I'm done shopping at Harbor Freight

[winlinmac]

Autozone charges a deposit fee to rent tools, but immediately refunds the amount in full upon return of the tools. Harbor Freight should develop a system like this: allot some of their popular power tools so that people can get a feel of them, rent them for a day or two, and return them for someone else to use again; but for a perfectly new condition tool, sounds a bit odd. Harbor Freight doesn't even have an exclusive Customer Service kiosk, all they have are the cashiers, it sickens me how you import tools, and feed to customers like cake as long as customers were willing to drill a hole in their pockets

 

[winlinmac]

Good point, and this is directed to Home Depot, Lowes, and just about any other home improvement store too. Home Depot gives you a store credit if you loose your receipt

I would have just asked for a full refund in the form of a store credit.

 

[Capegls]

Good point, and this is directed to Home Depot, Lowes, and just about any other home improvement store too. Home Depot gives you a store credit if you loose your receipt

While that's the policy, most stores will look up the purchase and refund it back to the initial payment used.

 

[Compressor]

Good to know. If something is defective, it's defective. 20% restock fee on a defective product is a joke.

Most other retail stores have figured out how to track return history by customer so they can be good to those who deserve it and charge restocking fees to those who deserve that.

 

[jd_1138]

I bet this new policy will stop a lot of sales...... From the people who buy stuff for one project with no intention of ever keeping it.

To be quite honest, I get annoyed when I watch some guy in line ahead of me returning stuff when it's obvious to everyone in the line that they used it to complete one job and they never had any intention of keeping it. Heck I've seen practically everyone in the line shake their heads in disgust and even say stuff to the others in line when this happens. I see someone doing this almost every second or third time I'm in HF. Two weeks ago I had a guy in line ahead of me return all of the tools he used for a project at one time. He also beat the hell out of them in the two or three days that he "owned" them. Make that "rented them".

I saw them enforce this new policy last week to the guy in line ahead of me, and the cashier said the new policy is a way to stop people from using HF for a free tool rental service. Warranty abuse is fraud , and is a real problem for HF, I'm just wondering if HF could have come up with a different policy to handle this problem.

If you owned a business that sold tools, and had a lot of people buying tools on Friday to do a weekend project and returning the abused tools on Monday after thier project was done "for a full refund", and it was obvious to everyone involved that his customer never had any intention of keeping the tool. What policy would you come up with to keep this from happening?

Chris

Wow, that *****. Someone is a monumental cheapskate if they feel the need to return HF tools after using them. The tools are dirt cheap.

I guess the person doesn't value their time/gas very much, if they are constantly going there to buy tools and then returning them a couple days later.

HF has retarded prices on opened/returned tools. There will be like a 20 piece socket set with 5 sockets missing but it's only a buck cheaper than a brand new complete set.

 

[404]

It is FLAT OUT ILLEGAL for them to charge any restocking fee with that guarantee sitting on their website. You can call the city they reside in and have their license to do business YANKED by giving them the URL to the guarantee online and a receipt where they kept 20% of your refund...

Don't let them get away with it! It doesn't matter how much the total was. 10 bucks or 1000 bucks. Illegal trade practices are illegal trade practices... Email the company and tell them you plan on filing an action against them. Call your city and complain. Also call your state's attorney general and file a compliant as well.

And if you paid by creditcard you can force a chargeback against them by simply calling your CC company and filing a claim and providing the proof of return.

Agree. Do not HF get away with it.

 

[Robbie13]

I'm a tool hog. If I think I need it, I will be buy a good tool. May never need it again, but I have one. I have always went into HF with the thought it may not work but one time. Expecting that, I'm not disappointed.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Autozone charges a deposit fee to rent tools, but immediately refunds the amount in full upon return of the tools. Harbor Freight should develop a system like this: allot some of their popular power tools so that people can get a feel of them, rent them for a day or two, and return them for someone else to use again; but for a perfectly new condition tool, sounds a bit odd.

Another option, a rental that transitions to a purchase. Rent the tool, with a rental fee plus deposit that is equal to the purchase price. Return the tool? Get part of your money back. Like the tool? Just keep it, and you've paid the same price as if you bought it normally.

