Typical Harbor Freight Customers

[bagsanthony]

Recently, I have been laid off and have had the opportunity to go to HF during the week, as opposed to only on Saturdays. For whatever reason, I feel I can group the typical customer into one of the following categories:

1.) "Freebie": An individual (from my experience usually older, crabby guys) who relishes the chance of getting their 5,000th free flashlight and goes crazy if they have none left.

2.) "Tradesmen": Professional skilled guys who constantly re-iterates, while in the store, that everything in the store is ****, and walks out with only consumables (ie. shop rags, nitrile gloves, tape, etc.)

3.) "Mr Cheap Fix": You know that guy that comes barreling in their duct taped car held together by ratchet straps. These are the guys that load their carts up with all the cheap ****, the $5 screwdriver sets, $15 cordless drills, goofy headlamps, etc.

Anybody have anymore to add? Obviously there are your average joes, but HF attracts some really interesting lads to say the least.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The tool snobs--the ones who only go there to look at other men. Man watching is a satisfaction unto itself for this type, as they have no interest in HF tools.

 

[CWP1616L]

4.) The guy that's loaded with Snap-on tools but doesn't see the point in buying a Snap-on tool bag when the HF bag is made in the same place.

 

[djwyman]

ha ha ha...I guess I am in the number 2 category for the most part though I do have a few things from them that I like ok like my motorcycle swing arm race stand, my low profile floor jack, and I traded a guy at school to day one of my 3 RP cman 1/2" ratchets for one of those composite ratchets and I do want me a top and bottom of the 44" set.

 

[Ign]

Love the first post! Says a lot!

I think there might also be something for Bob Vila wannabes, ie dads in suburbia who can't really identify tools and generally mowing their lawn is the most mechanical thing they ever do.

Hmm, which one am I?? I say I'm a blend of #2 and #3 But not #1, I don't want the freebies

 

[bagsanthony]

I'm also a mix of 2 and 3. I'm that clown with the iphone out looking at reviews of the products while in the store, seeing how the cheap things rank.

 

[cheechi]

There's a lot of guys that fit between 2 & 3. Very selective of the tools they buy from HF but also willing to give something a chance if it looks/feels decent (or more willing than the pure #2). I feel like I fit into this category better than either of yours.

 

[djwyman]

I guess I am partly #3 because my car does look pretty bad...but that is just because I don't do body work and I got rear-ended a few months back...since it was cosmetics and I was tight on money I used the money to pay bills instead of making my old 94 firebird look pretty.

 

[Harrison2]

they're opening a new store near my GF's house and whilst ive never been to a HF today I saw they're newly hired store associates. they were between the ages of 17-35 all wearing sneakers and smoking right outside the store on there break. theyre knowledge of tools looked to be on a par with the quality of most HF tools...

are all they're associates like this? these guys looked like recovering drug addicts and alcoholics with the odd crazy thrown in to mix it up, not meaning to judge a book by its cover. maybe il be surprised by there knowledge when it opens on Saturday and i go check it out.

id say im a #2 as all that appeals to me are theyre consumables.

 

[Ign]

I guess I am partly #3 because my car does look pretty bad...but that is just because I don't do body work and I got rear-ended a few months back...since it was cosmetics and I was tight on money I used the money to pay bills instead of making my old 94 firebird look pretty.

"UUUU TUCH MY CAMARO AND I'LL KIK YERRR AZZZZZZ" As long as you don't have a mullet it's ok!

Seriously I have no room to talk in my dented 2wd '88 Ranger

I haven't looked up reviews on my phone in the store yet but I am the retard running around with coupons on my cell phone asking if they'll take them that way (they did)

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

I had the #1 person in front of me last time I was at hf. He was one of those people who stock up on all the sale items, and then to top it off uses his 25% off. Like why do you need 7 of one item. At the end he gave the cashier his 25% off and it didn't subtract from the highest priced item and he got mad. Like dude calm yourself.

 

[Exceller8]

Then there's the guy who tries to convince himself that the wrenches from India aren't really that bad.

Note: I'm no HF hater...

 

[djwyman]

"UUUU TUCH MY CAMARO AND I'LL KIK YERRR AZZZZZZ" As long as you don't have a mullet it's ok!

Seriously I have no room to talk in my dented 2wd '88 Ranger

I haven't looked up reviews on my phone in the store yet but I am the retard running around with coupons on my cell phone asking if they'll take them that way (they did)

Lol no no mullet but I think the radio stations pick on me too around here because it never fails I will be going down the road and an 80s hair band song will come on and I am like really I know my car is a little whit trash but do you have to play the theme music too.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Super Sport]

I'm a mix of 1 & 2. I pretty much only buy consumables there. I do buy the occasional hand tool, but I usually know what I want before stepping foot in the store thanks to online reviews and this forum. Since driving by HF is part of my daily commute, I'm that cheap ******* who always uses coupons. Usually I use the 20-25% coupon on one item and then get a freebie. I'll stop again another day and do the same thing if there's something else I want.

