Harbor Freight Tools

Lots of lower quality tools and equipment priced right. The biggest problem with this location is the lack of help at the cash registers. One of the big problems is that they ask everyone for their phone numbers, probably for advertising purposes, and this slows the line. I have been there several times and stood in line for my purchase. The last trip was my last trip. One register open, and 10 people in line.

I’ve been here several times and everything goes well up until checkout. I just went to the store on 14^th st. west in Bradenton. While checking out I was third in line back. The checkout lady was you joking it up and flirting with the guy that was first in line, making the rest of us wait while they chit chatted about nothing. She finished with him and then got to the next customer… more extended chatting, then she messed something up on the register and had to have a manager come over to reset it. In the meantime the register lady was talking to someone on her earpiece. Suddenly she bursts out in loud laughter. There were more people in line now because of the delays, and we were looking at each other wondering what she heard in her earpiece. Her face was all red as if she was on drugs or maybe drunk. Next, I’m ready with my things to check out. I have a coupon for an impact drill and 20% off other non sale items. She goes into a long sales pitch about an extended warranty on the drill. I told her no thanks. She goes into another pitch about a warranty on something else. I said «No, I just want to check out and get going». She then asks my phone number, I give it to her. She has to run my card three times because she kept screwing up the checkout process! She has me pull out my credit card from my wallet for a fourth time to get more information from it. Then she says…“oh, you have a free item. you have to tell me that, I’m not a mind reader!” I explained she was talking so much she didn’t hear me say it and I had the coupon right there as she rang me up. She then said, «it’s my job, sir!» I was thinking, «Not for long if you keep acting that way.» Management, tell cashiers to just check people out and dispense with the flirting and joking around. We don’t come here to hear a standup comic or be entertained. We just want prompt, polite service. We just want to buy our stuff and get on with our business.
As a final insult, when I looked at my receipt while outside I saw that the cashier didn’t include my 20% off coupon on the two regularly priced items I had. She also stuffed a sales flyer in my bag that had the same drill I just bought for $ 2 less!

The harbor freight website is packed full of coupons. Don’t forget to use those whenever you go into the store; a lot of time you can get things for free.
It is very hard not to like this store. In fact, I don’t see a reason to not love it. While I wouldn’t buy these tools if I made my living with them i.e.,(mechanic, carpenter) as they are lower-​grade, but they are terrific for homeowners!
The skinny: The store in Bradenton is always busy and has an excellent assortment of tools and hardware related items. The deals are awesome on the stuff so it is worth driving to the ‘hood to check it out.

Harbor Freight is a tool/​automotive/​gadget store offering tools, tarps, and parts at a much deeper discount than you will find at Lowe’s or Home Depot. They get close outs, cheap junk from China, decent stuff and a constantly changing inventory that has things you might need that you didn’t know existed. I saw a set of 6 wire brushes for $ 2.00, beating event the Dollar Store on price and quantity. A large selection of tarps for dollars less than Home Depot and tools that are much cheaper than the other Big Box stores. For instance, an axe that was $ 17 at Home Depot is about $ 7.00 at Harbor Freight. Rollers, paint pans and drop cloths for painting projects are much cheaper here than any other local store.
Before going to the store, do an internet search to find 20% off coupons you can use on regularly priced merchandise (not close outs or special deals). Also, be aware that while they advertise a generous 90 day return policy with receipt, returns are «subject to a 20% restocking fee». I almost made a purchase here, but after pressing the cashier on the return policy, I decided not to buy the $ 100 power washer that was a close out special since I wasn’t sure it had enough juice to do the job I needed it to do. A 20% restocking fee for a tool that may not do the job seemed a little steep to me, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still a great value for other things– just be aware of their return policy going in the door and plan your purchases accordingly.