Harbor Freight Tools, I quit.

[MJ_]

Does anyone out there actually enjoy giving business to Harbor Freight Tools?
In your opinion, do the products you receive outweigh the potential (and likely) cons of dealing with a HF store and the staff employed there?

Myself, I have nothing nice to say.
After the umpteenth time of trying to save a few dollars, only to have my afternoon and energy wasted, I've decided to try and quit this nasty HF habit of mine and put my money somewhere else.

Do you have good experiences at your local HF?
Do they stock the product you are wanting or just perpetual emptiness?
Are the staff friendly and knowledgable, or are they bunch of bobble-heads?
Do you leave the store satisfied or disappointed?

 

[pstemari]

Personally, I've never had problems with the staff there. It may just be an issue with your local Harbor Freight.

Usually my complaint is more about quality and they seem to have been upping their game in that regard of late.

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[1slow62]

The staff at my local store is friendly and they stock a lot of products but I never leave there happy. It's all corporate sellout chinese garbage.

 

[ScottsGT]

Last two big purchases I’ve made have been a real pain in the ***. First was the 44” and side cabinet. Red was out of stock, called and they have one, load up trailer and get there and they cannot find it. Two weeks later they finally had it in.
Long reach low profile floor jack. Chased inventory for weeks and finally ordered it direct. It arrived warped. Returned it to the store, went to another store a few weeks later when they finally got stock. The green one in the store was warped like the one I ordered. Got the orange.
So yea, been disappointed lately.

 

[Shane6377]

I don't shop Harbor Freight often but every time I've been there the shelves are stocked and the staff knows where things are at. Honestly the staff at the closest Harbor Freight probably knows more about their products than the staff at my local Home Depot, Lowes or Menards.


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[zendriver]

Other than telling(or showing) me where an item is located, not sure what other knowledge should I expect from them.

They have been out of an item probably two or three times in the 25 years I've shopped there.

I have no reason not to shop there.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have been to a HF once in the past 8 years. I needed duct tape, and I needed it now, no time to waste. HF 1 block from where I was.

The smell was awful and set my allergies off. A friendly employee approached me and asked if I was looking for anything. He immediately led me to the duct tape. They only had one kind, USA made of global components. It'll do today.

I proceed to the only open register where the young lady was more interested in playing with her facial piercings than sorting through and debating the merits of the myriad of coupons the elderly fella in front of me had.

I politely turned down the warranty, the club membership, and whatever else she babbled about, paid my ~$5 and left.

It wasn't a pleasant experience, but I got the duct tape and will probably never visit a HF again. The tape gets a pass, btw.

 

[ambenz]

It is a store specific item I go there for now.
Like pipe tape, acid brushes, latex gloves, chip brushes, electrical tape, small drill bits, bungee cords....disposable items really.
Most things I do not expect to last.
Having said that, the ammo box I bought there, 2 years ago, carries my gun, targets, ear and eye protection, maglula ammo loader, and a half dozen boxes of 9mm ammo.
The mini bench sander comes in handy, the garden hose pump has good pressure and is on year 2 pumping rain water out of my water barrels to water the lawn, and my hand grinder is as dangerous as ever.
Never had an issue with the staff in Lombard or Schumburg store.
Maybe if you would elaborate on your reasons you don't have nothing nice to say??? ....or are you just fishing to see what this thread can dig up?

 

[MJ_]

Duct tape and "global components". -Laughed out loud over that.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I don't go there often but never had an issue at either of the 2 stores near me. Staff seems to know where stuff is and have been friendly. (They also seem to be aware of the level of quality of some of the products).

One day I stopped in for something that happened to be out of stock. As I was walking out empty handed the cashier handed me a flashlight and a catalog (with the free flashlight coupon cut out).

 

[L.Cheapo]

Duct tape and "global components". -Laughed out loud over that.

I did too, on the way home.


View media item 95829
Read the fine print!

 

[chevy302dz]

Do you have good experiences at your local HF? Yes, staff is on the ball and polite, store is as it should be.
Do they stock the product you are wanting or just perpetual emptiness? If it's in store it's usually on the shelf, if it's not in the store it's usually at least on order.
Are the staff friendly and knowledgable, or are they bunch of bobble-heads? Staff is generally the most professional, personable, and knowledgeable of what's in their store compared to other tool, home improvement, and auto part stores.
Do you leave the store satisfied or disappointed? It's a means to a end but done in a way that I will continue to shop there as needed without reservation.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

Most of the staff is probably paid minimum wage, in my State, $10.10 an hour. They are working and trying to make a living. The products are what they are.

 

[MJ_]

It is a store specific item I go there for now.
Like pipe tape, acid brushes, latex gloves, chip brushes, electrical tape, small drill bits, bungee cords....disposable items really.
Most things I do not expect to last.
Having said that, the ammo box I bought there, 2 years ago, carries my gun, targets, ear and eye protection, maglula ammo loader, and a half dozen boxes of 9mm ammo.
The mini bench sander comes in handy, the garden hose pump has good pressure and is on year 2 pumping rain water out of my water barrels to water the lawn, and my hand grinder is as dangerous as ever.
Never had an issue with the staff in Lombard or Schumburg store.
Maybe if you would elaborate on your reasons you don't have nothing nice to say??? ....or are you just fishing to see what this thread can dig up?

