Anyone that thinks this is just a rumor show us a current 20% off coupon. The people that are saying this track HF coupons for a hobby/living. My local HF have been a ghost town for months. It used to be I would time going there just to avoid a ridiculous line. They have even shortened their hours recently.
Harbor Freight Coupon Thread
- Thread starter RbrtAWhyt
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JRC3
Well-known member
They need to keep that 20% and other coupons to recoup some of the jack stand fiasco. I bet they are also considering reducing the power tool warranty to 45 days.
doctordirt
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I will definitely miss catalogs and flyers. Reading them, gave me insite to the tools I did not know I needed. With out this my trips will be fewer, given I will only visit when I know I need something. No impulse buying.
The coupon in my local coupon mailer is actually what prompted my question. We know the dates are wrong from the "need to generate traffic for revenue people", suggesting their other information could be wrong as well.
As the HF link shows, the printed catalogs are being discontinued, but no official or reliable word on coupons, at least that I have seen. The "track HF coupons for a hobby/living" make money from traffic, so they have an incentive to generate traffic by spreading rumors, whether those rumors are valid or simply speculation to drive traffic and revenue.
leftyz
Well-known member
Just to let you guys know i uploaded about 40 new coupons today, all expiring on 3/9.
No new 20% offs though
No new 20% offs though
finn
Well-known member
The manager of the local HF here in NW Tucson was freely talking about the elimination of the print catalogs and 20% off coupons late last year.
Not much reason to not believe him.
Also, the Tool Bear on YouTube, a HF ***** if there ever was one, had one or more segments on the changes. The latest one was maybe a week ago.
danny_barkley
Well-known member
leftyz
Well-known member
Honestly no idea, sorryAny idea when we might see this again?
scottybk
Well-known member
The "high end" HF stuff is a joke and overpriced for what it is. HF was in the past 10 years or so a place to get mostly "OK" tools for a dirt cheap price.
Trying to compete with Mac and Snap-On was/is a huge mistake. So is getting rid of coupons. It's like McDonald's trying to compete with Ruth's Chris steakhouse.
Trying to compete with Mac and Snap-On was/is a huge mistake. So is getting rid of coupons. It's like McDonald's trying to compete with Ruth's Chris steakhouse.
AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
I think the correct analogy would be "McDonald's trying to compete with a taco truck" since Mac and Snap-On sell from the back of a truck.
cablebandit
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scottybk
Well-known member
Just tried my 20% off Vulcan with no expiration date....worked fine.
I think everyone here is referring to the "standard" 20% coupons that existed constantly prior to 2/8/21, not brand-specific % off coupons.
Without the standard 20% off and free blue flashlight deal, I don't see myself shopping at HF much anymore, because at regular prices nothing there is that great of a deal.
Their move "upmarket" with Icon (and Hercules on the woodworking side) is not going to seriously challenge Snap On or Dewalt/Milwaukee, because the HF prices aren't competitive enough and the quality/reputation not high enough to poach pros from those brands.
Seems like the real reason the coupons are gone is to get more people to join ITC, but ITC never had that many good deals either. Also shipping costs for container ships from China have tripled in the past few months, which doesn't help places like HF where everything is from China.
HF is a weird company in many ways too, they went from complete joke tools to semi-decent to good tools, all at very, very low prices compared to elsewhere. Be interesting to see how they continue to change moving fwd.
TT_Vert
Well-known member
I used the 20% off on the 8th for a 5gallon bucket. I think that was the last day it was applicable though.
scottybk
Well-known member
Another thing to keep in mind is that HF will have a lot more made in USA tools coming very soon.
hilld
Well-known member
Pinocchio, is that you talking.....?
Sorry, couldn't resist, but I find this very hard to believe.
BBC71Nova
Well-known member
I think the only USA COO item I e ever seen at HF was the 5 gallon bucket lol.
gpiggaz
Well-known member
Actually, the Franklin Stud finder (that actually works well) is made in the USA.. I was surprised. It's less expensive and basically the same unit Lowe's sells but uses AAA batteries instead of AA batteries.
TTMotorsports
Well-known member
Went there the other day and hfcoupons.com doesn't have the normal 20% off coupon and free tape measures anymore. Anyone know a website that has those things anymore?
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
scottybk
Well-known member
The end of these coupons really is the end of an era. Checking the HF coupon database site was a huge part of my life. I feel sort of empty and hollow now, a mere husk of the man I once was.
I wonder if HF shoppers could file a lawsuit against them for intentional infliction of emotional distress? Really they should have weaned us slowly off the coupons, making everyone go "cold turkey" is cruel. Those coupons are part of American culture just as much as Thanksgiving, apple pie, and the Super Bowl. We are a lesser people without them.
I wonder if HF shoppers could file a lawsuit against them for intentional infliction of emotional distress? Really they should have weaned us slowly off the coupons, making everyone go "cold turkey" is cruel. Those coupons are part of American culture just as much as Thanksgiving, apple pie, and the Super Bowl. We are a lesser people without them.
You forgot to use the Sarcasm font, but great post!
cablebandit
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Of course they did wean you off. Remember for years you could stack the coupons for huge savings. That went away, now the coupons go away.
Coupons are a pain in the *** anyway. Just adjust the prices on the shelf.