 

[sector9]

they're opening a new store near my GF's house and whilst ive never been to a HF today I saw they're newly hired store associates. they were between the ages of 17-35 all wearing sneakers and smoking right outside the store on there break. theyre knowledge of tools looked to be on a par with the quality of most HF tools...

are all they're associates like this? these guys looked like recovering drug addicts and alcoholics with the odd crazy thrown in to mix it up, not meaning to judge a book by its cover. maybe il be surprised by there knowledge when it opens on Saturday and i go check it out.

id say im a #2 as all that appeals to me are theyre consumables.

Haha that describes about every HF employee I've seen.

 

[Super Sport]

Haha that describes about every HF employee I've seen.

My local store is nearly all younger women.

 

[djwyman]

My local store is nearly all younger women.

Mine too I even dated one for a while...I still get her employee discount of she is cashiering when I go there since we are still friends.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

5.) The sensible guy/gal, that has researched an item before purchase and realizes that it may not be the best, but is dang nice for the money. Some may refer to these items as HF "jems" examples being the 44" box, red cart, jack, air hose, so on and so forth.

6.) The "on the fence ers" (me), go to look at am item with intentions of purchase, feel it, look at their coupon and try to decide if the quality per $ is worth it compared to another brand new or used. Usually in the end, walk out empty handed in search of more options.

7.) The unemployed guy that goes in just to judge all other HF customers yet has no real business of being there. Kidding

 

[BobsurUncle]

I'm not sure what's worse. The typical Harbor Fright customer, or the 1st & 15th bank customer.

Must be why I avoid both of them like the plague.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Recently, I have been laid off and have had the opportunity to go to HF during the week, as opposed to only on Saturdays. For whatever reason, I feel I can group the typical customer into one of the following categories:

1.) "Freebie": An individual (from my experience usually older, crabby guys) who relishes the chance of getting their 5,000th free flashlight and goes crazy if they have none left.

2.) "Tradesmen": Professional skilled guys who constantly re-iterates, while in the store, that everything in the store is ****, and walks out with only consumables (ie. shop rags, nitrile gloves, tape, etc.)

3.) "Mr Cheap Fix": You know that guy that comes barreling in their duct taped car held together by ratchet straps. These are the guys that load their carts up with all the cheap ****, the $5 screwdriver sets, $15 cordless drills, goofy headlamps, etc.

Anybody have anymore to add? Obviously there are your average joes, but HF attracts some really interesting lads to say the least.

I'm in there. What you gotta say about me, bro?

Yeah you're right, if you're poor (or spend your money on other things) you shouldn't be able to buy tools. One would figure that if all harbor freight sold was **** and no one wanted to ever go back they'd be long out of business. Guess not.

 

[cinco]

I don't know how many we're up to by now, but I'd put #25 or 624 or whatever at a guy like me who lives in a smaller town and needs a specialty tool he's only going to use once every five years or so. Something like a tailpipe expander or a balljoint separator (in case one won't come apart the old fashioned way). Lowes, HD, and Sears aren't going to have one in stock and I don't particularly need their help to order something online, especially when that something will probably turn out to be just as Chinese as the one from HF.

I'll confess to using their $5 multi-meters regularly, though. I keep two of them around and I don't feel bad about dropping them instead of my good one. I also don't believe I've ever seen a "high quality" battery brush (if such a thing actually exists) so I have a few of those from HF laying around, too. If I'm going to buy junk I'll at least buy CHEAP junk.

 

[zkling]

I also don't believe I've ever seen a "high quality" battery brush (if such a thing actually exists) so I have a few of those from HF laying around, too. If I'm going to buy junk I'll at least buy CHEAP junk.

I got you bro.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=675575&store=snapon-store

 

[JasonCAT]

#4: the guy who knows which Harbor Freight tools are of excellent quality and buys those while ignoring the silly tool snobs who mortgage their house to get EVERYTHING off of a truck. There are a hell of a lot of us on this forum.

HF has to be be considered a legitimate tool retailer while they have things like the 5-drawer service cart, 44" roll cab, 56" roll cab, 2 lb dead blow hammer, earthquake impact, 1/4" composite ratchet, 25" breaker bar, 8 piece pro screwdriver set, etc, etc.

 

[CWP1616L]

#4: the guy who knows which Harbor Freight tools are of excellent quality and buys those while ignoring the silly tool snobs who mortgage their house to get EVERYTHING off of a truck. There are a hell of a lot of us on this forum.

HF has to be be considered a legitimate tool retailer while they have things like the 5-drawer service cart, 44" roll cab, 56" roll cab, 2 lb dead blow hammer, earthquake impact, 1/4" composite ratchet, 25" breaker bar, 8 piece pro screwdriver set, etc, etc.

I already got #4. Pick another number.

