Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

[5030]

Not sure if this is a Do or Don't but .....


I’ve got some really exciting news to share with you—the new Harbor Freight Credit Card is here. And I’m proud to say that this card is not only one of the best values in tools, it’s one of the best and most valuable tools Harbor Freight has ever offered.
That’s because we created it with you in mind. We know you come to Harbor Freight for value, and we made sure to create a credit card that offers exactly that. No annual feeϮϮ. 10% off* your entire first purchase when you open an account—with no exclusions—and that’s on top of any coupons that apply. And you’ll get 5% back in Harbor Freight Money** on all future purchases.
Or—and this is big—you can choose 0% interest with equal monthly paymentsϮ on any purchase of $299 or more. You can come in, outfit your entire workshop and you’ll get true 0% interest promotional financing. That’s the technical language, but let me put it in plain English: You simply pay equal monthly payments on the 0% Interest purchase price with no added interest. Ever.
We’ve spent over 40 years bringing hardworking folks like you the quality tools you need at a value you can’t beat. The Harbor Freight Credit Card gives you even more value—a great way to purchase the tools and equipment you need and you get to choose the credit offer that’s best for you.
You can read more about the card here, and apply in your local store. Am I excited? You bet. I think you will be too. Discover a whole new level of value at Harbor Freight and apply now.


Eric Smidt

They have had that in a select few Cali stores for a while now. I sure like my B&H Payboo card. Everything I buy at B&H at their low prices is tax free. great card.

Not sure if I'd get an HF card. I'd have to see who the sponsoring agency is.

 

[5030]

They have had that in a select few Cali stores for a while now. I sure like my B&H Payboo card. Everything I buy at B&H at their low prices is tax free. great card.

Not sure if I'd get an HF card. I'd have to see who the sponsoring agency is.

Answered my own question, Synchrony Bank. The HF card is what Synchrony calls a specialty house card. B&H is Synchrony as well. Don't call customer service however, you cannot understand them. heavy Asian accent....

 

[California]

Not sure if this is a Do or Don't but .....

I致e got some really exciting news to share with you葉he new Harbor Freight Credit Card is here

It might depend on whether you need to improve your credit score. Recently I discarded all the paperwork from refinancing my home several times over 30 years as interest rates fell, from 11 percent initially to finally 3.75% before I paid it off. (Never did a 'take out cash' at one of those). I saw each time, my credit report was near flawless but they dinged me points for 'high revolving credit balance relative to credit limit'. WTH??? We only had a couple of credit cards and always paid them off in full every month. Maybe if we had more credit cards or had applied for higher limits our balance-to-credit limit ratio could have looked better. Whatever, we qualified for the lowest rate loans. Credit scoring doesn't make any sense.

Think through how another card will affect your credit score before taking on another card. They are just offering this to make money off you, in the final analysis.

 

[5030]

Not overly fond of plastic anyway unless it's paid off on the first billing cycle. CC companies bank on you not and making money on a balance. Most of the specialty cards carry at least a 22-27% interest rate on the unpaid balance. legalized loansharking.

I do that with my Synchrony B&H Payboo card. Pay it off on the first billing cycle and screw them out of any finance charges.

HF isn't going to give you anything for free, they want something in return... They want in your wallet.

I'll stick with my US Bank card. if I don't pay off the balance right away, it only has a 11% rate.... and, if you call cardholder service you get to talk to a real live American citizen with a southern drawl.

 

[dragoneggs]

Not overly fond of plastic anyway unless it's paid off on the first billing cycle. CC companies bank on you not and making money on a balance. Most of the specialty cards carry at least a 22-27% interest rate on the unpaid balance. legalized loansharking.

I love plastic... and credit vs. debit. Lot's of reasons. Purchase dispute, earn points, miles, or cash back depending on your lifestyle. Now even better with Apple Pay on your iPhone. With this COVID crap, you can make touchless transactions at certain places. Just wave your phone near their device and you are good to go. The future. Just pay off monthly like cash and you do better than cash.

 

[Diggin It]

you can make touchless transactions at certain places. Just wave your phone near their device and you are good to go.

And if somebody snatches your phone, they are 'good to go' with all your financial access.

 

[crazyal]

They all count on you not making your payment on time. Miss just one and they make money. In HF case if you miss one you'll probably get hit with all the interest that you would have paid if you charged it at the standard interest rate. It's a numbers game. For every one who takes the time to always make their payments someone else will miss just one.

 

[Handloader109]

I love plastic... and credit vs. debit. Lot's of reasons. Purchase dispute, earn points, miles, or cash back depending on your lifestyle. Now even better with Apple Pay on your iPhone. With this COVID crap, you can make touchless transactions at certain places. Just wave your phone near their device and you are good to go. The future. Just pay off monthly like cash and you do better than cash.

and you'll be forever in debt... I owe NOTHING on anything that is not a subscription or tax. House, cars, guns, everything is paid for. Not a millionaire, but comfortable. and point are really worthless.. going anywhere with them this year? HA.

