Harbor Freight Tools
Reviews and Complaints

I recently bought something from Harbor Freight Tools for less than $10. I didn't open the package or damage it in any way, but when I got home, I realized that it wasn't the right size. So, I decided to return it to the store the next day with my receipt in hand. However, I was shocked to find out that they required my name, phone number, and even scanned my driver's license just to process the return. I wasn't informed about any of this when I made the purchase, and the front of the receipt only stated that a receipt was needed for returns.

But, when I looked at the back of the receipt, I found out that they collect driver's license information and might even share it with a third party. I felt like a criminal just for trying to return an unopened item with a receipt in hand! It's really disappointing to see such deceptive practices from a company like Harbor Freight Tools. They refused to give me a refund for an item that I had bought less than a day ago, and it wasn't even my fault that it was the wrong size.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to shop at this junk dealer. They use shady tactics and don't care about their customers. I'm never going back to their store again, and I'll make sure to tell everyone I know about my terrible experience. Hopefully, this will cost them a lot more than the value of the item I bought.

Harbor Freight Tools is a place I visit every now and then to get cheaper tools that are perfect for using around the house. The warranties they offer have always been reasonable and not too expensive. However, I recently found out that they no longer cover their power tools for a full year, but only for 90 days. I spoke to one of the employees and they told me that the warranty plan for 1-2 years is based on an additional cost of 10 or 20 percent. This means that their power tools not only have a worse warranty than big brands, but they also cost almost the same as big brands that have better warranties. For example, I recently got a tool at Lowe's that has a 5-year plan.

Another issue I have with Harbor Freight is that their power tools sometimes do not come with blades, which means that you have to spend more money on the equipment needed for the tool. In the past, Harbor Freight used to be generous with coupons, but now they are more selective about it. They want you to sign up for their credit card and membership plan to get the better deals.

Despite these issues, I still go to Harbor Freight for things like tarps, tie downs, and other items because they still offer decent deals. However, I feel like this place is losing what made it the affordable hardware store it used to be.

I was in need of a paint spray gun and stumbled upon a reasonably priced one on harborfreight.com. I had only heard of them through some YouTube videos, so I decided to take a chance and order about 10 items on October 31st. After waiting for a week and a half, I received my brush cleaning kit, but the other items were nowhere to be found. I checked the tracking number provided for USPS, but it was of no use. I tried to check my account for an order update, but I kept getting an error message. After waiting for two weeks, I decided to call their customer service to see what happened. They told me to wait for 20 business days and call back. I called back after 23 business days, but they still didn't have any updates for me. They told me that since it was shipped through USPS parcel, there was no way to track it. I was frustrated because they had provided me with a fake tracking number. It was odd because the one item I did receive came all the way from the east coast to Hawaii and made it, but the items from California haven't made it yet.

They put in a note for me that if the items hadn't arrived by December 17th, I should call and initiate a refund. I called today on the 17th, and now I'm being told that I can't get a refund until 45 days after the date I ordered on October 31st! This is unacceptable, and I am extremely disappointed with their customer service. I will never order from them again, and I DO NOT recommend this company to anyone. I have to open an investigation now with my bank, and it's just a big hassle. I hope they can improve their customer service and shipping methods in the future.

This store is known for having a lot of sales and promotions, with constant emails, coupons, and codes flooding your inbox. However, the products they offer are often repeated over and over again, with no end in sight. They may mislead you into thinking that it's a closeout or clearance sale, but in reality, these products are standard items in their stores.

The quality of their products is often low, and they tend to break easily. The selection is also limited, making it difficult to find what you need. However, there are a few products that are worth buying.

I recently purchased their kitchen sink auger, but it twisted so badly within 5 minutes of trying to unclog my sink that it was totally useless. I had to go to Home Depot to find a reliable one, as the broken one had to be returned to the manufacturer, not the store, for a refund or exchange. I needed an auger right away, not in 3-4 weeks. It was a waste of time and money, but it taught me a valuable lesson. It's better to buy from a store that backs their products.

I wouldn't recommend Harbor Freight for purchasing your home tool needs unless you're looking to fill someone's stocking with tape measures, screwdrivers, funnels, and other small household essentials. These small items seem to last longer, but that's probably because you won't use them much.

