Why I buy from Harbor Freight - No bashing!

[340wedge]

I have made three HF purchases in the last two weeks and will give them all the business I was giving to Sears. I have nothing but love for the Craftsman brand but Sears can go&*^$%$$*!!!!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Actually it does. The seller of the used tools is getting incremental $'s in their pocket that can be spread around towards other goods, services, investments, etc.

If the seller of the used tools uses the proceeds to upgrade to new US brands then the sale of the used tool is probably more beneficial then if the buyer simply bought a new Chinese tool vs. the used one.

Most active commerce is actual pretty good.

Ehh.. only in that once instance. In most cases I would bet the used tools come from people who aren't replacing.

The best example would be that HF needs items shipped and the freight is done on a truck or ship or train and that stuff has to be repaired and those individuals repairing are likely not buying HF stuff, but more likely a tool truck brand. But the stuff they use has probably lasted them for years.

 

[Hiball]

Too bad his policies made it toxic for business.

Well you have to blame someone I suppose, lower taxes for business hasn't proven to redistributed wealth to well in the past either. What shall we try next? It definitely isn't going to be hashed out here at GJ, I do know that.

I really don't get all the HF hoopla here at GJ, why do people need to justify where they are buying there tools? Is there some kind of subsidy program here that reimburses the membership for buying particular brands? Is there really anyone here who doesn't own any HF tools? <--- wheres MickeyO

My goodness fellas, just go wrench on something..

 

[RedneckWelder]

Why do I shop at HF? Because I am the one paying for my tools, not the people saying "Buy American made tools only!". It's easy to say, quite another thing to do, especially when you don't make a huge amount of money.

If the item from HF is serviceable and "good enough" I'll take it. Oh, and my tools from HF are making me money, just like they worked for MechanicNamedJohn (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67850)

 

[nieuport17]

I think quality tools will always sell. I cant see HF replace any of the quality brand.
If I have to replace tools every 5 use, I would go mad.

 

[NoahG]

Harbor Freight just sells tools from China for what they're actually worth. You spin the roulette wheel and sometimes you win.

 

[Premium08]

A tool is a tool is a tool

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Boiler]

Threads like this and it's growing list of approval givers make me lose hope. The walmarts and harbor freights haven't driven out many a small business, and you all sit here and justify your part in the minimum wage-ification of our country so you can sleep better at night. Sorry but the consumer driven world and unbridled captolism are destroying the middle class. And the rich just sit back and let the fools argue for more of it.

We can be capitalistic without destroying the economy around us through our choices, and it requires a more local economy ideal. Unfortunately the majority of consumers will sell their souls, their mothers, and their children's future for a bargain. And then come here and argue for you to do the same and call you stupid if you try to improve their situation by spending local.

 

[kythri]

I really don't get all the HF hoopla here at GJ, why do people need to justify where they are buying there tools?

Once again, it's not just HF - the same **** goes for the other brands too - we don't need another thread justifying HF purchases just like we don't need another thread justifying SO purchase.

Buy what you like, but, really, if people want to extol the virtues of their preferred brand with like-minded people by starting a thread - even a thread where they try to justify their purchase to themselves - why can't the threadcrappers just let them do so?

wheres MickeyO

Who cares?

 

[Hiball]

Once again, it's not just HF - the same **** goes for the other brands too - we don't need another thread justifying HF purchases just like we don't need another thread justifying SO purchase.

Buy what you like, but, really, if people want to extol the virtues of their preferred brand with like-minded people by starting a thread - even a thread where they try to justify their purchase to themselves - why can't the threadcrappers just let them do so?



Who cares?

Uh.. I never Insinuated it was only HF (so NOT Once Again), lots of guilty parties including "threadcrappers" in every color and size. The need for self justification is insecurity at its best IMO, whether your trying to justify financing your tools or clipping 20% coupons and make numerous purchases In a calendar day.

I standby my previous comment ...

My goodness fellas, just go wrench on something..

 

[wmartin]

A long HF thread, it's kind of surprising.

Personally, the one thing I think they do well (besides generate bad smells) is to let lower end hobbyists buy fabricating and picking-up-stuff equipment for cheap. It's simply too much hassle to watch Craigslist for years.

I can't see bothering with their hand and power tools though, that kind of thing is readily available elsewhere.

 

[hofferwood]

NOW I remember why I pretty much quit posting here.

But I do know, every time I buy a tool, no-matter where. I am ALWAYS concerned about------------did the folks that made this get a good wage, how is their 401k-------did the truck driver that delivered it---get a ticket, are his kids eating good-------is this sales-person making more than minimum wage, do they have a retirement program?????

