Changes coming to HFT.

[TorKe]

From the thread:

Hey guys! HFT Employee here. I wanted to let everyone here know about what's going to be happening over the course of the next couple years at your favorite tool store.

Going forward, Harbor Freight is splitting a lot of tools into 3 categories. There will be the "standard" line (they don't have an official name for this yet), the middle line (I don't know the name of this one), and a higher quality line of "Professional" tools. Basically 3 tiers of quality.

Also, a TON of rebranded (and improved in my opinion) Power Tools, Miter Saws, Welders (thank God on this one), Air Tools, Jack Stands, Jacks, Sockets, Ratchets, and many other assorted items throughout the store. They look new, clean, and upgraded in quality. These items will be rolling in over the course of the next 18 months, so give them some time.
With that said, expect a lot of items to be shuffled around the store and to be in a different spot than you're used to.

If you have any questions about this or want to discuss further, feel free to PM me or comment here. I'll check in regularly!
-Happy HFT Employee

 

[TorKe]

Double post. Oops

 

[1982fxr]

Doesn't sound like ad copy at all.

Wise move on their part though.

 

[Gore]

No more Pittsburgh?

 

[TorKe]

No more Pittsburgh?

Guy said: Pittsburgh isnt going anywhere. Most of the new products are power tools, air tools and toolboxes.

 

[rhannan1988]

Does that mean there will be 3 part numbers for everything now? lol

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[TorKe]

Does that mean there will be 3 part numbers for everything now? lol

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I have that same complaint right now.

 

[66HertzClone]

I have that same complaint right now.

Doesn't that go on already, you look at some of those coupons and for the picture of the item there are often several part numbers.

 

[TorKe]

Doesn't that go on already, you look at some of those coupons and for the picture of the item there are often several part numbers.

Yep, it's my present complaint. HFT can get away with having multiple item #s and no consistency in reviews.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

Aren't some of those brands already US brands? Ames, Diamondback, Hercules, Banks, Braun, etc?

 

[M_George]

Maybe they'll shock us all and strike up a deal with Stanley.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

were.

 

[nh_yota]

How they don't get sued for trademark infringement is beyond me.

 

[TorKe]

were.

Were American brands?

 

[chrisexv6]

Does that mean there will be 3 part numbers for everything now? lol

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Nope.

Now there will be 9. 3 lines for each of the current 3 lot numbers for the exact same item

EDIT: although, I did stumble on one older lot number actually making a difference. The 1/4" torque wrench, the older lot number is made in Taiwan and the newer is made in China. The 9.99 coupon shows both lot numbers as eligible but when scanned at register it didnt work (cashier did an override for me though). Sure it isnt the most accurate, but for 10.00 from Taiwan its probably a good deal.

 

[PugetDude]

Aren't some of those brands already US brands? Ames, Diamondback, Hercules, Banks, Braun, etc?

Looks like their marketing is working already.

 

[SantaAna12]

Bring back B&S gas water pumps!

Make Pitt Pro impact socket sets larger (no gaps, and to larger sizes).

Sounds interesting Torke!

 

[TorKe]

Whether it beats or doesn't best the competitor is completely subjective. Pic of Hercules Miter Saw.

 

[woody 73]

Torke I never got smart out of; why HF stopped selling made in the USA air hose I could never buy enough of their air hose then one day they stopped selling it.

Will they ever go back to selling it ?

 

[rlitman]

Did the every sell made in the USA air hose?
They sold Goodyear branded air hoses, but I need to point out that the Goodyear name on hoses is a licensing deal, not something actually made by Goodyear.
I have Goodyear garden hoses, and they're made in China.

 

[neophyte]

One World Technologies and Techtronic Industries, the same company that owns Milwaukee, and manufactures the Ryobi and Ridgid power tools sold at Home Depot, is trying to renegotiate their contract with Sears, supposedly over worries that Sears will go bankrupt and won't be able to pay for their orders. I wonder if Harbor Freight coming out with a higher quality line of power tools has anything to due with Techtronic trying to set up a new outlet for their tools for when Sears goes bust.

 

[48548]

Did the every sell made in the USA air hose?
They sold Goodyear branded air hoses, but I need to point out that the Goodyear name on hoses is a licensing deal, not something actually made by Goodyear.
I have Goodyear garden hoses, and they're made in China.

I had goodyear hoses made in USA from HF.

 

[kctyphoon]

There are alot of USA made products on the shelves at HF. You only need to look.. the tools are another story.

 

[TURNA]

Torke I never got smart out of; why HF stopped selling made in the USA air hose I could never buy enough of their air hose then one day they stopped selling it.

Will they ever go back to selling it ?

They didn't stop selling USA made air hoses.

All the USA company's went overseas!!!!!

