HF Icon box prices are out

[rijndael]

Is it likely they don't know about the tool box discounts that trucks offer?

So they're essentially trying to come in at 1/2 of SO's MSRP, thinking it's a bargain, not realizing that a 40-50% discount is doable?

 

[kythri]

Something to keep in mind: HF always has stuff on sale - some of the stuff on "permanent" sale - so, in preparation for the upcoming hard launch of the Icon brand, they've loaded the tool boxes onto the website at their "regular" and "non-sale" price - upon launch, it's conceivable that the $4999.99 box will be on sale for $2399.99 ("OMG 52% OFF OF REGULAR PRICE?! WE MUST BE CRAZY!"), and that "sale" price becomes the new normal.

Or, an equally likely example, the boxes will advertise at $4999.99 regular price, $3999.99 walk-in price, and regularly issued coupons for $2999.99, with an occasional coupon for $2499.99 or whatever.

 

[Parrothead]

It’s my understanding that Harbor Freight is going to offer their own credit card soon and a version of no interest financing.

 

[Mikeske]

The whole things these toolboxes are being marketed at the professional market and provide a alternative from the truck brands and with the truck brands having high prices and sure the truck brands make it easy with the repayment plans. It will be interesting to see what the credit plans for Icon tool boxes will be when it comes out in the first quarter of next year.

The Icon tool boxes are really not for the home market as the US General toolboxes provide that and I know as my US General 44" is more then adequate for my needs. I will never need the tool boxes but the hand tools are what I am really interested in. I never bought ratcheting long reach wrenches in metric and SAE and very interested in these as they were not sold 35 plus years ago when I bought my Bonney tools and over the years I did buy some Matco ratcheting wrenches but after several problems I traded them in for regular wrenches. I am sure that the tools are clones of other brands but going into a various stores and trying to get a hands on feel for the tools is next to impossible no matter the brand. I am hoping that that Harbor Freight makes the Icon tools competitive with the other brands.

 

[m6z]

How do I, a home-jobber DIY type, get discounts and free swag from Snap-On? Last I checked the local Snap-On driver doesn't have my house on his route.

This. I had to send a couple email to Mac inquiring about pricing and how to purchase one of their new Edge boxes.

They never sent me pricing and their final reply was that they didn't have a dealer in my area and I was SOL.

Wow. Fantastic business model. They clearly didn't want to sell to the DIY guy.

These Icon boxes will fill a hole in the market. Pro quality at discount prices for the serious home mechanic.

 

[Wamsutta]

I went to HF today. I popped a Quin 1/4'' drive socket onto a Pittsburgh extension. Low and behold, the detents were in the right place. I was floored.

 

[1982fxr]

You guys know those long threads arguing about buying defaulted Snap-On boxes, attempted repos, stolen property, liens, state laws etc etc?

If they offer credit we can look forward to a bunch more of those about Icon boxes.

 

[woody6904]

This reminds me few years ago when the Pittsburgh Professional ratchets were coming out. The first prices came out and everybody on here was bitching that they were too much money. Then when they finally hit the shelves they were discounted, and there was also coupons.

 

[PelicanPines]

For that price... it would have to have 30" drawers.

 

[ChrisLS8]

This reminds me few years ago when the Pittsburgh Professional ratchets were coming out. The first prices came out and everybody on here was bitching that they were too much money. Then when they finally hit the shelves they were discounted, and there was also coupons.

I remember that, the 3/8 flex was MSRP of like 59.99 and they hit the shelves at 24.99

 

[RV8guy]

$1100 to $1500 for the 56" might be doable. Anymore than that and I'll take my chances searching for used SnapOn KRL. It might be a really good box but it carries the reputation of Harbor Freight.

 

[jgromada]

I guess we have Tariffs to thanks for the increased prices

 

[Skin]

I guess we have Tariffs to thanks for the increased prices

Doubt it. There are a lot of Chinese boxes like Homak, Extreme, Montezuma. They haven't doubled in price. Either someone smoked something before typing in the pricing or there is a big coupon reduction coming.