 

[winlinmac]

Right, I wonder when Harbor Freight will ever meet 21st Century standards. For now, I don't step foot in that store unless I need to warranty some of the hand tools I purchased from there. The chances of me warrantying something at Harbor Freight is null (for now), since I tend to use the right tool for the right job.

Another option, a rental that transitions to a purchase. Rent the tool, with a rental fee plus deposit that is equal to the purchase price. Return the tool? Get part of your money back. Like the tool? Just keep it, and you've paid the same price as if you bought it normally.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Autozone charges a deposit fee to rent tools, but immediately refunds the amount in full upon return of the tools. Harbor Freight should develop a system like this: allot some of their popular power tools so that people can get a feel of them, rent them for a day or two, and return them for someone else to use again; but for a perfectly new condition tool, sounds a bit odd. Harbor Freight doesn't even have an exclusive Customer Service kiosk, all they have are the cashiers, it sickens me how you import tools, and feed to customers like cake as long as customers were willing to drill a hole in their pockets

The difference is that autozone is making thier money by selling car parts. The free loaner tools are just a way to intice potential customers to buy their parts at autozone. If you borrow thier ball joint tool, they still made thier money by selling you a set of ball joints.

Harbor freight makes thier money selling tools. If anyone could walk in and borrow tools from them for free whenever they needed one, there would be no incentive for anyone to buy the tools.

If you want to rent tools, there are tool rental places, or you can go to autozone.

Chris

 

[DirtyJersey]

I'm a tool hog. If I think I need it, I will be buy a good tool. May never need it again, but I have one. I have always went into HF with the thought it may not work but one time. Expecting that, I'm not disappointed.

Eggsactly, and sometimes I've been pleasantly surprised!

Texting while driving

 

[Shadowdog500]

I'm a tool hog. If I think I need it, I will be buy a good tool. May never need it again, but I have one. I have always went into HF with the thought it may not work but one time. Expecting that, I'm not disappointed.

I do the same thing. If I have a genuine need for a tool I usually buy the whole set. If I need an expensive tool to do the job, I spend the money to get it. My HF earthquake impact gun, is sitting in the drawer next to my snap on 3050 air hammer, and my cheap Greg smith tall jackstands are sitting under my expensive Mohawk lift. For some things you need to get the big dollar stuff, for others, the HF stuff will fit the bill just fine, Especially for someone who only uses the tools at home.

Chris

 

[bobbycos]

I do the same thing. If I have a genuine need for a tool I usually buy the whole set. If I need an expensive tool to do the job, I spend the money to get it. My HF earthquake impact gun, is sitting in the drawer next to my snap on 3050 air hammer, and my cheap Greg smith tall jackstands are sitting under my expensive Mohawk lift. For some things you need to get the big dollar stuff, for others, the HF stuff will fit the bill just fine, Especially for someone who only uses the tools at home.

Chris

Beyond exactly, that is how I run

 

[chipper]

I was in there today buying batteries for the hurricane and the guy in front of me was buying two generators and the lady explained that if the boxes were unopened on return there will be no restocking fee otherwise 20% or exchange

 

[HFTDave]

Corvette Cave, email [email protected] with an account of what happened, the store you visited and a number where you can be reached. Someone will call and help out.

 

[logical]

Rule of thumb, if its NOT in writing, you WIN. It should be Harbor Freight's responsibility to clearly disclose the return policy in and out on the receipt. ITS THE LAW, I smell a class action lawsuit in the making

But it (the restock fee) is in writing 3 different places on the website and was printed on his receipt.

If you read the policy instead of jumping into picket/lawsuit/city hall/sternly worded letter/attack China mode, you will see what can and can't be done here.

There are 4 different ways to have the restock fee waived. One is due to manufacturers defect.

 

[Mr. Fixer Upper]

Don't blame Harbor Freight... Blame all of the ***** who "rent" specialty tools like these by purchasing with no intent to keep, and taking advantage of the lenient return policies to return tools after they've used them... ruining things for the rest of us.

So true. Just about all of us would justify the tool purchase by what we are saving by performing the job ourselves compared to paying a professional. I'm sure quite a few of us have quite the assortment of tools that were purchased for one job and almost never come out of the box again. I don't see them as wasted money but instead a badge of accomplishment.

