Harbor Freight News..

[Huyzel]

Not sure if this is old information but the other day I went to HF to pick up a stud welder. I tried to use my 20 percent off coupon and the chick said they cannot accept it towards purchasing welders and tool boxes.. I called customer service and they confirmed.. Just giving yall a heads up..

 

[tonydanzah]

yep old news, but in the original thread it was only affecting certain stores

 

[buick215]

Yep, it's been talked about before, sure *****.

 

[abrahamfh]

Just bought a welder from HF a month ago and used the 20% off coupon from Mustang Monthly at the HF in Newark CA., used it for my 60 gallon compressor as well, no problem.

 

[Huyzel]

Oh and the CS rep said compressors as well.. Maybe it is in effect everywhere now? She said they recently did it..

 

[Skin]

they have no grounds to refuse it, the coupon has no exclusions. They're idiots for even trying to enact this before they could print proper coupons that actually list exclusions.

 

[Concrete B]

What? It's not made in America? Dammit...

 

[fatboyf150]

This is a company wide fix on all 20% coupons. Toolboxes, compressors, welders, generators, Campbell products, open boxes, outdoor tent events, and a few other items have been taken away from using the 20% coupon.

they have no grounds to refuse it, the coupon has no exclusions. They're idiots for even trying to enact this before they could print proper coupons that actually list exclusions.

There is a in-store correction for this coupon that covers their *** on this. I'll get a copy of the correction and post it here after I get off today. They should be plastered all over your store you buy from.



EDIT: I do not agree with the new policy, but we have to follow what corp tells us. Here is the official Harbor Freight Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/harbor.f.tools , please go there and voice your opinions about the new policy.

 

[mrholeshot]

I have several 20% cupons form Car magazines that don't expire until mid 2011. It list no exculsions except On sale items. They list ANY single item. In my area if they refused it you could report it to the local Chamber of Commerse and the local BBB (which is a half mile down the street) and they would be all over them. While there may not be anything they could do to make them honor the coupon they will be very aggressive in blacklisting them. Not the thing you want in a tourist town.

 

[Boost Creep]

Just bought a welder from HF a month ago and used the 20% off coupon from Mustang Monthly at the HF in Newark CA., used it for my 60 gallon compressor as well, no problem.

the new coupon stuff started early-mid november so you got your stuff just in time

 

[mrholeshot]

This is a company wide fix on all 20% coupons. Toolboxes, compressors, welders, generators, Campbell products, open boxes, outdoor tent events, and a few other items have been taken away from using the 20% coupon.



There is a in-store correction for this coupon that covers their *** on this. I'll get a copy of the correction and post it here after I get off today. They should be plastered all over your store you buy from.



EDIT: I do not agree with the new policy, but we have to follow what corp tells us. Here is the official Harbor Freight Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/harbor.f.tools , please go there and voice your opinions about the new policy.

I see you are in the MB area. I've owned several and still own one business in this area. From the way I read it you work at the NMB Harbor Freight. The first time you guys pull that **** on a guy from one of the local guys from one of the areas 30 something car clubs not only will you have the BBB on you but you will get more bad press via internet than you want. Save yourself the fight, bad press and the blacklist by honoring the magazine coupon. The moment you don't honor a legit magazine cupon at least 1000 local car and motorcycle club members will know it. Word passes fast in the area. All clubs have a link in one way or another. I belong to 4 of the local clubs myself. I know people from each club that cover the rest. Screw over a car club member and news travel faster than CNN

 

[NWphotog]

Just bought a welder from HF a month ago and used the 20% off coupon from Mustang Monthly at the HF in Newark CA., used it for my 60 gallon compressor as well, no problem.

The new policy began Monday 10-8-2010. If your purchase was a month ago that was before the new policy began.

 

[NWphotog]

This is a company wide fix on all 20% coupons. Toolboxes, compressors, welders, generators, Campbell products, open boxes, outdoor tent events, and a few other items have been taken away from using the 20% coupon.
...
EDIT: I do not agree with the new policy, but we have to follow what corp tells us. Here is the official Harbor Freight Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/harbor.f.tools , please go there and voice your opinions about the new policy.

Not all stores are enforcing the policy equally thank god. I am guessing it has to do with how **** the stores manager is or how secure they are in their position.

 

[mrholeshot]

The new policy began Monday 10-8-2010. If your purchase was a month ago that was before the new policy began.

My Jan 2011 Issue of MM&FF has a no exclusions cupon in it. Wonder how they will want to explain that one

 

[fatboyf150]

I see you are in the MB area. I've owned several and still own one business in this area. From the way I read it you work at the NMB Harbor Freight. The first time you guys pull that **** on a guy from one of the local guys from one of the areas 30 something car clubs not only will you have the BBB on you but you will get more bad press via internet than you want. Save yourself the fight, bad press and the blacklist by honoring the magazine coupon. The moment you don't honor a legit magazine cupon at least 1000 local car and motorcycle club members will know it. Word passes fast in the area. All clubs have a link in one way or another. I belong to 4 of the local clubs myself. I know people from each club that cover the rest. Screw over a car club member and news travel faster than CNN

Well, its not that we won't honor the coupon, we can't honor it. The computer is set now from corp to reject the coupons on certain item numbers. So, we have no control over it. It might even take the BBB to get involved to take care of. I'm just trying to help get the word out about it.

