rice rocket
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Very stingy on the coupons.
Harbor Freight Coupon Thread
- Thread starter RbrtAWhyt
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AffableCurmudgeon
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Their entire business model was coupons and cheap merchandise. They have neither in their new business model.
They are trying their best to sell ITC memberships in hopes of recurring yearly revenues. However, the benefits of ITC are not that compelling. After the first year, I expect that most members will not renew because they will not see the value and those recurring revenue projections will not materialize.
It is an experiment and a leap of faith. I don’t think it will work out past year one.
Good luck to them. I have no compelling reason to go there any longer.
They are trying their best to sell ITC memberships in hopes of recurring yearly revenues. However, the benefits of ITC are not that compelling. After the first year, I expect that most members will not renew because they will not see the value and those recurring revenue projections will not materialize.
It is an experiment and a leap of faith. I don’t think it will work out past year one.
Good luck to them. I have no compelling reason to go there any longer.
danny_barkley
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I got it because it had a 20% coupon that was good for a toolbox a few months ago. Now that the toolbox is ordered, ohh well...
AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
Like I said, after the first year, not many will find the ITC to be valuable.
Some may renew, but some people do things that make no sense.
rice rocket
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I have a few large items I want to buy.
#1, motorcycle lift table, even at $499, which is up $150 from a year ago, it's half of anything else on the market, and available locally, so no freight shipping.
#2, 3500w inverter generator, is still 1/3 the price of the competing Yamaha/Honda, and better (quieter at least) than anything else in the sub-$1k "unknown brand" generators.
I'm holding out for a coupon still, as the price of both have gone up and it would be nice to offset, but I'm not sure it's worth putting my life on hold for $200 much longer.
TTMotorsports
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Has anyone used CEN-TECH 900 Peak Amp Portable Jump Starter and Power Pack. Or know of a comparable one for similar price that's worth a ****. Thanks.
getbent4x4
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Jnc among other small ones on YouTube. Just bought packaging tape cheaper at Walmart than HF. Haven't been to hf in a year.
Just because it "makes no sense" to you doesn't mean it is not a good choice or financially wise for others.
The reality is that the coupon users and bargain shoppers are a minority of their business, and very likely a less-profitable one. They are likely working to keep more profitable customers while discouraging less profitable ones. Sounds like it is working ;-)
Their stores remain crowded and busy and their financials remain strong, so it seems they don't have much to worry about.
whateg01
Well-known member
Anybody ever see the predator 6.5hp engines go on sale? Need to pick one up for a go kart but it's not urgent. Figured as long as I have the itc thing I might as well see if I can use it. It paid for itself on the tool boxes but I rarely but expensive stuff there
danny_barkley
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Back in the Ol' days, I bought one with a 20 or 25% coupon.
Wanna Ride
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I have a hard time believing that the coupon users and bargain shoppers were/are a minority of their business.
I mean, c’mon... it’s Harbor Freight, not Northern Tool. They’re known for cheap tools, you can ask anyone who doesn’t even buy tools and they know that. Until this past year, I’ve been a frequent customer for nearly twenty years, spending quite a bit there annually. Now, without the coupons and bargains... not so much. In the last three months, I’ve spent a total of under $400.
You are entitled to your opinion, I am just sharing the facts and data.
Next time you are there, watch the checkout to see if ANYONE uses a coupon. When I go, I am usually the only one with a coupon. You can also read their reports to confirm the information I posted.
Both are known for lower cost tools, not necessarily "cheap" tools, and HF has a much better reputation, perhaps because they have more B&M stores and are more accessible to most people.
The one nearest me has been completely dead for a few months. A friend of mine was the GM. He has now left and so have a few others I knew. It really wouldn't surprise me to see it close. Stores are usually a case by case basis but that place used to be so packed I would often just drive on by and go somewhere else.
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
My local Harbor Fright was always busy before Covid and now the parking lot is empty with customer cars....... Was Covid or No 20% off coupons the problem?
I feel with the number of HF new stores being added and the "power" of the internet, HF will be gone in a few more years....... Not to mention the prices have increased.
BTW! I am NOT a fan of HF and their stores smell of "Chinese Cheapness"
I feel with the number of HF new stores being added and the "power" of the internet, HF will be gone in a few more years....... Not to mention the prices have increased.
BTW! I am NOT a fan of HF and their stores smell of "Chinese Cheapness"
rice rocket
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I think they're doing fine without the couponers, they started a few lines of better quality products a few years ago, and seems to be paying their bills. Their jacks are now universally accepted as the best for the money, as are their generators.
The generator I mentioned earlier, is now out of stock at the nearest 15 stores. That all happened in less than a week.