 

[Keel]

Yes BUT.
I wasn't told about the restocking fee. It was on the receipt (I bought a lot of stuff and only looked at the total.) I wasn't guilty of free renting. Free renting should be the store's problem not mine. HF has a computer system. I'm sure that they could see that I've never returned anything before today.

Fed up with hidden fees and I'm taking my business somewhere else. The Harbor Freight restocking fee will cost them about $1000 of sales (from me) over the next two years

oh, brother, every store has a restocking fee on electronics, not just h/f..
you brought it home, opened it, used it, even if it was just on long enough to see if it worked, and then returned it, they can't sell it for full retail, it is now open box.. should they eat the loss, because you didn't ask to see the unit(demo) in-store..

 

[mike_dmt]

I believe HF has a place in the tool world.




Are you guys really bitching about Harbor Freight tool quality and return policy?

I buy some stuff from them, but never electronic or mechanical items. Jackstands, sure! Creeper, sure! maybe some screwdrivers and other disposable items my employees might lose or break.


If you were really concerned with "quality control" and "satisfaction", you wouldn't waste your time and money on cheap no-name products. As far as a restocking fee, I'm surprised anyone would waste their time and energy.

You just bought an item for a fraction of the price of a quality product. It's a gamble, every time. If you want quality, buy the item ONCE, and get a real warranty.

 

[Corvette Cave]

oh, brother, every store has a restocking fee on electronics, not just h/f..
you brought it home, opened it, used it, even if it was just on long enough to see if it worked, and then returned it, they can't sell it for full retail, it is now open box.. should they eat the loss, because you didn't ask to see the unit(demo) in-store..

I disagree with "they can't sell it for full retail". I put everything back in the original package. You could not even tell it had been opened. Not every store has a restocking fee on electronics. (look at Amazon). Also, its not easy to get someone to help you in HF, so unless you have an extra 1/2 hour forget about an in store demo.

They can have the $20 for the restocking fee. I thought others here would like to know about their policy.

My interest in tools is for fun. I will shop someplace that doesn't require reading all the fine print.

 

[upgrading]

I disagree with "they can't sell it for full retail". I put everything back in the original package. You could not even tell it had been opened.

Except for the fact it had been opened.
This would be serious fraud worthy of a thread here.

 

[Corvette Cave]

Except for the fact it had been opened.
This would be serious fraud worthy of a thread here.

YGBSM

 

[my58]

Another option, a rental that transitions to a purchase. Rent the tool, with a rental fee plus deposit that is equal to the purchase price. Return the tool? Get part of your money back. Like the tool? Just keep it, and you've paid the same price as if you bought it normally.

Off-Street Parking,

I think that is what there new return policy is.

You go to store and pay full price - (Rental fee plus deposit)
You like it - (You keep it)
Return the tool - (Get part of your money back)

 

[propav8r]

It's Harbor Frieght...I can't imagine a 20% restock fee ever costing more than $0.17.

 

[Keel]

I disagree with "they can't sell it for full retail". I put everything back in the original package. You could not even tell it had been opened. Not every store has a restocking fee on electronics. (look at Amazon). Also, its not easy to get someone to help you in HF, so unless you have an extra 1/2 hour forget about an in store demo.

They can have the $20 for the restocking fee. I thought others here would like to know about their policy.

My interest in tools is for fun. I will shop someplace that doesn't require reading all the fine print.

so how did you reseal the small bag the batteries come in?/
ya, it's open box.. and with an item that is more than likely going to be bought, used, then returned.. by really cheap bastards, why are you shocked and/or pissed..
sorry the customer is not always right..
if it was defective, you should've shown them.. as you say the images were not clear.. but no you boxed it up like it was never opened.. if this post above is true... people that return defective items don't box it up like that..
but whatever...
did you fix what you "rented it for"
cause no one boxes up a defective item with so much care they it never be known that it was opened..

but cool story, bro.

