Harbor Freight Stores Proliferating

Bird · Jan 21, 2013

Many years ago, before the days of the Internet, I ordered some tools from Harbor Freight in Calfornia. I don't know how long they've had stores in this area, but I only learned of the one in Irving, TX, about 10 years ago, and I've bought a couple of things there. Then a couple of years ago, I learned there is one in Carrollton, TX, and I've shopped there a few times. Today, I learned there's a new store in Denton, TX, that is even closer to me. I didn't buy anything today, but did spend some time wandering up and down the aisles; nice store and lots of interesting stuff there.

Apparently they are quite successful and continuing to grow.

Clint S · Jan 21, 2013

Back when I was a teenager (in the 80's ) I would buy tools from them through the mail. They were cheap even with the shipping and I could get some specialty stuff I could never afford from sears. I still have a brake flaring kit some wrenches and an even an angle grinder that are 20 to 25 years old, still function fine. I can't count the # of cheap multimeters I have smoked form there. We have one here in Syracuse NY for a few years now. I buy some stuff from there usually stuff I will only use once or twice and it is usually cheaper than renting one. Bought a tile saw for $100 and tiled my whole house

Katahdin · Jan 21, 2013

None in Maine yet, I hope that changes soon!

DFB · Jan 21, 2013

I like to see one here...nearest one to me is in Albany NY according to the store locater.

Bird · Jan 21, 2013

Back when I was a teenager (in the 80's )

When you were a teenager, so were my two daughters.:laughing: And yep, about then was when I bought a half inch air impact and 3/8" air ratchet and an air chisel and a few other things via mail order from Harbor Freight. I sold those things in '89 when we became full time RVers, but now that we no longer travel, I have an Ingersoll-Rand impact that I bought from a pawn shop, but my 3/8" ratchet, angle die grinder, farm jack, oil filter wrench, etc. came from Harbor Freight in the last 7 years.

flyerdan · Jan 21, 2013

My dad turned me on to HF way back in the early 80's. Back then their mailings consisted of 3 or 4 letter sized pages with description and price mailed in a #10 envelope. They would pay the shipping on orders over $50, even on motor freight items. I still have a lot of stuff I ordered from back then.
We got our store here in Salem in 1998, it was packed on opening day.

texasjohn · Jan 21, 2013

Yep, one in Austin, too. Been there lots. Love their assortments of stuff...cotter pins, lynch pins, grommets, zerks, etc....I have a bunch of them, bought not knowing when I would use them...and, then, suddenly, I needed something from an assortment I just purchased....soo handy to have so progress on a project can continue

Mickey_Fx · Jan 21, 2013

flyerdan said:
My dad turned me on to HF way back in the early 80's. Back then their mailings consisted of 3 or 4 letter sized pages with description and price mailed in a #10 envelope. They would pay the shipping on orders over $50, even on motor freight items. I still have a lot of stuff I ordered from back then.
We got our store here in Salem in 1998, it was packed on opening day.

You must be talking about the store on the N side of town, an old K-mart store. There was a HF in town before they moved to their current location. Old store was a few blocks away from the fairgrounds.

Living on the left coast, I can't recall when there wasn't a HF store not far away. Currently, I'm about 8 miles from one. Little further if I want to cross the river to save on sales tax for any big item purchases.

Bird, your mention of Carrollton brought back memories from 20 yrs ago. Used to travel there on business for a while.

jinman · Jan 21, 2013

Bird said:
Many years ago, before the days of the Internet, I ordered some tools from Harbor Freight in Calfornia. I don't know how long they've had stores in this area, but I only learned of the one in Irving, TX, about 10 years ago, and I've bought a couple of things there. Then a couple of years ago, I learned there is one in Carrollton, TX, and I've shopped there a few times. Today, I learned there's a new store in Denton, TX, that is even closer to me. I didn't buy anything today, but did spend some time wandering up and down the aisles; nice store and lots of interesting stuff there.

Apparently they are quite successful and continuing to grow.

Bird, I forgot that they had put a store in that shopping center. I guess if you can slip in there off of the I-35 access road and then go out to Colorado Blvd without having to deal with Loop 288, it would be worthwhile. I was just down the street at Bank of America and over at the University Dr. Sam's Club today. We had to be back here ASAP, or I would have given you a call. I'm gettin' a hankering for Chinese Food and I thnk you told me there was a good restaurant not far from the HF or in that area.