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HJE reviews - apparently worthless

Torque&Recoil

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Has anybody noticed that you cannot post a negative review at HJE? I bought a 2 lb hammer a while back. The "thing" that arrived was the sorriest excuse for a hammer I have ever seen. Not only was the forging rough, the head was on crooked. It was not just "on crooked", it was finished that way at the factory. As in, the hammer faces had been ground parallel to the handle by the factory - embarrassingly made in America. It was so pathetic, that I gave it to a friend of mine who is a total "only use made in America tools" fanatic. Two weeks later he threw his free hammer in the trash. I tried to post a review at the HJE website (using appropriate and not inflammatory language) and magically ... my review did not appear. I tried again using even happier language but stating that these hammers are clearly factory rejects. My review #2 did not appear. They have 434 more crappy hammers in stock and the web page still says, "Be the first to review this product". It seems like HJE only accepts glowing reviews, and rejects anything less than wonderful, because they would really like to sell the 434 hammers which they are stuck with. Anybody else have this experience?
 
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1982fxr

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I tried to post a good review once and it wouldn't. Does that feature even work?

I've been happy with every tool I ever bought from them.

Is this a Grayvik? Because those are factory seconds. All mine have been fine though.
 

vssjim

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Why not call and talk to one of the guys out there they are very good about taking care of problems
 

gatlibs

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I've never tried to review, but I cannot recall ever seeing a review either. Have you seen a review?

I have had several second hammers from them without this issue. I'd guess over 30 hammers in total of the painter blue line of seconds spanning several models.

I don't know what your time is worth to you, nor what the cost of the item was to you, but I'd hazard a guess that a telephone call would get you a replacement that costs H.J.E. more in shipping than the cost of the Hammer in question.

If your looking for nice hammers at more premium pricing, then go Estwing or Vaughn - from a local hardware store will ensure that the fit and finish is satisfactory.
 

Fedwrench

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Some of the stuff Epstein's sells are closeouts, surplus, and factory seconds. It would have been nice to see photos of the offending hammer, along with part number information to determine what was purchased.
I've never tried to review anything at Epstein's but, I feel online reviews are sketchy at best.
I think that if you had a problem with something purchased at Epstein's, you should have picked up the phone and directly discussed the issues with them. They can't fix it, if they don't know about it. :dunno:
 

LB-1911

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WARWOOD 2 LB SHORT HANDLED DRILLING HAMMER #H-124

Warwood - Made in the USA
AVAILABILITY: 434 IN STOCK.

$15.00

SEARCH RESULTS FOR 'WARWOOD' / Category: Closeouts
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=10&q=WARWOOD

:dunno: Maybe this one @ X2 the price would meet your expectations

Warwood Tool 124117 Short Hand Drilling Hammer 10 1/2" Handle, 2lb
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0733W2ZHH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Has anybody noticed that you cannot post a negative review at HJE? I bought a 2 lb hammer a while back. The "thing" that arrived was the sorriest excuse for a hammer I have ever seen. Not only was the forging rough, the head was on crooked. It was not just "on crooked", it was finished that way at the factory. As in, the hammer faces had been ground parallel to the handle by the factory - embarrassingly made in America. It was so pathetic, that I gave it to a friend of mine who is a total "only use made in America tools" fanatic. Two weeks later he threw his free hammer in the trash. I tried to post a review at the HJE website (using appropriate and not inflammatory language) and magically ... my review did not appear. I tried again using even happier language but stating that these hammers are clearly factory rejects. My review #2 did not appear. They have 434 more crappy hammers in stock and the web page still says, "Be the first to review this product". It seems like HJE only accepts glowing reviews, and rejects anything less than wonderful, because they would really like to sell the 434 hammers which they are stuck with. Anybody else have this experience?
 
Last edited:

bob15

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"Let's whine on the internet because I'm too scared/stupid to pick up a phone." :thumbup:

Some of the stuff Epstein's sells are closeouts, surplus, and factory seconds. It would have been nice to see photos of the offending hammer, along with part number information to determine what was purchased.
I've never tried to review anything at Epstein's but, I feel online reviews are sketchy at best.
I think that if you had a problem with something purchased at Epstein's, you should have picked up the phone and directly discussed the issues with them. They can't fix it, if they don't know about it. :dunno:

So true.
 

Shane6377

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I'm more than skeptical that the story is even true. It's a little too convince to that you gave the hammer away to a friend who threw it away.