The staff at Harbor Freight are friendly, and some are helpful and knowledgeable. They earn a higher score than the merchandise they offer. Overall, I would say that Harbor Freight is a decent store, but it's not the best option for purchasing high-quality tools.

If I could give zero I would. I recently ordered a toolchest online,us general 72in to match the one I bought 7 months ago.

It was on clearance, new series was coming. Order went through order in possessing.

I wait about a month 21 biss days for ship, I hear nothing so I call first lady says they are looking for a shipper.

So I wait another week hear nothing so I call and get a lady says sorry item is back ordered and may or may not show up from China and my order will be canceled card refunded is there anything else I can do for you she says. Mean while my card was charged the day I made my order and my credit score dropped aswell when they damn well know they don't have the chest. Harbor Freight is the worst

I got it on 5 31 23 took it home install it on a log slitter put oil gas in it then found out not firing call fredericksburg harbor freight associate he said he take care of me I said ok took it back he said he could give me 11 dollars back + another motor I said I sent more than that I gas bring it back. Not counting my time and laber! So talk to manger. Said that all she could do, then she wanted to charge me a restocking fee are you kidding me! The motor was defective. I said give me the motor an forget it not happy if I don't hear anything from u on this I will never buy anything from yawl again

Ill tell all my friends not to ether I have lot of friend. William morris.

An employee of yours has sent me inter office memorandums about your companies employee abortion policy. I would like to speak to someone regarding this unacceptable behavior .It is some sort of twisted, sick retribution against me that needs to be addressed. I filed an official whistleblowers complaint against the company she operates (Four Generations) although she is an employee of Harbor Freight.

Order #[protected]
03/21/2023
[protected]
Harbor freight
Card purchase
Harbor freight
Calabasas ca united states of america
-$56.14
03/24/2023
[protected]
Harbor freight tools
Card purchase
Harbor freight tools
[protected] ca united states of america
-$56.14

Called customer service and was told I need to e-mail this information to them but they gave me a bogus e-mail address ([protected]@harborfreight.com)
Put this information on the customer service page but did not receive any e-mail in return

Several months ago, I purchased a straight line pneumatic sander. I had it for a few weeks before I used it and after using it for a couple of hours the sander stopped working. I went to the local Harbor Freight Store located on East Ave. in Chico Ca. and exchanged it for a new one. There was no indication that if I had a similar problem I would only receive store credit vs. getting my money back. After a few weeks I decided I did not want to chance it that the new would would not have the same issue as the first one I purchased. So, yesterday (3/29/2023) I returned the replacement sander, which I had not used nor did I open the box (it was sealed as it had been when I exchanged for it). I was told company policy is that I can not receive a money refund but was relegated to a store credit in the form of a gift card. I asked that had I returned the first one would I have received my money back I was told yes. I've been a loyal customer for over 25 plus years and know the quality of the HF tools so I know what I get and have never had an issue with a return until now.

This is in Regard to my purchase at Harbor Freight of a6x48” belt sander that I purchased 03/03/23 after picking this item up from the Traverse City store as there was no mail orders advailble I spent 3 hrs assembling it and when I turned on the motor the blew off my breaker. This was with no load on the motor as they didn’t include a belt with this . I called the store which is 50 miles from me to see how to get a replacement motor as they didn’t have anymore of these in stock they gave me a customer service number which I called the woman I talked to said there were no parts for this as it was discontinued?upon talking further she now tells me that it’s a very popular tool and all parts are on back order ? What there’s a big demand for brand new tool parts ? I ask to speak to a supervisor and she told me she would find the parts I needed at there warehouse ,3 weeks later I get a form letter that said sorry no parts available ,come on Harbor Freight you sell tools but no parts ?I even wrote to there CEO Eric Smidt and received no responds . I cancelled my credit card with them and I’ll warn people about there poor customer service and junk tools Terry Walsh

well I was told by co-workers that the calipers were a lifetime warranty.they are not they are only 90 days and my biggest problem was the 12"calipers were damage when I took them out of the package but never had time to return them.I got by by using my 6" calipers and then they started meesing up and lost calibrations so that is when I went to return them and was then told they are only 90 days under warranty.the 12" calipers are kinda pricey.So I will never buy anything there again .I would rather pay a little more and get a much better warranty.I have wrote them twice with no response at all.I have spent a lot of money at Harbor Freight over the years.You would think I would get some kind of response..

