What They Don't Want You to Know! Insider Secrets and Tips to Shopping at Harbor Freight

Harbor Freight is a great place to buy tools, but let's face it—Harbor Freight can be a confusing mix of coupons, club memberships, and other shopping tactics that can leave you scratching your head wondering if you are getting the best deal. That's where I come in! I reached out to a bunch of current and former Harbor Freight employees to unearth the insider secrets that'll supercharge your next visit to Harbor Freight.

In this video, we'll explore the hidden tips and tricks to make the most of your shopping experience at Harbor Freight. We'll cover everything from coupons, returns, warranties, clearance items, and even some surprising insights about what happens to damaged inventory.

If you want to hear more tips or have any experiences or questions to share, be sure to leave a comment and subscribe to our channel. I appreciate your support, and we'll see you in the next one!

#tools #harborfreight #harborfreighttools

Here is a list of some of the tools that I use in my DIY projects:

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you I may earn a commission. Know that I only recommend products and tools that I’ve personally used and/or believe are genuinely helpful, not because of the modest commission I may receive should you decide to purchase one of them. Most of all, I would never advocate for buying something that you can’t afford or do not need.

[tray]

Hey, ex harbor freight employee here. Everything you said is on point though there are a few things I would like to add. With the clearance items with the purple tags, a lot of those items like you said are being clearanced out. Though we do lower the prices on those items typically every 2 weeks if they haven’t sold to make sure we don’t have stuff piling up back there. Practically everything back there is brand new and was used as displays. In my experience as well you can typically be able to haggle the prices down even lower, though you do need a supervisor or higher to be able to do this. I’d recommend asking logistics supervisors as we tend to just want the Shit gone because it’s annoying to deal with. The orange tags we can’t do anything about, they were all returns and we can’t change the price even if we wanted too because corporate gets really pissy when we do. I’m my experience I don’t touch anything in that table because it more often than not isn’t salvageable. For hand tools about 90% of them have a lifetime warranty on them, we will return or replace them for any reason and when I say any reason I mean ANY. We one had this older gentleman that shopped at my store and I thing he owned and bought a set of every single icon tool we carried. When they were first introduced they all had a matte finish, well we ended up releasing most of the sets later with a glossy finish. I shit you not he brought in every single icon set he had and exchanged them out for all the new ones that had the gloss finish. It took forever but we did do it. We don’t need a return if you are just swapping out hand tools for another set, only if you are trying to outright return the. Also if you have a socket set or a ratchet wrench set for example and one somehow breaks. Just exchange the the entire set instead of just the piece that broke, it’s just easier for everyone if you do it that way. We really don’t like having to deal with a brand new set of tools with one missing piece missing just to toss a purple sticker on it and have to deal with it later. As far as the hand tools go you can’t really go wrong with any of them, all of them I barely see returned. Though if you want the little bit nicer ones I would go with the Quinn but the Pittsburgh usually hold up just as well. The only tools that i would stay away from that you haven’t already brought up are the air tools. I’ve never seen anything returned as much as those, absolute shit. Needlers, grinders, sanders are dog shit don’t get them. They have tried really hard to improve their product lines but the air tools have just been untouched. Great video.

[Bandrik]

Tip suggestion: be polite, friendly, and genuinely likable when interacting with any staff member. This is a good idea in ANY store, but the folks at my local HF are particularly chill, happy people. In return, they give honest advice, tips, and can stretch some of the store policies. Kindness pays for itself~

[valerie]

And, as a current cashier, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to all of you who give us a smile and a friendly conversation when you come through.

I work very hard to make each person feel welcome and happier when they come in. When I get a grump who refuses to be friendly, it saps so much out of me. But those of you who smile back - you make ALL the difference!

