Harbor Freight Beliefs

[Stuey]

Just received a marketing message from HF. It had this included in there:

Harbor Freight Tools is the largest tool and equipment retailer in the U.S.A., with over 20 million satisfied customers. All of our tools are factory direct - Just quality tools and products with a wide selection of auto, electrical, home, garden, lawn, lighting and air-hand-power tools. Nobody beats our quality, service and price.

I should point out that I am not a fan of HF on several levels. But "nobody beats out quality." Really? c'mon...

What worries me is that their execs might really believe this.

 

[slob]

I have never purchased an item at Harbor Freight that lasted more than a week.

 

[JWILL]

Just received a marketing message from HF. It had this included in there:



I should point out that I am not a fan of HF on several levels. But "nobody beats out quality." Really? c'mon...

What worries me is that their execs might really believe this.

No more than a Snap On exec believes that his tools are worth your entire wage and you should be oh so greatful they even sold them to you.

 

[TinKnocker]

some one out there agrees with this statement. everyone else is sane.

 

[bobcatdan]

I am guess these statements were made by people who have never held one of their tools in their hand, let a lone a good.

 

[Joe B.]

I am guess these statements were made by people who have never held one of their tools in their hand, let a lone a good.

Also known as the marketing department.

 

[BajaBound]

I have some things from HF that are great and some that are ****. It's hit and miss but it fills a hug niche and is great for many of person. But I agree their qaulity statement is a bit much.

 

[lennoxlennox]

Just received a marketing message from HF. It had this included in there:



I should point out that I am not a fan of HF on several levels. But "nobody beats out quality." Really? c'mon...

What worries me is that their execs might really believe this.

This is what happens when they don't use a spell checker.

This went out by accident, what was meant to be sent out was...

Harbor Freight Tools is the largest tool and equipment retailer in the U.S.A., with over 20 million satisfied customers. All of our tools are factory direct - Just quality tools and products with a wide selection of auto, electrical, home, garden, lawn, lighting and air-hand-power tools. Everybody beats our quality, service and price.

 

[lennoxlennox]

on this I think they are doing the correct comparison....

"20 million satisfied customers" (er um, satisfied, really?)

with

"billions and billions served"


puts the quality thing in perspective

 

[Flatintoone]

Maybe they meant Nobody beats our quality, service, and price. As in, nobody beats our combination of quality, service, and price. Not saying I necessarily agree, but it looks like crafty marketing-speak to me.

 

[bcradio]

Maybe they meant Nobody beats our quality, service, and price. As in, nobody beats our combination of quality, service, and price. Not saying I necessarily agree, but it looks like crafty marketing-speak to me.

This is exactly correct... they did not say Nobody beats our quality, service, OR price

The "and" combination is where we could argue on this matter as they don't charge outrageous prices for these tools.

 

[Jim85IROC]

What the hell do you guys expect them to say? "We sell ****, but you suckers keep buying it"

 

[Hawk]

Same old posting, just another day

 

[jim2664258]

What the hell do you guys expect them to say? "We sell ****, but you suckers keep buying it"

If they just threw the word 'cheap' in there, it'd probably work.

 

[Exceller8]

What the hell do you guys expect them to say? "We sell ****, but you suckers keep buying it"

 

[Outlawmws]

Just received a marketing message from HF. It had this included in there:



I should point out that I am not a fan of HF on several levels. But "nobody beats out quality." Really? c'mon...

What worries me is that their execs might really believe this.

Stuey, I hate to have to say it, but you did take them out of context. they didn't state "nobody beats out quality." their statement was: "Nobody beats our quality, service and price." which is a single set of co-related qualifications.

I don't disagree with your opinion of them overall, and I wish they would work harder to get out of the Chicom sourcing, and I might go in a bit more often, considering they are all of three blocks from my house...

 

[Gary S]

Their quality is easy to beat with good US made tools, but they are probably right about nobody beating their price.
I have some Harbor Freight tools that are 20 years old and still working, BUT, these are tools that get low usage. I buy carefully from them. Any tool I expect to use often or use hard, I won't buy a cheap Chinese tool, Harbor Freight, or anybody selling the same tools. Hard usage tools need to be quality tools.
Tools I need to complete a project, and likely won't be using more than once a year or so, I buy cheap tools. They will last a lifetime used like that, and buying a high quality tool and not using it just doesn't make sense.

It takes only a tiny bit of common sense to choose a tool. Few people today seem to have that sense. If you make your living with your hand tools, you need the best, no matter what they cost because they are earning your living. If you play in your garage, you don't need the best and most expensive tools.