I've been happy with all of my HJE purchases both in the store and online. They do offer a bunch of "factory seconds" but I've never seen anything in the condition the OP described and IF this really did happen I'm sure HJE would have made it right with a simple phone call or email.

They probably removed your review thinking it was a troll... which is what your post on GJ sounds like to be honest.



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powertrip

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The OP is trying to warn future buyers. Calling HJE with his problem would not have warned anyone. They would have taken the hammer back and offered him a credit or another hammer. The hassle of returning the hammer would probably not be in his benefit due to the cost and shipping, so he gave it away. His point of the reviews function not working is valid. Just like on Amazon, if there are bad reviews I avoid an item. It serves as a warning or an endorsement. His point is, the review function is not working. Why give him **** on this? What's so hard to understand? There are a lot of rabid loyal HJE fans on here. Not all the products they sell are factory firsts. It seems there may be a lot of seconds available for sale as well, hence why the review function working would be nice.
 

justtools

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Messages
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Some of the stuff Epstein's sells are closeouts, surplus, and factory seconds. It would have been nice to see photos of the offending hammer, along with part number information to determine what was purchased.
I've never tried to review anything at Epstein's but, I feel online reviews are sketchy at best.
I think that if you had a problem with something purchased at Epstein's, you should have picked up the phone and directly discussed the issues with them. They can't fix it, if they don't know about it. :dunno:

You do know you are on the internet. Dont try to give sound logical advice!!!:):):):)
 

lardy1

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Using online reviews as anything but the broadest brush makes no sense to me at all. I have no idea what the reviewers background, experience, intent for the tool, etc, etc, etc. Ive learned most of my life lessons the hard way.
 

acer66

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The OP is trying to warn future buyers. Calling HJE with his problem would not have warned anyone. They would have taken the hammer back and offered him a credit or another hammer. The hassle of returning the hammer would probably not be in his benefit due to the cost and shipping, so he gave it away. His point of the reviews function not working is valid. Just like on Amazon, if there are bad reviews I avoid an item. It serves as a warning or an endorsement. His point is, the review function is not working. Why give him **** on this? What's so hard to understand? There are a lot of rabid loyal HJE fans on here. Not all the products they sell are factory firsts. It seems there may be a lot of seconds available for sale as well, hence why the review function working would be nice.

Mistakes happen and it would be okay to warn us here if hje would have just told the op to pound sand but not to give them a chance to make it right and instead just post here is not a way a personally would have chosen.
 

bob15

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The OP is trying to warn future buyers. Calling HJE with his problem would not have warned anyone. They would have taken the hammer back and offered him a credit or another hammer. The hassle of returning the hammer would probably not be in his benefit due to the cost and shipping, so he gave it away. His point of the reviews function not working is valid. Just like on Amazon, if there are bad reviews I avoid an item. It serves as a warning or an endorsement. His point is, the review function is not working. Why give him **** on this? What's so hard to understand? There are a lot of rabid loyal HJE fans on here. Not all the products they sell are factory firsts. It seems there may be a lot of seconds available for sale as well, hence why the review function working would be nice.

I don't find it giving him ****.

To me, you first contact the seller or manufacturer, not go onto a website and complain/whine about the product and the seller's product review not working because it is a poor review. Give the seller a chance to make it right first. The OP didn't do that.

I also question the motive it because if it was "so bad", why give it away and not contact HJE?

Furthermore, if the item is bad and a company acknowledges that it is such, that company isn't going to be charging you to return it or charging you for shipping a replacement to you. They (including HJE) will be sending you a replacement at their cost or they will be refunding your money. But first, you need to contact that company.
 

powertrip

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I don't find it giving him ****.

To me, you first contact the seller or manufacturer, not go onto a website and complain/whine about the product and the seller's product review not working because it is a poor review. Give the seller a chance to make it right first. The OP didn't do that.

I also question the motive it because if it was "so bad", why give it away and not contact HJE?

Furthermore, if the item is bad and a company acknowledges that it is such, that company isn't going to be charging you to return it or charging you for shipping a replacement to you. They (including HJE) will be sending you a replacement at their cost or they will be refunding your money. But first, you need to contact that company.


Making it right WAS NOT THE POINT. Warning future buyers was. HENCE the review function.
Why give it away? Read my post and the OP's post once again.
Separate the 2 issues.
1. claiming a refund or credit.
2. warning about or endorsing a product for other potential buyers through the review function.