The generator I mentioned earlier, is now out of stock at the nearest 15 stores. That all happened in less than a week.
hilld
Well-known member
-sorry wrong thread-
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danny_barkley
Well-known member
Those Pittsburgh magnetic parts dishes? They never stop stinking, never. You just know those things are made of something toxic.
I think the last thing I bought was a magnetic paper towel holder a few months ago.
Their nitrile gloves had tripled in price, so I won't be buying those anymore.
It's hard to imagine buying anything there without a 20% coupon, so they've lost me as a semi-frequent customer.
I'm not going to open a line of credit or pay a yearly club fee to get things at the "regular" 20% off price.
Their nitrile gloves had tripled in price, so I won't be buying those anymore.
It's hard to imagine buying anything there without a 20% coupon, so they've lost me as a semi-frequent customer.
I'm not going to open a line of credit or pay a yearly club fee to get things at the "regular" 20% off price.
TTMotorsports
Well-known member
Harbor Freight is for cheap tools, just like Big 5 is for cheaper sporting goods. If Big 5 changed their stuff and tried to compete with higher end stores that would kill the business.
leftyz
Well-known member
The infamous 30% off $10 coupon is coming tonight for the weekend, I'll post it on hfqpdb.com at 9pm..
ITC members gets the same deal but $20 and under
XxToolAholicxX
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I am waiting on one for a tool chest..
Wanna Ride
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My opinion? It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. I personally know a manager that worked there for over a decade, and just quit a few months back. He had too. They had cut back so much and reduced hours of the remaining staff so much, he had to find another job. And he hated that because he liked it so much there. They’re not in the financial state you may think they are, and they’re trying to stop the bleeding. And in the wrong ways.
I find it humorous that you say, “watch the checkout to see if ANYONE uses a coupon”. Have you been under a rock? Their available coupons, have been reduced to nearly none, compared to 12-16 months ago. Back then, there was damn-near a coupon available for almost every item in their store, and at any given time, there was a half-dozen or more “free item” coupons available. I mean, they have a few coupons available. Literally, a “few”, but they use to be so numerous, you couldn’t keep track of them all. And just to be clear, when I say “coupons”, I mean real coupons, with deep discounts off their “normal”prices. Not the lion’s share of the coupons in their periodic fliers, because those aren’t where the deep discount coupons really live. The best “coupons” were almost always found in the one page ads in printed magazines, and uploaded from various online sources to the HFQDB site. But with the ongoing trend and death of many printed periodicals, more of those deep discount “coupons” transitioned to online resources. Anyone who was even somewhat familiar with HF in the last decade, knew that you never make a large purchase there, if it wasn’t on a good sale price. It was common knowledge that HF was like the retail furniture store industry. No one buys furniture when it’s not an sale. Because it’s on sale every other week! LOL! Hell... that’s exactly what was at the center of the whole class-action suit against HF, just a few years ago! LOL!
That’s the exact reason that the HFQDB website was created. Go to a HF store, and bring up that website and you could find a current coupon listed there for pretty much anything in the store, on any given day. I know, because I did it for years, that exact way. Just as thousands of other customers. Now? You can’t find **** for current coupons on HFQDB anymore, because HF has virtually eliminated them. Their stores are barren of customers and traffic now. They used to be busy on the weekends, with actual lines of people at the register. Now... the place is eerily quiet on weekends, and weekdays alike. Their store staff is cut to fractions of what it used to be, and they have reduced hours of operations. Talk to any employee and they’ll tell you how many fewer people are staffed there now.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a loyal HF customer for a couple decades, have spent LOTS of money there. And I’ll still buy things there, just not nearly as much as I used to. But I also know what you could and couldn’t expect from them, and used them accordingly. But I can guarantee you, that very, very few people are going to spend $100+ on any wrench set from HF.
I’ll draw you an analogy... You can’t be a ***** your whole life and suddenly charge more for a *******, when you get your nails painted, and a fancy manicure. It just won’t happen. The whole town knows you’re still the same *****, just with fancy nails.
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oflannabhra
Well-known member
30% off items under $10, ITC gets items under $20. This weekend.
https://www.harborfreight.com/online-promo-2021.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/online-promo-2021.html
btoonsis
Well-known member
Last time 'round, I needed some anti-freeze... they had Peak 50/50 for just over $6 after coupon. Miss the days when it was free (or nearly free) after rebate at Pep Boys...
Forgottonia
Well-known member
Might pick up a couple of magnetic strips over lunch. (I think they gave them away with a free coupon a couple years back. Oh well. lol)
Probly pick up a few other things over the weekend once I see the store. It's been a while since I was in HF.
