Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[dragoneggs]

Ouch! Really hope that wasn't the case! It would be pretty risky on the part of the assistant manager. Especially since he wouldn't be the most likely person to get the credit for improved same-store margins. Now that HF automatically emails a copy of the receipt to the customer, in addition to the paper receipt, it won't take long for him to be busted if that's going on. HF Corporate keeps its local store staff on a pretty short tether. They don't last long if they are caught breaching corporate policy.

As I understand it, only a supervisor (including assistant manager of course) has the administrative permissions necessary to override certain of the computer's programming. I do know that the system is set up so that the clerk has limited ability to screw up, or screw around. Once the clerk scans or types in the bar code of the coupon, the system automatically applies the 20% or 25% discount to the highest-priced eligible item that's rung in that transaction. At least that's how it was explained to me a couple of years ago by a manager. Not even a supervisor has the authorization to force the register to apply a coupon to an "ineligible" item. Instead, if he wants to force a 20% discount on an item as a matter of customer relations, he must use his/her personal "employee" discount to ring the sale. That's been done for me a couple of times. What I don't know is whether a supervisor (or even a regular clerk) could force the coupon discount to ring on the lower-priced item without ringing it separately. Next time I'm at HF I'll try to remember to ask.

My wife used to work with (at a different company) a now HF store manager. We usually track him down and say hello or he finds us when we go to HF. We chat about a little about things and over the years have learned that the HF pricing models and computer programming, sale schedule dates by product, season, etc. is extremely well planned and very controlled to move volume. If someone was doing such as claimed by California, someone is deliberately messing with the system and will be found out and gone. Find this tactic at HF a little hard to believe... but there are always people trying to cheat the system.

I have purchased multiple items with multiple coupons, discounts, etc. and never had something ring up wrong as far as discounts applied. I have asked for pricing reduction based on expired adds and have had the manager or asst. manager override. One excuse (legit) was the product wasn't in stock when I came in for that price. If I know I can't get there before the sale price ends, I call, speak to the manager, and let them know that I will come in soon after the sale and ask if they will honor the price. That has never failed.

I'm usually 'up' on the coupons, but I have had the clerk tell me there is a coupon for something I missed and scans a barcode that they have behind the counter. I don't know if this is common habit but I think it helps if you are 'in' their system and smile and ask them how they their day is going! Nice breeds nice.

HF have always been great to deal with... especially when something is damaged or prematurely fails. Oh and they full well know when someone is jerking them by buying a tool for one use and returning it (free rent) if you play that game a few times.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I’ve always found the clerks, staff, and managers to be very accommodating to their customers.

When I had an issue, earlier this week, with with their Lynxx 40 volt pole saw missing the chain bar, no questions asked they had one of the floor staff go get another one of the shelf and go thru it with me to assure that the replacement was complete.

It was totally my fault for not checking the first one before heading home. That lapse caused me a second 150 mile round trip.

The store manager, on duty, apologized over and over about my problem.

 

[dragoneggs]

It was totally my fault for not checking the first one before heading home. That lapse caused me a second 150 mile round trip.

The store manager, on duty, apologized over and over about my problem.

I wouldn't go that far as to say it was totally your fault. One should expect that all parts are there. QA issue for sure. Damage is another story. But you did learn your lesson with HF... no?

 

[lostcreekranch]

I wouldn't go that far as to say it was totally your fault. One should expect that all parts are there. QA issue for sure. Damage is another story. But you did learn your lesson with HF... no?

Si ..... I did.

 

[California]

As I understand it, only a supervisor (including assistant manager of course) has the administrative permissions necessary to override certain of the computer's programming. I do know that the system is set up so that the clerk has limited ability to screw up, or screw around. Once the clerk scans or types in the bar code of the coupon, the system automatically applies the 20% or 25% discount to the highest-priced eligible item

I think you're right, the registers now run centralized software and could no longer do that. The expensive item that was incorrectly rung up was the 20x20 tarp shed that I described above, post #9279. It's been around 10 years since I bought it, apparently before that major management shakeup [they threw out the founder!] and before the current register software.

 

[dragoneggs]

I think you're right, the registers now run centralized software and could no longer do that. The expensive item that was incorrectly rung up was the 20x20 tarp shed that I described above, post #9279. It's been around 10 years since I bought it, apparently before that major management shakeup [they threw out the founder!] and before the current register software.

