"HF has low cost stuff. I've purchased some items there and have been quite pleased. Don't expect to use their products in the commercial construction field but for someone like me who uses an item for small jobs and around the house I'm happy.
As far as their stores the ones in my area are well stocked, neat and have nice people working in them.
You can't beat the free items you get just or walking in."
"I am (was) a first time customer at Harbor Freight Tools recently and purchased a few items I thought I would be able to use when I settled into my new (and very small) apartment. As it turns out, I didn't have room for them so I had to return them. All of the items were completely in tact and in the exact same unopened condition as they were when I purchased them. Additionally, I confirmed that none of the items had been discontinued. I had unfortunately misplaced my receipt during the chaos of my move. By the time I found it, and would be able to make it to HFT (it is out of my town) it would be 3 days after the return policy ended. I called to find out if a credit return would still be possible. After I explained what happened, I was told a credit would be granted since none of the items were opened and it was only a few days after the return policy period. When I arrived I was told that because it was after the return policy date they would only issue me a "gift card". I have no need for a gift card as I will never purchase items from a store that tells me one thing on the phone and another once I arrive. They apparently don't understand that good Customer Service pays off tenfold. This was my first and last shopping experience at HFT. "
"The Survival Nut fans: Yes, you can do it! You can 'prep' on a budget! One coupon at a time, one item at a time, one well-planned trip to Harbor Freight can get you started!
Read it here: http://www.thesurvivalnut.com/2014/03/19/survival-tip-survival-on-a-budget-can-be-done/
Harbor Freight Tools are cheaply made. Anyone with a brain can see this immediately. Take that into account when you purchase their products.
This does not mean that you should not purchase their products--some of their products can be used appropriately. I like their magnesium fire starters and their flashlights."
"Sleezy "customer review" practices. I can guarantee you that the reviews that are visible on the HF site are cherry picked. Nearly every hand tool I've ordered online or fondled in their store has had some sort of glaring defect in it that would cause it to fail quality control of a name-brand, yet when you check the "reviews" for these products, they will almost always be "5 stars". Bottom line: be very wary of the reviews on their site when making a purchase.
Not everything is bad...their pry bars, levels, and some of their electric tools are pretty good for the price. But hand tools are really a crapshoot of poor quality control and poor metallurgy. Even stuff you may think "they can't possible screw this up" (basic hand tools that have existed since the industrial revolution) they'll find a way to....you've been warned!"
"Bad customer service - They shipped me the wrong parts and it took a long phone call to convince them to refund the $96.94 shipping charge in addition to the cost of the product. They only agreed to do this after their warehouse confirms what I told them and offered to send pictures of. They sent the wrong package and are holding onto my money until I can prove it to them in their slow process. Photographs to expedite the process aren't accepted. This is a two part order and the other half hasn't been received. They require I wait to receive the other merchandise and then call back and go through another conversation. Multiple attempts to speak to a supervisor were denied."
"PATHETIC CUSTOMER SERVICE !!! There is not a HFT near me. While visiting Lafayette, La. I bought the circular saw sharpener. When I got home I assembled it to find it was missing the flanges that holds the sharpeneing blade in place. I work retail so I'm use to missing parts. I Emailed customer service explained the problem gave receipt info and asked them to ship the parts since I do not live near a HFT. They responded saying they " would not ship the part " that I needed to take it back to the store.
Now I will summarize the following Emails to shorten many Emails.
I replied saying again not near a HFT.
They replied saying they would not send parts needed but could return it for replacement.
To shorten more. We'll pay shipping but there could be " restocking fee".
Me: why should I have to pay restocking fee when parts were missing ?
Them: no restocking fee.
I just want my money back by now.
Them: No. Replacement or take it back to a HFT for refund.
Me: I drove 2 hours one way to the closest HFT to get my money back.
I will never set foot in a HFT AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Bought an air compressor. Used it once a month at most. Maintained the unit perfectly the all time. Recently the check valve blew in pieces. I was lucky that I was not close to get hurt. Tried with ranch to take apart but I could not. It broke more like a piece of glass. I went to the store and showed the unit and part to the store manager with no luck. Very rude and not helpful at all. With broken part in my hand he was not believing what I was saying, so I had to go back home and bring the unit at the store to show him. He reminded me that's why their products are cheap while I reminded that NOBODY BEATS HFT QUALITY,SERVICE AND PRICE.
Ordered the part from HFT website and got the wrong one."