His post was in regard to issue #2. Had there been good or bad reviews, the OP would have been better informed on what he was buying. The first sentence of this post is
"Has anybody noticed that you cannot post a negative review at HJE?" It was the review function not the potential refund that was the main point behind his post.
If he would have called HJE and got a refund (which I'm sure they would have done) that would have did nothing for anyone else ordering it after him because there would be no change in item description and no previous buyers review to go by.
The post is named "HJE reviews - apparently worthless"
Its is about reviews or lack of, not returns or refunds. Its really simple actually.
 
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Willie Makeit

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never understood the fascination with hje. a tool supplier selling seconds, blemishes, military surplus and close out has somehow gained a cult following because they ship in a box that looks like a preschooler drew on it ... not to mention their website is one of the most non-user friendly ones out there. >shrug<
 
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kythri

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Jumping on the OP for wanting to leave a negative product review, simply because the seller in question is a GJ sweetheart is completely unconscionable.

Those of you who did so should be ashamed.

I was trying to warn you guys. Next time I won't bother.

Don't let the assholes determine what you post. Please continue. I'm sure there are many other members who appreciate your warning.
 

bob15

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Making it right WAS NOT THE POINT. Warning future buyers was. HENCE the review function.
Why give it away? Read my post and the OP's post once again.
Separate the 2 issues.
1. claiming a refund or credit.
2. warning about or endorsing a product for other potential buyers through the review function.

His post was in regard to issue #2. Had there been good or bad reviews, the OP would have been better informed on what he was buying. The first sentence of this post is
"Has anybody noticed that you cannot post a negative review at HJE?" It was the review function not the potential refund that was the main point behind his post.
If he would have called HJE and got a refund (which I'm sure they would have done) that would have did nothing for anyone else ordering it after him because there would be no change in item description and no previous buyers review to go by.
The post is named "HJE reviews - apparently worthless"
Its is about reviews or lack of, not returns or refunds. Its really simple actually.

Sorry, I don't read his post that way.

If he said, "I am having issues with the HJE review function and was wondering if anyone else is having the same issue?" That would be fine.

But, when the OP brings up the item and how bad it is, how he gave it to a friend and he threw it away because it was so bad and how there is still 434 hammer left, to me, that that crossed the line from a website review issue to a poor product that was sent to him, but instead of contacting the seller, he choose GJ.

Furthermore, why didn't the OP contact HJE and ask about their website review function and if it even works (not that I put a lot of sand in any web-review, albeit from amazon or hje)?

Enjoy your day......:beer:
 

seber

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HJE does not accept reviews for any tools. Go through the site and try to find a review. Good luck with that. That said, I find it hard to believe the factory would regrind the faces of a hammer after installing the handle crooked. That just doesn't make sense.
 

gatlibs

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never understood the fascination with hje. a tool supplier selling seconds, blemishes, military surplus and close out has somehow gained a cult following because they ship in a box that looks like a preschooler drew on it ... not to mention their website is one of the most non-user friendly ones out there. >shrug<

Compare the prices to direct from SK and from other sellers on-line. Add that it doesn't charge sales tax in most states to good service, quick packaging, and a large supply of made in U.S.A. tools at second prices and you get this type of supportive following.

I sincerely hope that the original poster doesn't believe that I was being disparaging. I tried to answer the question directly with the information that I have, mull over his options to feel better about the experience, and assuage him as to his issue being a one-off and not likely to affect another with my volume of experience with hammers from H.J.E.
 

Ton ton

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Jumping on the OP for wanting to leave a negative product review, simply because the seller in question is a GJ sweetheart is completely unconscionable.

Those of you who did so should be ashamed.



Don't let the assholes determine what you post. Please continue. I'm sure there are many other members who appreciate your warning.

I agree with you, Kythri.
 

1982fxr

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Lots of ******** in this thread. I already posted but I'll try again.

If it's intent was to warn us about a hammer how about telling us which one? They probably have over 100 models by a dozen or more brands. That valuable information was left out. I ask again, which hammer?

Was it a factory second? Because they DO sell those and advertise them as such. Mine have all been fine.

I tried to post a GOOD review once and it wouldn't work.

