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Old 12-12-2020, 10:01 PM   #1
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Has Harbor Freight jumped the shark?

Has Harbor Frieght Tools jumped the shark?

I have noticed changes...retiring yellow flyer, no 20% off coupon, no free stuff, better deals elsewhere, less friendly staff, bigger overhead...is anyone else noticing a trend that feels like the end of Harbor Freight Tools?

I just went today and hey were bragging about a 15% off on everything coupon. Turns out it was the same old 20% off coupon..but now only 15%

Is this just me?

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Old 12-12-2020, 10:22 PM   #2
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You get what you pay for. Up here we have Princess Auto. Some of their pro point tools are well mad but expensive. The demise of Sears and Craftsman being a bargain brand at Lowes leaves me with a Canadian Exckusive. Canadian Tire Matercraft on sale often are decent tools to supplement my Craftsman sets.
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Old 12-12-2020, 10:29 PM   #3
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Probably a California thing due to the astronomical cost of doing business out there. I printed out some of the 20% coupons this morning to use at a brand new HF that opened about seven miles from my house. Seemed to be a normal HF with no changes that I could see.

I even got a free pack of micro fiber cleaning cloths because I was the first one to bring a dog in while I shopped.
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Old 12-12-2020, 10:47 PM   #4
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I'm steadily receiving coupons from Harbor Freight, usually by e-mail, occasionally regular mail. A few months ago I bought 2 of the 2,000 watt Predator generators with coupons below the usual sale price (I bought one and my wife bought one). Last week I bought their 100 watt solar panel kit with a 25% off coupon, which was $25 below the currently advertised sale price.
I currently have the 15% off coupon, but don't need anything else right now.
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Old 12-12-2020, 11:32 PM   #5
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If its like a lot of businesses they are struggling with only being allowed to have a limited capacity in their stores and shorter hours. I don't know if they have any kind of online ordering or if they are doing curbside pickups.

I haven't been to my local HF in many months.
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Old 12-13-2020, 11:09 AM   #6
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Has Harbor Frieght jumped the shark?

Yesterday Bought the 16” tool bag on sale for $9.95 - compare to $59.95 at Lowe’s.
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Old 12-13-2020, 11:28 AM   #7
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They do not have appeared to have jumped the shark. Actually the 15% off coupon currently showing on the HF web site on 13-Dec-2020 is in many ways better than the commonly seen 20% off coupon. Supposedly, the 15% coupon can be used on everything, whereas the common 20% coupon usually excluded compressors, floor jacks, safes, trailers, welders, power stations, and a lot of other items and brands.

https://www.harborfreight.com/online...ewide_dec15off
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Old 12-13-2020, 12:27 PM   #8
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I'm in that dreaded state of California and we still receive our mailer coupons and 20% off. Did not notice anything free this time.
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Old 12-13-2020, 12:55 PM   #9
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Not the same ol store it was a year ago here in the Mid West,
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Old 12-13-2020, 01:25 PM   #10
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I probably started shopping HF 20 or more years ago, when the nearest one was 90 minute drive from me. Fortunately I am at an age that 95% of most tools I ever wanted I already own. They want me to get into the Inside Track Club or get the credit card for additional discounts, and I tell them they are 10 years too late for my interest in those perks. They finally opened a store within 5 miles from me. I am in the getting rid of stuff phase of life. Their newest coupons require a lot of reading of awfully small print to find the "GOTCHA" language. I still do like to stroll the store on occasion looking for that bargain I cannot pass up, but not many of those anymore.
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Old 12-13-2020, 01:26 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B and B View Post
You get what you pay for. Up here we have Princess Auto. Some of their pro point tools are well mad but expensive. The demise of Sears and Craftsman being a bargain brand at Lowes leaves me with a Canadian Exckusive. Canadian Tire Matercraft on sale often are decent tools to supplement my Craftsman sets.
yes PA is some what like HT...You must look at the product very careful and then compare with Canadian Tire Corp.................HT always had the same old stuff "free" with coupon and discount only was on certain items as always.....My days of shopping at HT are over!!!!..Will not be returning to Fl in the future!!!!!...They did not handle this epidemic very well!!!
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Old 12-13-2020, 01:31 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BajaFog View Post
Yesterday Bought the 16” tool bag on sale for $9.95 - compare to $59.95 at Lowe’s.
$59.95 at Lowe’s. Is definitely over priced then.
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Old 12-13-2020, 01:39 PM   #13
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I have LEO family in California and I've heard from them that many business owners both small and big are leaving because of high cost of doing business or closing because of no business due to COVID. That leaves less competition and discounts go away and prices go up.
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Old 12-13-2020, 01:43 PM   #14
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Current flyer:
https://go.harborfreight.com/20-percent-off-coupons/
Includes 20% coupon for regularly priced items.

More coupons:
https://coupons.thedailybeast.com/co...harbor-freight

For good measure:
https://www.harborfreight.com/savings_coupons.html

There's been a 20% coupon in every issue of Trailer Life.

Someone else on here is fond of saying, search is your friend. Google sent me to these.

If you shop wisely at HF, the deals are great, and the products are decent. I bought a floor standing drill press there. I bought air tool accessories there. I am reluctant to buy battery powered tools or cutting tools there. Bits, blades and so on must be top quality. But the motors that drive them are far less crucial. My saw blades cost as much as the saw. My drill bits cost as much as the drill. Shop wisely at HF, say buying an inverter generator, and you'll be happy with the product/price value.
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Old 12-13-2020, 01:46 PM   #15
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We are going to see all sorts of changes in business practices due to Covid fall out. I'm just happy they still have their store/internet sites open!!!
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Old 12-13-2020, 02:19 PM   #16
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If you think Harbor has changed and own a home in Calif., check the current value of your home on Zillow. Make sure you do not have a gun or knife near by.
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Old 12-13-2020, 02:29 PM   #17
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Harbor Freight

I have noticed the same, but it really started a few years ago...with 1 or 2 brand exclusions to the coupons, now they exclude just about all of the "Harbor Freight" supposed name brands.
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Old 12-13-2020, 02:30 PM   #18
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I was looking at their 20 gal air compressor for $165.00, no one has one;o( in stock soon it says, sale will be over before soon.
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Old 12-13-2020, 02:46 PM   #19
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I’m right there with you
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Old 12-13-2020, 03:44 PM   #20
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It seems that their new "higher-quality" lines like Bauer and Hercules are squeezing out the old lines like Pittsburgh and Chicago Electric. Even the inexpensive Recip-saw blades are disappearing in favor of more expensive ones.

Sometimes you want a cheap blade because you know it will be destroyed, e.g., cutting roots in soil, or cutting a cast-iron soil stack that's been in use for 50 years or cutting rebar.

The coupons for free voltmeter/flashlight/etc. disappeared with COVID. I thought it was part of a campaign to encourage mail order and discourage shopping in the store.
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