I am in Alaska, not remote, near to cities, post offices, UPS, FedEx, etc., But no harbor freight stores.

On 12/27/22 I ordered a 15 piece screwdriver set online, price $27.99, shipping $9.38. It was charged to my credit card.

On 1/9/23 the order status still said processing. I called the customer service number and was told it takes "longer" for a shipment to Alaska. (Sidebar note: it doesn't take longer from any other company!)

1/11/23 I emailed customer service to cancel my order and issue a refund. They replied and said it wasn't possible to cancel it.

3/9/23 I emailed customer service to either send it immediately or cancel the order. They replied that a supervisor will be contacting me in 2-3 days "for clarity." I have not heard from anyone yet.

3/15/23 I sent a nasty email and got an automated response that they will reply as soon as possible. I still have not gotten a reply, or a refund, or a screwdriver set. The order status still says processing.

After driving 75 miles to Kerrville to the store I was informed I was two days early for the sale. They said I was not an inside track club member. I did not have access to the store flyer until I was in the store, only my phone ads. They had to refund my CC payment as I had already checked out before catching the overcharge. Really disappointed in HF. Will try to avoid shopping there if at all possible and will certainly let all my friends know about the unfriendly store policy.

I returned a paint gun priced at 189 dollars. The manger credited my credit card only 165 dollars. Charged me 38 dollars for a restocking fee. Never told me there was a restocking fee charge if I returned the item and did not tell me when I returned it to store. I will never buy anything from harbor freight again. And I will spread this to me friends.

Brought it at the Roanoke Rapids NC store

On March-5-2023 I purchased online a Pittsburg car ramp and an oil change oil container. After purchase was made I never received an e-mail for the receipt /purchase number and tracking number. Do on Monday after No e-mail I opened my account and went into track purchase and to my surprise it said I had not purchased anything. What you charged my card the amount of they items. So I’ve sent 3 customer service requests to find out what is going on with NO RESPONSE FROM HARBOR FREIGHT. So being at my breaking point called my bank, LOVE WELLS FARGO. And after exposing to them what has happened and that harbor freight is not responding to my requests. They refunded me my money and filed a dispute against harbor freight for me. Again have I said HOW MUCH I LOVE WELLS FARGO. Now to I go and buy these items at my local harbor freight or tell them to go BITE ME. And post this to my social media and my 2500+ followers and tell them all to repost and cause harbor freight new customers and maybe loose some old ones too. If this is your business practice to screw your customers I don’t know how you stay in business. Amazon is cheaper with better products and quicker Filiberto time and free if over $60.00

I returned a steel floor jk cross beam on 2/27/2023 @ 9:51 am, tran; 278682 , I had receipt with me, Sales person James run out of paper where code is normally input it at bottom of receipt, It has been five days already and my refund still has not processed for the amount of$74.19, customer #[protected], store #02998, your manager in this Buford store is of no help. She got upset and hang up on me stated it now that it was 3 to 7 days, before it was 3 to 5 days.

12/28/22, store# 651, Item 10 Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter, Inside Track member Price $119.99

I understand supply chain shortages, however, I do not understand other stores within 50 miles having the sale item. My local store is within 3 miles of my home!

Being told I have to drive to another store or order online and pay shipping is unacceptable!

It should be able to ship from one store to another without shipping fee or ordered online without shipping fee. Why pay for Inside Track, if you cannot get the products advertised?!

I understand the policy of paying for a product and waiting for the product to be shipped to the store. The issue is I paid for this product #56604 Black 30in w/Drawer service cart at Grand Island NE store #00673) on 11/28/2022 (Pick up order #[protected]). No notice of this product being shipped so I purchased this same product at the Kearney, NE store. I asked the Grand Island store manager if he could refund my money since I will not be needing the service cart. Grand Island store manager says I will have to wait till the product is received by the store in order to cancel this order. Obviously, I will not need a duplicate service cart. Why can't I as an Inside Track Member have my money refunded when everyone knows I will be canceling this order? Why do I have to wait till this product is shipped to the store? I did purchase this from another Harbor Freight store and will continue to be a Harbor Freight customer. Does Harbor Freight need to hold my money for something that will be eventually refunded?