Harbor Freight changes

[Newc]

Yes; the 20% off coupons have disappeared from their new printed adds,. They claim to exist on-line, but they are trying to harvest your e-mail addresses, and your personal information now. Prices are creeping up also. Your choice fellows. Newc

[McMimmcs]

Be selective, they still have some great buys. In my opinion they receive a lot of undue criticism.

[1952henry]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Be selective, they still have some great buys. In my opinion they receive a lot of undue criticism.

This is true. Was given a benchtop HF drill press 17 years ago. was looking for one and had my eye on a Craftsman, until this one showed up. Went back to Sears to look at their offering again, and lo and behold, it was the same thing. Fancier paint and red pompoms on the handles were the only difference. Both made in china. It has drilled a lot of holes.

It is going to be supplemented by a turn of (last) century line shaft driven Champion 2 speed blacksmith drill. 400+lbs of American engineering complete with loose clothing-grabbing open gears. It is going to be powered by an electric motor through a Model A transmission. Should have some knuckle-busting fun with it, once the restoration is done.

[Flathead]

Used to be, if you played the coupon game you could get some deals. Now that the flyers are gone, and those discount coupons are gone, I just don't feel the same. They are going upscale with a lot of new "names" on their tools and are more expensive. Seems like the "Inside Track Club" doesn't have as much to offer either. Cordless power tools, NO interchangeability on batteries across at least 4 or 5 different "brands". Different voltages and different batteries, what is the logic here for the poor consumer?
I feel better now that I got that out.

[Holeshot]

The old bait and switch

[petehoovie]

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https://go.harborfreight.com/cpi/dig...stant-savings/

[Tim Ayers]

I may have enough 20% coupons saved up to last me my lifetime. At one point, I was getting two to three a week in mailers, newspaper, etc. If I recall, they had along time before expiration.

[Newc]

Hi; read the fine print on them. My last 20% er expires this week, so I bought a 2 ton eng stand. Newc

[fordcragar]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I may have enough 20% coupons saved up to last me my lifetime. At one point, I was getting two to three a week in mailers, newspaper, etc. If I recall, they had along time before expiration.

I used to have a bunch too, but they expired. Actually, all the coupons that I’ve seen lately, seem to expire within a month.

[felix37]

Now if you do get a 20% coupon, there's a list a page long of exclusions. It never seams to work on their good stuff.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by fordcragar

I used to have a bunch too, but they expired. Actually, all the coupons that I’ve seen lately, seem to expire within a month.

Fellas, my comment was a bit tongue in cheek. Never had an issue using the 20% coupon on anything in the store.

[rhflintstone]

biggest problems here are lack stock on the best deals, can't sell eggs from an empty basket

[fordor41]

amazing, people bitch about the quality of H.F. tools and then when they upgrade to better tools, people bitch. "different batteries across 4 or 4 different brands" , well naturally

[nickthebandit]

As a 80 year old hobbyist, Harbor freight tools do the job for me. I have bought many items over the years, including the large compressor, sand blast cabinet, and many hand tools. Everything works as it should, nothing has broken or failed. I acquired many of their blue plastic flashlights, and have them all over the house so I don't have to look for a flashlight at the time of need. If they get dim, I just replace the batteries from their battery deals that I got when they were available. The same with their screw driver sets, now my wife doesn't have to bother me for a screw driver, she has her own. Don't knock their price increases, doesn't every company increase their prices now and then. Harbor freight supplies tools for the hobby person, and homeowner. If you want the big buck " professional " tools, just step up and pay the price. I don't try to impress anybody with my tools, they are for my use only. I go to a few local auctions, and I have bought several high dollar tools for pennies on the dollar. I don't just buy them because they are in-expensive, I buy them for a particular use. I recently bought a small tool box at an auction for less than $ 10.00 full of tools. There were 3 Carter carburetor tools in the box, and I use them almost every day on Stromberg carburetors.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by fordor41

amazing, people bitch about the quality of H.F. tools and then when they upgrade to better tools, people bitch. "different batteries across 4 or 4 different brands" , well naturally

I thought about this comment as well. No big name cordless tool has an interchangeable battery system with another brand's tools.

