New ICON box

[X1 Mike]

I have to wonder when I was working at a independent part time a block away from the dealership that had all 4 brands of the tool trucks stopping in weekly why none of them could stop at the independent shop nearby. All of the mechanics had a good set of tools but none of them would stop and the shop was busy. We ended up getting most of our tools from a Grainger store a mile away.

Now the tool trucks never stopped and it was a long established shop. I see that a lot of that with the tool trucks. I am guessing that type of operation would be a prime candidate for the new Icon line up of toolboxes and I am willing to bet that the mechanics in this situations like this will be going in to harbor frieght to buy. I know yeah the Snappy boxes are freaky nice but I think for just tool storage a good quality box is all I want.

It all depends on the shop and the driver. On my ride alongs we went right past some independents and stopped at a smaller independent just a few blocks away. Difference was the guys in the shop were more likely to buy and the owner of the shop would have a good account. Driver has to make money so if he is just visiting a place every week for a few months he's going to stop visiting.

 

[fordkid88]

Full set is in the neighborhood of 8000, at least that was the estimate after the vegas show last year.

 

[kythri]

Any info in the gage thickness of the box? When that guy in the video knocked on the side of it, it sounded pretty solid. It would be worth whatever HF is charging for it if it doesn't use anything thinner than 16 gage.

16/18 gauge, according to marketing copy.

See here: https://toolguyd.com/harbor-freight-icon-tools-storage-2019/

Second infographic.

Full set is in the neighborhood of 8000, at least that was the estimate after the vegas show last year.

$7294 full retail, according to the above infographic.

HF always issues coupons, though.

44" retail now appears to be $489.99, coupon available for $449.99 (recently $429.99). That's 8% off (12% for the previous deal).

56" retail appears to be $799.99, coupon for $649.99. That's 19% off.

$7294 at even 10% off brings that entire combo down to a bit more than $6500. $2499 for just the base 56" box at 10% - 20% off is $2000-$2250.

Might be a good deal for a lot of folks, especially if it's built like the brick ********* it appears to be.

I can't recommend Tool Vault (Montezuma) big boxes enough, and specifically, StrictlyToolboxes, but even their 55" Tool Vault Elite is $2427 shipped (with a lift gate fee) to your door, which is one of the closest comparable boxes in capacity/size and price.

If HF stocked these new Icon boxes in some additional colors, they're a contender.

I've seen more of the "I'll just buy a used Snap-on for the same money" comments, and, if you can do that, awesome.

Used KRL722's (or their equivalent) below $2000 is still a fantasy in the PNW, and rarely are they "reasonably" priced at $2500. When used boxes come up for sale in the PNW, they're usually far closer to retail, and the "when" part of the equation has been drying up over the past few years. There's far less used boxes on the market today than there were several years ago.

If HF gets these into the stores, and partner with a credit service like Affirm, they're going to sell a ton of them.

 

[Mr_B]

Add a stainless top and tax and you getting close to 3K for the 56"
If quality exceptional it may do okay if gets established but you need people recommend and review before that happens, if they have introduction price discount around 15% it could help get some sold and brand appeal grow.
Biggest concern professionally is spares, I be pretty concerned dumping 2 to 8K on boxes and have doubts on spares 15 to 20 yrs down the road, accident damage to slides as well as general wear is part of the course and to be stuck without easy source parts is a serious concern to consider in advance .
the hand tools not going be so special unless they made effort do full range and no skip set and do singles as lot of options for the basics already in the market at various price points .

 

[xin]

Nothing new here, they took their other one put some shiny paint on it then marked up the price to the thousands - made in CHINA.



Then same people rant on about Made in USA owned companies the few in existence today and complain.



Lastly, the contradicting here is very ironic.

 

[Nineeightyone]

Nothing new here, they took their other one put some shiny paint on it then marked up the price to the thousands - made in CHINA.



Then same people rant on about Made in USA owned companies the few in existence today and complain.



Lastly, the contradicting here is very ironic.

I have to agree, it doesn't seem like there's really a good reason for the Icon boxes at the moment -- who knows, maybe the features will surprise us, but for that pricetag they'd have to be pretty significant. And that's coming from someone who likes Harbor Freight.

I do maintain that the rise in popularity of "antiquing" (for lack of a better word) that prices of used USA boxes will rise, and they will be more difficult to find. This will likely influence some to purchase new non-USA boxes due to availability, and there is a far larger market out there beyond Garage Journal.

 

[kythri]

Nothing new here, they took their other one put some shiny paint on it

And what do you base this nonsense on?

 

[Wamsutta]

16/18 gauge, according to marketing copy.

See here: https://toolguyd.com/harbor-freight-icon-tools-storage-2019/

Second infographic.

144 pounds heavier with a load capacity of 8000 pounds compared to the 722's 3600 pounds. I wonder how they came up with the number of 8000.... I would have been way more impressed if they made to whole box in 14 gage.

 

[1982fxr]

Let's agree on one thing; there will NOT be parts available years down the road.

 

[xin]

I have to agree, it doesn't seem like there's really a good reason for the Icon boxes at the moment -- who knows, maybe the features will surprise us, but for that pricetag they'd have to be pretty significant. And that's coming from someone who likes Harbor Freight.

I do maintain that the rise in popularity of "antiquing" (for lack of a better word) that prices of used USA boxes will rise, and they will be more difficult to find. This will likely influence some to purchase new non-USA boxes due to availability, and there is a far larger market out there beyond Garage Journal.

No one pays retail on a tool truck box, and I have always got good deals. But it goes like this, the Made in USA tool company is always portrayed negative and the one from Wharf Freight regardless of name they use is the best on earth.



Meanwhile, the ones who turn wrenches TIME is precious especially working flat rate (like myself working at Yamaha/Kawi shop). Anyways, it is 'the .02%' audience here and like you stated the market is vast in the industry far reaching here.