Harbor Freight/Chinese Tool Deception

[Ericgst]

I don’t shop at Harbor Freight very often because I usually have a hard time finding anything worth the hassle of its inferior quality. I know there are some items that work well, most of those exceptions I already have a better version of though. Either way this thread is about what I found when poking around.
When walking down one isle, I noticed aluminum handled pipe wrenches pretty inexpensively priced above the typical steel red handled ones.
Immediately, I noticed USA cast into the handle, and thought wow this could be a great buy. Before reading the tag, I inspected the tool pretty thoroughly and concluded the build quality was so-so and found no other markings indicating country of origin. I was really suspicious at this point and read over the small tag. Sure enough, made in China.

To me, this appears to be a play on words, using USA STD together on an adjustable tool seems to be a purposely crafted way to deceive people into thinking it was made in the USA. Sure it can be used on American Standard fasteners, but I bet it works just as well on Metric fasteners.

A second hand buyer would almost surely be confused.

Has anyone else run into this type of misrepresentation on tools that we should be aware of?

 

[danski0224]

A person that knows pipe wrenches and uses them at least somewhat regularly will know that all of the big names (Reed, RIDGID, Rothenberger, LENOX) are proudly cast into the handle somewhere.

I'm not sure if the LENOX models are made in the USA anymore, or at least not China.

Anyone looking to buy a pipe wrench that has even rudimentary knowledge of the tool should know that there is no way, no how, that an aluminum or steel wrench at that price point was made within the borders of any country with laws to protect the worker or environment.

Those are maybe 25% of the cost of a RIDGID aluminum pipe wrench.

Deceptive intent? Possibly. Casting or stamping the country of origin somewhere should be a requirement, but lawmakers will not strengthen import laws on their own.

I have yet to use a Chinese pipe wrench that has a smooth action on the adjusting screw.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

The Chinese fake everything. If you go to flea markets you will see lots of womens purses, sunglasses, clothing, SOG knives, nails, and bolts that are not not hardened or stamped with the proper grading.

The Chinese are very capable of making awesome products. The society is very corrupt and they will have to learn that for long term success, Integrity is a key component.

 

[upgrading]

That is a disgrace.
Thanks for posting it.

It has nothing to do with China either.
HF is the dirtbag on this one.

I will check that out at my HF next time I go.

 

[Ericgst]

A person that knows pipe wrenches and uses them at least somewhat regularly will know that all of the big names (Reed, RIDGID, Rothenberger, LENOX) are proudly cast into the handle somewhere.

I'm not sure if the LENOX models are made in the USA anymore, or at least not China.

Anyone looking to buy a pipe wrench that has even rudimentary knowledge of the tool should know that there is no way, no how, that an aluminum or steel wrench at that price point was made within the borders of any country with laws to protect the worker or environment....

I think you give too much credit to the average plumber or handyman. Yes must people that are into tools may know this, but I am talking about the average guy. Even the average guy with nice tools doesn't always know as much as you would think. I am not talking about someone buying from Harbor Freight, I am thinking about second hand.

When seeing this tool, I never believed it to be made in the USA, I was more surprised at blatant misrepresenting than anything. This is from a store not an alley or flea market.

 

[speed bump]

After dealing with engineers who design and refine the end users product without ever using them I'm not sure it was intentional. That would be considered a US style pipe wrench as opposed to European style locking pipe wrench. It would be a standard Pipe wrench style here as well. In my companies labeling system it would be called pipe wrench ** length USA STD ALU. Based on our quality system most of that would be marked on the tool if it is for a customer. So while it may look intentionally misleading to you someone else probably felt it perfectly described the product to the end user.

 

[1982fxr]

if it's going to USA cast into it then it damn sure should have the COO cast as well, if it is somewhere other than the US as it is in this case.

 

[1982fxr]

but don't worry, when the world elite get the tpp through we won't be allowed to know where anything is made

 

[SMKS]

I'm not going to weigh in to say if I think that labeling is appropriate or not, but if it bothers you that much you could report it to the FTC. The FTC regulates "made in the USA" claims.

Here's how you report it:
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-made-usa-standard#todo

What if I suspect noncompliance with the FTC’s Made in USA standard or other country-of-origin mislabeling?