[joe 1950]

Back in the day when I was a service tech for the local cadillac dealer and chrysler I purchased a lot of snap on and mac tools and paid a good price for them also because we didn’t have a harbor freight but then the Sears store came with the craftsman brand very good tools and reasonably priced and also guaranteed replacement

[rockfla]

I still look at the Harbor Freight as an "emergency" at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon type of tool OR a tool you maybe will need twice in your life time BUT when you need it, you NEED it!! I personally like NAPA for most of my hand tools (Evercraft & Carlyle).......By and large, its doesn't matter how small of a town OR how rural it is, there is always a NAPA or NAPA affiliated parts store. NOT so with all the rest!!! I found most "craftsman" tool to be very hard/uncomfortable on you hands UNLESS you have the "Professional" line of Craftsman and NOW I have a broken wrench and nowhere to get it replaced!!! BUT I am not a "brand snob"....IF I feel it to be of good quality, I buy it!

[51504bat]

Harbor Freight has allowed the average hobbyist/homeowner to own tools that would normally be out of reach if they were Snap On or Mac. When I was growing up only gas stations and repair shops had compressors and air tools. Now anyone can have them. They perform just fine for the average Joe. And if you're a professional the new Icon line of HF tools are pretty nice IMO. On a related note, a friend owns a cabinet shop where DeWalt is the go to brand for cordless tools. When a new hire showed with Ryobi cordless tools everyone was razzing him about the crap Ryobi tools. His reply was that the biggest issue with cordless tools was that they either got dropped off a ladder and broke or where lost on the job site. Ryobi cordless tools were a heck of a lot cheaper as where their batteries than DeWalt. Turns out that they performed just as well as the much more expensive Dewalt's and lasted as long as well. Just something to think about.

[Elmo Rodge]

I really like the end wrenches. When I need a special tool to reach the otherwise unreachable, I have no problem butchering (I meant modifying) one of them.
Wayno

[Flathead]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I thought about this comment as well. No big name cordless tool has an interchangeable battery system with another brand's tools.

The "brands" I'm talking about are HF brands created by them unless I'm mistaken. I have spent plenty with them over the years and don't really have any complaints until the recent changes, they are perhaps going to a different business model which is certainly their right. I do miss the old flyers though.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Flathead

The "brands" I'm talking about are HF brands created by them unless I'm mistaken. I have spent plenty with them over the years and don't really have any complaints until the recent changes, they are perhaps going to a different business model which is certainly their right. I do miss the old flyers though.

Got it. I understand now. I think their top tier brand is called Bauer or something like that.

[JayChicago]

Originally Posted by fordor41

amazing, people bitch about the quality of H.F. tools and then when they upgrade to better tools, people bitch. "different batteries across 4 or 4 different brands" , well naturally

It's the American way! We all love to bitch about everything being made in China, but when it comes time to buy something we shop price at WallMart, or Amazon, or H F.

And we all want lots of services from our governments, then we bitch about taxes. We vote for the politician who promises great things and lower taxes, then complain when he can't deliver.

Its human nature, been that way forever in all societies. Now it's the American way.

[corvette8n]

Here’s a coupon that doesn’t expire, I have it on my phone and they scan it from there, just used it about 2 months ago on a flex head ratchet.

[frnkeore]

I also noticed that my latest magazine, that came just last week, doesn't have a coupon.

Anyone else seeing that?

[ronn]

I spoke with the manager at the Syracuse HF and he said several months back that the coupons were being totally phased out. the tariffs we imposed shut down their economy 1 1/2 yrs ago and so now the prices are going up.
If the tariffs are dropped, which Im expecting- happy days may be here again........
and then we just pay the chinese differently.

[Holeshot]

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Originally Posted by JayChicago

It's the American way! We all love to bitch about everything being made in China, but when it comes time to buy something we shop price at WallMart, or Amazon, or H F.

And we all want lots of services from our governments, then we bitch about taxes. We vote for the politician who promises great things and lower taxes, then complain when he can't deliver.

Its human nature, been that way forever in all societies. Now it's the American way.

JayChicago spoken for truth! It is human nature in most all societies!