Bullcrap-----I'm counting my change and hoping I didn't get screwed

 

[Conductor562]

Threads like this and it's growing list of approval givers make me lose hope. The walmarts and harbor freights haven't driven out many a small business, and you all sit here and justify your part in the minimum wage-ification of our country so you can sleep better at night. Sorry but the consumer driven world and unbridled captolism are destroying the middle class. And the rich just sit back and let the fools argue for more of it.

We can be capitalistic without destroying the economy around us through our choices, and it requires a more local economy ideal. Unfortunately the majority of consumers will sell their souls, their mothers, and their children's future for a bargain. And then come here and argue for you to do the same and call you stupid if you try to improve their situation by spending local.

That pretty much sums it up right there. America has lost a step or 2 and this pretty much outlines the path from which we strayed. Time and time again we have sold ourselves and our future out for short term gain without regard to long term consequences.

I buy American whenever possible, I work Union, my wife stays home to be a mother and I insist that she continue to do so. Today I find these attributes often make a racist, sexist, thug, and any other number of names, but I stand behind my values.

This is my last post in this thread. I'm bowing out of the fight now. You guys carry on until the lock

 

[ffjosh]

I buy American whenever possible, I work Union, my wife stays home to be a mother and I insist that she continue to do so.

I see why you want to buy american now.

Union normally means making good money

Especially if you can let your wife stay home.

People like my self can't do that. My wife works as well.

I have no reason to go out and spend $300 on a "usa" made tool, when I can go spend $10 on a set that works just fine.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I didn't buy much from HF when my wife stayed at home, and I don't now that she works outside the home.

**** tools are **** tools and there are only a few diamonds among the **** at HF.

I have never really viewed myself as a tool snob. My folks didn't have a lot of money and my dad always bought the cheapest tools he could find. I grew up with the frustration of trying to use cheap tools to fix stuff. At a certain point, I realized that it was in my best interest to buy good tools, take care of them, and I would have them for decades.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, for me it isn't about buying American. It is about buying quality. If I had to start from scratch on a budget, I would probably buy old Proto (maybe Challenger) or Craftsman from eBay, garage sales, and flea markets.

I have plenty of Taiwanese tools that I keep for loaners.

I have a few Chinese tools but I do try to avoid them.

 

[cgv69]

Is there really anyone here who doesn't own any HF tools?

I don't

A tool is a tool is a tool

WRONG! (on so many different levels) but thanks for playing

I have no reason to go out and spend $300 on a "usa" made tool, when I can go spend $10 on a set that works just fine.

You do realize that there are a whole range of tools between Snap On and Harbor Freight don't you?

For me, it's not about COO as much as it is about quality & value. I don't buy junk regardless of where it's made (there are plenty of crappy made in the US products out there).

To each their own but I'm all about the quality and value. I enjoy using quality tools and feel that a fairly priced quality tool that will last a lifetime is usually a better long term value over a poorly made, disposable tool. YMMV

But that's just me, ymmv?

 

[wjamyers]

all the fixed-size-pie, marx-spouting, shooting-selves-in-foot protectionist control-freaks on this board make the founding fathers cry and roll over in their graves.

HF (along with GW and CM and Evercraft and Husky) allowed me to afford to buy the high quality tools I need to keep my three cars on the road while making it a cost-effective decision to do so and providing me an interesting hobby. They helped THIS individual to do things he could NEVER have done with SO and Matco to maximize his potential and expand his own pie.

All of that is food out of professional mechanics mouthes so I guess I understand why they may hate it, but their high horses are a delusional conceit and utterly FOS.

 

[Westly]

HF stuff has the best price to performance ratio that I've ever seen anywhere in my life. I usually buy used U.S.A. when I can, but just for sentimental value.

Get this. I sort of collect items that were made when I was a kid in the 60s and 70s. Lighters, table lamps, kinves, various small items. Mostly made in U.S.A. because that's where things that were available were made then. There's a strong tendency to wrongly think things made back then were all high quality!

 

[Brownsfan]

I own 2 tools from HF. The Quarter stick thing with flex heads on each side and 1/4 and 3/8 on each end. And the hydraulic crimping tool(first one failed out of the box). Out of that whole store these are the 2 things I thought could be useful. What cracks me up about the HF chest thumpers is its ok to them if the tool fails miserably. It was cheap so oh well. Or if someone says that they had issues with the only tool box anyone should ever buy they must have done something wrong. The 44" box is the greatest tool box in the history of toolboxes

 

[Piece-it Pete]

I hope their 44" box is awesome, I just bought one I searched and searched and couldn't even beat it used.