Information about possible illegal activity helps law enforcement officials target companies whose practices warrant scrutiny. If you suspect noncompliance, contact the Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580; (202) 326-2996 or send an e-mail to [email protected] (link sends e-mail). If you know about import or export fraud, call Customs’ toll-free Commercial Fraud Hotline, 1-800-ITS-FAKE. Examples of fraudulent practices involving imports include removing a required foreign origin label before the product is delivered to the ultimate purchaser (with or without the improper substitution of a Made in USA label) and failing to label a product with a required country of origin.

You also can contact your state Attorney General and your local Better Business Bureau to report a company. Or you can refer your complaint to the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus by calling (212) 754-1320. NAD handles complaints about the truth and accuracy of national advertising. You can reach the Council of Better Business Bureaus on the web at adweb.com/adassoc17.html.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

This kind of tricky BS has been going on for a long time. Hell, look at the U.S. General Toolboxes. Or all the Pittsburgh tools.

There's an excellent book on it. It's very well written and entertaining, so it's not at all a boring dry read.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470928077/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mikefromcny]

We have one at work, I noticed the usa thing as well but ours didn't have the tag stating COO. Haven't broke it yet, but the jaws don't open up as far as a rigid. Its a 48".

 

[logical]

Once you darken the threshold of that place, I think any expectation of a US made tool should have already left your being. Your wrench thing came up in another thread here about 6 months ago. I think with a few exceptions (some sprays & lubes, zip ties, other plastic trinkets, some air hoses and maybe one of the bigger compressors) there are no "made in USA" tools to speak of.

 

[popparoach]

This kind of tricky BS has been going on for a long time. Hell, look at the U.S. General Toolboxes. Or all the Pittsburgh tools.

There's an excellent book on it. It's very well written and entertaining, so it's not at all a boring dry read.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470928077/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Off topic but a local pawn shop had a 3/4 drive socket set with"made in Chnia" stamped on it.I almost bought it for show and tell.

 

[metaldad]

lenox makes their pipe wrenches in that third world country across big pond.
along with most, if not all, of their hand tools.
lenox still brands some of their blades as made in USA with global componets

 

[Sprintman]

Irrelevant where it's made, its a global economy.and has been for a very long time. The quality/warranty of the individual item matters, not who made it.

 

[xxaler]

Can't make tools in the U.S.A. anymore, and sell the individual units for anything less than a fortune. All your workers want top notch wages, pension plans, health plans. All for what? Pressing a button on a punch press? Installing a wrench head and nut onto a body?

There is a reason everyone has moved to "Made with Global Components".

 

[logical]

Irrelevant where it's made, its a global economy.and has been for a very long time. The quality/warranty of the individual item matters, not who made it.

Not at all the point of this thread.

 

[BMack37]

Can't make tools in the U.S.A. anymore, and sell the individual units for anything less than a fortune. All your workers want top notch wages, pension plans, health plans. All for what? Pressing a button on a punch press? Installing a wrench head and nut onto a body?

There is a reason everyone has moved to "Made with Global Components".

Just the start, wait to see how much those tools are when entry level workers are making $18 an hour.

 

[wildbill23c]

The other ones I like is you pick something up and it says "Proudly Made in the USA" from parts from other countries. So it really only was possibly assembled in the USA...and oftentimes I even doubt any of it was assembled or made even near the USA LOL.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Irrelevant where it's made, its a global economy.and has been for a very long time. The quality/warranty of the individual item matters, not who made it.

That's all well and good until your particular job is the one that they export.

 

[LXCam]

I'm sure some communist super genius thought this up just to prey on the American consumer that buys from hf. USA- unsuspecting Americans. There's no getting one by you bud.

 

[sselander]

HF sell 3 sizes of these. If you look on the website, only one has a flat handle similar to the OP's post. If you zoom in it says USA STD. (maybe to mean US standard and metric). Wonder what Chinese importer is "USA"?

18 inch is the one that says USA on it, so one must be a newer - different manufacturer.

Item#60530 - 18 inch
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-aluminum-pipe-wrench-60530.html

The 24 and 36 have a raised panel similar to a CMAN RP wrench.
Item#60526 - 24 inch
http://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-aluminum-pipe-wrench-60526.html
Item#60527 -36 inch
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-aluminum-pipe-wrench-60527.html

 

[Don53]

That's all well and good until your particular job is the one that they export.