[Automotive Stud]

Originally Posted by felix37

Now if you do get a 20% coupon, there's a list a page long of exclusions. It never seams to work on their good stuff.

A couple years ago I bought a floor jack and a couple dollar magnetic tray. I brought my 20% off coupon, the cashier said I couldn't use it on the jack. I had her scan it anyway, might as well save 20 cents on the dollar magnetic tray. She scans it and it takes 20% off the jack, even though the bottom said it wasn't good on the jack. I don't know if she even noticed, but I paid and went on my way!

[OldGold360]

Buy American!

[Mike34]

[QUOTE=I found most "craftsman" tool to be very hard/uncomfortable on you hands UNLESS you have the "Professional" line of Craftsman and NOW I have a broken wrench and nowhere to get it replaced!!! [/QUOTE]

Where ever craftsman tools are sold, they can be replaced. I took a 20 year old socket and 3/8 adapter to Lowes and they replaced them for free.

[CHuDWah]

I don't know how Harbor Freight tools compare to "professional" stuff as I'm a hobbyist/DIYer, not a professional. H-F stuff is fine for my needs (and those little blue flashlights they gave away are handy, and BRIGHT ). I suspect the plague has affected Harbor Freight like it has everything else, both supply and demand. That may be part of the reason the prices have gone up and the coupons have gone away. Too bad they haven't implemented curb service like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. There's stuff I'd buy but since I'm 65+ with underlying medical conditions, I won't risk going in the store. Yes, I could have it shipped to me but the freight would cost more than the tool!

[Jeff/Illinois]

The Ford garage I worked at in the 70's, the mechanics all used Mac and Snap on tools. They all told me Craftsman tools were good tools but were too 'bulky'.

The thing about companies wanting your e-mails and personal addresses from everything to retailers and gas stations is, the money today is made selling this info off to other parties. Marketing. Why when you look up a floor jack on Google all sorts of floor jack deals automatically start popping up on your computer. That is where the real $$ are. Selling you to others. 'Take this 'survey' for a chance to win a $50 free gas card from Phillips 66.., Take this McDonalds survey to get a free Quarterpounder if you buy another one.......' That 'free' repays the company a hundred times over.

There is no privacy. Someone is always looking over your shoulder and they want your personal info.

[3949tl]

Interesting "takes" and opinions from everyone. Just to chime in: Yesterday I went to HF to purchase a box of 5mil 100 count Hardy nitrile gloves. First thing I noticed was that they were out of stock and there was a sign on the empty shelf stating that all their gloves had been donated to hospitals and clinics in response to their needs during the pandemic. Kudos to them!!! Now for the part I don't understand: The price for these gloves has increased from $6.95 to a whopping $17.95. I'm sure there is some kind of explanation to justify this situation but frankly, I'm not all ears. I light of how prices for EVERYTHING are skyrocketing and to help with my frustration, I am seeking counseling from either Dr.Frasier Crane or Dr.Sidney Freedman. Wish me luck.

[Jeff/Illinois]

[QUOTE=3949tl;1981360................ Yesterday I went to HF to purchase a box of 5mil 100 count Hardy nitrile gloves. .............: The price for these gloves has increased from $6.95 to a whopping $17.95. ................./QUOTE]

Lately I've just been washing my hands with these gloves still on, in GoJo, rinsing the gloves off and then hanging them up to dry. Works fine

[50fordcoupeman]

Originally Posted by 3949tl

Interesting "takes" and opinions from everyone. Just to chime in: Yesterday I went to HF to purchase a box of 5mil 100 count Hardy nitrile gloves. First thing I noticed was that they were out of stock and there was a sign on the empty shelf stating that all their gloves had been donated to hospitals and clinics in response to their needs during the pandemic. Kudos to them!!! Now for the part I don't understand: The price for these gloves has increased from $6.95 to a whopping $17.95. I'm sure there is some kind of explanation to justify this situation but frankly, I'm not all ears. I light of how prices for EVERYTHING are skyrocketing and to help with my frustration, I am seeking counseling from either Dr.Frasier Crane or Dr.Sidney Freedman. Wish me luck.

If you donate items, why not increase their value so you can write off a much larger dollar value on taxes?