I guess what I am "fishing" for is a different perspective. I have about three HF stores within a thirty-minute drive. My local experience is usually the same any place I stop. Lazy and dismissive clerks and unreliable stock levels. I buy many of the things that you do (brushes, gloves and other disposables) but I really have to be lucky to find them available. The ratchets that I'm after (still) cannot be had. Today a cashier helped the guy in front of me then had me stand there while she called her supervisor to see if she could go home. She then told me to go to another line even though I was the only one left. This is what I am talking about.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Never had any issues with their staff. They aren't the most knowledgeable, but then again, I don't expect them to be given that they are probably paid minimum wage. Inventory wise, they are not perfect but there are other stores that are a lot worse. Given that I don't go to Harbor Freight often, it's a bit of an experience for me every time and I am usually able to get everything on my shopping list.

That being said, lately I've been less happy about shopping there. The stingy aspects of their business model are starting to annoy me. Examples include the 90 day warranty, coupons, price increases, higher end tools that aren't much cheaper than name brand etc.

 

[dogdog]

HF store or any store dependents on the area it is in and the people they hire... that including Lowes , Home Depot or Subways... I have had bad experiences and very good one on all of these... so... might be your neightborhood....

Short version:

Lowes --> Fat cashier lady tries to tackle me when I was leaving the store, and their anti thief thing rang, she forgot to disarm one of the items .... WTF right... LMFAO.... the one that jumps and slide down the long counter to tackle you type ... Merica .... yea it's in the boondocks...

HD --> never was able to find any one to help.... finally finds one over worked, and realized that the "other" person on shift was out chatting some where because she was a supervisor's GF or lover or what ever goons.. the one that was work ...well disgruntled... ordered a toilet, about about a months of say delivered to the HD , never got notice to pick it up, and they can't find the toilet anywhere ....basically that was two HDs in my area... one good but farther, the other one just F-ed up from management top down....

HF -- > lmfao... run by goons and well just goons... down to the cashier... most of the time not helpful... few of the times the security guard just follows me around as if ....


Sears.... --> only one left around the area... it's in a not so desirable neighborhood... but surprisingly as f-up it is, staff are pretty helpful or tries to be helpful.. at least the times I go there... No fat lady tries to tackle me...

Subways... --> I got sick and puked

 

[velocipede]

The staff at my store in Newport News VA is very friendly and helpful. They've gone out of their way to help on numerous occasions and have pointed out better bargains than the ones I've been shopping for. Maybe it's 'cause I'm in there so much. It's all about the quality of your employees...and maybe treating them with the same respect you would like if you were in their position.

 

[jshillin]

I don't have any problems with either of my local stores. I do my homework before buying things there and make sure I'm getting what I need. Whether it's a throw away tool or my toolbox. I like to do my research.

 

[finn]

I was considering giving them another shot, but went to use my sandblasting cabinet which had relatively new gloves from HF.

You guessed it: gloves were dry rotted. Only used them maybe three times.

Meanwhile the gloves in my ancient Econoblast cabinet soldier on.

I’m not going back.

 

[M6erfan]

my local HF is fine. The only interaction I have with the staff is to point me in the right direction if I can't find something. Personally, I'm fine with HF. It is what it is...

 

[99LeCouch]

Both of the ones nearby me are fine. Disposable stuff in stock, and zero hassle with digital coupons.

Almost all my experiences there have been fine, including exchanging a recalled item. And the stuff I get is okay enough, since they keep getting my business.

 

[toolaholic]

I have their cheap torque wrenches in my vehicles as well as there 25 inch breaker bars. I have the 3/8 breaker in ratcheting and non ratcheting both 18 inches. I have a 1/2 indexable head ratchet and a 3/8 double flex ratchet . I recently bought the Pittsburg adapter set. I’m pleased with the sekect items I bought there .

 

[bczygan]

Staff is polite and fast and know exactly where everything is.

Most of what they sell is useful and needed by me (See tool list below).

I used to be an elitist who held his nose up when passing HF.

Now I realize that many items, if not most of what they sell, is useful, sufficient for it's purpose and affordable.

Bill

 

[dnschmidt]

My local HF has never been out of anything I wanted. Staff has been excellent. IS THERE ANY POINT TO THESE ENDLESS "I HATE HARBOR FREIGHT" THREADS. They are NOW the dominant player in the tool marketplace. Get use to it as that's only going to get worse. It's Harbor Freight, Home Depot and Lowes and that's about it for brick and mortar. Amazon for everything else. Cry all you want, reality doesn't change.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I've never had a problem with the HF staff. They tell me where the stuff is and that's all I expect. Maybe they know more about actually using the tools than I do, I've never had that discussion.

A few of the things they carry are first rate, alot of that stuff is good for the price and some of it is just plain junk. I can usually make a value judgement by inspection.

I like Harbor Freight just fine.