 

[KinzeMech]

If you believe everything you see in an ad, be it HF, Snapon, or anything in between, come over to my place tonight. I've got this bridge you have just got to see.

 

[Exceller8]

Their quality is easy to beat with good US made tools, but they are probably right about nobody beating their price.
I have some Harbor Freight tools that are 20 years old and still working, BUT, these are tools that get low usage. I buy carefully from them. Any tool I expect to use often or use hard, I won't buy a cheap Chinese tool, Harbor Freight, or anybody selling the same tools. Hard usage tools need to be quality tools.
Tools I need to complete a project, and likely won't be using more than once a year or so, I buy cheap tools. They will last a lifetime used like that, and buying a high quality tool and not using it just doesn't make sense.

It takes only a tiny bit of common sense to choose a tool. Few people today seem to have that sense. If you make your living with your hand tools, you need the best, no matter what they cost because they are earning your living. If you play in your garage, you don't need the best and most expensive tools.

That is the best way to use HF, IMO. I buy tools from them that I don't use very often. I hate spending big $$$ on tools that just don't get used very much.

 

[Flatintoone]

From some impressions, HF is a wonderland of tools at bargain-basement prices. I don't go in very often, but when I do, I can seldom bring myself to buy anything. I have a lot of the socket rails (but I'm not a pro, so they really don't get used much), I'm afraid to use the two screwdrivers I bought there, and I regretted spending $3 on the snap-ring plier set the first time I used it. The free flashlights are ok, but even they might as well be disposable...
Wait, what was the topic?
Some people would agree with their statement, though... I once had to smile and nod as someone told me his HF ratcheting wrenches were "just as good as Snap-on because they have a lifetime warranty." Marketing works...

 

[egnorant]

It's called lying...you would be surprised how often it happens.

Bruce

 

[lakehunter2012]

lakehunter:

every now and then sometings just work.
I own a horizontal metal bandsaw from HF that just works beautifully everytime i have to use it.
One of my hobbies is welding and i work on projects only only days that end with Y.











'

 

[dadsEH]

What they really meant was....
nobody beats our quality, service, and price ( pick any two!)

 

[DFW-LSX]

Sent from somewhere in Tx using Tapatalk

 

[yucholian]

I have never purchased an item at Harbor Freight that lasted more than a week.

There is one thing that last more than 1 week: Their stank. Anything remotely plastic or rubber stink for ever.

 

[slob]

Wonderland is right. I wouldn't even know where to find some of that specialty metalworking and oddball woodworking equipment if I needed it. But if I did need it I would certainly need it to last more than a few hours.

 

[NWphotog]

HF is just yanking Stuey's chain and he fell for it! Nice job HF!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

From some impressions, HF is a wonderland of tools at bargain-basement prices. I don't go in very often, but when I do, I can seldom bring myself to buy anything. I have a lot of the socket rails (but I'm not a pro, so they really don't get used much), I'm afraid to use the two screwdrivers I bought there, and I regretted spending $3 on the snap-ring plier set the first time I used it. The free flashlights are ok, but even they might as well be disposable...
Wait, what was the topic?
Some people would agree with their statement, though... I once had to smile and nod as someone told me his HF ratcheting wrenches were "just as good as Snap-on because they have a lifetime warranty." Marketing works...

Ya; he can maybe pound a nail just as good with his HF ratcheting wrenches as he could with SnapOns.... I would have smiled also.

 

[ElectroLight]

Sent from somewhere in Tx using Tapatalk

^^^ This!

As previously mentioned, we must read and understand the sentence as written. As for HF tools lasting more than a week, many of their hand tools are made in Taiwan as are many of todays "truck" tools. Take a few minutes to look through the HF pass/fail thread, real world reviews from members here. I have purchased many tools based on reviews in that thread and haven't been let down.

 

[92GreenYJ]

I have never purchased an item at Harbor Freight that lasted more than a week.

Then your doing something wrong. Seriously I have a lot of HF stuff floating around that I have used and abused for years and it still works great. Yes I've had a few duds but for the tools I need rarely or for a specialty job, yeah HF rocks for those types of things

 

[slob]

Then your doing something wrong. Seriously I have a lot of HF stuff floating around that I have used and abused for years and it still works great. Yes I've had a few duds but for the tools I need rarely or for a specialty job, yeah HF rocks for those types of things

Yeah. I'm pretty sure it's not me. I had to return 3 trailer tires before I found one that would hold air. One of them blew apart at 23 psi. Same trip to HF I purchased a 1/2" air ratchet that didn't work out of the box. My rowboat was able to saw through their tie down straps on a 2 hour trip on level highway. I purchased an angle grinder at HF that wobbled so badly as to be completely useless. These might be freak occurrences. But when I get similar stories from nearly every professional mechanic and tradesman I know, I have to believe that is not the case.

