Do you like to shop at Harbor Freight?

[exitseven]

Even though everything they sell is made in China everything I have read says that most of the stuff they sell is pretty good quality.

[boundless]

I wouldn't say most of the stuff there is great quality. I'd say some of the stuff is good quality for the price ratio and they have a good return policy. The ICON tools for example are decent quality tools for the price, but they are basically stolen intellectual property from Snap-On, Knipex, etc. with an old sears craftsman warranty slapped on them and sold for under market price to compete with the big names. When you skip all the R&D and just steal people's technology you can obviously sell at generic prices... For better or worse that's Harbor Freight... Is it good for the consumer's pocket book short term? Yeah I guess so. Is it bad for long term innovation? Most likely... The companies that innovated loses market share to the technology thieves and thus are not incentivized to innovate as much. The end result is OK tools for OK prices now, but likely not as great of tools as we could of had later.

[Wiredone]

I like the store. I've bought a lot of stuff from there and I never had a problem with anything I bought.

[RandomGirl42]

I've never been to one either and since I would have to travel far to get to one then my immediate answer is no, I don't like shopping there. 😊

[TrueConfection]

I have never been in one of their stores, but they were a supplier of mine years ago. I liked them.

[BonzoInBitburg]

Their stuff is terrible quality. I've bought a roofing nailer and a flooring nailer there and they both cost less than renting but both broke after the first job. If you worked in the trades, their tools might last 2-3 days max but if you're just hanging pictures and assembling Ikea furniture, you're fine.

[WindAtMyBack]

I would not call their stuff high quality. But much of it is good enough for home owners who don't use the tool a lot.

As a professional carpenter, remodeler, and semi-professional mechanic, I would not buy any tools there unless it's something I knew I would very rarely use. Although realistically, now that I'm retired, most tools fall into that category.

I'd rather buy at Walmart. Their Hart brand hand tools aren't bad.

For power tools, I would never buy anything but top brand power tools. If I only needed to use a power tool a couple of times, I'd rent it, not buy a cheap brand... unless I had good reason to think it was decent quality.

[matchrestore]

While they do sell a lot of junk tools, there's also a lot of tools there that are of decent quality for a good price. Also their Apache cases (pelican knockoffs) are very good, and the price is also very good.

[msc545]

I have occasionally purchased a few things there, but the cheap prices make me suspicious of the quality.

[exitseven]

I thoought that too but my son gave me a hammer drill he only used once. I have used it several times and it seems pretty good.

[msc545]

I actually need an air compressor because I'm sick and tired of trying to top up tires at gas stations with crappy pumps. I think they sell air compressors, but again, I'm kinda suspicious of the quality.

[exitseven]

I have a Craftsman. it works good.

[msc545]

Craftsman is a really good brand of tools. Did you actually get a Craftsman tool of some kind at harbor freight?

[exitseven]

No, I got it at Sears maybe 20 years ago. i just used it yesterday Now Craftsman tools are sold in Lowes and Ace hardware

[Apple1996]

Yeah they use to give out free items like flashlights and measuring tapes so id go to get those

[AviatorTom]

I've never shopped at Harbor Freight. Too many other stores, I guess, for me to get what I want at.

[NathanDavis]

I don't think I've ever seen that store but yeah...

90% of everything today does come from China... in parts, or as a whole

[Ariesman81]

The ICON line is actually some good stuff. There was a video of head to head comparison between the ICON and Snap-On torque wrenches. The ICON was more accurate with better repeatability.

[douride2]

I have never heard of the place.

[sage2021]

I've only been there once, but I like it.
I never knew how hard it is to buy a variety box of just plain nails. Went to several stores and finally Harbor Freight had them.🙂

[douride2]

@sage2021 Must be a US only place?

[exitseven]

I am kind of surprised/ The sell tools and other hardware. You would like this place.

[douride2]

Must be in the south.

[lilBigPotato]

never heard of it

[Jeff51]

Yes but I know some things won't last long.

[DrPepper12]

Yeah. They stick hard to find items cheaply.

[Alex-Snow]

Most of it is subpar shit

[Xawyx-2]

There aren't any in here.

[Jmmmfi4]

No---

[Raydergman26]

Yes at times