Even at $2500, which the 56" was initially announced at, I thought it would be a tough sell. At 4G why bother even wasting the display space. These boxes are going to go the way of Cman Pro and those Aluminum SK boxes.

They should be selling these things barely above cost to get the exposure. This is not a good item to try to make 60% profit on.

This. I had to send a couple email to Mac inquiring about pricing and how to purchase one of their new Edge boxes.

They never sent me pricing and their final reply was that they didn't have a dealer in my area and I was SOL.

Wow. Fantastic business model. They clearly didn't want to sell to the DIY guy.

These Icon boxes will fill a hole in the market. Pro quality at discount prices for the serious home mechanic.

If you want a MAC box delivered to your door look into Proto. They come from the same place

 

[X1 Mike]

Is it likely they don't know about the tool box discounts that trucks offer?

So they're essentially trying to come in at 1/2 of SO's MSRP, thinking it's a bargain, not realizing that a 40-50% discount is doable?

Do you have any idea the kind of money that it had to take to roll out this line of toolboxes?

Do you really think that HF wouldn't do rudimentary market research?

Why do people think these companies are run by rubes? Harbor Freight has been ridiculously successful so far I think I'll give them the benefit of the doubt over some random keyboard CEO's.

 

[Wamsutta]

My take is HF set the pricing where it's at so people would take the ICON boxes seriously.

 

[sk farmer]

the prices are steep but they are not so steep as to be unobtainable.

i am always amazed at how blind some people are to things other than what they see in front of them.

i would bet that there is not one place in north dakota, south dakota or montana to see a box that compares to them in person. the guys who sells a handful of big boxes like that a year and has to drive. 10, 20, 50 or 100 miles to make a delivery do not sell for 40% off. there is no huge industry, government or military presence to support the used market so no big deals there. after hunting on the private market for years and making calls to tool trucks looking for a used box i dropped a grand on a 72 us general and am quite happy. at least more happy than if i had shelled out much more for a clapped out overpriced used truck brand box.

not every place is ripe with good used boxes and honestly i didn't want someone elses used box for more than the cost of a new one.

 

[Wamsutta]

Maybe the boxes will end up being better than Snap-on. Who knows?

 

[DSLTRK]

After seeing the huge price increase, I have to say I'm not impressed. The boxes lack the depth you can obtain with a Snap-On box, plus are another import box. I could probably find the OEM with a search on Alibaba.

I'm sure they are nice, but not $4000 nice.

I've also noticed the prices have been raised on the tools.

I think they are resting on their laurels here and think just because they gave youtubers free tools to hype them up, people will pay anything to get them. At $59.99, I'd pass on the 1/2" sockets, and $150 for the long wrench set is way too much given all of the competition.

I think the first few months will be a rude awakening for HF if they hold the prices as they are.

They like to compare to Snap-On, but seem to forget they don't offer the same business model. Snap-On is expensive because you get a service with the tool for life.

 

[DSLTRK]

Maybe the boxes will end up being better than Snap-on. Who knows?

Absolutely not. The depth is already inferior.

 

[dnschmidt]

Fear not. There is a HF 10% off anything coupon with no expiration date and no exclusions in Motor Age this month. Eric didn't become a multi-millionaire because he's a dumb ***.

 

[nikerret]

How much will the Snap-On guy give me, on trade?

 

[ChrisLS8]

Tree fiddy

 

[X1 Mike]

Fear not. There is a HF 10% off anything coupon with no expiration date and no exclusions in Motor Age this month. Eric didn't become a multi-millionaire because he's a dumb ***.

You spelled multi billionaire wrong.

 

[Aaron_W]

There is the bought in bulk commercial market to consider. Individuals might be swayed by brand loyalty, but a purchaser buying for a shop, who is cost conscious but understands cheap boxes will actually cost more over time might jump on a well built non-name brand box. I'm thinking government, schools and large corporate shops where tools and tool boxes are supplied.

