Forks, MN which is only an hour to the border. Call them and see if you can coordinate with the store manager, may even save money on shipping. Your CC will work just fine in the store provided it does not get blocked by your bank.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Part of the reason for the problem is the way Canada and the US differ in CC processing. Canada uses PINs for CC transactions and the US doesn’t. Many times US CC processing just doesn’t know how to accommodate the PIN.

You might try purchasing a Visa prepaid card in the US and using it.

 

[GForceJunky]

Part of the reason for the problem is the way Canada and the US differ in CC processing. Canada uses PINs for CC transactions and the US doesn’t. Many times US CC processing just doesn’t know how to accommodate the PIN.

You might try purchasing a Visa prepaid card in the US and using it.

Except any online or phone purchase in Canada does not use the PIN, no different than any online or phone purchase in the US - it's only for in-person purchases. And I have had to use a PIN on US Credit Cards in the US at times before. Whether people realize it or not, pretty much every US card now has a pin or gives you the option to set one, but since it's almost never asked for at stores it's not something people think about.

 

[InjectorService]

Credit card payments with international customers adds a whole level of complexity for back office operations. Assuming HF has done the cost benefit analysis and determined the expected cost outweighs the benefits. If they could make a profit they would sell all the chinese product you could buy.

There is a HF in Grand Forks, MN which is only an hour to the border. Call them and see if you can coordinate with the store manager, may even save money on shipping. Your CC will work just fine in the store provided it does not get blocked by your bank.

Yeah I tried this. They don't have enough stock for what I need. And if I want to order, I have to pre-pay it in person, they don't take any CC over the phone. She literally told me to drive down there, pay, then drive back down to pick them up when they are in.

I just can't believe in this day and age a company of that size just doesn't get it.

My injector business ships and bills around the world. I have Canadian $ billing as well as US $ billing. Customers from all corners of the world. Just not that hard. Stubbon and simple minded.

I just looked at Costco too, they don't have much to offer, and I don't like what I do see, they used to carry Homak, and I bought one there before which I do like, but nothing online like that now.

Canadian Tire's offerings are also **** for what I need. Big chests with low drawer volume seems to be the norm with box stores.

Oh well Ill figure something out.

 

[Jersey Drew]

When you cross border buy a prepaid card with cash then use that for payment

 

[Paco Pena]

I bought a 42 inch box from KMS tools in Canada. Same box as Harbor Freight. Must be the same manufacturer. Still looks to be the same box on line. 42 inch description product ID # says 44.

Paco

 

[mikegt4]

I bought a 42 inch box from KMS tools in Canada. Same box as Harbor Freight. Must be the same manufacturer. Still looks to be the same box on line. 42 inch description product ID # says 44.

Paco

HF includes the handle in the width measurement making a 42" box magically become a 44" box.

 

[Mr.Smoke]

Would a single, larger box work? What about 4 slightly smaller ones? Check out the offerings by Styrke and Rousseau. Both are Canadian companies making quality products. I just my my deposit down today on my pre-order for a 72" box from Styrke.

 

[joey1320]

RuralKing.com has the same boxes as the Yukon and the same 5 drawer carts as HF. Maybe try them.

 

[dmftoy1]

HF includes the handle in the width measurement making a 42" box magically become a 44" box.

Must’ve hired Craftsman execs


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Jazz1]

Hi guys,
I'm wondering if you guys have come across this. I am trying to buy 3 of the 44" HF toolboxes but I am from Canada.

No problem, I do this all the time, have it shipped to a US boarder town, and go pick it up. Easy peasy.

BUT.... HF ONLY takes credit cards from US addresses! I've never heard of such a thing, I buy stuff from around the world and have NEVER experienced this.

I'm buying the boxes from there because they are decent quality, and a good price.



Maybe you guys have another suggestion? I don't know why Princess Auto up here (basically Harbor Freight) has jack all for toolboxes.... man this is frustrating.

Blake

Its simple to get around,,,just change your address on credit card. Pickup at border as there is no way in hell they will ship to Canada. I did this for my only HF purchase and then changed address back. You do it online. HF definitely missing out on a lot of sales but most likely they just think there’s only a dozen or so of us living here in the frozen tundra

 

[InjectorService]

Thanks for all the help guys, Ill get it all sorted out! You guys have been a great help!

 

[Jordoncloutier]

Any update on what tool box you were able to get ?

I was also trying to research if it is feasible to go across the border and purchase a HF (usgeneral) tool box.

 

[dstblj52]

Any update on what tool box you were able to get ?