Coupons are a pain in the *** anyway. Just adjust the prices on the shelf.
scottybk
Well-known member
Yes but shelf prices are boring. The coupon database sent a daily thrill up my spine, seeing 4 pack microfiber towel for 69 cents, free flashlight, angle grinder for $9.99, etc.
And the occasional appearance of an unexpected deal (like 74 cents for the 4 way screwdriver) is likely the closest a "straight edge" person like myself will ever come to understanding the rush of a heroin injection.
I bet therapists are working overtime right now, working with patients like me who just need someone to talk to about this tragedy. The end of these coupons makes me feel like a part of my body has been amputated.
leftyz
Well-known member
Someone just uploaded a 20% off good for a couple more days, and I've uploaded a bunch of other coupons today too.
www.hfqpdb.com [emoji106]
www.hfqpdb.com [emoji106]
You are assuming the coupons are ending, which is just rumor at this point.
The only validated information available at this point is that the printed flyers are being eliminated. That is not surprising, even many newspapers no longer waste money and resources on printed copies.
Since customers are continuing to receive coupons, it appears at least some coupons will continue. Based on the emailed coupons I have received recently, it appears they are going to customer-specific coupons rather than general coupons, so there is no point in sharing them. That would explain while the sites that need to drive traffic for revenue have it wrong, and why they are stirring up this rumor. For HF, customer specific coupons make sense and make it easier to track spending patterns, like nearly every other online and brick & mortar vendor. I will call this my opinion, though I have had some validation from "unnamed sources".
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lolaetype
Well-known member
I used to get a constant stream of e-mails from HF featuring sales items and the classic 0% off coupon and one or more "free with purchase" coupons. Suddenly those e-mails stopped. I contacted HF to ask why and their response was they have discontinued digital catalogs and coupons and transitioned to Instant Savings to make it easier to purchase online and in-store.
Also the latest issue of Car and Driver had a one page ad with no classic 20% off coupon. I suspect those are gone for good. I used my last 20% off coupon to buy a 4 leg grinder stand last week. That coupon would have expired today. FWIW, that stand is pretty substantial and certainly worth the #40 HF was asking. The 20% off coupon just made a good deal that much sweeter.
I think all we will see in the future are more targeted 20% off coupons for certain tool lines.
It's probably blasphemy to say so, but I have about all the tools I need and can't think of anything I need from HF just now so the demise of the 20% off coupon isn't that big a deal to me.
Also the latest issue of Car and Driver had a one page ad with no classic 20% off coupon. I suspect those are gone for good. I used my last 20% off coupon to buy a 4 leg grinder stand last week. That coupon would have expired today. FWIW, that stand is pretty substantial and certainly worth the #40 HF was asking. The 20% off coupon just made a good deal that much sweeter.
I think all we will see in the future are more targeted 20% off coupons for certain tool lines.
It's probably blasphemy to say so, but I have about all the tools I need and can't think of anything I need from HF just now so the demise of the 20% off coupon isn't that big a deal to me.
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scottybk
Well-known member
Thank you! This is great! I'm going today to snag 3 of those 74 cent screwdrivers and burn the (possibly) last-ever 20% coupon on something.
I'm also trying to really savor this moment and get past the sadness that today will be the end of an era, the last day of the "good old days."
JRC3
Well-known member
Meh, once supply issues are resolved and sales start to fade they'll be giving away over-the-pants handjobs again...The ugly, smelly, cheap ones always have to give something away to lure you back to her place.
scottybk
Well-known member
Does anyone have comments on the 12 inch Hercules sliding compound miter saw? Coupon is for 319, worth it? Or go Rigid/Dewalt for a bit more $$$.
JRC3
Well-known member
In 5-10 years will you be able to get parts for it? I buy some brand name stuff like that at pawn shops...No coupon required.
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
all this talk about the printed flyer going away is old news, it happened months ago. it was only available on the website, but it's completely gone now.
scottybk
Well-known member
I miss the flyer because it had the helpful charts where you could "compare" HF tools to Snap-On in terms of specs, etc. I think the idea was that you were supposed to collect these charts and show them to the Snap On truck driver to see if he would price-match HF.
I personally like HF so much that if I have a son I will name him Bauer Hercules B....k
TTMotorsports
Well-known member
Jeff
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oflannabhra
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bberger
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In case anybody is interested Icon screwdrivers and nut drivers are 20% off no coupon needed
lolaetype
Well-known member
Yes, but I'm going to miss adding to my collection of blue flashlights magnetically stuck to the side of my toolbox.
Everyone 30% off items up to $10 - limit 5 items in-store, 1 online
ITC 30% off items up to $20 - limit 5 items in-store only
Valid thru 2/15/2021
Presidents Day 2021
ITC 30% off items up to $20 - limit 5 items in-store only
Valid thru 2/15/2021
Presidents Day 2021
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just saw this on Slickdeals. looks like this will be my avenue for a couple of the portable organizers
Jeff
Well-known member
HF's last coupon?
Should I laminate it and hang it in the shop?
Should I laminate it and hang it in the shop?
fartymarty
Well-known member
I'm still seeing hard print HF coupons in magazines. I guess it's a race to see what disappears first, magazines, or HF coupons. 