If you were the head of a maintenance department it would probably be a lot easier to get the bean counters to buy a $2500 box when you can claim it is similar to a $4000 big name box.

No idea what market share that segment holds, but imagine it is a fairly desirable one.


I agree that these are unlikely to impact the sales of the US General boxes, totally different demographic.

 

[RedneckWelder]

There is the bought in bulk commercial market to consider. Individuals might be swayed by brand loyalty, but a purchaser buying for a shop, who is cost conscious but understands cheap boxes will actually cost more over time might jump on a well built non-name brand box. I'm thinking government, schools and large corporate shops where tools and tool boxes are supplied.

If you were the head of a maintenance department it would probably be a lot easier to get the bean counters to buy a $2500 box when you can claim it is similar to a $4000 big name box.

No idea what market share that segment holds, but imagine it is a fairly desirable one.


I agree that these are unlikely to impact the sales of the US General boxes, totally different demographic.

Why would such a customer buy HF when Lista and Snap On Industrial exist?

 

[WittHay]

Something to keep in mind: HF always has stuff on sale - some of the stuff on "permanent" sale - so, in preparation for the upcoming hard launch of the Icon brand, they've loaded the tool boxes onto the website at their "regular" and "non-sale" price - upon launch, it's conceivable that the $4999.99 box will be on sale for $2399.99 ("OMG 52% OFF OF REGULAR PRICE?! WE MUST BE CRAZY!"), and that "sale" price becomes the new normal.

Or, an equally likely example, the boxes will advertise at $4999.99 regular price, $3999.99 walk-in price, and regularly issued coupons for $2999.99, with an occasional coupon for $2499.99 or whatever.

Its illegal in retail stores to have permanent sales on the same item

If you first advertise something at $2500 and then mark it up to $4000. The starting price or real price is always going to be $2500. Not sure what sales, coupons or other gimmicks they will use to keep the price down permanently and not get sued

 

[Mikeske]

Its illegal in retail stores to have permanent sales on the same item

If you first advertise something at $2500 and then mark it up to $4000. The starting price or real price is always going to be $2500. Not sure what sales, coupons or other gimmicks they will use to keep the price down permanently and not get sued

Simple go a week with at the 4K price the following week have a new sale price of $2,550 the next week back to 4K and after that $2,499

 

[sk farmer]

Absolutely not. The depth is already inferior.

ok we get it. you don't like the boxes.

that said, at least use a real reason to not like them. not having a 30 inch drawer does not make it inferior. lots of guys in lots of shops don't have the room for 30 inch deep boxes. that would make the icon better suited for them.

if you say the steel is thinner, the drawer pulls are weak or the casters are light, those may be things that make it inferior. i believe the drawer depth is in that 25 inch range which hardly makes it homeowner class storage.

not saying these boxes are the last word but they appear to be damn nice and another option. in fact probably a damn good option unless you wear rose colored truck brand glasses. until someone plops down some cash loads one up and puts it to work most of this whole thread is just ******** speculation.

 

[jim faston]

I wonder if these are going to be instore items or special order only.

 

[Sloper0204]

Fear not. There is a HF 10% off anything coupon with no expiration date and no exclusions in Motor Age this month. Eric didn't become a multi-millionaire because he's a dumb ***.

Any idea on where I can find a copy of said coupon? Not seeing it on hfqpdb.

 

[sselander]

Icon catalog is here:
https://images.harborfreight.com/media/brand/icon/ICON-Catalog-Locations.pdf

 

[jgromada]

Fear not. There is a HF 10% off anything coupon with no expiration date and no exclusions in Motor Age this month. Eric didn't become a multi-millionaire because he's a dumb ***.

I have the last 3 months of Motor Age. I don't see the coupon you are talking about.



Here is a link to the Full Range Icon catalog and store locations stocking Icon.
Not close to me, i wanted to see these up close

https://images.harborfreight.com/media/brand/icon/ICON-Catalog-Locations.pdf

only a link too big to upload

 

[gungatim]

^ Thanks for the link, cool catalog.

