Harbor Freight, Love Them Or Hate Them

[emeraldcoupe]

I usually don't shop at HF, today I went to pick up some moving blankets (one of the few things I get there) for paint protection during an engine pull tomorrow. Go to the aisle where they are, shelves are empty. Look around the store as they are often in end caps and sure enough I find a few.

I take my blankets to the front and see a line of about a dozen people at one cashier and just one person at the cashier at the far end of the store. Go to the short line and stand there for a while as the cashier is on the phone to another store to find if something is in stock there for the lady in front of me. Watch 2-3 customers go through the other line at a glacial pace as the cashier goes through the phone #, email ads and warranty upsales pitches. Finally my cashier gets off the phone and says the other store has the item. Happy lady asks for the address only to find it's right near her house. Lady can't find a pen in her purse to write down the street address (it's right near your house!), cashier can't find a pen either. A couple of customers go through the other line, again at a glacial pace.

Finally lady leaves and I move up only to have the cashier announce that she has to go to the back room and people in her line should go to the other line. I (and those behind me) go to the other line and wait while cashier goes through lengthy discussions with a couple of customers. Other cashier comes back to the other register and says "I can help someone here". There was probably 20 people in line so several of us go there. When she starts her sales pitch with me I told her to just ring me up so I can get out of there. Just one of the many reasons I avoid HF if at all possible. Wasted a good 20-25 minutes just standing in line.

that *****. the two local to me are always staffed, never an issue like that

 

[Zeus36]

Bought a bunch of stuff at Harbor Freight headquarters in Camarillo, CA when I purchased my house in 2009. Pulled out 4.5 tons of scrap and debris from the remodel. The hammer drill, floor scraper, and paint sprayer saved a lot of work, but the sprayer quit right at the end of the project. They didn't have Icon, Bauer, Hercules, Warrior brands then, just Pittsburgh, Centech, and Chicago. The store manager talked me into signing up for the Insider Track Club. Did that for a year, but no advantage back then when the prices were much lower. Always used the 20% coupons and picked up the freebies. But when they dropped the 20 and 25% coupons, I switched to shopping at Amazon, Lowes and HD. I can get a 10% military discount at Lowes... - at HD if the cashiers are willing to bypass the account requirement.

Now when I get in line at HF for one or two items, I tell them I don't have a phone number any longer "since they dropped the 20% coupons". When they don't catch on and ask if I want to sign up, I tell them "no since they dropped the 20% coupons". When they ask if I want the warranty on a $10 item, guess what my response is?

Had a similar experience to mikegt4. Was inline 10 deep waiting for the ONLY cashier at the Ventura store, when two persons from a certain ethnic background lined up at a 45 degree angle to our line and started speaking to the cashier in another language. She moved from our line and started cashing them out. I dropped my stuff on the counter and walked out. Headed to the Camarillo store and told them about it. Same store manager that I signed up with said he had hear of similar stories. They got me the stuff off the shelves I said I had left at the other store and cashed me out in seconds.

 

[Madjik Man]

that *****. the two local to me are always staffed, never an issue like that

Same. There are two that are pretty much equidistant from me. Which ever one I go to it’s always very well staffed.

If something shows “in stock” at the location on their website and it’s not in the shelf. It takes me 1 mins to find someone who goes into the back and gets it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

This is when I love them, 20% off any single item to IT members

Inside Track Member Deals

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[shoeless]

I'll go a step further and say that in many ways, Harbor Freight has allowed me to have my hobby. I'm not a pro, and don't make money with my tools, so I can't always justify the best tool out there. Its also challenging for me to order from industrial suppliers, get access to a tool truck, or even walk in to a place that actually sells tools over the counter since many aren't open on weekends when I discover I need something.

And that might be the biggest thing. I can walk in to HF and buy nearly anything from hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, tool storage, material handling equipment, abrasive blasting supplies, welding and fabrication equipment, vehicle accessories, plumbing tools, and the list goes on and on. And I can actually handle the stuff before I buy it. I'll often run to HF with a tape measure to see if something fits my needs for a particular project. I just can't think of another brick and mortar store that offers the same breadth of things that so closely overlap with my frequent needs. Home Depot is a close second but they really compliment each other more than compete with one another.

I would say Northern Tool or even Tractor Supply is much closer to Harbor Freight than Home Depot. There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas, and it was alot like Tractor Supply only bigger, don't remember the name though. They even had baby chicks and maybe ducks.