 

[musgofasta]

I think it may end up as a marketing ploy:

Coupons on ANY item in the store on certain days i.e. day after Christmas
Push the Inside Track membership with ANY item priviledge on the coupon

**** like that. I've probably used a dozen 20% off coupons, so it was a good run.

 

[Boost Creep]

the 20% off coupon is what made alot of the stuff there worth buying. without that, theres far less incentive to go buy stuff at hf when its going to be not much more in price to get something far better at another store

 

[PaulR]

ooooohh!! Fight Fight Fight!!!

 

[fatboyf150]

I think it may end up as a marketing ploy:

Coupons on ANY item in the store on certain days i.e. day after Christmas
Push the Inside Track membership with ANY item privileged on the coupon

**** like that. I've probably used a dozen 20% off coupons, so it was a good run.

BINGO! We were just talking about this the other day. HFT is offering a $10 gift card with any ITC purchase from Thanksgiving thru Christmas. Got to be a marketing ploy.

 

[NWphotog]

Well, its not that we won't honor the coupon, we can't honor it. The computer is set now from corp to reject the coupons on certain item numbers. So, we have no control over it. It might even take the BBB to get involved to take care of. I'm just trying to help get the word out about it.

Try again! A week after the new policy began I bought the large top box tool chest for 20% off the sale price. The Manager was able to over ride it. So once again I suggest going to the stores that honor the coupon and letting the others hang.

 

[fflintstone]

I have been to 3 stores in Michigan and they all have the exclusions up. Fortunately for me I bought my racing floor jack in October. The only excluded item I was considering getting was a tool cart. Personally I think the policy is dishonorable, but what are you going to do? BBB? Consumer protection agency? Hey if it bothers you that much GET OFF YOU BIG FAT A$$ AND LODGE A COMPLAINT. Personally I don’t shop there much and it isn’t worth my time, I vote with my wallet.

 

[Davefr]

Just file a complaint with the BBB and ask for them to complete the contractual terms as stated on the coupon. (They made an offer of 20% off any item and you accept the offer and that is the essence of a legal contract).

You might get the store manager to respond and if they don't they get a strike against them in their BBB ratings. (however I can't image their BBB reputation is of any concern to them)

You can also notify your state's attorney generals office. It's usually an online form.

If they had any brains they would have phased in the new coupon while grandfathering in the old one. I guess Smidt is having a tough time with his new house payments!!

 

[mrholeshot]

Well, its not that we won't honor the coupon, we can't honor it. The computer is set now from corp to reject the coupons on certain item numbers. So, we have no control over it. It might even take the BBB to get involved to take care of. I'm just trying to help get the word out about it.

Get ready for the backlash. I know of at least three guys who want to buy the 41 inch roll cab with their "No exclusion" coupon. Better call corperate before they get there. Once it hits one club in paticular it's like a fire you can't put out. Good bunch of guys but you screw one over and Youve screwed most of them over as well.

 

[fatboyf150]

Get ready for the backlash. I know of at least three guys who want to buy the 41 inch roll cab with their "No exclusion" coupon. Better call corporate before they get there. Once it hits one club in particular it's like a fire you can't put out. Good bunch of guys but you screw one over and You've screwed most of them over as well.

No backlash for me, brother. I think its a F'd up situation myself. I'd give the 20% like it says. This job doesn't pay me enough to have that kind of stress. And I don't rely on this job to pay my bills either, I just like the emp discount I get. This won't be the first time a customer has bitched about the new policy. We just pass them right on to the store manager and let him have it. If you come by sometime, I'll be sure to help you the best I can. Thats all I can do. I do think this will make the company lose a lot of customers.

 

[NWphotog]

Nah, we like the deals and in my area at least the coupon is still honored. The one store here that doesn't honor it I just bypass. I think the coupon stacking was bogus and its good that is over.

 

[mrholeshot]

No backlash for me, brother. I think its a F'd up situation myself. I'd give the 20% like it says. This job doesn't pay me enough to have that kind of stress. And I don't rely on this job to pay my bills either, I just like the emp discount I get. This won't be the first time a customer has bitched about the new policy. We just pass them right on to the store manager and let him have it. If you come by sometime, I'll be sure to help you the best I can. Thats all I can do. I do think this will make the company lose a lot of customers.