No doubt! HF sales/pricing system and supporting hardware/software has gotten smarter (than the average guy) over the years. One reason they are very successful.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

HF staff have been nice to me over the years.

On a recent 20% off coupon I pointed out the item I wanted to use it on and the clerk said she had already used it on my most expensive item that was not already on a special.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I think you're right, the registers now run centralized software and could no longer do that. The expensive item that was incorrectly rung up was the 20x20 tarp shed that I described above, post #9279. It's been around 10 years since I bought it, apparently before that major management shakeup [they threw out the founder!] and before the current register software.

Not too many years ago I noticed the 20% coupon would apply to the cheapest item in the online cart. Seemed to be that way for a few months before being corrected.

 

[PJSprog]

HF staff have been nice to me over the years.

On a recent 20% off coupon I pointed out the item I wanted to use it on and the clerk said she had already used it on my most expensive item that was not already on a special.

The staff at my local store are pretty helpful, too. They will generally let people know about coupons not presented, and always have copies of the flyers at the checkout.

There is one guy, though, whose line I refuse to go through when he's working. He's one of those "the whole world is against me" kind of people, and is always complaining to customers about how poorly he's treated by the store manager. He's been there for years, but I have no idea why he's still there. If I were him, I would have quit long ago. If I were that manager, I would have fired him long ago.

 

[shooterdon]

Want to add that although some of the stuff they sell is not that great, most of it is serviceable. And when ever I have had an issue I have always enjoyed excellent customer service at the locations I have purchased from. So, I tend to believe that they do a good job of helping customers. BTW, some of their stuff is good and an excellent buy. It is not all junk as some would want us to believe.

 

[D2Cat]

I/and friends end up with a fair amount of "junk" at O'Reilly Auto and other Parts Stores also. It's the nature of the economy we live in.

I have never had a difficult time with Harbor Freight, as far as returning parts. I bought a compression test kit for diesel engines. I got it home (24 miles) and couldn't get it to hold the pressure. Just put it back in the plastic container and set it on a shelf and went on. About a year later I need to test another engine. I tried the tester again, thinking it might work. Nope. I took it back to show the manager how the thing wouldn't work. He went to get the part out of another, and just said we'll exchange it. He wasn't concerned about the time lapse.

Now, their zip ties I won't buy. Always dried plastic, and break when pulled tight.

 

[PJSprog]

Now, their zip ties I won't buy. Always dried plastic, and break when pulled tight.

Hahaha ... their zip tie failures seem almost legendary at this point. :laughing: It's amazing they still sell them.

 

[rbstern]

Hahaha ... their zip tie failures seem almost legendary at this point. :laughing: It's amazing they still sell them.

I use a lot of the black zip ties. Rarely have any problems with them. In fact, the hold up to abuse much more than I would expect.

 

[erkme73]

I use a lot of the black zip ties. Rarely have any problems with them. In fact, the hold up to abuse much more than I would expect.

I'm glad you said that. I have a drawer packed full of various sizes and colors and have never had an issue. Now, I generally don't use them for stuff that is exposed to direct sunlight, or on things that require a lot of hold-down force... z

 

[Travelover]

......... BTW, some of their stuff is good and an excellent buy. It is not all junk as some would want us to believe.

Yea, that is the whole point of this ongoing thread.

 

[PhysAssist]

I'm glad you said that. I have a drawer packed full of various sizes and colors and have never had an issue. Now, I generally don't use them for stuff that is exposed to direct sunlight, or on things that require a lot of hold-down force... z

I believe, but I'm not 100% sure, that the black ones [even from HF] are UV-stabilized- as I've not had problems with any of them breaking in the past 5-7 years, despite extensive sun exposure.

In AZ or NV, specifically, YMMV!

 

[TheMan419]

I'm glad you said that. I have a drawer packed full of various sizes and colors and have never had an issue. Now, I generally don't use them for stuff that is exposed to direct sunlight, or on things that require a lot of hold-down force... z

I have a pile of the black ones. No issues with them at all.

 

[PILOON]

Black block out the UV which is what kills most plastics especially things like ties that are under some tension.

Black or dark grey will always stand up to weathering quite well while the white ones can deteriorate just sitting on the shelf.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Yea, that is the whole point of this ongoing thread.

...and who would've thought THAT was a good idea!

 

[D2Cat]

The black ones were the ones that wouldn't draw tight without snapping. I kept them for a while, tried them again and threw the pack into the trash. Much against my personality!!