HF composite ratchet gone?

[Coach James]

I ordered a couple things from HF this week and got the following email today:

=======================================================

Thank you for ordering from Harbor Freight Tools.

Please note the following item(s) are no longer available and have been removed from your order.

--------------------
Item # Qty Description Price
66313 1 3/8IN DR COMPOSITE RATCHET 9.49

--------------------

Your credit card has not been charged for the item(s) above. If there were additional items on your order, please be assured they are still processing. Once your order is ready to leave our warehouse we will send you a shipping confirmation email. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

If you have any questions regarding your order, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-444-3353 (toll free). A Harbor Freight representative will be pleased to assist you.

Sincerely,

Harbor Freight Tools
Toll-free: 1-800-444-3353
=======================================================

Anyone else see them gone from their store?

Coach

 

[BBC71Nova]

Bummer if it is true. I never got around to picking one up. More often than not when I found myself in the store they were out of them. Seemed like they were selling fairly well maybe so this seems odd...

John

 

[JMcFly]

I may have to go this weekend and buy the 1/4"
Drive and a spare 3/8.

 

[mudflap]

They still had plenty of them at my local store 2 weeks ago. Hope they dont discontinue them, they were one of the few really great things at HF

 

[Joe_sun]

FWIW I just bought one on Saturday and used it on Sunday to wrench on the wifes car.

 

[WR250F]

They are probably going to eliminate all the current ratchets as a part of the pending 'upgrade' to their hard line.

The wrenches are being upgraded from what I've been told by a local HF manager, and I imagine any tool company that makes wrenches probably makes ratchets too, so, these might be a casualty.

I hope not, because these are really great ratchets.

I'm going to pick up another for a spare tomorrow. I can use it and have been dragging my feet getting back to HF.

I'll ask if they have been discontinued, or they're just back ordered.

 

[Chrislols]

I went today for a 1/4" and they didn't even have a slot for them, was incredibly odd. I keep hearing things about an upgrade though.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Red versions are all over Ebay, so I wouldn't worry too much about it if they disappear from HF. They'll still be available elsewhere.

Since I've been wanting to pick up a set for cold weather, outside use, I may grab the red Ebay jobs anyway. better visibility if I drop it in the snow.

 

[JMcFly]

Red versions are all over Ebay, so I wouldn't worry too much about it if they disappear from HF. They'll still be available elsewhere.

Since I've been wanting to pick up a set for cold weather, outside use, I may grab the red Ebay jobs anyway. better visibility if I drop it in the snow.

I need them in red now

 

[darkzero]

I've never check these out even though & I hear a lot about them. What are the advantages or the reasons why they are so popular?

 

[SMKS]

They are probably going to eliminate all the current ratchets as a part of the pending 'upgrade' to their hard line.

A lot of the ratchets have already been "upgraded."

They have round head ratchets and swivel ratchets that were revamped to feature the new "Pittsburgh Pro" name.

My swivel ratchet that I bought a while ago is labeled "Pittsburgh Pro."



I don't know if the composite ratchets had been relabeled Pittsburgh Pro. If it was so popular, I would guess it will be back with the Pittsburgh Pro name.


EDIT - I think I just found the answer.

The composite ratchet is listed as "on backorder." I guess they just ran out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html

 

[DanCo]

Looks like its time to follow in NastyNate's "Pass the Deal" spirit and grab a few ratchets whenever possible to help another GJ brother/and a few sister's out.
Dan

 

[WR250F]

Red versions are all over Ebay, so I wouldn't worry too much about it if they disappear from HF. They'll still be available elsewhere.

Since I've been wanting to pick up a set for cold weather, outside use, I may grab the red Ebay jobs anyway. better visibility if I drop it in the snow.

Got a link ?

I've never seen their composites (under a different branding) anywhere else. I sure would like to though.

 

[Ghostrider]

Who wants a free 3/8" composite ratchet? The first pm I get can have the one I have for shipping.

 

[Beaumont67]

Who wants a free 3/8" composite ratchet? The first pm I get can have the one I have for shipping.

PM sent...and thanks, if I am 1st to have your fine offer...very genious.

 

[Ghostrider]

And it's gone.....volunteers wins

 

[diggerrick]

That's odd - it's one of this month's ITC deals:

 

[kythri]

EDIT - I think I just found the answer.

The composite ratchet is listed as "on backorder." I guess they just ran out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html

I was about to posit that this might be the reason. Seems they're "pulling a Sears" with backordered product - rather than adding you to the backorder list, and charging/shipping when it's back in stock, they just cancel outright with no explanation.