 

[Mickey O]

Just remember comparing Harbor Freight "tools" to Snap-On or any other quality USA made brand is not fair as I have been told by many of the people that purchase "tools" from Harbor Freight.

I would say Harbor Freights claim "Nobody beats our quality, service and price" clearly indicates they want that comparison.

So, I'm giving away a free set of Snap-On wrenches or a free set of Harbor Freight "wrenches", which one do you want?

 

[KCarGuy]

I have never bought a Harbor Freight tool...Dont think that I ever will.
I have checked the store out.
And I bought some Drawer liner Material.

Honestly, If I was Paying someone to do repairs around my house and I saw them using Harbor Freight Tools...I would be seriously concerned about the quality of the work that I was getting. (Cheap Tools...Cheap Results)
Sorry...Just My Opinion.

 

[Stuey]

Stuey, I hate to have to say it, but you did take them out of context. they didn't state "nobody beats out quality." their statement was: "Nobody beats our quality, service and price." which is a single set of co-related qualifications.

I don't disagree with your opinion of them overall, and I wish they would work harder to get out of the Chicom sourcing, and I might go in a bit more often, considering they are all of three blocks from my house...

I don't know, I saw it more as a list than a single set of qualifications. As in "I like apples, oranges, and pairs." Or "nobody makes better pie, cakes, and brownies than Sue." Joe Shmoe might make better pies, Mary better cakes, and Stuey better brownies.

*shrug*

HF is just yanking Stuey's chain and he fell for it! Nice job HF!

Not the first time. I fell for it when they wanted to discuss review opportunities. Discussed how I conduct honest reviews and all that. Then they ignore me, tell me they don't want to work together anymore after I ask for an update, and then try to pay another blogger to put up sponsored reviews on their site.

HF, "tools so bad we have to pay for good reviews."

That's why I try not to discuss HF too much these days - their marketing strategies sicken me.

And have you guys noticed how HF ads are appearing everywhere? Readers Digest, photography magazines, everywhere. Odd.

 

[t100]

this thread has gotta be a good one.

 

[short stack]

So, I'm giving away a free set of Snap-On wrenches or a free set of Harbor Freight "wrenches", which one do you want?

Well, since I wouldnt be the original owner of those snap on wrenches, they wouldnt be covered by snap on warranty?

Maybe the harbor freight ones would be the better deal!



ss

 

[Mickey O]

Well, since I wouldnt be the original owner of those snap on wrenches, they wouldnt be covered by snap on warranty?

Maybe the harbor freight ones would be the better deal!



ss

Maybe you could fly if you flap your arms fast enough, give it try, start low, say like 30 feet up and see if it works.

 

[cheechi]

And have you guys noticed how HF ads are appearing everywhere? Readers Digest, photography magazines, everywhere. Odd.

I'd say this has more to do with print media's failure than anything HF did wrong. If you are struggling to sell ad space in a magazine that's 1/3 of its size in the 90's, the ad space is going to be cheap, and I don't think it's fair to criticize a company who already advertises in print to expand where they advertise, likely with the same marketing budget as before.

It's like if I were to say some of this nonsense;
I don't think it's fair for a blogger should comment on magazine ads since some blogs are about tools and others are about other things. Some also have ads. The blogs about other things that have ads sometimes have ads about tools. Odd.

 

[franzdom]

I don't know, I saw it more as a list than a single set of qualifications. As in "I like apples, oranges, and pairs." Or "nobody makes better pie, cakes, and brownies than Sue." Joe Shmoe might make better pies, Mary better cakes, and Stuey better brownies.

I like pairs too! pairs of what is the question

 

[Alchymist]

Same old posting, just another day

Yup! It's all been said before.

Honestly, If I was Paying someone to do repairs around my house and I saw them using Harbor Freight Tools...I would be seriously concerned about the quality of the work that I was getting. (Cheap Tools...Cheap Results)
Sorry...Just My Opinion.

Not necessarily true - some real artists in woodworking turn out some real masterpieces on old cheap beat to **** equipment - it's the man, not the tool.

I have never purchased an item at Harbor Freight that lasted more than a week.

It takes only a tiny bit of common sense to choose a tool. Few people today seem to have that sense. .

slob, meet Gary S