 

[928'er]

And they'll all be made in:

Detroit, China
Chicago, China
Pittsburgh, China
Daytona, China
Bremen, China, and
Zurich, China....

 

[blown94conv]

And they'll flood the market with cheap tools, and the tool whores will celebrate.

 

[TorKe]

And they'll flood the market with cheap tools, and the tool whores will celebrate.

Capitalists, dude.

 

[Richard Cranium]

look forwards to the change.

 

[1950mercury]

I'm just glad the op hasn't posted another troll vote post

 

[Parrothead]

One thing to note, well more than one thing, most if not all of those new brands are excluded from the 20% off coupons. Secondly, the prices of the new brands are much too close to nationally recognized brands. Without the coupon, I'd prefer DeWalt, Makita, etc. vs Harbor Freight made up brand. Don't misunderstand, I like HF, I was just there today.

 

[Parrothead]

Whether it beats or doesn't best the competitor is completely subjective. Pic of Hercules Miter Saw.

I can go buy a 15" DeWalt sliding compound miter saw for $399 from Home Depot right now. Correction I can buy it for $399 with 11% off since they match Menards. So I can get a name brand saw cheaper than a knock off brand from HF.

I really hope HF doesn't lose sight of who they are, as they were the low price leader in good enough tools. I have a decent amount of stuff for my junkyard box and travel tools. I'd likely never really go there for my "good" tools. Trying to take on national brands seems futile.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-15-...gclid=CJWInYP99dMCFcK6wAodjY0HLw&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[TorKe]

The Yukon Toolbox


Looks like a husky replica. Will be price between $249 and $279

 

[Infinia]

One thing to note, well more than one thing, most if not all of those new brands are excluded from the 20% off coupons. Secondly, the prices of the new brands are much too close to nationally recognized brands. Without the coupon, I'd prefer DeWalt, Makita, etc. vs Harbor Freight made up brand. Don't misunderstand, I like HF, I was just there today.

AFAIK its just a few of items like the US General Tool Chests and some of their brand name Jacks, otherwise the coupons fine print would get small > I just used the one day 25% off on USA brand 32 oz. polishing compound, makes the same price at Amazon.com plus I got a free 27 LED flash batt. included.
But I agree w/o a coupon any items will be priced the same if not more than if they where carried in the other big Box stores. The USA OEMs wont let HF steal all their customers.

 

[yamaha0343]

The Yukon Toolbox


Looks like a husky replica. Will be price between $249 and $279

That's just about the same price as the box they're ripping off.

 

[Brownsfan]

The Yukon Toolbox


Looks like a husky replica. Will be price between $249 and $279

But it's automatically better because it's sold at Harbor freight.

 

[yamaha0343]

I can go buy a 15" DeWalt sliding compound miter saw for $399 from Home Depot right now. Correction I can buy it for $399 with 11% off since they match Menards. So I can get a name brand saw cheaper than a knock off brand from HF.

I really hope HF doesn't lose sight of who they are, as they were the low price leader in good enough tools. I have a decent amount of stuff for my junkyard box and travel tools. I'd likely never really go there for my "good" tools. Trying to take on national brands seems futile.

That's exactly it. They're the no-name brand/knockoff tool store that sells 'good enough' tools. No informed consumer is going to buy the knockoff for the same price as the name brand.

HF is great at being what they are, hopefully they realize that and stick with it.

 

[yamaha0343]

But it's automatically better because it's sold at Harbor freight.

So true!

 

[PugetDude]

That's just about the same price as the box they're ripping off.

How are they "ripping it off" ? Both boxes are made in China; HD hangs a Husky badge on theirs, HF hangs a Yukon Badge on theirs... Neither HD or HF manufacture anything; they're both just importers/resellers.
Never understood this logic.

 

[PugetDude]

That's just about the same price as the box they're ripping off.

I bought 5 of the Husky boxes at HD in April for $199 each- minus 10% for a moving coupon. With tax and a one hour rental on the HD truck , still under a grand.

So glad I got the real-deal genuine Chinese HD boxes, not the ripoff Chinese HF boxes. I couldn't live with myself if they had those cheesy "Yukon" badges on them instead of the "Husky" dog from the Yukon....

 

[yamaha0343]

How are they "ripping it off" ? Both boxes are made in China; HD hangs a Husky badge on theirs, HF hangs a Yukon Badge on theirs... Neither HD or HF manufacture anything; they're both just importers/resellers.
Never understood this logic.

I'd imagine that a reseller the size of HD has some strong design input on the boxes they put their brand name on, just like the Kobalt and Craftsman stuff.

Is it really a big coincidence that HF makes/orders their new box to look just like the models at a very large big box store chain that most people are familiar with? No hate towards HF, but this is what they specialize in. We'll see the Yukon vs Husky ads soon enough.