how can northern tools compete against harbr freight?

[Soundguy]

some of the chopsaw discs are russian origin

 

[LD1]

I needed impact sockets last winter and searched it thoroughly. I discovered the HF, Lowes, Home Depot and Amazon ones were all strikingly similar and maybe identical. I bought the HF set for $15 on a sale with a coupon and have beat them pretty good. Zero problems. Why buy a NAPA import set for $75? HF wins the debate.

I have a set of them too. SAE & metric. I beat them with one of the best and most powerful impacts (IR2135TiMAX), and can say that they are a pretty good socket. The ONLY socket in both of my sets after HARD use that is damaged is one that I used as a bearing driver whaling on it with a sledge hammer for a half an hour. So yea, it mushroomed a bit. But they are actually a VERY good socket set. And the lifetime warranty is just icing on the cake.

 

[aczlan]

I needed impact sockets last winter and searched it thoroughly. I discovered the HF, Lowes, Home Depot and Amazon ones were all strikingly similar and maybe identical. I bought the HF set for $15 on a sale with a coupon and have beat them pretty good. Zero problems. Why buy a NAPA import set for $75? HF wins the debate.

I have a similar metric set that set me back $25ish at Autozone. I would bet that if I removed the different finishes and mixed the three sets up you couldn't tell which was which if you hadnt seem them before.

Aaron Z

 

[ch47dpilot]

What I've noticed is that Northern carries name brand (Dewalt, IR, Milwaukee) were HF carries brands like central pneumatics. They use to carry name brands. Many years ago I bought a Vise Grip(yes Vise Grip brand) 4 piece set, an aluminum Rigid pipe wrench and a re-manufactured Dewalt 1/2" impact drill and 4" angle grinder. They may be built in China but I feel there is some better quality control if you by "American" names. Northern also carries more farm equipment. I will say that I was very disappointed in their store. The nearest one to me is about 400miles. I was near one so I decided to stop in. They had nothing, it was like a TS or HF light. I hope it's because I was in a smaller town (Austin TX) and their stores in Atlanta, Houston ect are better.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Northern is very convenient for me...
It is within 1/4 mile from where I work...
Harbor Freight's closest store is an hours drive...
So for quick pick up Northern it is...
The past month I actually purchased the cheap Northern welding helmet that is the exact same unit at Harbor Freight for $38 on sale and with a coupon...
Harbor Freight was actually $49...
The Northern Tool that I shop at also services what they sale...
I understand that some do not...
I also have a Tractor Supply and Lowes and Home Depot within a mile or two of Northern...
I can shop better buys from those 4...

 

[IslandTractor]

I would be ashamed of myself if I bought anything at HF. Good companies invest millions of dollars on good products like Honda engines then the Chinese flat out copy the designs and Americans import it and Americans buy it. Unbelievable. I shop eBay and craigslist like crazy to get good used stuff cheap rather than patronize the disgusting knock off industry. I would rather put money in the pockets of good people that are making some spare cash than buy something at HF.

Every company copies others. Would you be embarrassed to own any diesel other than Mercedes?

 

[JoeBuyer]

Every company copies others. Would you be embarrassed to own any diesel other than Mercedes?

Not even applicable to my statement.

 

[Steave]

Your original topic was competition between the two. I have both stores within 1 hour drive but for some reason I would tend to go to NT?? Must be reputation, not sure. I don't shop much at either and if I do I don't buy tools because I can't afford to buy junk. I consider myself a super thrifty buyer (or cheap) when it comes to buying tools. I found over the years you save a lot of money by buying quality tools 1 time instead of junk 2 or 3 times maybe more. I've used the same set of SK tools pretty much everyday for the last 32 years. I'm not sure of their warranty because I've never had to use it. I would hate to be out working on something and be worried about breaking a tool. That lifetime warranty ain't worth a crap if you have to leave what you're doing and go find another tool.

All that said, for use around the house I agree with most that it's hard to justify the high price for a tool that won't be used to make a living with.

 

[Texan4Life]

yeah most stuff i end up at HF, but NT does offer alot of stuff that HF doesn't. I think they also probably have the edge on customer service. Like for example I got a 550 gallon leg tank over $150 bucks cheaper through NT than at my local tractor supply. free shipping to their store. turns out it had a small pin hole leak at the seem, customer service was great. I returned the tank to a store location and they truck shipped a new one to my address for free.

There are some product overlap, but both have their niche segments.

Just shop till you drop.

 

[Qapla]

how does northern stay in business selling the same tools as HF ??... just wonder / observation..

Soundguy, you will get the humor in this ...

One of the biggest differences/reasons I shop more a HF then at NT is that NT is in Ocala and not in Gainesville. The IS a HF in Gainesville - and on my side of town.

I have noticed the same thing with the prices. If there is something I need that HF doesn't have and I need/want to go to Ocala I will shop at NT, otherwise it is HF.