Harbor Freight Tools rant....

[cbeers]

I know, OT, but still there is SOME pcar content here

A few weeks ago, the question was asked about special grease gun fittings to more easily reach the zirk fitting on Elephant Racing PolyBronze bearings etc.

Someone posted a link to Harbor Freight for 90 degree and another 'sideways' tip. I checked them out, ordered them online, got a confirmation that also said it would ship within three weeks or something. This was fine as they were not critical parts.

Today, I tried to go online and see the status - Invalid order #.
WTF?

So I emailed the Customer Support, here is what I got.

"We don't hold orders open for items less than $10 each, so we cancelled it. Sorry. You can re-order it at another time."

Yeah, sure *****heads. Not me not ever. What kind of service is that???

I feel better now



-Chris

[MattAlpha]

Chris,

I enjoy hearing others vent, makes me less frustrated next time I run into a problem because I know that I'm not alone.

If there is one in your area you should just stop by. They probably have them in stock. If not the store can order them for you without a problem.

I would be pist off too though.

-Matt

[the]

HF can be pretty sketchy.

Some of the stuff they sell can be ok, but a lot of it is total crap, almost laughable. I bought an electric sander from them, and it was a total joke. The motor would start smoking within 10 seconds of even the lightest pressure being put on it. The costs of shipping it back to them, dealing with them, etc. wasn't worth it, so I tossed it in the trash.

Their shipping sucks, too. Takes forever for them to send stuff out, and they must use the pony express. In this day and age, waiting 10-14 days for in stock items is ridiculous.

[Joeaksa]

I would call HF customer service, then ask for a supervisor. Treatment like this is pure BS IMHO.

Least they could have done is advise you...

[LakeCleElum]

HF had an add for a tool I really wanted. There is a store 20 minutes from my house....I drive down....Outta stock...Will have a shipment in next Tues.....I call Tues afternoon.....No problem, come on down, we have plenty.....Get there, none to be found. I'm PI$$ed and want answers....A about the 3rd tier in management, I'm told: "No problem, we have them in the back room, I'll get you one".....Their ads with the great deals are just come ons to get you in the store.......I stop by a few times per year, but not a big fan...

[competentone]

Originally posted by cbeers
.... special grease gun fittings...a link to Harbor Freight for 90 degree and another 'sideways' tip.

If you have a Napa Auto Parts store in your area, you might want to see if they have the 90-degree tip in stock. I got one there; it was a couple of years ago, but they had it in stock.

[randywebb]

HF sells cheapo cut-rate crap. Does anyone seriously expect quality service? They are gonna have the lowest-paid, stoopidist workers they can - that's to keep their cost structure low, since they have a low margin. These will be the rejects that other companies got rid of.

C'mon - what do you expect?

[cashflyer]

I buy certain things at HF.
Nitrile gloves, floor jack, jack stands, sandpaper... stuff like that is usually the type stuff that just can't be bad. (Usually.) I also have had very good luck with their HVLP spray guns, and some air tools. I generally do not buy any power tools or hand tools there.

This weeks circular has something I may take a gamble on, though. A differential pressure tester (aka cylinder leakdown tester) that is on sale for $29.99 (item 94190-3NCB)

And for you race-car types, a 100 amp remote cutoff switch is only $3.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The most important thing to know about tools is that you can buy Harbor Freight/Northern Tools/Chinese-made junk over and over and over, or you can buy the quality tool the first time. Either way, you'll spend roughly the same amount.

I wouldn't touch Harbor Freight with _your_ dick.

[berettafan]

I scored a digital dial guage and digital calipers for a grand total of $30 not long ago.

Next time i'm in pennsyltucky i'll be stopping in for some clamps.

[sig_a]

Every Chinese-made tool I've used is inferior to US-made SK or Craftsman.

All Chinese products are two things: cheap and poor quality. It's that simple.

Here's the negative impact on US economy from people buying cheaply made Chinese products: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html#2007

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Yes, but how accurate are those "guages"?

[RallyJon]

Blah blah blah, more of the same. Don't you guys ever get tired of this? It's like a bar full of high school dropout rednecks in here sometimes.

[bpoteat]

Originally posted by cashflyer
I buy certain things at HF.
Nitrile gloves, floor jack, jack stands, sandpaper... stuff like that is usually the type stuff that just can't be bad.

And, really, what's the worst that could happen if something as unimportant as the floor jack or stands happen to fail?

[Rev-it 84]

or do you mean; Cheapnese. I have never seen a product made in China that was of quality. Be it tools, toys, food, car parts, etc.
Made in China really means "leave it on the shelf and walk away".

[charleskieffner]

ahhhh but chinese pistons and cylinders are quality?????????? WTF?

cant even conceive removing/installing motor/tranny/anything on my p-car let alone anything i own w/chinese crap!!!

why even try? do you like doing things over and over and over?

dont even try and tell me chinese gauges are accurate out of the box!

when germans call out tolerances they MEAN IT!

by the way did any of you get your gauges calibrated??? torque wrench calibrated? micrometers calibrated?

maybe just maybe...........you would find out how much money your not saving by buying crap gauges and tools.


theres this lil 'ol company in ATHOL, MASS. that makes quality tools. called L.S. STARRETT!

would you like to fly on your next jet that has been put together with chinese out of calibration gauges????


think about that one REAL HARD!

as always you get what you pay for.

jesus h. christ you pay TOP DOLLAR FOR QUALITY GERMAN PARTS and then you want to put it all together with POS CRAP out of calibration chinese junk! WTF!

[berettafan]

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
Yes, but how accurate are those "guages"?

Per my research both here and on other machinest oriented boards they produce an identical measurement to the high dollar stuff.

[charleskieffner]

not only would you be laughed out of ANY AEROSPACE MACHINE SHOP...............you'd be FIRED FOR USING THAT CRAP!


i have always held chinese box/open wrenches near and dear to my heart when the jaws spread or the box end breaks causing my hand or knuckles to collide with nice sharp rusty objects!

GOD is that fun and a huge time savings going to the hospital for stitches and a tetnus shot.

then theres the amazingly cheap M-14's, that were quite the quality firearm. adored by many until the receiver blew apart in their faces. always loved the "GUNS AND AMMO" test on the century M-14's.............cover had them stacked in a 55 gal. garbage drum!

[berettafan]

My torque wrench is a snap-on techwrench.

Charles i do the best i can to spend my tool funding wisely and research everything i buy extensively. I do not buy into the sheeple mentality that causes people to buy a particular brand just because it is understood to be the 'best'. i can't afford to do that. i think and research for myself where possible.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by RallyJon
Blah blah blah, more of the same. Don't you guys ever get tired of this? It's like a bar full of high school dropout rednecks in here sometimes.

Yep, so called experts everywhere.

HF has good stuff and it has crap stuff. Most of us know the difference and do not really need someone telling us about it.