First time at harbor freight!

[High Octane]

Going crazy here! I think I need adult supervision in here LOL. Carts already full, plus its a 3 day sale too

 

[trboxman]

Buy wisely. Not everything is a good deal, especially if it breaks...

 

[High Octane]

You're right. Some flex head ratchets, tool cart, socket organizers and misc stuff

 

[trboxman]

Sounds like you're on the right track.

 

[american lockpicker]

I once had a gander in HF and could only find 2 items that were remotely interesting...

If you really are finding stuff you like make a few trips and use coupons every time.

 

[koditten]

What did you think of the smell? No other place smells like HF. Nephew says "This must be what China smells like"

I don't mind the smell, but some people I know can't handle it.

KO

 

[High Octane]

They wouldn't let me use the coupon on the tool cart. Kept saying it was a cart. But it was on sale already for $169.99. Should I go back?

 

[jasonreck71]

They wouldn't let me use the coupon on the tool cart. Kept saying it was a cart. But it was on sale already for $169.99. Should I go back?

I was there yesterday for the chain saw chain sharpener that is on sale. They wouldn't let me use the coupon on that either, sure enough the fine print said you couldn't use it on sale items...Oh well still got a good deal

 

[ishiboo]

They wouldn't let me use the coupon on the tool cart. Kept saying it was a cart. But it was on sale already for $169.99. Should I go back?

Normally the carts do qualify, you may want to ask a manager and verify a tool cart is not a tool cabinet. I have a feeling they'll be changing the wording on the coupons soon.

20% off the regular $199.99 is $159.99, cheaper than the $169.99 it's on sale for, so worst case scenario ask if you could do that.

 

[Cryptic1911]

the red cart doesn't get much cheaper than that usually, so if you're still in the area, just go back and grab it

 

[High Octane]

I have it but am not happy. If I can get it a little cheaper then thats what I want to do. I spent $350.00.

 

[High Octane]

I guess I was wondering if I could get 20% off the sale price thats all

 

[Walterchang]

Calm down, yes the first time is awesome. Not everything is great, buy wisely.

 

[lineman88]

Check out the pass fail, thread for Harbour Freight here on the forum. Some stuff is good other stuff not so good. Good luck.

 

[lbgradwell]

So, ummm, what it is about this thread that warrants a current 4-star rating?

 

[trboxman]

So, ummm, what it is about this thread that warrants a current 4-star rating?

Why would it warrant any rating at all??

 

[Brucegbombara]

There's some shady looking Characters in HF

 

[JimDon]

"There's some shady looking Characters in HF"

Geez, I thought you'd never stop staring at me either! Ha
Cheers,
JimDon

 

[Original Man]

Sparse staff wish the employees were friendlier. They literally avoid you.

 

[bassbone52]

First time for me today, too. Picked up the 3/8 and 1/2 composite ratchets and some chrome moly impact sockets. Seems like good stuff. I need a new floor jack and their 3ton model is on sale for 79.99 thru january.

 

[thooks]

I can tell you the smell is less than 50% of what it used to be. It would knock you down 5-6 years ago. Today it is barely noticeable.

I have to say the quality of a lot of the stuff sold there has improved greatly. I really never went there for anything other than nitrile gloves and some other minor stuff, but I have spent nearly a grand there in the last 12 months. A 5-drawer tool cart, the 16-drawer combo set, many hand tools, tie-downs, etc. If I didn't have a ton of Craftsman mechanics tools already, I'd be looking hard at their stuff.

 

[High Octane]

All in all IM happy. I just really watch my money. It smells like farm and fleet, like a tire store. I would go back for another sale for the hydraulic tubing bender

 

[Justin C]

I have some coupns for the 4 drawer black cart for 99.99 Is that a good deal for that cart i hear everyone talk about the 5 drawer.

 

[Alex55]

I picked up the 4 drawer black cart with the $99 dollar coupon about a month and a half ago. The cart is great for the money and ive had no problems with it as well as the other three guys at my shop who have it as well.

 

[trboxman]

I can tell you the smell is less than 50% of what it used to be. It would knock you down 5-6 years ago. Today it is barely noticeable.

I have to say the quality of a lot of the stuff sold there has improved greatly. I really never went there for anything other than nitrile gloves and some other minor stuff, but I have spent nearly a grand there in the last 12 months. A 5-drawer tool cart, the 16-drawer combo set, many hand tools, tie-downs, etc. If I didn't have a ton of Craftsman mechanics tools already, I'd be looking hard at their stuff.

A grand? Really? Dude, I would have never guessed...

I just picked up the 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar on Wednesday.

 

[High Octane]

I bought some swivel head ratchets, 1/2 and 3/8 by Pittsburgh, the metric and sae and star bit hex key sets, some nice picks, a bunch of standing socket holders and the five drawer tool cart. That 56 inch box is actually really nice too

 

[thooks]

A grand? Really? Dude, I would have never guessed...