I'd extend that argument and say it's not just the worker that lost his job that suffers, it's everyone within that local (or national) economy. People don't see the big picture.... or just don't care. Much easier to just buy cheap **** and then blame the government or some evil CEO.

Reminds me of the teacher in Michigan that's frustrated with the state of affairs there. Can't figure out why the millage didn't pass and he lost his job teaching art.... as he drives off in his Toyota.

Educated, skilled people think they're immune, and many will be fine in the foreseeable future, but their kids won't be. Their kids might get jobs, but their standard of living will be lower than ours.

The global economy argument assumes we can somehow compete with unregulated slave labor. We know we can't in manufacturing, and we'll lose more and more jobs in other segments going forward (IT, Engineering, Accounting, etc.).

China is well on the way to owning us.... literally and figuratively.

Don

 

[Ign]

It's really nothing new, only a fraction of the people on this board understand that Central Pneumatic is not CP and Chicago Electric is Harbor Freight.

They chose the confusing names for a reason.

 

[RustyGoat]

I'd extend that argument and say it's not just the worker that lost his job that suffers, it's everyone within that local (or national) economy. People don't see the big picture.... or just don't care. Much easier to just buy cheap **** and then blame the government or some evil CEO.

Reminds me of the teacher in Michigan that's frustrated with the state of affairs there. Can't figure out why the millage didn't pass and he lost his job teaching art.... as he drives off in his Toyota.

Educated, skilled people think they're immune, and many will be fine in the foreseeable future, but their kids won't be. Their kids might get jobs, but their standard of living will be lower than ours.

The global economy argument assumes we can somehow compete with unregulated slave labor. We know we can't in manufacturing, and we'll lose more and more jobs in other segments going forward (IT, Engineering, Accounting, etc.).

China is well on the way to owning us.... literally and figuratively.

Don

The thing is though that that Toyota probably has more US made parts than most "American" cars. I'm not sure what my current F150 is but on my old 2011 Silverado only 40% of the parts were from the US. The last 2 Rams I had were assembled in Mexico. Honda has manufacturing and assembly plants everywhere here in Ohio and keep expanding where as the Big 3 keep moving everything to Mexico/Canada.

 

[Don53]

The thing is though that that Toyota probably has more US made parts than most "American" cars. I'm not sure what my current F150 is but on my old 2011 Silverado only 40% of the parts were from the US. The last 2 Rams I had were assembled in Mexico. Honda has manufacturing and assembly plants everywhere here in Ohio and keep expanding where as the Big 3 keep moving everything to Mexico/Canada.

There'll always be justifications for not wanting or needing to buy US made products. We all know them, including company xyz imports some stuff, or it's not 100% made in the US, etc.

Let's not kid ourselves. Buying stuff made in China saves us money today, but long term all Americans will pay for it.

GM employs 220,000 in the US today. Ford is 164,000.

Honda Motor USA is 25,000. Toyota USA is 6,500.

Sent from my SCH-S968C using Tapatalk

 

[1982fxr]

Irrelevant where it's made, its a global economy.and has been for a very long time. The quality/warranty of the individual item matters, not who made it.

maybe down under, don't try telling us what to think though

 

[1982fxr]

Can't make tools in the U.S.A. anymore, and sell the individual units for anything less than a fortune. All your workers want top notch wages, pension plans, health plans. All for what? Pressing a button on a punch press? Installing a wrench head and nut onto a body?

There is a reason everyone has moved to "Made with Global Components".

I buy US made tools for less than a fortune all the time. Lay off the maple syrup pal.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I buy US made tools for less than a fortune all the time. Lay off the maple syrup pal.

 

[PJNJ]

I buy US made tools for less than a fortune all the time. Lay off the maple syrup pal.

 

[mvrk10256]

While I never understood why HF uses like 15 different names for their products ( US general, central pneumatic, Chicago electric, ect). I really never understood why people bash on it so much.

Granted I am not a professional in the sense that my livelihood depends on my tools, but the projects I undertake are equal to things that you would hire a "pro" for. 90% of my tools come from HF. Occasionally stuff breaks, and I treat their screwdrivers as disposable, but my sockets have gone through 4 apartments, 1 house, a dozen cars, 2 dozen bikes, and still look and function as good as the day I purchased them.

