More new name branding at HF

[zendriver]

I was thinking about this further, and it’s just an attempt to re-create themselves. “Obviously,” you say.

But what I mean is everyone’s figured out to associate Pittsburgh, Chicago Electric and Central Pneumatic w crappy import ****. I wonder if they’ll also rename Western Safety? Anyway, produce more **** but give it a different name and figure it’ll take ~10 years before enough people have figured it out that you have to rinse and repeat.

HF seems like they're in business to make money, Inot just continue to sell the cheapest quality tools possible, to placate their haters.

China is now making higher quality tools, so harbor freight is selling them at a higher price, and giving them a "brand-name" helps justify the higher price. No reason not to.

Maybe they learn from Sears of the value of a brand-name even if it is in some cases. meaningless.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zktk01]

They could probably take some of IRWIN share of locking pliers your getting Chinese pliers anyway. Hopefully the rumor of IRWIN bringing Vise Grips back to USA again is true, if not might as well buy a Breman or whatever they call it.

 

[Brownsfan]

They could probably take some of IRWIN share of locking pliers your getting Chinese pliers anyway. Hopefully the rumor of IRWIN bringing Vise Grips back to USA again is true, if not might as well buy a Breman or whatever they call it.

Not quite Chinese. But close. They are Taiwan made

 

[jgromada]

I always see it as a love/hate relationship with Harbor Freight. I always follow the HFT Pass/Fail thread to see what kind of experiences other people have had. I would say I have only had a couple of "that was a complete waste" type of experiences. Most of the time the item met my expectations.

For example i bought one of the Bauer portable band saws and then added a Lenox band saw blade. and for my $99 it is terrific. Then again I am not using it like a tradesperson might. I couldn't justify the extra price differential for a Milwaukee or DeWalt for the limited number of times i have used it.

 

[RV8guy]

Is this just a way to exclude more stuff from the 20% and 25% coupons?

 

[Brownsfan]

Now they need screwdrivers to go along with all these new decent tools. Having seen them in person. They do look much better than any plier I have ever seen at HF. They also need a improved line of slip joints to go along with all these new decent tools

 

[ocloc24]

So when is someone gonna create "The Harbor Freight Addiction Thread"?

Do you see what you did? Damn you lol

 

[subarub4]

I'm sure it's already posted.. but here is mine just came in today

 

[BF88]

I like harbor freight, but, certain things they have I wouldn't trust for certain jobs. I am the type of person that if the tool isn't made in the USA, i will probably immediately dismiss using it, but I make exceptions all the time, so maybe it's not as bad as I think. Craftsman's made in China tools are probably the worst Chinese made tools I have used. I have broken a lot of their Chinese made tools the first time I have used them.

Some of the stuff I think is trial and error to find out what is good and what isn't. One brand I hear nothing but good things about from HF is Pittsburgh's professional line of hand tools. They are made in Tawain (or most are at least), and from my experience, made in Tawian tools are better quality than china made tools. I have talked to as well as read online many people who are mechanics who use the pittsburgh pro line for every day use to save thousands over brands like snap-on, and they haven't failed them yet.

 

[SMKS]

Someone posted a couple pics over on the r/tools section of Reddit and the package said the pair of Doyle pliers was made in Taiwan. That makes me think they could be pretty good.

I still think they’re too close on price to some real brands, but we will see.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I can't be the only one laughing at "Doyle".

Sounds like a banana or pineapple brand. I split a gut when I saw their prices; as I would put that money toward normal, known name brand tools.
I do like bananas.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

HF goes from branding with names of US cities now to using surnames. What's the next group of brand names from HF? Granite and slate? The new Hot Dog brand of screwdrivers, at twice the price of the Pittsburgh Pros?

 

[jd_1138]

HF goes from branding with names of US cities now to using surnames. What's the next group of brand names from HF? Granite and slate? The new Hot Dog brand of screwdrivers, at twice the price of the Pittsburgh Pros?

lol. And their saws are named Portland to give it a Pacific Northwest/lumberjack vibe.

Pittsburgh for the hand tools. I am surprised they don't round out their BBQ stuff selection and call it "Memphis" for Memphis BBQ. It's kinda weird that they don't have at least a basic line of charcoal and gas grilles and accessories. I think they might sell a couple of BBQ tools?

 

[zendriver]

Is this just a way to exclude more stuff from the 20% and 25% coupons?

Probably not.

They know Americans are obsessed with "brand names".

A lot of their "Name brand" and 20% excluded items, like generators, electric winches, floor jacks, etc. often have their own discount coupons, that equal 20% (or there abouts) off.