"I called the local Harbor Freight (4200 south east street, Indianapolis) to ask a question about one of their advertised items. I guess you are limited to two questions per call, because after a whole 30 seconds on the phone, the lady said she was busy and hung up on me. I will never buy anything from their store again. Most of it is junk anyway."
"Customer service apparently doe not exist."
"as every body else already said: Do Not Buy from HF-impossible to get refund, poor Customer Service (I can't even call it "service")
Just don't go there."
"Don't buy anything from this shady operation. You may get lucky and get what you ordered. However, if anything goes wrong, like a defective item, you will be kicking yourself for not heeding the warnings issued here.
In my case, I tried to cancel an order for a milling machine days before they shipped it after finding the mill is junk using plastic gears that designed to break. I called twice to cancel and e-mailed three times. No emails responses at all and on the phone the first time I called (a few hours after ordering online) they could not find my order. On the second call they claimed to have canceled the order but still shipped it later that day. I called FedEx to refuse the shipment and was assured it would be taken care of. The next day it still shows up in transit for delivery.
Just look at the rating and complaints here. This crooked seller lies, lies, lies about everything, both in their ads and in dealing with customers. The BBB revoked their membership on 4/23/2013 for violation of BBB Standards in regards to honesty in advertising and due to their dishonest dealing with customer complaints. They have 213 recent customer complaints at the Santa Barbara, CA BBB website - check it out. You have been warned.
"
"ORDER FROM HF AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
Tried ordering a few simple tools that I would only need for one time job. Nothing on ther website is up to date and most of the stuff seems to be always on back order.
It was almost imposible to get a customer service agent on the phone to cancel my order because I didnt want to wait the 4-6 weeks it might have taken to restock the items I needed. Ended up taking almost two weeks to get my order canceled"
"I have a couple of HF stores nearby, so I seldom order online.
HF is a goldmine ... you just have to have the right expectations. They sell cheap stuff for cheap (very very cheap, if you watch the sales and use the coupons).
I've had great luck with their power tools, air tools, an air compressor, hand tools, and several welders.
You have to know that you're buying something cheap ... if you're livelihood or life depends on it, you might consider buying somewhere else. HF is ideal, however, if you're a tinkerer, home mechanic, homeowner, and so forth.
I have 15+ of their power tools, have never had one fail ... had to replace the carbon brushes in my angle grinder a few weeks ago, after 6 or 7 years (their power tools typically come with a spare set).
I have 15+ of their air tools, have had only one fail (a $25 impact wrench), and it failed because of gross misuse :)
Some pointers:
1) Don't expect to return anything, ever. They have a horrible returns policy in general, and are famous for not even honoring that.
2) Their tools are generally so cheap as to be disposable. Angle grinder: $10 from HF, $100 from a namebrand ... that's effectively a lifetime warranty, folks ... if it dies, I'll just throw it away and buy another one for $10!
3) The "dressing" is usually crap. One tool I'm not in love with is a little router ... it's tough, cuts well, but the fence and such have so much slop that it impedes the use of the tool. HF tools are famous for requiring user "tweaking".
4) Be ware of moving/wear parts. I love my plasma cutter and stick welders. No way I'm buying my MIG from HF ... HF is famous for not stocking parts for what they sell. Some items have parts available elsewhere (the plasma cutter has a name brand torch head, and is popular enough that sites exist where users have identified sourcing for other components). But I know that the MIG's feed will die ... and then I'll be stuck. Also, I know that I won't likely be able to get a spool gun for it ...
5) If you can't afford the risk ... maybe for a very expensive tool (plasma cutter comes to mind) ... get the extended service plan.
Remember ... that HF angle grinder is NOT a DeWalt or a Mikita ... but it'll satisfy Harry Homeowner ... and you can always buy a spare or three at that price and still come out ahead :)"
"Completely useless India based customer support.
Called them several times they have the wrong delivery address. Not sure how they screwed it up as I verified the order by calling an hour later. I also emailed them several times.
Trying to get help makes me realize they could care less about you once your order is placed and have 100% completely useless foreign based customer service that never followed through or returns a single email or call or really has authority to even help you.
When I called, I got sent back and forth from department to departemnt and person to person, after shuffling me around for 30 minutes and them unable to do something as simple as correct the address I hung up with no resolution!
Not it is sitting at the shipper as over two weeks later and HFT still has not returned a single call or email, They are fools as the shipment is truch shipped and they will be paying a huge return cost. But it does not surprise me at all they operate like this!"
"I have made numerous purchases both online and in store. Never had an issue. I like to look at items in store before purchasing for anything that I am not familiar with so I can check quality. Returns have never been a problem and shipping has always been quick and well packed in my experience. "