Would I love having Snap-On everything? Sure. But realistically budget makes that completely impossible for me and for a lot of others.

 

[Sprintman]

maybe down under, don't try telling us what to think though

Appears thinking would be stretch for you...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

HF: crafty, creative, clever, cheap, cunning, crappy, cruddy, communist, China,

and where is this so-called harbor that handles freight?

and their parking lot sales?? anyone buy their parking lot?

USA names for their ChiTaIwandia made products..

90 day warranty on a tool box??

Just not sure if this is good or bad

I just refer to the place as "the China Shoppe" far more accurate name.

 

[oldtools]

It's really nothing new, only a fraction of the people on this board understand that Central Pneumatic is not CP and Chicago Electric is Harbor Freight.

They chose the confusing names for a reason.

Those are not Chinese brands. They are American brands.

 

[oldtools]

There'll always be justifications for not wanting or needing to buy US made products. We all know them, including company xyz imports some stuff, or it's not 100% made in the US, etc.

Let's not kid ourselves. Buying stuff made in China saves us money today, but long term all Americans will pay for it.

GM employs 220,000 in the US today. Ford is 164,000.

Honda Motor USA is 25,000. Toyota USA is 6,500.

Sent from my SCH-S968C using Tapatalk

https://www.cars.com/articles/2012/...-which-automakers-affect-the-most-us-workers/

Don't forget that Chrysler is no longer American.

 

[Skin]

There'll always be justifications for not wanting or needing to buy US made products. We all know them, including company xyz imports some stuff, or it's not 100% made in the US, etc.

Let's not kid ourselves. Buying stuff made in China saves us money today, but long term all Americans will pay for it.

GM employs 220,000 in the US today. Ford is 164,000.

Honda Motor USA is 25,000. Toyota USA is 6,500.

Sent from my SCH-S968C using Tapatalk

Those numbers are massively bloated by including GM and Fords parts network/suppliers and excluding Toyota and Honda's. That's not biased at all. While Ford and GM expand heavily to take advantage of cheap Mexican production Honda and Toyota have routinely begun to release vehicles with some of the highest domestic manufacturing content, of anyone. Who looks the fool? You also realize that Toyota and Honda are Japanese right? Its kind of a different country/culture. If you're going to ramble at least try to put your ramblings in context.

 

[Don53]

Those numbers are massively bloated by including GM and Fords parts network/suppliers and excluding Toyota and Honda's. That's not biased at all. While Ford and GM expand heavily to take advantage of cheap Mexican production Honda and Toyota have routinely begun to release vehicles with some of the highest domestic manufacturing content, of anyone. Who looks the fool? You also realize that Toyota and Honda are Japanese right? Its kind of a different country/culture. If you're going to ramble at least try to put your ramblings in context.

Got the numbers from Wikipedia (admittedly not the best source), referencing number of employees for each corporation. I'd be surprised if the GM and Ford numbers included non-corporate supplier employees, and GM and Ford do have external suppliers in the US.

Would love to see the "correct" numbers... sounds like you probably have them handy?

GM and Ford obviously have / will continue to offshore stuff. Honda and Toyota make some stuff here. But in general buying GM / Ford is better for the US economy than buying a Honda or Toyota.... both from a direct job creation / sustainment standpoint, and a national wealth (economic health) standpoint (i.e., where the profits end up).

I do realize Honda and Toyota are Japanese (& not Chinese). The two come together in that China is the best example of a national trade imbalance, and Honda and Toyota are well known foreign brands with significant imports.

 

[Hootbro]

This has been brought up before here. Nothing new.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Appears thinking would be stretch for you...

C h o i c e
not
C h i n a

the words are not spelled the same

My Choice will remain Choice

Something that IS thought about by some of US

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

C h o i c e
not
C h i n a

the words are not spelled the same

My Choice will remain Choice

Something that IS thought about by some of US

BDT/NWMN, I wouldn't engage that individual at all! IIRC, he's the guy that called U.S. manufactured goods "seppo ****" a few months back. Derogatory as all hell and not easily forgotten either!