 

[shoeless]

I have some HF stuff I like, floor jack, engine stand, transmission jack, 20T press.
The stuff that hasn't really worked for me is their air tools. I haven't bought a whole lot but they've all been duds, including the Chief line. Although I have never bought an airgun from them, I've heard their Earthquake is pretty good.
I have have a cheap set of wrenches and screwdrivers that I bought to stay in the shed for fixing lawn stuff. They've been just fine for that. I always have a box of latex gloves from there laying around as well.

 

[GeoBruin]

I would say Northern Tool or even Tractor Supply is much closer to Harbor Freight than Home Depot. There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas, and it was alot like Tractor Supply only bigger, don't remember the name though. They even had baby chicks and maybe ducks.

I'm in Los Angeles. There are no Northern Tool or TSC locations. I would love to have either available.

 

[dchawk81]

I don't have a Northern Tool but our Lowe's and Harbor Freight and Walmart are basically side by side. Tractor Supply is across the road from Walmart.

 

[Bockscar]

I would say Northern Tool or even Tractor Supply is much closer to Harbor Freight than Home Depot. There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas, and it was alot like Tractor Supply only bigger, don't remember the name though. They even had baby chicks and maybe ducks.

Rural King

 

[mogandave]

If there was no HF everyone else would be 20% higher.

Every time I’ve been every one seemed to be reasonably friendly and working.

 

[Ton ton]

I would say Northern Tool or even Tractor Supply is much closer to Harbor Freight than Home Depot. There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas, and it was alot like Tractor Supply only bigger, don't remember the name though. They even had baby chicks and maybe ducks.

Rural king sells tractors and has free coffee and popcorn!

 

[Renegade1LI]

Rural king sells tractors and has free coffee and popcorn!

No Rural kings around here, I have done some internet buyingfrom them.

 

[thool]

I'll echo a lot of other people's comments here. Harbor Freight (or Princess Auto for us Canadians) definitely has their place. Same can be said for a lot of places. A lot of the Amazon/Ebay stuff is really just the same offshore stuff that HF is selling. Heck, Eastwood sells a whole bunch of the same stuff for double the price sometimes.

This! I bought a security bit set from HF probably 10 years ago and still use it. It's the one in the red blow molded case. Go on Amazon and they have the exact same thing for about the same price, with those make believe "brand" names like GAETOLV or PREEROY or SLOPHEWM.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Love them today bought a blue us general side cabinet ,20% coupon plus another 20% off cause the box was damaged.

 

[Pig_Pen]

I have a couple things from there but they way they just blatantly rip off other companies' designs like Knipex and Snap On turns me off so I avoid them. Their new Icon side cutters a perfect example, even the marketing pictures are taken from the same angle as Snap On's. They never innovate, just copy.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Icon stuff is overpriced for what it is. Especially the tool boxes. I have no interest in any of the hand or air tools. I do like the US General boxes. I have 4 of them. Wish they were around when I was spending so much on Snap-On and Mac Maczimizer boxes when I was younger. Traded my 3 boxes back to the Snap-On and Mac truck after I got the USG boxes for a nice amount of truck credit. Nice to not have to make payments to the tool trucks anymore.

 

[Aaron_W]

HF is fine as long as you do your homework.

I've also found them really handy for finding weird stuff, as they are kind of a cross between Home Depot, Napa and Micheals. The comparison to how the tool department in Sears used to be is pretty accurate.

They have been slowly getting out of the hobby grade industrial metal working tools which is a shame as that is where I find them most useful. I'm guessing companies like Grizzly, Eastwood and Northern Tool was causing them too much competition for what is probably a pretty tight market. They still offer some, but far less than they used to. I have some plans for improving their bead roller, but they stopped offering it, so I'll have to adapt to one of the others out there.

I've not paid much attention to their hand tools, but recently picked up a tiny pair of Doyle "tweezer" pliers and a small flush cutter which are much nicer than I expected and have a life time warranty. Little pliers and cutters like these are usually really cheaply made, unless they are like $100 / pair Swiss or German made, so really happy with them at $10.

 

[Zeus36]

I would say Northern Tool or even Tractor Supply is much closer to Harbor Freight than Home Depot. There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas, and it was alot like Tractor Supply only bigger, don't remember the name though. They even had baby chicks and maybe ducks.