I haven't bought much from HF recently. My last really big purchase was the 5 drawer cart, and that was pre covid with the $169 coupon they had a year or so ago. Since then I have used coupons on a couple ratchets, parts tray and box accessories. In the last 3-4 months all I have bought were button batteries for car remotes and ecotemp sensors for the house.
I did use an ICON coupon a year ago or so for a torque wrench, mainly because I didn't have a big one rated for 250 ft lbs when I was replacing the front drive shafts on my truck at the beginning of Covid.
I very rarely bought anything without using a coupon, either item specific or one of the % off ones. Without the coupons I really haven't seen the need to get anything from them, unless they are the only local option that has whatever I need on short notice.
Maybe I'll use the one this weekend, but honestly there is not that much under $10 that I can think of that I really need. Might get me in one of the newer stores though to browse a little, just in case. Could maybe use another parts tray or some magnetic strips.
I did use an ICON coupon a year ago or so for a torque wrench, mainly because I didn't have a big one rated for 250 ft lbs when I was replacing the front drive shafts on my truck at the beginning of Covid.
I very rarely bought anything without using a coupon, either item specific or one of the % off ones. Without the coupons I really haven't seen the need to get anything from them, unless they are the only local option that has whatever I need on short notice.
Maybe I'll use the one this weekend, but honestly there is not that much under $10 that I can think of that I really need. Might get me in one of the newer stores though to browse a little, just in case. Could maybe use another parts tray or some magnetic strips.
I haven’t been to a harbor freight in a couple years as the closest one to me in any direction is about 45 minutes.
They just announced they are building one that is 10 minutes or less from me.
I heard that they have changed their coupon policy and people aren’t as inclined to go there anymore.
I will still stop in when it opens, but that is disappointing if true.
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They just announced they are building one that is 10 minutes or less from me.
I heard that they have changed their coupon policy and people aren’t as inclined to go there anymore.
I will still stop in when it opens, but that is disappointing if true.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
MileHighRover
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After so many years of using coupons, it just feels wrong to pay full price. Since they stopped the 20% coupons I rarely shop there anymore. I've had a $100 gift card since late last year and just used part of it two days ago. My parents have given me a gift card for my birthday for years now. This year I'll tell them no more HF cards.
Agreed, one reason I limited my posting to actual verifiable facts.
If you want to discuss how to find the financial filings for privately held companies, I am happy to answer those questions but this is not the right forum for the discussion, since it is not a Hot Deal.
got some locking pliers which was really good... Berman or something HF house brand.
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oflannabhra
Well-known member
Picked up quite a bit of stuff this morning. Got a farm jack for $50, 4 x 5000 lumen shop lights, and a couple Doyle hand tools. 30% off just about all of it.
Picked up their smaller can crusher & more marine heatshrink (heatshrink with the hot snot inside).
I know these things don't cost much but it's amazing how they can sell stuff so cheap. $4.19 w/ coupon. Even w/o coupon their price is still half off the cheapest one I could find on Amazon.
That's why I love HF. It's great that they are trying to offer more higher quality tools but when I want higher quality, HF will never be at the top of my list to shop. I hope they don't do away with the cheaper stuff. I already won't shop there without a coupon now.
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leftyz
Well-known member
Was a little bummed to find out the 30% off $20 or less for ITC members doesn't apply to the ITC sale price, but it gives you the better of the 2 deals.
I stocked up on Frog tape for $5.49ish and also on their new Spektrum PPS knock off refill kit I have 100 liners for about $60.
Today is the last day for the 30%
so... apparently that the 30% coupon works for the current instant saving priced @8.99
Valucan tig welding glove as well, that brings the gloves down to $6.30 +tax. Awesome price. The gloves are comparable to the TillMan. They only had the last 6 pairs.
and it have no item limitation...
Cleaned out the local HF for their tig gloves
and got some Berman Clamps.oflannabhra
Well-known member
Today is the last day for the 30%
so... apparently that the 30% coupon works for the current instant saving priced @8.99
Valucan tig welding glove as well, that brings the gloves down to $6.30 +tax. Awesome price. The gloves are comparable to the TillMan. They only had the last 6 pairs.
and it have no item limitation...
Cleaned out the local HF for their tig gloves
I love those gloves, I have them for the grill and the wood stove, too.
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
oflannabhra
Well-known member
New 20% off coupon this weekend, lots of exclusions, though.
go.harborfreight.com
20% Off Any Single Item – Now Through Sunday, June 13
Save 20% off any single item at Harbor Freight with coupon code 19972351, now through Sunday 6/13. Exclusions apply. See coupon for details. Visit Harbor Freight this weekend to save 20% on a great…
go.harborfreight.com