Harbor Freight tools that DO suck

[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...