My brother is still in Ohio and is always shopping at Menards. Says it's like TSC.

 

[tez929rr]

I don’t knowing if anyone can use it, but they sent me this coupon with no exclusions yesterday. Good through Monday.. Good through

 

[KansasArt]

Bad thing about HF here is they are located in a really sketchy neighborhood. Very small store next to an abandoned KMart. Ginormous parking lot, no lights. No other retail store in the lot. The few times I’ve been there the staff was nice & helpful. Shelves fully stocked.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I don’t knowing if anyone can use it, but they sent me this coupon with no exclusions yesterday. Good through Monday.. Good through

20% off if you're and itc me.ber.

 

[turner66]

Yesterday I got 20% off on a Predator 9500 and today the Bauer drywall sander. In total, it saved me over $600 so far with things i had already been looking to get and just waiting on the right time.

The ITC membership price is insignificant if you can leverage it like this...

 

[Maxcustody]

Just got back from HF…….used my 20% no exclusion and bought the Icon extra long professional double box flex ratcheting wrench set.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I.m heading back there today, want to use the 20% off again & have 100$ store credit to spend. Just have to figure out what to get?

 

[lolaetype]

There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas,

Blain's Farm and Fleet?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Blain's Farm and Fleet?

See them in online searches a lot lately, good prices.

 

[kbeefy]

HF hand tools used to be garbage, they've come along way. I still have several impact socket sets I should give away, they're duplicates now and I never use them.

I have the little 1.5t aluminuim racing jack, it's handy for quads and sxs.
Every time I go in I buy a few pairs of the Hardy Mechanics gloves. At $5/pair they last as long as $25 tool truck gloves.
Magnetic parts trays are a good deal, I have them scattered everywhere.
I have a bunch of the first gen 42" and 56" toolboxes. Got them for $350-450/ea, can't beat that deal.

 

[Aaron_W]

HF hand tools used to be garbage, they've come along way. I still have several impact socket sets I should give away, they're duplicates now and I never use them.

I have the little 1.5t aluminuim racing jack, it's handy for quads and sxs.
Every time I go in I buy a few pairs of the Hardy Mechanics gloves. At $5/pair they last as long as $25 tool truck gloves.
Magnetic parts trays are a good deal, I have them scattered everywhere.
I have a bunch of the first gen 42" and 56" toolboxes. Got them for $350-450/ea, can't beat that deal.

Magnets in general, HF has a pretty decent selection of utility magnet from tiny to huge. I don't even know where else I could get them locally, I'd have to shop online, and would probably end up at Amazon.

 

[dchawk81]

This! I bought a security bit set from HF probably 10 years ago and still use it. It's the one in the red blow molded case. Go on Amazon and they have the exact same thing for about the same price, with those make believe "brand" names like GAETOLV or PREEROY or SLOPHEWM.

Can't wait for the Slophewm truck come around next Thursday.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Love em this week, picked up another side locker got 40% off as the box was damaged & picked up another end cabinet to add to my cart, also got a Vulcan welding cart, 90$ & it's actually pretty decent.

 

[mikegt4]

I would say Northern Tool or even Tractor Supply is much closer to Harbor Freight than Home Depot. There's another store I stopped in to look while working in Ohio that we don't have here in Texas, and it was alot like Tractor Supply only bigger, don't remember the name though. They even had baby chicks and maybe ducks.

That would be Rural King, it's like Tractor Supply on steroids with cheaper prices. My RK and TSC are next to each other with only a car wash between, the RK building is probably the size of 6 TSC's. The downside is that it is not well managed, messy shelves, oil spills on the floor and pallets in the aisles. If they run out of a product it could be months before they restock.

The RK building is the end anchor in a strip mall, formerly a furniture store that closed around 6pm on Saturdays. For decades there was a big cruise-in in the parking lot in front between two fast food outbuildings who sponsored the cruise-in. When RK moved in they filled the parking lot with bulk goods and trailers forcing the cruise-in to co-mingle with product and customers. Eventually the cruise-in was forced out. Fortunately the manager of the Kroger at the far end of the strip mall was kind enough to allow the cruise-in to continue in a small area of their parking lot, it's still well attended but with only a fraction of the cars compared to the pre-RK days.