I buy stuff there occasionally. Eyes open, I don't expect it to be anything incredible and am always upgrading tools as I can. For a single use tool (I'm just a shadetree hack) I can't always justify premium prices. Unless the cheap one breaks!

They are great for 'junk' or stuff or whatever, free flashlights etc, and I think it's fun to stop in. I'd prefer American (I only buy UAW built vehicles) but sometimes whaddya gonna do. The Chinese toddlers that make that stuff need to eat too.

Pete

PS - Go Browns!

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

all the fixed-size-pie, marx-spouting, shooting-selves-in-foot protectionist control-freaks on this board make the founding fathers cry and roll over in their graves.

U mad bro? Because the above doesn't even make sense.

HF (along with GW and CM and Evercraft and Husky) allowed me to afford to buy the high quality tools I need to keep my three cars on the road while making it a cost-effective decision to do so and providing me an interesting hobby. They helped THIS individual to do things he could NEVER have done with SO and Matco to maximize his potential and expand his own pie.

You make it sound like that after GW, the next stop is SO. There is some middle ground there.

That said, I think GW makes some good tools. However, they also aren't really priced to target the bottom feeders.

All of that is food out of professional mechanics mouthes so I guess I understand why they may hate it, but their high horses are a delusional conceit and utterly FOS.

I think you are really stretching it trying to make that point. The impact that has been made by cheap tools on the income of professional mechanics is likely lost in the statistical noise.

 

[General Geoff]

Harbor Freight is like the gateway drug to tools. Were it not for HF, I wouldn't have all the SK, Grey Pneumatic, GearWrench, Ko-Ken, Snap-On, Bondhus, Estwing, Knipex, etc. that I have now.

First tool I ever bought with my own hard-earned cash, from my first paycheck back when I was 16, was a blue crowbar from HF. Still have that crowbar, still use it.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I should note that I don't judge the average Joe for shopping at HF or buying cheap tools.

On the other hand, if you are a "professional mechanic" and you show up with **** tools, I am going to make some pretty strong (and possibly unwarranted) assumptions about you right off.

So, shop at HF - it doesn't bother me at all. But don't try blowing smoke about how HF is the awesomeness and Williams, Proto, Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille, etc are a waste of money.

I have a buddy that has zero cares about how his work looks, how many bolt heads he rounds off, how many tools he breaks - just as long as he gets everything put back together and it works right. He buys the cheapest tools possible. He breaks some and loses some.

I don't fault him for that. For him, the tools are simply a necessary nuisance. He also has no interest in classic engines, design elegance, etc. For him, mechanical work is just like doing the laundry is for my wife.

As me, I enjoy the trip. If I am going to have to work on stuff, I might as well enjoy it, take some pride in it. I will admit that there is something intangible about USA made and German made tools that adds to my enjoyment of using them.

 

[-Brent-]

Some threads are better off dead.



It's about time to

Actually, I'm pretty impressed with the way folks have conducted themselves.

The HF discussion can teach us a lot if we're willing to be civil. This commentary can apply to so much more than tools. WalMart is used as a comparison and although there are similarities, I wouldn't rush to put them on equal footing. HF doesn't compete with industrial supply houses or tool providers because, believe it or not, their selection is pretty limited.

Sure, HF puts a hurting on Cman because they're currently both going after the same demographic. I'd bet a buck the HF is barely a blip on any of the high end tool producer's radar. The catalog of tools most of those company's produce far extends beyond what HF could take a bite of.

If anything, the equivalent tool thread should teach us that it's not all about the name. HF, does have some good items. The number of good items in the place may be 10% of their stock/catalog. Take a look at the HF pass/fail thread, you'll see what I'm saying.

 

[Dust Devil]

I should note that I don't judge the average Joe for shopping at HF or buying cheap tools.

On the other hand, if you are a "professional mechanic" and you show up with **** tools, I am going to make some pretty strong (and possibly unwarranted) assumptions about you right off.

So, shop at HF - it doesn't bother me at all. But don't try blowing smoke about how HF is the awesomeness and Williams, Proto, Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille, etc are a waste of money.

I have a buddy that has zero cares about how his work looks, how many bolt heads he rounds off, how many tools he breaks - just as long as he gets everything put back together and it works right. He buys the cheapest tools possible. He breaks some and loses some.

I don't fault him for that. For him, the tools are simply a necessary nuisance. He also has no interest in classic engines, design elegance, etc. For him, mechanical work is just like doing the laundry is for my wife.