 

[Diggin It]

and you'll be forever in debt...

Not if you pay the card off in full each month.

and point are really worthless.. going anywhere with them this year? HA.

Nope, but I used them to knock $40 off what the total payment is next month. I haven't paid a dollar in CC interest in going on 20 years now, but I've received hundreds of dollars in 'points' used to buy things or reduce my bill.

 

[5030]

Not if you pay the card off in full each month.


Nope, but I used them to knock $40 off what the total payment is next month. I haven't paid a dollar in CC interest in going on 20 years now, but I've received hundreds of dollars in 'points' used to buy things or reduce my bill.

Then you are the exception to the norm. The 'norm' is people who carry a balance and pay interest (finance) charges.

 

[Ford850]

Not for me HF, thanks. I stay clear of most of these as I would rather not have to join a club or get a card to get "discounts" (in this case it's future credit to get you back to the store to buy more). I do charge to a credit card, and use it a lot. But I pay it in full every month. I've never paid a membership fee or monthly charge or interest on any card. Even though my practice seems the same as cash, in reality I'm still carrying credit monthly (until the bill is paid) compared to paying cash up front. So it can still be a dangerous practice, always on the edge of getting out of control for some people.
In the end, HF will be luring in customers with these cards issuing 5% rebates, and that takes away from all other customers' discounts. Fewer 20% offerings and higher prices to make up for those charging on their HF cards. I'll be shopping other places more often now, an only in HF when it makes sense (or cents).
And speaking of 5% rebates... It's being called "5% back in HF money". I wonder what denomination that will be.

 

[TMGT]

I can see the card working to help pull some business from the tool trucks, at least on larger purchases like Icon toolboxes.
HF has made a lot of changes over the years, I remember when you use to be able to buy name brand tools, typically remanufactured, from them when it was mail order only.
I have some DeWalt, Porter Cable (pre B&D junk), Ingersoll Rand tool and even Good Year hoses bought through them.
I don't think this is the end, it seems to be a shift towards more higher end tools and hopefully left junk, with a little bit higher price tag.

 

[5030]

I can see the card working to help pull some business from the tool trucks, at least on larger purchases like Icon toolboxes.
HF has made a lot of changes over the years, I remember when you use to be able to buy name brand tools, typically remanufactured, from them when it was mail order only.
I have some DeWalt, Porter Cable (pre B&D junk), Ingersoll Rand tool and even Good Year hoses bought through them.
I don't think this is the end, it seems to be a shift towards more higher end tools and hopefully left junk, with a little bit higher price tag.

Time will tell. The Icon boxes are nice but not everyone needs them. I do know their card isn't for me.

 

[TMGT]

Time will tell. The Icon boxes are nice but not everyone needs them. I do know their card isn't for me.

No desire here for a card either, but I know a lot of techs starting out that could save a lot of money outfitting themselves with the Icon stuff and the card with 0% would put them ahead of the tool trucks.

If they have a store reasonably close by at least.

 

[cdaigle430]

Battery powered devices don't pollute? They just transfer the pollution to the generating station that provides the power to charge them.

Not from me lol, I have my own power plant-a 7kw solar plant. I always charge them when i am at least producing 1kw an hour.

 

[lilranch2001]

There was still pollution from the manufacture of solar panel, controls, wiring, mounting hardware, storage batterys, battery, and device.

 

[5030]

Not from me lol, I have my own power plant-a 7kw solar plant. I always charge them when i am at least producing 1kw an hour.

Ah yeas, the old no pollution solar panel scenario. Look at how they are made and the pollution that causes and report back. I forgot, all that pollution is in China....:laughing:

 

[5030]

No desire here for a card either, but I know a lot of techs starting out that could save a lot of money outfitting themselves with the Icon stuff and the card with 0% would put them ahead of the tool trucks.

If they have a store reasonably close by at least.

I will say I bought an Icon 1/2" drive torque wrench (when they were 100 bucks) and I have a Snap-On one as well and side by side, no difference other than price.

 

[lilranch2001]

Ah yeas, the old no pollution solar panel scenario. Look at how they are made and the pollution that causes and report back. I forgot, all that pollution is in China....:laughing:

Looks like we both had the same thought at the same time!

 

[5030]

Looks like we both had the same thought at the same time!

I guess...lol

Solar panels aren't all they are cracked up to be anyway. Not only do they have a finite lifespan (20 years maximum with anywhere from a 2% to 5% degrade in output per year) but when they no longer make usable power, you are faced with disposing of hazardous waste. No holy grain of power there and they aren't cheap anyway.

Going through that very scenario here with a proposed 'solar farm'.. I keep telling people, it's not a 'farm', it's an industrial installation and when they peter out, the original company is no longer in business and the local government is stuck with the mess.

A bit off subject but then here on TBN, threads do drift a bit...