I looked up where they are stocking in MI, seems it is small towns, no GR, no Kazoo but Luddington??? I didn't even know they had a store in Luddington...

 

[LB-1911]

I wonder if these are going to be instore items or special order only.

Cut from previous link - pg 16 / 9/16

SEE ICON™ IN THESE SELECT STORES – ORDERABLE IN ALL STORES

 

[kythri]

Its illegal in retail stores to have permanent sales on the same item

If you first advertise something at $2500 and then mark it up to $4000. The starting price or real price is always going to be $2500. Not sure what sales, coupons or other gimmicks they will use to keep the price down permanently and not get sued

Well, considering those were pre-sale ads, subject to change, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[archirelic]

Kinda surprised at some of the locations in Texas. Figured for sure I'd have a display at our less than one year old Harbor Freight location here in Lubbock. Hell, Marble Falls is going to have stuff on display and they've got a little over 6000 people.

 

[MACbox]

Guys, even if all they do is break even, it’s a way to let folks (and MAC/Matco/SnapOn) know that they are capable of carrying something that is “pro quality”. They can scream “better than SnapOn” in their fliers, but sometimes, breaking even on a quality “flagship” product, is as much a marketing ploy as anything.

Dodge didn’t get rich on the Viper, and Corvette “profits” don’t keep GM afloat. It’s a way of saying “See? We can compete with the big boys!”....

 

[DSLTRK]

ok we get it. you don't like the boxes.

that said, at least use a real reason to not like them. not having a 30 inch drawer does not make it inferior. lots of guys in lots of shops don't have the room for 30 inch deep boxes. that would make the icon better suited for them.

if you say the steel is thinner, the drawer pulls are weak or the casters are light, those may be things that make it inferior. i believe the drawer depth is in that 25 inch range which hardly makes it homeowner class storage.

not saying these boxes are the last word but they appear to be damn nice and another option. in fact probably a damn good option unless you wear rose colored truck brand glasses. until someone plops down some cash loads one up and puts it to work most of this whole thread is just ******** speculation.

Read the post I replied to, then you can argue what I typed. The original claim was Snap On could be actually be inferior to the Icon box.

To which I replied absolutely not, specifically for the depth, which is a HUGE reason to prefer one box or another. Unless you work out of a CONEX CONTAINER, most mechanics are going to go with a deeper cab.

There may be other suttle features, but until I get my hands on an Icon to check basics like spot weld penetration, spacing, drawer design, drawer racking, adjustability, I will take the initial reviews coming from people that have received it for free with a grain of salt.

I never stated I disliked the Icon. I disliked the new price increase for an import box.

 

[zendriver]

Guys, even if all they do is break even, it’s a way to let folks (and MAC/Matco/SnapOn) know that they are capable of carrying something that is “pro quality”. They can scream “better than SnapOn” in their fliers, but sometimes, breaking even on a quality “flagship” product, is as much a marketing ploy as anything.

Dodge didn’t get rich on the Viper, and Corvette “profits” don’t keep GM afloat. It’s a way of saying “See? We can compete with the big boys!”....

It's never happened

Their only claim is they "beat" a similar competitor product item on price - which they pretty much do.

 

[kngelv]

I think the biggest problem with the prices is how they relate to what they currently offer. I have a 56" that I paid $699.00 for with a coupon. It currently lists for $799.00. It has 18 gauge drawers just like the Icon. the Icon has thicker outside steel and a beefier base and wheels, plus better drawer slides, a bit nicer drawer layout and 3" more depth. Definitely a nicer box. The problem is it lists for FIVE times the price. The regular prices are such a nice deal that the Icon box prices seem exorbitant. The end locker is definitely nicer than the current one but it's like ten times the price. I will be shocked if these sell very well at these prices. Yes Eric is likely very smart but also remember that Willie Mays didn't hit a home run during every at-bat.



James