As me, I enjoy the trip. If I am going to have to work on stuff, I might as well enjoy it, take some pride in it. I will admit that there is something intangible about USA made and German made tools that adds to my enjoyment of using them.

Great post. This place needs a "like" button.

 

[espyking83]

Buy what you want, just don't expect the best quality. HF is great for some things, usually oddball tools that you hardly-or if ever-need. Also consumables, as well as snad blasters and cherry pickers. HF has a place.

 

[espyking83]

I should note that I don't judge the average Joe for shopping at HF or buying cheap tools.

On the other hand, if you are a "professional mechanic" and you show up with **** tools, I am going to make some pretty strong (and possibly unwarranted) assumptions about you right off.

So, shop at HF - it doesn't bother me at all. But don't try blowing smoke about how HF is the awesomeness and Williams, Proto, Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille, etc are a waste of money.

I have a buddy that has zero cares about how his work looks, how many bolt heads he rounds off, how many tools he breaks - just as long as he gets everything put back together and it works right. He buys the cheapest tools possible. He breaks some and loses some.

I don't fault him for that. For him, the tools are simply a necessary nuisance. He also has no interest in classic engines, design elegance, etc. For him, mechanical work is just like doing the laundry is for my wife.

As me, I enjoy the trip. If I am going to have to work on stuff, I might as well enjoy it, take some pride in it. I will admit that there is something intangible about USA made and German made tools that adds to my enjoyment of using them.

Must be nice...

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

That said, I think GW makes some good tools. However, they also aren't really priced to target the bottom feeders.

I just realized that what I wrote makes it sound like I am calling HF shoppers bottom feeders as an insult.

What I was trying to convey is that GW pricing increasingly seems to not be targeted at tool buyers that are looking for the lowest priced tools. No insult intended.

 

[kythri]

It's all good - we know we're horrible, job-killing, puppy-kicking, junk-buying bottom feeders that aren't good enough to be part of the proletariat. Such is our lot in life...

 

[bcradio]

I should note that I don't judge the average Joe for shopping at HF or buying cheap tools.

On the other hand, if you are a "professional mechanic" and you show up with **** tools, I am going to make some pretty strong (and possibly unwarranted) assumptions about you right off.

So, shop at HF - it doesn't bother me at all. But don't try blowing smoke about how HF is the awesomeness and Williams, Proto, Wright, Hazet, Stahlwille, etc are a waste of money.

I have a buddy that has zero cares about how his work looks, how many bolt heads he rounds off, how many tools he breaks - just as long as he gets everything put back together and it works right. He buys the cheapest tools possible. He breaks some and loses some.

I don't fault him for that. For him, the tools are simply a necessary nuisance. He also has no interest in classic engines, design elegance, etc. For him, mechanical work is just like doing the laundry is for my wife.

As me, I enjoy the trip. If I am going to have to work on stuff, I might as well enjoy it, take some pride in it. I will admit that there is something intangible about USA made and German made tools that adds to my enjoyment of using them.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Standards
Your bar to raise or lower
Adjust it for a few tools; Adjust it for all
Your choice


Day old road kill or a Steakhouse
Your choice


Dang
Snapon truck just hit a skunk and didn't even stop!
Think I'll scoop that critter up and head for Harbor Freight
their gas grills are on sale today
gonna have a feast in the parking lot
hope the rubber smell doesn't ruin things

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

 

[creativecars]

I buy things that are a value...

At least to me. I have HF, SO, Craftsman, SK, Proto, New Brittan etc... and I purchased them because they allowed me to get the work done I needed to. This is a value to me. When I look at a truck tool brand I can usually expect it to get the job done, (except welding equipment). With HF and some others I feel I need to look, read and in general do some research because I want it to be a good value.
But value is in the eye of the beholder. Is a SO 1/4" drive ratchet going to get the job done any better than the HF? It has not for me.. It works just he same as my HF ratchet. Neither has broke and I use them every day. Now as far as value the SO cost $90.00 is it worth that much to me? NO, but since I picked it up at a pawn shop for $4.00 it was a good value and now its mine.
As far a welding equipment I would rather have a used Miller/Hobart/Lincoln than a SO any day. I don't like to pay for someone else's sticker. That is not a good value IMHO.

Harbor Freight tools have value, but you need to be a good consumer.