 

[zktk01]

They named their "Doyle" pliers after "Geraldine Doyle" The famous lady from the WW2 poster "We Can Do It"

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_538122
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraldine_Doyle

At least that is the rumor I am spreading.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

lol. And their saws are named Portland to give it a Pacific Northwest/lumberjack vibe.

Or is it just trying to capitalize on Oregon brand?

 

[ganymede]

I can't be the only one laughing at "Doyle".

Nope.
Imagine being in the focus group that helped come up with it.
"What would you most associate with the name Doyle?
A. Notre Dame ( Fighting Irish )
B. Pineapples.
C. Immigrant machinists. "

HF goes from branding with names of US cities now to using surnames. What's the next group of brand names from HF? Granite and slate? The new Hot Dog brand of screwdrivers, at twice the price of the Pittsburgh Pros?

I predict also the next line will be history or concept names ..

Free Enterprise line of power tools,
Corps Of Discovery line of survey transits, levels and plumb bobs.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I predict also the next line will be history or concept names ..

Free Enterprise line of power tools,
Corps Of Discovery line of survey transits, levels and plumb bobs.

Yes! After that, they could be named Lions, Tigers and Bears!!

 

[6PTsocket]

Probably not.

They know Americans are obsessed with "brand names".

A lot of their "Name brand" and 20% excluded items, like generators, electric winches, floor jacks, etc. often have their own discount coupons, that equal 20% (or there abouts) off.

True, those items do go in sale, just not quite as convenient. I always have a bunch of 20% off coupons handy. You have to wait for the super coupon for those items and you can bet it will not show up when you want to buy it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[zendriver]

True, those items do go in sale, just not quite as convenient. I always have a bunch of 20% off coupons handy. You have to wait for the super coupon for those items and you can bet it will not show up when you want to buy it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Agreed, but now that they a selling more expensive items, it's not hard to believe, they are more reluctant, to knock off another 20%, for $75-$100+ items. I think that's one reason they they gave "brand names" to the costlier test equipment and specialty tool kits.

IMO, they would probably like to get rid of that 20% coupon all together, but customers have become addicted to it, so they are afraid the Company owners, would be publicly beheaded!

 

[nmantas]

I agree that most of their new brands the past few years have been excluded on the 20% coupon......the longest to expire 20% on hfqpd is for 2/8/2018 and doesn't mention these new plier brands. IF the new 20% coupons start coming out with exclusions for these new plier brands keep in mind the the current ones should still work on them. I might grab one or two to give them a try.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/20_percent_off_1508445575.6112.jpg

 

[emeraldcoupe]

I picked up two of the 18" breman locking pliers. made in Taiwan, seem to be built pretty nice, and the price was right at $19.99 pair.

 

[plc268]

I picked up a pair of Straight Jaw bremen locking pliers, and while it's built ok, the screw threads were absolutely garbarge. Lots of burrs and just generally ****. I ran a tap and die over the threads, and it's working much smoother now.

Not bad for a little more than $5 after coupon, but it could still use some improvement.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

hmm. both pairs I bought are finished very nice, including the adjusting screws, both work as good as the Irwin pair I have.

 

[6PTsocket]

hmm. both pairs I bought are finished very nice, including the adjusting screws, both work as good as the Irwin pair I have.

What you two are describing is the problem with HF stuff, poor quality control. Some pieces are fine and others not so fine. The stuff can sometimes be cleaned up and sometimes not, so you have to exchange or return it. That is the weakness of this thread. If you get a bad one it is a fail while there may be many good ones and visa versa. They compensate by making returns and exchanges easy but it still can be a PIA. For more money you get a much lower failure rate with many name brands.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[zendriver]

Seems those who complain the most about Harbor freight tools are the ones That don't use them.

Plus they always seem to be happy to tell someone else how to spend their own money.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stercorarius]

Yeah if they're selling pliers for channellock prices I'm still going to buy channellock even if the Doyle is same quality.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[DerekV]

I picked up two of the 18" breman locking pliers. made in Taiwan, seem to be built pretty nice, and the price was right at $19.99 pair.

I need to check these out in person. If they're anything like my Milwaukee 18" clamps, they'll be a winner.

 

[ocloc24]

Yeah if they're selling pliers for channellock prices I'm still going to buy channellock even if the Doyle is same quality.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

Amen

 

[L.Cheapo]

Yeah if they're selling pliers for channellock prices I'm still going to buy channellock even if the Doyle is same quality.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

View media item 76703

 

[stercorarius]

View media item 76703

Think that's the first time that meme has made me laugh. Somebody get this guy a medal.

 

[nmantas]

Looks like the new brands are NOT prohibited on the new 20% coupons (so the prices are probably a bit inflated).