There ARE reviews on Grayvik hammers and they are not exactly glowing.
 

acer66

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It is not about the company, it is about how the op went about it.
If you screw up at a job would you not like the customer to tell you about it
so you can make things right instead of going off on you online first?
:confused:
 

Willie Makeit

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Compare the prices to direct from SK and from other sellers on-line. Add that it doesn't charge sales tax in most states to good service, quick packaging, and a large supply of made in U.S.A. tools at second prices and you get this type of supportive following.

if you say so ...
 

WittHay

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The criticism is that the OP comes across has having a bias against US made tools and a independent tool store. Just like a certain now banned member has against DeWalt and if I were to start a thread about Harbor Freight

There is no mention of the hammers manufacturer or type, No pictures. or questions if these are sold a factory seconds. if it is a club hammer they are not precision tools, Some of the imported ones are the worst, big block of metal at the end of a handle
 

The Fall

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Hammering on a guy for asking a valid question. Jeez.

HJE's website isn't the easiest to navigate. But most customers will cut them a break seeing as they're David up against Goliath (Amazon, big box stores, etc.). I wish there were more stores like HJE. I'd be there damn near weekly if they were local.
 

LB-1911

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The criticism is that the OP comes across has having a bias against US made tools and a independent tool store. Just like a certain now banned member has against DeWalt and if I were to start a thread about Harbor Freight

There is no mention of the hammers manufacturer or type, No pictures. or questions if these are sold a factory seconds. if it is a club hammer they are not precision tools, Some of the imported ones are the worst, big block of metal at the end of a handle

Based on the initial post , the hammer in question is a Warwood H-124.

WARWOOD 2 LB SHORT HANDLED DRILLING HAMMER #H-124

Warwood - Made in the USA
AVAILABILITY: 434 IN STOCK.

$15.00

SEARCH RESULTS FOR 'WARWOOD' / Category: Closeouts
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=10&q=WARWOOD



Has anybody noticed that you cannot post a negative review at HJE? I bought a 2 lb hammer a while back. The "thing" that arrived was the sorriest excuse for a hammer I have ever seen. Not only was the forging rough, the head was on crooked. It was not just "on crooked", it was finished that way at the factory. As in, the hammer faces had been ground parallel to the handle by the factory - embarrassingly made in America. It was so pathetic, that I gave it to a friend of mine who is a total "only use made in America tools" fanatic. Two weeks later he threw his free hammer in the trash. I tried to post a review at the HJE website (using appropriate and not inflammatory language) and magically ... my review did not appear. I tried again using even happier language but stating that these hammers are clearly factory rejects. My review #2 did not appear. They have 434 more crappy hammers in stock and the web page still says, "Be the first to review this product". It seems like HJE only accepts glowing reviews, and rejects anything less than wonderful, because they would really like to sell the 434 hammers which they are stuck with. Anybody else have this experience?
 

BigBoreFan

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Messages
311
I love HJE. Sure, the web site ain't Amazon, and you don't get free shipping, but you can find some killer deals there. I've never had any issues.
 

Shane6377

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I was trying to warn you guys. Next time I won't bother.


Your post would be better received had you mentioned a brand, model number or provided a picture to support your claim. Your post comes across as someone trolling trying to start trouble... which happens far too often here.

You may be an exception but usually the people who post the "it was so bad I threw it away" reviews don't turn out to be credible or accurate.

If you can provide some support for your experience then I would gladly welcome your review but if it's just unsupported bashing, I agree, you shouldn't bother.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 

platypus20

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I had a series of orders with HJE, every order was wrong in one way or another, wrong items or missing items, they finally got what was ordered to me, but at times it was like pulling teeth. It seemed more important to draw pictures on the box, than make sure, what was actually ordered, was actually put into the box. Everything I eventually got was perfect and exact as stated, for me in the long run, the runaround wasn’t worth the effort, I took my business elsewhere.
 

ChrisLS8

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1- his point was valid
2- nowhere on the product listing does it say "factory seconds"
3- he could have contacted HJE to fix the site issue. I don't that they have the review function set up vindictively like the OP was insinuating
4- HJE is cool and all but dogging the OP for saying anything about HJE is silly, those who did grow up
 

acer66

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1- his point was valid
2- nowhere on the product listing does it say "factory seconds"
3- he could have contacted HJE to fix the site issue. I don't that they have the review function set up vindictively like the OP was insinuating
4- HJE is cool and all but dogging the OP for saying anything about HJE is silly, those who did grow up

Check post #36, he makes a proper case
while the OP does not.
 

mrspeed

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