Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools is to the tool industry what fast food joints are to the restaurant industry: you’re going to get something decent at a good price, but you may feel a little indigestion if your expectations are set too high on the entry.
… Not that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, I sort of see this business like my own personal toy store. Like many to visit here, I picked up a copy of their ad when I walked in, to see what specials they have in store. 45% off a lithium grease gun? Sold! A five pack of abrasive discs, and two dollar tiedown straps for my truck? It’s a fairytale!
Since my kids really like to get into my tools, and use them for all sorts of non-​purpose tasks, like digging in the backyard, creating roadblocks on their Thomas the Tank Engine train sets, and performing the occasional minor demolition on patio furniture, I also purchase tools here… But not because they are extremely high-​quality, or that I expect them to last for generations, to be passed down to my offspring. Rather, they are priced to be used as a virtual disposable tools. That said, this is a great place to buy things like battery terminal cleaners, Garden tools, and project items like pulleys, magnets, and adhesives. All of these are cheaper than the big box stores, and in most cases, cheaper than Walmart.
While I usually frequent the Pasadena store, this location is also well-​stocked, and has helpful staff. On this visit, I purchased a power inverter for a steal… and it worked great on my camping trip. I will definitely be back.

I’ve purchased tools and supplies at HF for the past couple of years. The prices are pretty cheap, however you get what you pay for. The tools they offer are not «top of the line», but if you only need to do some small repairs around your house then you’re good to go, but if you are a professional stick to your good quality tools not the ones offered at HF.
I purchased an automobile floor jack a few years ago, I had it for about two years (I used it occasionally — repairs on my car things like that), any way two years later the hydraulic pump started to leak fluid. I ended up buying one at Costco and I’ve had for about 10 years and still going strong. Sorry HF, I might buy certain supplies but not tools.
As far as customer service, I’ve never had a problem with the staff, in fact the staff at the La Puente store were very friendly and helped me when I was looking for something.

I wish i could give no stars. But it won’t let me. I had got a toolbox from the store on arrow hwy in Covina. It was an open box on sale for $ 150. When I got it to my job and was putting it together I saw that some of the drawers were bent and misaligned. One of them was so bent that when I pulled it out the leftside fell out. I took it and returned it and the manager said I only had 5 days to return it and the fifth day was Christmas. She said that wasn’t her problem and maybe I should have returned it sooner. How can I return it when I didn’t get it till Christmas. So I told her I wanted a new one and she said I had to wait till the lines were shorter before she could have someone get me another. Finely after waisting 30min of my lunch she brings me another one only to open box and find parts missing. I took that one back and she had me wait again for the lines. This time I opened the boxes in the store and that one was dented. OMG NOW ITS 45min I have been here. So they bring out another one and it was almost perfect just some scratches is all. I told her I was going to write a bad Unilocal review and a letter to the company and she said «Go ahead they will believe me and not you» so here is my review now I’m going to write the company.

It’s cool to see a Harbor Freight Tools store in this area. The area is a little sketchy but I never had a problem finding parking up front by the entrance. Very reasonable prices for the tools and supplies. I wouldn’t count on keeping the tools for a lifetime but it will get the job done and more. The place is clean, organized, and cool.

What you pay for is what you get. I come here for tools that will be cheap because I don’t use it enough to quantify the investment. Still, store is clean and well lit.

Stopped by to get the $ 9.99 torque wrench with coupon. Regular price was $ 21.99. Can’t complain. Also got a free mini flashlight. Just a note, the Unilocal map directions are wrong.

This place is nice for the free coupons they give out in the mail, but the staff are like robots.

Really bad first impression.
Went in looking for a specific tool and was recommended I go here by the guy at Lowes. Knew what I needed but still wanted to check out the entire store. Lots of really cool tools and guy gadgets.
I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for, a t25 hex security (hole on the middle) bit. After about 15 minutes of looking on my own I went seek out help. NONE to be found. I looked for another 10 minutes and gave up. We ended up at Home Depot around the corner where I actually found help right away and was in and out in under 15 minutes.
Harbor freight sorry I will not be back unless you have an insane sale in the 199.00 motorcycle lift, loved that.
FYI– The tools seemed to be a step or two below your husky or craftsman quality.

I found out that this place is the cheapest place to buy professional tools. If you get on their mailing list, you receive coupons in the mail for free stuff, and great prices on other things. The only downside is, the younger cashiers are not as courteous as the older cashiers.

Terrible customer service! Chelsea the cashier did our transaction for over an hour and kept making mistakes and giving bad attitudes towards us. She doesn’t even know how to ring up a transaction right.

Clean and organized displays, maybe because it’s fairly new compared to the one I frequent in Pasadena. I prefer the customer service in this location. The cashiers are friendly and takes care of your coupons.
Overall, I like shopping in Harbor Freight for great deals!

Customer service: Not that great
Products: Average
Prices: Vary upon USA products vs Made in a foreign country
Store selection: Some good junk and just some junk
On line selection: Read the fine print. You could be taken on this.
I purchased a tool box. Not just an average tool box… but a large one over $ 500. On line they offer a 20% percent discount. Sounded good until you go to check out. They they charged a $ 90. shipping fee. So I find the same item in the store and tell them about the 20% percent discount on line. They tell me I gotta purchase it on line.
Bottom line… after a lengthy debate (borderline argument), I had to go back home and download my 20% coupon. (It takes foreverrrrr to get a manager out of that little booth they hide in by the registers to talk to you) They eventually took the coupon and I pulled around the back of this building to load up. First tool box they brought me was the wrong one. I could hear them saying give him this one. Then they have you sign papers saying no return policy because we transported it.
When I got home, we unloaded it and (well whatdaya know), it teeter tottered all over the place. One side was a good ¼ inch shorter then the other side. So I’m not a quitter. We went to King Bolt in Covina and bought a buncha washers and took the wheels off and kept adding washers until it balanced out. It cost about $ 3.30 for the washers.

NOTE:
1– Stand your ground when you see the same item in the store as in their on-​line selection and watch out for the hidden shipping fees. Why should you have to pay an huge shipping fee if the item is in their store?
2– Open your product and check it out before you load it into your vehicle.
3– Keep complaining and making a fuss until you get it your way.

I’ve been a HF customer for YEARS and have spent ALOT of money during that time; HOWEVER, they just lost ALL of my future business.
I purchased a tile saw last week at the Lakewood Store. After opening it I discovered that it did NOT include a blade, so I placed it all back in the box with the original packing and receipt only to be told at the Covina store that I would be charged a $ 12 restocking fee for the $ 60 item because the box had been opened.
WTF???
The cashier told me that I would have known that if I would have read the back of my receipt.
That won’t be necessary since I won’t be shopping at Harbor Freight any more.
I hope HF enjoys the 20% fee they charged me on a saw which they will just place back on the shelf and sell to someone else.
I subsequently went to Lowe’s and purchased a higher quality, american made, tile saw, which when you consider included a blade, was less expensive than the Chinese crap that HF peddles.
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Update: I posted this review on FB and Twitter and this is the response I got from one FB Friend:
«You convinced me. Never did like the quality of their stuff anyway. So they now have lost another customer for life!!»
I hope that’s worth the $ 12 penalty for returning merchandise.

Goodies :)

The store manager must assume that he is above customer service to his customers. This manager is rude to senior elders, people of diverse cultures, and regular customers. All I can say is «boycott» …

The map pushed me to a local neighborhood, but when I found the place it is just what we needed