Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[crazyal]

I haven't found the direct link information, but I have heard from several people that "Stanley" has been manufacturing for several name brands- including Craftsman, for some time now.

I remember going in with broken ratchets, they would give me a new one off the shelf. last time, the guy rummaged through a box of ones that had been fixed in-store. He said- 'same warranty", but i didn't like the fact that I got one that had already been broken. Fixed or not, that's not exactly what I expected as a "replacement". I'm curious what he fine print says now....... replace with one of equal or similar value?

They've been doing that around here for years. They did offer to either fix the one you have while you wait or give you one they already fixed unless real busy. But for things like wrenches and sockets they just gave you a new one. For electrical tools they switched from Craftsman labeled to Sears labeled tools for awhile then I think now they may not offer a lifetime warranty.

 

[chopped]

Sears' goal is that you are completely satisfied with your purchase of home improvement products and services. If for any reason you are not satisfied, please let us know by:

•Calling Sears Home Improvement Products at 1-800-222-5030, Option 4
•Emailing a request to QualityCentral@SearsHomePro.com
•Completing and submitting a customer service request form on our website www.SearsHomePro.com/QualityCentral
Upon receiving your request, our customer service team will act promptly to achieve your satisfaction subject to the Limited Warranty on Installation described in your contract and our Cancellation and Returns Policy for Sears Home Improvement Products described below. Your satisfaction is important to Sears.


this is the new sears warranty. its not as vague as it used to be when they wanted to win over customers.Im glad I dont go there much anymore...

 

[crazyal]

Back in the day if you wanted a good source for hand tools and didn't have snap-on money to toss around you went to Sears. After all what good is a lifetime warranty from SK when there are no dealers close by. Now the choices are much more. Of course the nearest HF to me is at least 300 miles so their warranty means little to me. :laughing:

 

[chopped]

I believe they will send you a new one and you either get a return box or they let you keep it. Not quite sure.

 

[Travelover]

I have a nearby HF, so I don't look at their website very often, but was recently poking around there. I'm surprised at how many reviews they have posted and how honest many of them are (honest, in the sense they don't hesitate to call junk as junk).

Upshot, if you haven't looked at the website lately, you may find it a good source of feedback.

Some of the reviews also tell what is likely to go wrong and how to fix it. Hope the HF suppliers read it, as well. :laughing:

 

[CBW1999]

I think I found out where dargo sends his HF tools after he is done with them...... :laughing: :laughing: One of the local "liquidation centers" had a ton of HF stuff last time I was in there.

Most of it was "Chicago Electric" items, but- I was really surprised that they had ANY of them. I guess that even HF wholesales out returned merchandise to recoup some of their loss. The funniest thing however- is that the price at the "liquidation center" appeared to be more than what it would cost to buy new from HF!! :confused2: :confused2: :laughing:

 

[Skyco]

I have a nearby HF, so I don't look at their website very often, but was recently poking around there. I'm surprised at how many reviews they have posted and how honest many of them are (honest, in the sense they don't hesitate to call junk as junk).

Upshot, if you haven't looked at the website lately, you may find it a good source of feedback.

Some of the reviews also tell what is likely to go wrong and how to fix it. Hope the HF suppliers read it, as well. :laughing:

Several retailers I visit do the same with posting reviews.
What gets me is the endless streams of valid complaints about a product yet the continue to sell it and never address the problem:confused2:
One example are the log tongs NT sells, many complain the angle of the points isn't right and they slip off logs...yet they never fix it. Even more irritating is the pic on their site shows a good set, yet when you open the box they aren't the same. Used a good bit of oxy/acetylene heating mine red hot and reworking them....got em on sale and had a coupon so it was worth it but shouldn't have to do that to make them work.

 

[crazyal]

That's half the problem with these discount Chinese tools. If they actually took the feedback and improved the product they actually could make some good stuff. I don't know if it's a distance thing, being that far from where it's sold or a lack of good communication/ translation skills or what.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I just did a dry run on the nailer/stapler and the safety does not work...what a surprise...

Going out soon to do battle over the nail gun...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Going out soon to do battle over the nail gun...

Did battle over the nail gun: First the clerk complained about it being over the 30-day policy. Next he tried really hard to sell me the replacement plan since he thought the replacement would probably brake too...:laughing::confused2: I guess the employees don't even have faith in their own products... I also picked up: a tow strap, a hex key set, a 4-in-1 hammer, and a file set.

Oh, and I also stopped at Sears to make three exchanges and got $65+ of replacement garden tools for free!!! :dance1: