Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[dragoneggs]

Most of the 20% coupons say they are limited to one use per day per customer. As the posts above prove, the enforcement varies a great deal from store to store. One thing I don't like is how they ask for my phone number and then automatically email a receipt. I'm not sure why, but that seems intrusive to me, so most times I say I don't have a phone when they ask. Some clerks nod and smile, while others are in disbelief and have to ask "no phone?".

The phone number in the system is a good thing for me. I was there today for an exchange (bought the wrong thingy) without receipt but said I have the email. She said, no worries, phone number? A few seconds later she credited me back the sale and I bought the 'right' one. Since the 25/20% coupons were expired after the weekend, I pulled out my trusty 20% that expires Dec 31, 2018. Got that on my phone. Don't leave home without it!

Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons

With respect to using the same card/phone number once per day... my wife and I went through two separate lines and used the same card/phone with no issue to take advantage of the 25% on two items yesterday.

Opposite here. 1) they have refused to do that. 2) A few weeks ago the cashier kept a coupon for the battery-powered LED 'wall light switch' that was still good for another month and said 'limit 6' or something. I thought I saw her put it in the bag along with receipt and the switch I bought, but it wasn't there when I got home. I had intended to use it next time.

I get the impression from seeing the store managers and the visiting regional managers that there is a lot of pressure pushed down from HQ through these levels resulting in sullen cashiers, and it's 50/50 whether an employee found on the floor will stop long enough to answer a question.

Maybe it is a California thing? I have been to 4 different HF stores in the Puget Sound area over the past 10 years and have nothing but exceptional service every time! Returns, broken parts, missing pieces, loading heavy items in my pick up... asking them their opinion what stuff isn't popular/gets returned... etc.

 

[California]

Maybe it is a California thing? I have been to 4 different HF stores in the Puget Sound area over the past 10 years and have nothing but exceptional service every time! Returns, broken parts, missing pieces, loading heavy items in my pick up... asking them their opinion what stuff isn't popular/gets returned... etc.

Could be. What was clearly a regional manager and likely some regional manager trainees was visiting the Santa Rosa store (N of SF) one time I was there. It just took a moment to see he was treating everyone in the store like a 100% a**hole. I imagined he was telling his trainees 'you have to stay on them, like I'm showing you today'. The regular staff there all looked uncomfortable and avoided the a**hole as much as possible. A woman who was probably the shift manager was continually apologizing to him for his stupid critiques.

I got in his face with a return I had brought back, the little belt sander, where the zipper had ripped out of the bag the first time I opened it. He didn't want to hear about an inferior product.

I came away with the impression his attitude worked its way down into the four stores I visit along the 100 miles between my home and ranch. Like everyone is afraid of being written up. There are individual pleasant people working there, but they keep (figuratively) looking over their shoulder, afraid to take the time to offer too much courtesy to the customer. I noticed all of them wear microphones, maybe they are being monitored from the office.

In summary many products are interesting, especially the new ones like the welders. And the no-hassle warranty is great. I just wish the staff weren't so stressed.

 

[TractorGuy]

I used my old home phone number that was only connected to my DSL. I have had it disconnected for a while now but I still use it to identify me to stores.

I have encountered a few cashiers that insisted they were supposed to take my coupon when I use it. Half the time I have both paper and email coupons on my cell phone so I always ask how they plan to take the email coupon off my phone.

 

[Midniteoyl]

My store just asks for the coupon number.

 

[thepumpguysc]

When asked for my #.. I say, "I think your cute too, but my wife wouldn't appreciate us going out".. Lol
Some get it & others just look at you like your stupid..

 

[62willy]

Has anyone tried the air dryer for compressed air? I'm doing bead blasting of pool tiles and the tank clogs a lot due to moisture in the compressed lines.

Compressed Air Dryer - Save on this Compressed Air Dryer

 

[California]

You probably need that big dryer for your project but the little $32 one works fine for my painting projects.

Industrial Air Filter Regulator

One caveat: the product reviews duplicate my experience - you need to take this one all apart, clean out shavings, reassemble with O-rings centered and teflon tape on all threads to end the air leaks. Then you have the decent quality tool you thought you were buying. 'Some Assembly Required'.

 

[Michael Aos]

It seems to vary by store around here. I don't think they've ever confiscated a coupon at the store down South by my house.

The store up North will definitely take the coupon if you let go of it / leave it on the counter, but they won't pull it out of your hand if you don't let go.
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I have encountered a few cashiers that insisted they were supposed to take my coupon when I use it.

 

[dragoneggs]

It seems to vary by store around here. I don't think they've ever confiscated a coupon at the store down South by my house.

The store up North will definitely take the coupon if you let go of it / leave it on the counter, but they won't pull it out of your hand if you don't let go.
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Confiscating the paper coupon is bogus. Take a picture of it with your phone and use it over and over. They usually just scan the barcode off my phone pic. If that doesn't, I read the number off of it and they type it in. I talked to the store manager about reusing coupons on subsequent visits and he said of course!

 

[crazyal]

I wanted to order some of the mover's blankets using a coupon for $5.99 each with a limit of 7. Since there's no local stores I usually order online. The coupon would only work just 1 when I tried to check out so I had to call. I told the person on the phone what I was trying to do and he told me to hang on. After a few moments he said he found a better coupon for $4.99 and that I could order as many as I wanted.