 

[rdn2blazer]

OP. I only read your first post. Bottom line YOU buy what YOU want to buy and everybody else can go pound sand if they don't like it period. No need to explain why you like to buy HF stuff to ANYONE. Let the haters hate and be miserable humans. I bought from HF yesterday, and going back today. Most my stuff is quality, but I buy HF too. Whoever doesn't like HF and refuses to buy there, great. Don't. But don't say a damn word to those that do. It's a free country. I for one will not buy a $3.99 utility hook at home depot when I can get the same damn china made hook at HF for a buck on dollar days. World is full of judgemental hypocrites. I buy quality US made products as often as I can. When those items just don't exsist, or are so freakin over priced, you go to HF.

 

[wjamyers]

U mad bro? Because the above doesn't even make sense.

just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. a little humility goes a long way.

"u mad bro" is a statement, as in, "you lose, becaue you got mad". look it up. know your meme. have a nice day.

 

[Hiball]

OP. I only read your first post. Bottom line YOU buy what YOU want to buy and everybody else can go pound sand if they don't like it period. No need to explain why you like to buy HF stuff to ANYONE. Let the haters hate and be miserable humans. I bought from HF yesterday, and going back today. Most my stuff is quality, but I buy HF too. Whoever doesn't like HF and refuses to buy there, great. Don't. But don't say a damn word to those that do. It's a free country. I for one will not buy a $3.99 utility hook at home depot when I can get the same damn china made hook at HF for a buck on dollar days. World is full of judgemental hypocrites. I buy quality US made products as often as I can. When those items just don't exsist, or are so freakin over priced, you go to HF.

So why did you feel the need to explain? It's your money.. Crazy interwebs.

 

[rdn2blazer]

So why did you feel the need to explain? It's your money.. Crazy interwebs.

lol. I didn't feel the need, I was just rambling on as usual lol. And this > Crazy interwebs, you had it right.

 

[PugetDude]

I work Union...

...and yet you're indignant that so many manufacturing jobs have gone overseas? Sorry, but the majority of US consumers aren't willing to subsidize your union wages out of their paychecks when buying their own tools.

Maybe instead of bashing HF for what you perceive as stealing from the poor downtrodden working folks, you should look at the root causes of the erosion of the US manufacturing base- labor costs, government regulations, tax rates, automated manufacturing processes, and reduced shipping costs due to the advent of intermodal containerized shipping (it costs about the same to ship a 40' container from Shanghai to LA as it does to ship a 40' semi-trailer from NY to LA)

Companies can buy the same automated equipment and source raw materials globally, but can't reduce regulations, taxes, or save much on shipping costs- so guess what's left that they can control?- Labor, which they do by moving factories to right-to-work states or outsourcing to countries with lower labor costs. It isn't all about top management getting richer on the backs of the poor, in most cases it's about survival in an increasingly competitive global market. Adapt or perish.

The HF you so despise has done a great job building a successful business enterprise here in the US. They recognized the offshore manufacturing shift early on when many US companies were still in denial; jumped into the market and built a brand that (like it or not) now rivals many of the older, more established stalwarts US tool retailers. They have opened (500+ stores and growing) all across the country, have a strong internet presence, advertise everywhere and have steadily built their business while Sears has clumsily contracted. (926 stores and declining) They now employ more people than Sears just let go in the latest round of layoffs..Like it or not they are a major factor in the DIY/Tool market and are here to stay.

SO/Matco/Cornwell is a doomed business model, IMO. The old "wait for the tool truck guy to show up" business model is archaic, and rooted in the past. When you can point and click to order the tools you need and have the UPS truck deliver them the next day for 1/3 the price- who's going to wait an indeterminate amount of time for a tool truck to show up and charge them 3X for a similar (notice I didn't say identical..) item? More people get tools off the brown truck than the red, blue, or yellow trucks these days.

So, Sears is dying, HF and Lowes import everything, and the tool truck model isn't consumer friendly. All the other big brand names (DeWalt, Irwin, Stanley, Delta, B&D, Milwaukee, etc.) now import almost everything as well. Why not choose HF?

 

[RedFordTruck]

I recently bought two first aid kits from HF for $11.99 each. Label said Assembled in USA. Pretty good value for the money and compact enough to stick anywhere. Also got a 50 pack of dust masks for $5.99 made in China

There are good values to be found at HF. I doubt I will find US made dust masks anywhere, and at any other store I'm certain I would pay more than 12 cents per mask.

That being said, I dont understand why they dont have more stuff made in the US. Plastic tool boxes for example. Why ship a bulky plastic box across the ocean when it can be molded over here for basically the same price after you factor in shipping costs.

 

[skyking]

I don't know if mechanics as a whole are smart enough to debate the value or patriotic benefit of Asian vs USA products.