I just picked up the 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar on Wednesday.

Ok, mebbe a grand was being a little too enthusiastic. We'll go $600. Mostly on tool boxes.

I got that 25" breaker bar. It is a beast. I've also bought:

1/2" drive Metric impact deep socket set
1/2" old skool Earthquake impact wrench
Deadblow hammer
Misc items
Plastic creeper (big PASS)

 

[trboxman]

I got the new style 1/2" Earthquake impact for Christmas. I haven't had a chance to put it through it's paces yet but I've got front wheel bearings to replace on the 2500HD coming up real soon. I figure either it or the breaker will come in right handy.

 

[dodge610]

Not my first time but picked up this morning at the 3-day sale that ends today the 33pc. x-acto knife set, 3/8 ratcheting breaker bar, 1/4 composite ratchet. Good deal on all three items putting the x acto hobby knife thru its paces as we speak so far so good. Got all three for about $35.00 plus my free items also love the cashiers at my HF they are great along with the manager he is a super guy.

 

[MD11]

I made a lot of people upset with my "First time in HF" thread where I made the assertion that 99% of it is Dollar Store quality.. but to each his own. Some believe in Quantity>Quality while others believe in Quality>Quantity.

 

[dodge610]

I made a lot of people upset with my "First time in HF" thread where I made the assertion that 99% of it is Dollar Store quality.. but to each his own. Some believe in Quantity>Quality while others believe in Quality>Quantity.

They do have some Dollar store items but are improving the quality of there items daily. They are trying to please a vast array of the market out there and that includes both quality and quantity. It is just a fact of life so yes to each his own. Talked to the manager at my HF and think you are going to see some big changes in the quality of tools they sell this year.

 

[Danglerb]

I shop in dollar stores, big lots, and HF, and there is some overlap, but its more like 15% and generally those items are not tools. Avoid "looks like" comparisons, plenty of thing have a similar appearance and differ greatly in quality.

 

[american lockpicker]

Big Lots occasionally has some good tools.

 

[Butters]

I made a lot of people upset with my "First time in HF" thread where I made the assertion that 99% of it is Dollar Store quality.. but to each his own. Some believe in Quantity>Quality while others believe in Quality>Quantity.

Maybe people were upset because you make backhanded statements like that.

Thankfully most people can strike a balance and not just assume cost and quality are directly related. Since I was born with a brain and eyes that all function to some extent, I try to use them when deciding which tool to purchase for my needs. I guess it would be easier to just buy something based upon the name on it. It would cost more, but it would save me from having to do any of that thinkin' stuff.

I'd be pretty upset if I was forced to only shop at Harbor Freight. Probably exactly as upset as I would be if forced to only shop on Snap On trucks. Thankfully, we have choices and can shop at a variety of places where.

 

[bsaint]

Buy it all, let god sort them out.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Sparse staff wish the employees were friendlier. They literally avoid you.

Over staffed wish the employees were a little less friendly. i literally try to avoid them.

 

[WR250F]

Maybe people were upset because you make backhanded statements like that.

Thankfully most people can strike a balance and not just assume cost and quality are directly related. Since I was born with a brain and eyes that all function to some extent, I try to use them when deciding which tool to purchase for my needs. I guess it would be easier to just buy something based upon the name on it. It would cost more, but it would save me from having to do any of that thinkin' stuff.

I'd be pretty upset if I was forced to only shop at Harbor Freight. Probably exactly as upset as I would be if forced to only shop on Snap On trucks. Thankfully, we have choices and can shop at a variety of places where.

This might be one of the most profound statements made ever on the internet.

Using our brain and eyes before blindly following habit or popular opinion ?

It's a long shot, but I say we go for it

 

[Boost Creep]

They wouldn't let me use the coupon on the tool cart. Kept saying it was a cart. But it was on sale already for $169.99. Should I go back?

you can't use the coupon on things that are on sale at sidewalk sales. assuming this last weekend was a sidewalk sale since it was three days. pretty much any other time you see it for like $200ish or so they'll take the coupons which results in basically the same sale price you got it for

 

[rocco]

i went in there for the first time this summer while on vacation and honestly, i was looking forward to it as alot of members had good things to say about some of the products. I got there and to be honest, most everything looked junky, i ended up buying a set of 8$ screwdrivers as a cheap throwaway spare to have in the travel trailer along with a tube of super lube. Nothing else looked to be worth buying. I have bought several things over the years at Princess Auto here in Canada and for the most part, their stuff seems to be higher quality offshore stuff at a reasonable cost. Prices weren't even really that good either, most stuff looked overpriced for offshore. the smell, well its pretty much the same as Princess Auto - i'm used to it.

 

[volunteers]

I went to HF several times with passion, because some people here recommended several specific items. But after I grab the tools on my hands, I decided to walk away without buying them.