 

[shoeless]

That would be Rural King, it's like Tractor Supply on steroids with cheaper prices. My RK and TSC are next to each other with only a car wash between, the RK building is probably the size of 6 TSC's. The downside is that it is not well managed, messy shelves, oil spills on the floor and pallets in the aisles. If they run out of a product it could be months before they restock.

The RK building is the end anchor in a strip mall, formerly a furniture store that closed around 6pm on Saturdays. For decades there was a big cruise-in in the parking lot in front between two fast food outbuildings who sponsored the cruise-in. When RK moved in they filled the parking lot with bulk goods and trailers forcing the cruise-in to co-mingle with product and customers. Eventually the cruise-in was forced out. Fortunately the manager of the Kroger at the far end of the strip mall was kind enough to allow the cruise-in to continue in a small area of their parking lot, it's still well attended but with only a fraction of the cars compared to the pre-RK days.

Hmm that sounds like the one I went to at the corner of I70 and Troy. There was a Kroger at one end and Rural King at the other.

 

[mikegt4]

That's the one in Huber Heights (Dayton), my store is in Hamilton, about 35 miles south. Kroger is based in Cincinnati so they are everywhere around here. My grandfather worked for Barney Kroger in the 1920's as a store manager when he was expanding his business. My mother used to tell stories of Mr. Kroger's daughter coming to the house in a chauffeured car to deliver Christmas gifts to the family.

 

[Rickster]

Stopped by the local HF yesterday with my 10% off coupon code in my phone. Been looking to get the Icon folding light. For the third time they were sold out. They looked it up and several other stores had them in stock. Unfortunately with gas at $4 gallon and the 10% savings it was going to cost me an additional $6 to drive to the other store and back! Oh well, not today!

 

[Houdini5150]

Stopped by the local HF yesterday with my 10% off coupon code in my phone. Been looking to get the Icon folding light. For the third time they were sold out. They looked it up and several other stores had them in stock. Unfortunately with gas at $4 gallon and the 10% savings it was going to cost me an additional $6 to drive to the other store and back! Oh well, not today!

Do you check the 'stock' online? I use that to gauge if they have something. If I really dont want to drive around, I call ahead of time and confirm. But I am lucky out here in Phoenix. There is a Harbor Freight in every direction and In my weekly routines I can hit up 6 of them.

 

[tez929rr]

I just picked up a couple of the Braun folding work lights to put in our rescue truck. We have a big rechargeable Streamlight folding pedestal light but these will be great for extra light during extrications. I’ve used them at home for years and I can’t believe it took me so long to think of it.

 

[brianh]

I have a fair amount of stuff from there, one of the most impressive has been the long nose electric die grinders I got several for 28 bucks each in 2007 they get used on a daily basis replaced the cords and many sets of brushes they keep going. They don't sell that model anymore.

SDS rotary hammer bought it when building my shop in 2010 to drill my slab for foundation anchors and it is still going been loaned out several times got it for less than a days rental from HD.

 

[ElectroMechTech]

Unless it's for beater purposes, we are pretty much banned from using HF hand tools at work. Heaven help if you are seen using a HF screwdriver, for it's intended purpose, which is to turn a screw. Misusing it as a prybar or punch is okay though. LOL. Then there is the occasional "best of breed" talks/meetings.....................just that Milwaukee and Dewalt make a decent codlesss product, doesn't mean the screwdrivers or whatever they market under their names are worth a shyt.

I wish I could post our written policies, without fear of repercussions. Of course our good pay and benefits pretty much dictates we are not showing up to work with proverbial dollar store tools.

With that said, I do have at home some shop rags, gloves, and I think one pair of needle nose pliers, that came from HF. They have improved somewhat over the years. Like someone else said, you need to do your homework.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Do you check the 'stock' online? I use that to gauge if they have something. If I really dont want to drive around, I call ahead of time and confirm. But I am lucky out here in Phoenix. There is a Harbor Freight in every direction and In my weekly routines I can hit up 6 of them.

All: Don’t rely on the computer inventory count. Often, they don’t update. I went to our local HF to buy sanding belts. The computer said that they had plenty, but they had none. I know a couple of managers there and they told me it happens. Best to call the store to verify with the SKU number, that what you want is in stock.

 

[Ton ton]

I believe my brother likes his Braun work light . It did come from Harbor freight. So I guess it's a strong pass so far.