My Harbor Freight Quick Hitch

[Kernopelli]

Roy, the distance it moves the implement on mine is 4.5".

I've been following this thread with some interest since I purchased one of the Cat 1 hitches about 2-3 yrs. ago and it has surprised me how well it has held up. I have to do a little price bragging though. Here's my story, I was looking to purchase a HF lathe/mill combo off Ebay from a guy in Tenn. who resells a lot of HF and Sears returns (Tadd Wholesale). Everything this guy sells starts at 99cents but his shipping costs are outrageous so his items don't sell for much. I was bound and determined to win the lathe/mill and knew I was going to drive down and pick it up. I decided I was going to make my trip worth while and started bidding on a number of these 99 cent auctions. I ended up bringing home a brand new quick hitch for $15.00 ( along with about 10 other bargains).

 

[Licklog]

Roy, the distance it moves the implement on mine is 4.5".

I've been following this thread with some interest since I purchased one of the Cat 1 hitches about 2-3 yrs. ago and it has surprised me how well it has held up. I have to do a little price bragging though. Here's my story, I was looking to purchase a HF lathe/mill combo off Ebay from a guy in Tenn. who resells a lot of HF and Sears returns (Tadd Wholesale). Everything this guy sells starts at 99cents but his shipping costs are outrageous so his items don't sell for much. I was bound and determined to win the lathe/mill and knew I was going to drive down and pick it up. I decided I was going to make my trip worth while and started bidding on a number of these 99 cent auctions. I ended up bringing home a brand new quick hitch for $15.00 ( along with about 10 other bargains).

Interesting business.

He has a 98.3% rating on eBay...eBay Feedback Profile for taddwholesale

but an "F" rating from his local BBB.... BBB Review of TADD Wholesale Total Closeout in Lebanon, TN

Licklog

 

[Kernopelli]

Interesting business.

He has a 98.3% rating on eBay...eBay Feedback Profile for taddwholesale

but an "F" rating from his local BBB.... BBB Review of TADD Wholesale Total Closeout in Lebanon, TN

Licklog

I hadn't looked at his auctions in some time and it looks like he has changed things quite a bit. I bought my stuff from him about 3 yrs ago and it appears like his whole store is different, the 99 cent starting price on everything is now gone and he has definitely adjusted his shipping prices. I was very happy with the deals I got from him but have to admit that I reported him to ebay multiple times because it was clear that he was making his money on shipping charges which is an ebay violation. When I picked up my items he told me he also held a weekly local auction. They were located in a very large facility that was previously a boot factory (if I remember correctly). Very friendly fellow though and for anyone living close enough to do local pick up, it looks like he still has some bargains. His feedback score is also considerably better than it was then. FB is everything on ebay and I rarely do business with anyone that has less than 99% but in his case, it was clear from the photos that everything I was bidding on was like new, most of it in original packaging and I felt comfortable with the prices I was paying ( next to nothing). I also have to say that at the time, it was clear to me that ebay was reluctant to make him "adjust" the way he was doing business. At the time he was one of ebays largest sellers and they obviously tolerated practices that would have suspended my account. I was surely not the only one filing complaints on him at the time and what he was doing was obvious but during the year or so that I followed his auctions he was allowed to continue some shady ebay practices.

 

[Zick]

Interesting business.

He has a 98.3% rating on eBay...eBay Feedback Profile for taddwholesale

but an "F" rating from his local BBB.... BBB Review of TADD Wholesale Total Closeout in Lebanon, TN

Licklog

I bought a used winch from him before. The AD said it was in good condition, got it and found the cable was kinked and frayed. Was not too happy about that.

 

[California]

Anything short of near-perfect feedback on Ebay deserves, at the least, a thorough reading of the negatives.

If it turns out to be a few customers with unrealistic expectations, no problem. But if you see 'not as good as he described' 'never shipped', or 'no communication', well, that's what you can expect too. You have no power to force that vendor to treat you better than he did the guy who left him a neg.

But if possible find a vendor with better feedback and save yourself the frustration. Don't let your own unrealistic expectations get you into an unsatisfactory transaction. There's a lot of good people out there. Why deal with the ones who accumulate complaints?

 

[BWBrown]

I bought an 8k winch from Tadd, stated good condition - I paid 29 dollars, 43 shipping, total of 72 bucks. It needed a relay, another 49 dollars, for a total of 121 dollars for a 400-500 dollar item! I still made out like a bandit!

When you buy used, you can expect some "used" qualities about it. If you want perfect, buy new. I prefer to not spend at the retail level.

Ebay gets such a bad rap - I seldom buy retail any more. You simply have to know what you're buying, check the pictures, check feedback, and be careful. I have been disappointed far more often by poor quality retail items, out of stock and grossly understaffed retail stores, being told "we can order it for you" - duh! I can order it myself and have it delivered to my door, and not have to drive an hour round trip to pick up my "special order".

My advice to myself - don't be naive, do your research, lower your expectations, be honest, and everyone can be a bit more relaxed. I have, on a couple occasions bought the wrong item. Oops! I believe I win far more than I lose.

Back to topic, I bought my quick hitch also from Tadd, less than 1/3 the retail cost. It arrived in as good as perfect retail condition, love it.
Bob

 

[countrybumpkin]

Got mine ready to install.

 

[Zick]

Nice job Countrybumpkin, looks good!

 

[fredhargis]

As a newbee owner, this thread was really useful. There is a HF store nearby that had the QH in stock so I picked one up. Even with the Cat2 bushing on the pins the lift arm hook openings are still quite a bit larger than the pins. Is this not a problem? There is so much clearance I'll bet I could put Cat 3 bushings on it and it would still fit. This is the 97214 hitch......

 

[countrybumpkin]

Fred, Yes your correct Cat 3 pins will work. I purchased these adapter for my implements and have to say they are very good quality, plus they go straight from cat 1-3 with no additional bushings.

QUICK HITCH ADAPTER KIT CAT 1-3