 

[four.cycle]

Buddy called from the shop. Says "I'm fighting with a broken manifold stud here."
I say "I'm coming down in a bit. I'll swing by Harbor Freight and pick up one of those bolt remover thingies."
So I stop at HF - they're right on the route - and for five bucks pick up a gizmo like this:
http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-7120...scplp6819907&gclid=CIXI7L-G2cgCFU6SfgodF94LTg

I get down there, he puts it on the broken stud, puts a 1/2" breaker bar on it, and just starts to put some arm on it and it literally explodes.
Pieces of the thing all over the shop floor. Tossed it into the trash.

They have pretty good prices on tarps.
Otherwise I drive over to Sears for Craftsman or Tacoma Screw for Proto.

Cheap tools = waste of time. Why bother?

 

[indyokie]

Father in law needed help with a tow bar / sway bar he used behind his RV. We head to Harbor freight for socket hex wrenches in a size large than I have, Less than 15 dollars later we are in business and using them- got the bolts out - rebuilt it - and off to confirm and torque down the remaining items....thinking, man Harbor Freight stuff isn't all that bad after all.....BOOM- with less than 30lb of force and same as Four.cycle...the tool scatters/shatters/comes apart... I don't know if my father in law tried to return or exchange...but I'm going to let another project sit if I don't have the tool rather than have a tool come apart that easy.

 

[PugetDude]

Unfortunately, you're caught in a catch- 22 situation. Most homeowners only use an inspection camera (or a hammer drill, tile saw, welder, etc. ) for one project... and there are thousands of people returning "defective' specialty tools to HF on Mondays after purchasing them on Friday. Your camera may well be defective, but so is the rotohammer that Jose also only used once...

HF sells cheap stuff cheap, and is not a rental yard. They have had to change their return policies because of customer abuse. Unlike government, they can't offer policies that encourage beating the system, pandering to the lowest common denominator, or giving away their product and stay in business.

Blame the crackheads and entitlement-mentality slackers standing in line with armloads of tools to return after every project, not HF. If the new return policy means I don't have to wait in line while they deal with those azzholes, I'm all for it.

And for those clamoring for class action, sue the bastards, blah blah blah...
The fact that you don't like their return policy doesn't automatically make it a legally actionable act.....

Chalk up your 20% restocking loss as a cheap education and don't shop there anymore.

 

[PugetDude]

I disagree with "they can't sell it for full retail". I put everything back in the original package. You could not even tell it had been opened.

Maybe you got the one the last guy returned.

 

[Corvette Cave]

so how did you reseal the small bag the batteries come in?/
ya, it's open box.. and with an item that is more than likely going to be bought, used, then returned.. by really cheap bastards, why are you shocked and/or pissed..
sorry the customer is not always right..
if it was defective, you should've shown them.. as you say the images were not clear.. but no you boxed it up like it was never opened.. if this post above is true... people that return defective items don't box it up like that..
but whatever...
did you fix what you "rented it for"
cause no one boxes up a defective item with so much care they it never be known that it was opened..

but cool story, bro.

I thought the purpose of this form was to pass along cool and useful information.

There are so many things incorrect in your post.
First it does not come with batteries so there is no "small bag"
Second how do you check it in the store if you don't open the box? and how is this different than opening the box at home?

FINALLY I am offended that you accuse me of free renting and trying to rip off Harbor Freight

The stock number of the inspection camera is #61839.
I suggest you buy one and inspect your lower colon

Have a nice life

 

[justtools]

The bottom line to all of this is policy's get set for a reason. Harbor freight got tired of doing returns as a rental for a one time use homeowner. They added a restocking fee to help solve it. Their is always going to be a legitimate customer who really didnt like the quality of the tool. People get mad when they get charged for something. The policy is on the receipt and listed in the store, It is what it is. I sell alot on ebay. I accept returns. I do not pay return shipping unless there is a fault on my end. Customers always complain when they ordered the wrong item and have to pay to send it back. This Policy from harbor freight is to stop the renters. It will be your choice where you shop.

 

[Corvette Cave]

The bottom line to all of this is policy's get set for a reason. Harbor freight got tired of doing returns as a rental for a one time use homeowner. They added a restocking fee to help solve it. Their is always going to be a legitimate customer who really didnt like the quality of the tool. People get mad when they get charged for something. The policy is on the receipt and listed in the store, It is what it is. I sell alot on ebay. I accept returns. I do not pay return shipping unless there is a fault on my end. Customers always complain when they ordered the wrong item and have to pay to send it back. This Policy from harbor freight is to stop the renters. It will be your choice where you shop.