 

[Fizbin]

a guy like me who lives in a smaller town and needs a specialty tool he's only going to use once every five years or so.

That's the way I look at it.

If I find that I use a HF tool a little too often, then I'll upgrade to a quality brand of that tool which will stand up to the many years of abuse.

 

[zkling]

I already got #4. Pick another number.

And pick another type of customer, I believe I covered that on page #1, see #5

 

[TreePointer]

My usual chemical high has become too expensive, so I go in just to enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[Stinger]

5.) The sensible guy/gal, that has researched an item before purchase and realizes that it may not be the best, but is dang nice for the money. Some may refer to these items as HF "jems" examples being the 44" box, red cart, jack, air hose, so on and so forth.

6.) The "on the fence ers" (me), go to look at am item with intentions of purchase, feel it, look at their coupon and try to decide if the quality per $ is worth it compared to another brand new or used. Usually in the end, walk out empty handed in search of more options.

These describe me...and add in some special tools I won't use more than once or twice in my life and it's cheaper and easier to buy one from HF than to search CL for weeks hoping to find what I need.

 

[oilslick]

The tool snobs--the ones who only go there to look at other men. Man watching is a satisfaction unto itself for this type, as they have no interest in HF tools.

Good one

 

[03protege]

Anybody have anymore to add? Obviously there are your average joes, but HF attracts some really interesting lads to say the least.

The "new" HF that is closest to me is usually occupied with belligerent rednecks or illegals.

I have been there on at least a dozen occasions and every time but once I walk in and one of the belligerent rednecks is chewing the manager a new ******* about how they are committing fraud, cheating him, stole from him, and ******* his sister before he gets the chance.

The illegals are usually buying painting related items and take and hour to interpret the numbers on readout and produce US currency of that amount.

The other HF I use to go to before this one was built has a whole different demographic but I haven't had any issues there other than rude people who close the door in your face.

Both stores have great and friendly employees, I notice on here many people like to rag on HF employees for whatever reason.

 

[arms1970]

Lol no no mullet but I think the radio stations pick on me too around here because it never fails I will be going down the road and an 80s hair band song will come on and I am like really I know my car is a little whit trash but do you have to play the theme music too.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Funny half of those "80's long hair musicians" can actually play they're instruments, and have more talent then this pop **** nowadays

 

[fatfillup]

As far as the employees,,,,,,,,,its retail,,,,,,,,,,,and retail doesn't pay much so you are not going to get a high caliber person for the most part. Many are going to be young folks who are in their first or second job. They are still learning how to work. Or college students who are there for a paycheck. Lets face it, if they had knowledgable $20 an hour guys, there prices would go way up.
And you certainly can't expect a HF employee to have the knowledge about tools that a Snappy guy has. (Can't wait for the bad Snappy guy stories)

 

[wjamyers]

I had a lady help me out at HF recently. I had a stack of coupons and came in late, she found each item for me without skipping a beat. was bright and cheerful.

 

[wjamyers]

a Snap-on tool bag when the HF bag is made in the same place.

WHAT!? which one?

https://shop.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=tool+bag

 

[creativecars]

Wow guys you make me feel like Sybil because of my multiple personalities…

Do any of you guys go in there and yellow tag shop?? Or is it just me?

Once I picked up 4 of the big English wheel rollers for 4.00 each… I just could not pass them up.

 

[cburnscrx]

I'm not sure what's worse. The typical Harbor Fright customer, or the 1st & 15th bank customer.

Must be why I avoid both of them like the plague.

Hmm, do they still have tellers inside a bank? It's been so long since I've been in one I wouldn't know. THAT'S a place I avoid like the plague. I can do almost all of my banking on line (deposit checks, transfer money, take rental payments), what more is there to do IN the bank?

 

[GreenNV]

I go there for the aroma. There’s nothing like the smell of synthetic, uncured rubber in the morning. It’s like a cold slap in the face; better than Mennen in waking you up.

I also go because putting some of the tools together poses a real challenge, i.e., the missing and poor quality hardware, the improperly translated and poor directions, the lack of replacement parts, and the structurally inadequate components. It helps me hone my skills at fabrication, painting, improvising, redesigning, and allows me to make use of many of my quality USA tools.

 

[creativecars]

I go there for the aroma. There’s nothing like the smell of synthetic, uncured rubber in the morning. It’s like a cold slap in the face; better than Mennen in waking you up.

I also go because putting some of the tools together poses a real challenge, i.e., the missing and poor quality hardware, the improperly translated and poor directions, the lack of replacement parts, and the structurally inadequate components. It helps me hone my skills at fabrication, painting, improvising, redesigning, and allows me to make use of many of my quality USA tools.

Real men don't need no stinking directions...
I kid..............

 

[woody 73]

Sigh...(with a heavy deep voice), I wish I owned HF I would be laughing , all the way to the bank.

 

[fourtythree]

4. The guy who reads GJ and knows how to separate the decent stuff from the ****.