 

[dagofast]

There are many shop items many people would be unable to afford without HF or someone like them. There was a time that only professionals and businesses could afford a shop full of tools and equipment. If you think about it, HF and other Chinese products have democratized ownership of so many items. In my own shop there is a parts washer, a motorcycle lift, moving Dollys, 4½" grinders, an engine hoist and so much more. Friends have engine stands, jacks, jack stands. Many of us are fortunate enough to have 2 or 4 post lifts. The list is endless, really. Everyone is free to shop where they want and buy the products they like manufactured by whom they like.

In my case, I've only done what all the largest corporations in the world have taught me to do: source whatever I need from the lowest cost providers available. Why would I pay more for it because it has a famous name emblazoned on it? I'm not interested in funding a CEO's bonus, 10th vacation home or retirement. I'm interested in funding my own retirement. Shoot, not even HF gets all my business. When I can source something better or cheaper elsewhere, I do.

 

[Y00PER]

I have never been to my local Harbor Freight

 

[Kenskip1]

OP, Your post tells me a lot about you. Myself, I have had many HF tools and will continue. The staff in my local store are all polite and well groomed. My last purchase was the shop press. A young women had it on the dolly. She busted her bunn trying to load the press onto my truck. Between the both of us we managed to get it loaded. I have air tools, a 4KW generator all in good working order.Sorry if your store does not suit your taste.

 

[frank001]

I don't shop Harbor Freight often but every time I've been there the shelves are stocked and the staff knows where things are at. Honestly the staff at the closest Harbor Freight probably knows more about their products than the staff at my local Home Depot, Lowes or Menards.

This has pretty much been my experience at the two HF in my area.

 

[TXpintail]

Lol! It’s China folks. Seriously?


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[may0naise]

Lol! It’s China folks. Seriously?


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I have bought stuff made in china, Taiwan, and even the good ole USA from harbor freight, just like every other hardware store in the country.

As far as experiences go, the 2 stores I go to (one near home and one near work) have had some out of stock issues, and almost always only have one cashier so you have to wait in line to check out. The staff is always friendly and able to point to where stuff is, so I just keep my expectations in regards to speed low and don't go there if I have an absolute need for the item I am shopping for.

 

[Jtels85]

My local Harbor Freight has always been great to visit. While I usually don’t buy anything from there other than gloves, WD-40 and the occasional odd tool for an automotive job I’m working on, my 70 year old father absolutely loves the place. I grew up making trips with him to Sears at Northgate mall. Everything he bought was Craftsman. Harbor Freight came along in the 2000’s and now he won’t go anywhere else. They have what he wants, friendly and helpful staff, never any complaints. If a father/son outing ends up at Harbor Freight somehow, I’m usually bored and wander around the store without buying anything, but I’m just happy I get to spend time with my dad.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I save a shitton of money which overrides everything else and thus makes me happy

 

[mfewtrail]

I've never had an issue at all with HF. The employees have been more than helpful any time I've had a return or warranty swap. The only other question I've asked an employee was if they had a product in the back. They promptly would visit the stockroom and grab whatever I needed. This was a common theme at one particular store, but it was no fault of the employees. The store was just so busy they were constantly having to restock as people shopped. To give you an idea of how busy it actually was, they owned or rented the vacant store space next door to use as a stockroom. Both it and the main stockroom were absolutely packed floor to ceiling.

 

[driftpin]

I was considering giving them another shot, but went to use my sandblasting cabinet which had relatively new gloves from HF.

You guessed it: gloves were dry rotted. Only used them maybe three times.

Meanwhile the gloves in my ancient Econoblast cabinet soldier on.

I’m not going back.

I was given a HFT media blasting cabinet, and I replaced the gloves in it, no issues with their longevity after a couple of years.

I'd say I'm in one or another of their stores about every two weeks. I keep current coupons in the truck, so I can get the 20% off and the free gifts, though it seems like they're only offering the LED blue 'bar of soap' flashlight, "free with any purchase" any-more. I stick 'em on the side of one of my tool cabinets, it looks like an invasion now, I think they multiply/breed when the lights are off.

 

[Rickster]

I've always found the employees to be very helpful. I was up there last week, made a special trip and one of their employees helped me find what I was looking for. They had several in stock and now I have a really great shoe horn. The chrome quality is fine and I didn't opt for the warranty.

 

[ecotec]

I still have a good amount of Harbor Freight tools in my main tool boxes. They have done well by me (some impact sockets, a breaker bar, composite ratchets, nitrile gloves, some specialty auto tools [brake turnback tools...], torque wrenches, a sawzall, an angle grinder... probably things that I have not thought of...

The people at the ones I go to are personable and hard working. Once you look past the face, neck, and hand tattoos... you will find them to be good at their jobs. I was the first person to judge them, in my past. I have made an effort to stop doing so.

 

[nieuport17]

If I replace the words HF with another store on this thread, you wouldn’t know the difference.
HD, Lowes, Walmart.... all have the same problems.

 

[sberry]

I don't buy everything in the store but some stuff is exceptional and only had 1 thing about 30 yrs ago that was a weak spot. I have some pieces that work so well there wouldn't be any reason to trade them for brand unless they were giving it away.

 

[Stadger]

I have no complaints about the two local stores near me.