Incredibly frustrating, and odd, too - it'd seem more, I don't know, profitable? To keep the order open rather than just saying "nope, check back later."

Not even a mechanism to notify you when it's back in stock? Completely antithetical to the whole concept of, well, selling product.

 

[diggerrick]

I've noticed many times that an item listed as back ordered on the website might be well stocked in the store. It seems after several years of the opposite, HF is now putting the retail stores ahead of mail order sales.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Got a link ?

I've never seen their composites (under a different branding) anywhere else. I sure would like to though.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=310346328111&index=11&nav=SEARCH&nid=61232113106

They are all over ebay.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

heavens to betsy

 

[Twiggss]

From my experience when ordering from HF if the item is out of stock/back ordered and is under $10 they'll just refund you, rather than charge you and make you wait.

 

[Dubbydoo]

Im sorry I missed the hype over this whats so good about it? just wondering Ive seen them never held one tho

 

[L5wolvesf]

What are the advantages or the reasons why they are so popular?

What he asked and any input from those who use them.

Thank you,
L

 

[kythri]

What he asked and any input from those who use them.

Thank you,
L

Super lightweight, super tough, super smooth, super cheap.

Much like the Earthquake impacts, there's not a ton of complaints from those that have bought them.

They're not my "go-to" ratchet, but they're pretty decent.

 

[Butters]

Don't forget that it won't freeze your delicate digits when it's cold outside.

I don't own any Snap On ratchets, but I prefer the HF composite to my CMan thin profile (heavy) and my gearwrench. Regardless that it only costs $9, it's really smooth and comfortable and seems pretty tough.

Is it a great ratchet? I dunno, but it's as good as my midrange ratchets and for under $10 where's the harm? It feels odd that I reach for my cheapest ratchet first, but that's the one I like so that's the one I use.

 

[pipsters]

Not even a mechanism to notify you when it's back in stock? Completely antithetical to the whole concept of, well, selling product.

Keep in mind their checkout cash registers are from like 1982.

 

[kythri]

Keep in mind their checkout cash registers are from like 1982.

You say that like it's a bad thing?

Y2K hysteria aside, those old POS systems are rock solid. New platforms with new operating systems just made things worse.

 

[byoungblood]

Im sorry I missed the hype over this whats so good about it? just wondering Ive seen them never held one tho

I don't know honestly. I went to the local HF today (everyone is spot on about the smell in the place) and tried one. The plastic felt pretty cheap and its construction looked to be kind of sloppy. I'll admit that the ratchet action was pretty smooth, but that wasn't enough to make me put down the cash to buy one.

 

[CAOS]

The "red" version is offered through Princess Auto in Canada rebranded under the name ProPoint.

 

[reedwesd]

My harbor freight had about 10 of each size on sale. I picked up the 1/4" for $8. It seems really nice.

 

[Smallblock]

I just left the store with these. They had a ton in stock.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

guy i used to work with loved them. Said they are compfortable to work with all day long and they wont mar up the airplane as much if you hit it with the handle unlike a steel ratchet. I still like my craftsman and snapons tho.

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[38Chevy454]

I picked up the 3/8 version on Fri after work. 20% off coupon, free screwdriver set (about the 6th one I have gotten, hahaha), out the door for $8.12 total. It does feel pretty good just playing in my hand. I like the 72 teeth fine ratchet mechanism it has.

I think I will pick up the 1/4 inch version also. I did not see the 1/2 inch at the ABQ store.

 

[dodge610]

I just bought the 1/4 inch one last week would like to get the 1/2 in. version. Did not see any of them at my HF looked like a hook for them but it was empty. I will keep checking when i go in again.

 

[DrunkSmurf]

I received one of each size as a gift and I have to say so far they've been surprisingly nice.

Smooth action even though mine were pretty much bone dry out of the package. Took them apart to check the internals, lubed them up and they were even smoother. The internals seem decent enough having a double pawl. The switch indicator is a little sketchy in that if you tighten it too much it doesn't move freely, but so far it's been okay on all three.

They're comfy in the hand and the finish as mentioned won't arc out on electrical and is also a little insurance in tight spots around painted or chrome surfaces.

 

[SMKS]

I went to my local store yesterday. They had all sizes of the composite ratchets in stock.

 

[diesel research]

 

[Even 11]

Got a link ?

I've never seen their composites (under a different branding) anywhere else. I sure would like to though.

I have a red one marked Coleman, but I have seen them marked Urrea, Performance tool, and ProDrive? too. Aside from Ebay, O'Reilly's can special order them also.

-Dane

 

[Andy Griffith]

Orange?! That's it, I'm in!