I was also trying to research if it is feasible to go across the border and purchase a HF (usgeneral) tool box.

honestly the easiest thing to do is to either get a us debt or pre paid card

 

[Kscardsfan]

Its simple to get around,,,just change your address on credit card. Pickup at border as there is no way in hell they will ship to Canada. I did this for my only HF purchase and then changed address back. You do it online. HF definitely missing out on a lot of sales but most likely they just think there’s only a dozen or so of us living here in the frozen tundra

You mean there’s 2 dozen?

 

[Ton ton]

You Canadians have an awesome tool store in Millbank, Ontario, Canada. Yes, they sell toolboxes. Millbank Country Hardware. Yes, I have been there.

 

[dstblj52]

Its simple to get around,,,just change your address on credit card. Pickup at border as there is no way in hell they will ship to Canada. I did this for my only HF purchase and then changed address back. You do it online. HF definitely missing out on a lot of sales but most likely they just think there’s only a dozen or so of us living here in the frozen tundra

i would say its mostly that their pos system is still entirely based on command line, and is in serious need of an upgrade so it may be a tech limitation

 

[Jazz1]

You Canadians have an awesome tool store in Millbank, Ontario, Canada. Yes, they sell toolboxes. Millbank Country Hardware. Yes, I have been there.

The Millbank store is very unique,,and dont forget to get some ice cream and baked goods before leaving town.
KMS tools in Kelowna BC is worth a trip,,,daughter dropped me off there for some “quality time”

 

[JradM]

I'm surprised this was worth the hassle. I realize the OP already figured out a solution, but here's a very similar available-in-Canada option nonetheless:

Magnum 42" 13-Drawer Roller Cabinet - Red

Featuring 18 gauge steel construction, ball bearing slides, heavy-duty side handles and more, the Magnum tool boxes are sturdy and stylish. This roller cabinet has 13 drawers and a classic red finish. Also available in black. Ball bearing slides Heav

www.kmstools.com

$699 vs $639 by the time you convert the HF box to CAD - but that doesn't take into account the hassle of getting it across the border.

I wish we had the US General boxes available in Canada too, but there's pretty reasonable alternatives.

 

[dstblj52]

I'm surprised this was worth the hassle. I realize the OP already figured out a solution, but here's a very similar available-in-Canada option nonetheless:

Magnum 42" 13-Drawer Roller Cabinet - Red

Featuring 18 gauge steel construction, ball bearing slides, heavy-duty side handles and more, the Magnum tool boxes are sturdy and stylish. This roller cabinet has 13 drawers and a classic red finish. Also available in black. Ball bearing slides Heav

www.kmstools.com

$699 vs $639 by the time you convert the HF box to CAD - but that doesn't take into account the hassle of getting it across the border.

I wish we had the US General boxes available in Canada too, but there's pretty reasonable alternatives.

thats damn near identical

 

[rogersmithiii]

It's kind of irrelevant, since HF is backordered, and not expecting any boxes until October or maybe later.

 

[Jazz1]

Possibly BEACH could go back into production, they made very decent boxes under various brands. I got my Beach 12 drawer free

 

[mike93lx]

I'm surprised this was worth the hassle. I realize the OP already figured out a solution, but here's a very similar available-in-Canada option nonetheless:

Magnum 42" 13-Drawer Roller Cabinet - Red

Featuring 18 gauge steel construction, ball bearing slides, heavy-duty side handles and more, the Magnum tool boxes are sturdy and stylish. This roller cabinet has 13 drawers and a classic red finish. Also available in black. Ball bearing slides Heav

www.kmstools.com

$699 vs $639 by the time you convert the HF box to CAD - but that doesn't take into account the hassle of getting it across the border.

I wish we had the US General boxes available in Canada too, but there's pretty reasonable alternatives.

I love their inventory breakdown by store. Wish everyone did that

 

[mikedodge]

Part of the reason for the problem is the way Canada and the US differ in CC processing. Canada uses PINs for CC transactions and the US doesn’t. Many times US CC processing just doesn’t know how to accommodate the PIN.

You might try purchasing a Visa prepaid card in the US and using it.

Its not processing it's the fraud issue. You only use PIN in person. I don't know if they still do but Rock auto used to do it too and would only ship to billing address.
Anyway like someone else already said the easiest way around it is call the credit card company and have the address changed. They're used to it and will even have it automatically change back after a few days.

 

[Jazz1]

Rockauto ships to Canada although previous to that I picked up Rockauto shipments at border. Rockauto did not require billing and shipping addresses to jive. Many companies dont although some will check authorization of card holder

 

[Bean438]

Just to update this thread:

im Canadian. I’ve purchased at HB with a Canadian credit card. No issues. In fact the only place I e had a problem is Costco.

if you are ordering online from Canada (at a us based store or online to ship to a us address)
then you should have a secondary us address on your cc acount.

I’ll even put a note in the order comments that the us address is on file with the cc company. (if billing and shipping address are different)

itd.b E nice if Hb accepted pay-pal