I agree. I think HF customers should be aware of the restocking fee even though HF website has contradictory information about their return policy.

Also, if the clerk has time to try and sell me an extended warranty they have time to point out the restocking fee.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The biggest GREAT in the Harbor FREIGHT is the price..... CHeeeeeaaaappppppeeerrrrr.

Ever think of the fantastic warranty of their famous tool boxes????
A super 90 days..
Need a drawer slide for that famous tool box??
I was told a ten week backlog from the factory...
They run a ""tool store"" , but do not stock repair parts.
Do they demonstrate anything??
Will they allow you to buy online and have anything shipped to your local store for pickup?? Absolutely NOT...

The best way I have found to deal with a Harbor Freight experience is to expect little or nothing of actual value for their ridiculous prices.... This leaves less room for a disappointment. They do have a few things that I actually like, However??//&//??--this list is rather small..

 

[justtools]

Like the last post. Dont expect much and you will not be dissapointed. A friend just bought a 20 ton press for like 150 and you needed to assemble. Good thing he was a retired welder. He needed to straighten everything, shim everything, Like he said he was retired so it gave him something to do. That wouldnt work for the guy with 2 jobs and 4 mouths to feed.

 

[Skin]

The bottom line to all of this is policy's get set for a reason. Harbor freight got tired of doing returns as a rental for a one time use homeowner.

Except its not a rental. Rental implies money was still made. People that buy tools, use them, then return them under the guise that they weren't used aren't any better than thieves. Im not a fan of HF but I do agree with their policy. All the mom and pop hardware stores around me have similar policies, or straight up no return on tools policies, for the exact same reason. A few bad apples ruins it for everyone.

 

[Gpaw]

Have to say I agree. Bought a floor jack and the extended warranty,,, leaked after about a month (I think it was), took it back and got new one and was told that was the one time use of my extended warranty. Whaaaaat? What it this one is bad?? If bad in the next couple days was told they would give another,, but if lasted a little while warranty was honored and used and done. That isn't much of an extended warranty. Makes me more careful at Harbor.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Have to say I agree. Bought a floor jack and the extended warranty,,, leaked after about a month (I think it was), took it back and got new one and was told that was the one time use of my extended warranty. Whaaaaat? What it this one is bad?? If bad in the next couple days was told they would give another,, but if lasted a little while warranty was honored and used and done. That isn't much of an extended warranty. Makes me more careful at Harbor.

Thinking I would call that:
""The Harbor Freight Sink or Swim Warranty Program""


Their floor jacks seem to be a product that get their share of praise.
Let's hope Your second jack earns it's share..

 

[RegularGuy308]

Except its not a rental. Rental implies money was still made. People that buy tools, use them, then return them under the guise that they weren't used aren't any better than thieves. Im not a fan of HF but I do agree with their policy. All the mom and pop hardware stores around me have similar policies, or straight up no return on tools policies, for the exact same reason. A few bad apples ruins it for everyone.

I used to work Costco and one time use homeowners would abuse generators, then return them.

 

[crguy]

Harbor Freight sell junk at a irresistible price, to people who don't car about quality. If you wanted a decent inspection camera get one of the Milwaukee branded ones, or some other comparable brand. Consider anything you get from Harbor Freight to be a consumable.

+1 from me on this.
It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that buy that **** from HF then try to justify their cheapness by making all kinds of excuses for it.
Buying **** just because it's cheap is the kind of stuff that is destroying a lot of the good US manufacturing.
I like to be able to pick up a good quality tool that is enjoyable to hold and use - not some piece of **** you have to fuss with to make it work or keep it from breaking.
Even if I use a tool only one time I want it to be a good tool.
I never set foot in Horrible Freight, or Walmart for a lot of the same reasons.

 

[bczygan]

Thank you.
It's about avoiding shopping at a store that surprises customers with hidden charges. I just want to do business with a hand shake and not spend my time reading the fine print for every transaction.

There is no such store in our litigious society.

Return it as defective. If the design is defective, call corporate.

Simple.

No Wah wah wah needed.

Bill