Personally I'm not in the market for myself. Ive been in the NMB store a few times and it's cleaner than the Dillon store but the selection just isn't there. I went in and bought a few ratchets and tested them. I do know that the prices are higher than the dillon store. I think it's a matter of HF saw somethings that were selling through the roof and decided to pull that plug. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but sometimes the only thing that got people into the store was the same thing they pull the plug on. I can understand why they wouldn't allow stacking of coupons but to not honor the coupons already out there will cost them dearly. The only thing they will acomplish is sending people over to Workshop tools on 501 and get the blackeye on local car clubs forums. That will leave the 70+ retirement crowd from Briarclif to sell garden hoes to, lol

What kind of employee discount do you guys get?

 

[3 at 8]

I think it's a matter of HF saw somethings that were selling through the roof and decided to pull that plug. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but sometimes the only thing that got people into the store was the same thing they pull the plug on. QUOTE]

This is very true. I never stacked coupons; never really tried; but the only thing that got me into the store was the genaric 20% on top of a low listed sale price. I allways felt I deserved it as you would have to be paitent at times for thelowest predicted price to roll around.

 

[Huyzel]

Well.. I purchased my stud welder... Had a chance to play with it and it works great.. BTW I didn't buy it from HF.. Its not worth doing business with them anymore.. Their prices are going up and up for the same quality/item.. I spent 350ish on a Motor Guard Magna 1500.. Made in USA with a 5 year warranty I'm sticking to Northern Tools, Grainger, and a few wholesale tool stores..

 

[mikeceli]

Is HF a MEMBER of the BBB? If not, they have no pull w/ HF.

I would complain to the District Attorney's Office. Here in cali, "Bait and Switch" is a violation of the Business and Professional (B&P) Code.

 

[mrholeshot]

Is HF a MEMBER of the BBB? If not, they have no pull w/ HF.

I would complain to the District Attorney's Office. Here in cali, "Bait and Switch" is a violation of the Business and Professional (B&P) Code.

Here they don't have to be a member to file a complaint. After 5 complaints of the same nature you get on their "Blacklist" You can still veiw who is on that list but if you are any kind of business in this area you belong. If you are not a member the can't get in the middle but they can tell you how many complaints they have had with that paticular place.

The car club guys here know how to get stuff done. 10 or more guys will get together and go with another guy into the store. The one guy who intends to buy something will present the coupon. IF they accept it fine. If they don't the guy keeps raising a stink until the police have to be called to have this person removed from the store. The others are there as witnesses and to bail the guy out if need be. Once the police are called to the scene it automaticly goes into the police blotter. Every radio station in the area gets it the next morning. You will hear about it the next morning on the radio " Here's a funny one, A man was removed from XXXXX-XXXXXX after the business would not accept his coupon" They will make 10 or more jokes about it while a bunch of these guys start calling the radio station. These car clubs down here know how to make stuff happen. I've seen the go as far as to have a meet just to go protest a business. One of the local Hooters Promiced one of the largest car clubs in the area a 20% discount if they would hold a meet at their location. 80 people showed up, nobody got the discount. The following Sat night 150 showed up sat down and ordered just a soft drink and stayed for about 4 hours (from 7pm-11pm). These guys know how to legally shut you down or cost you dearly.

 

[mikevango]

Oh nooo. Who gives a ****. I only use duralast now.

 

[mrholeshot]

Oh nooo. Who gives a ****. I only use duralast now.

I'm a big fan of Duralast myself. Just wish their selection was better.

 

[zer0cell]

wow mrholeshot... is it really like it with the car/motorcycle clubs down there? That many people would get involved over a coupon? I'm not saying its a necessarily a bad thing but anyway dad lives pretty close to MB and I go there all the time. I do agree it is wrong to not accept a coupon which does clearly not state the 'exclusions' on it. I'd be upset about it too so I understand. Now if the coupons were copies, expired, or a magazine reprinted them without HF authorization that's a different story... but if its a legitimate coupon I believe they should honor it. With that said it is certainly not fatboyf150's fault just because he works there. The hourly employees really have no control there over store policy. It is basically the general manager who has the power to make the decisions, and even then if he received strict orders from higher up can he really be blamed for following them, even if he himself thinks it is a dumb thing to do? All I'm saying is, try to put the blame where it belongs... Otherwise to me that would be kind of like blaming the factory US worker who was doing a good job because his company sold out and moved to china.

 

[mrholeshot]

I wasn't blaming him but giving him the heads up. Lots of young car guys in the area that are rebels without a cause and just looking for one. I personally think it's a good thing that these guys stand up and don't let people just lie to them without consequence. I'm sure in the not to distant future that the manager of that store will wind up on you tube trying to explain why HF won't honor a coupon. It's no reflection on FatboyF150. The only person in that store that would catch hell would be the manager.

 

[zer0cell]

Ha, I'd hate to be that manager if/when that happens as you predict...

 

[mrholeshot]

Ha, I'd hate to be that manager if/when that happens as you predict...

I'll know when or if it goes down.