[highlandermachineworks]

Back in time before y2k. I worked in a store that sold tools and other chinese chit. They also sold real tools like Starrett, Ingersoll Rand, Cp, and many other high quality American made tools. Some European tools as well.
Some of the low end brands were MiT, Grip, Puma, and King.
Being paid around $7/hour and training to become a machinist I couldn't get much. My precision tools were all High end. Where it counts. So after, I blew most of my pay on Starrett and other high end stuff I was basically broke. So when it came down to the air tools and hand tools i was only buying cheap stuff.
I used to combine returned stuff in the basement of the store to be able to buy it at a discount. Like all my 6 ton jack stands, 3 ton hydraulic jacks, socket sets, and other tools.
Today I still have many of them.
I can say with absolute certainty that the 1/2" drive impact sockets from china are nearly bulletproof. I've removed thousands of rusted on bolts from 1/4" up to 2-1/2" and in that time ive only broken a half a dozen or so impact sockets. Meanwhile I killed 2 snapon, 3 china no name, one Mit and soon I'll be done with a Matco 1/2" impact wrenches/guns. I'm hard on tools because I don't have time to play around.
If you want quality that you don't want to return/exchange on a regular basis, Taiwan or better is the way to go for most everything. Ill list out how I have seen it since the early 90's.
Worst to best
1.India Pakistan Indonesia vietnam hongkong
2. china
3. Taiwan
4. Japan
5. Canada
6. Mexico
7. Germany
8. Poland sweden france spain Italy Switzerland
9. Japan
10. USA
I could go on and break it down further. And many of the listed countries could swap spots depending on product type. Like Pakistan makes really good stainless products. But their cast iron or aluminum products are terrible.
China makes good impact sockets. But most everything else is mediocre.
Unfortunately here in the USA we take too much pride in making tools. So we can't compete with the chinese crap. Even our lowest end steels are better than most top end steel from china. We priced ourselves out of the market. That and the re**rded environmentally ill protection agency is ruining American manufacturing with their over zealous laws based on fudged numbers and propaganda.
I may do a side by side video of tools that have lasted me many decades and those that don't. Give me time because it takes a lot to do a decent job of it. Again as a machinist, mechanic, welder, fabricatior, inventor, and excavation equipment owner I don't know everything, but i do know tools. I've got thousands of them. And I'm 💯% not brand loyal.
I just expect quality.
LAST
Be very wary of anything with these phrases or words:
Heavy duty
High strength
Industrial quality
Industrial strength
Super
Aircraft strength
Aircraft grade
Military grade
Military secret
Designed in USA
German engineering
Swiss design
Patent pending
As seen on tv
Lifetime warranty
Commercial grade

And one last thing "dinosaur brands" ie. Rockwell

[MasterRoad]

One thing I can say about Harbor Freight is that you have to remember that the people who work there are people. Treating them right can make a world of difference. I'm always friendly with them when I go in for something and often joke with them (When our local store first opened I went in to see what they had, one associate asked if I needed help finding anything. I decided to have some fun... I asked where the pipe stretchers were. She didn't catch it and asked over the radio for a pipe stretcher. The manager heard this and decided to sit back and watch. This is where it got good... almost all of the employees were looking for a pipe stretcher before I broke and told the little gal to think about it... how do you stretch a pipe? It got a good laugh all around and i built a rapport with the employees there where we would joke around as friends when I went in. A few years ago when HF discontinued the big 60 gallon upright compressors they had the floor model marked down gradually from $999.99 to $599. I asked the manager, whom I'd gotten to know as I was a regular, how long he'd have to look at it before they had some room to work. (I'd already gone down with my trailer intending to buy it anyway). He said, let's take a look. He looked at the tag and asked if I'd do $300. Before I could answer, he offered to extend my ITC by another year. Needless to say, I was all over that and when the employees were helping me get it loaded and secured on my trailer he came out with a package of ratchet straps (on the house) and told the employees to make sure it was strapped down well and wouldn't go anywhere. I'm sure that the fact that I have spent a lot there helped too (I've bought a couple of the big toolboxes and a lot of tools to fill them), but I attribute a good share of it to my taking the time to be nice when I am in there.

Another time I was getting ready to buy a floor jack and an employee told me not to buy it unless I really needed it right then. He then went on to tell me that it was going on sale in two days and I could save on it then. I chose to wait and thanked him. When I went back to buy it, he even took it out to my pickup and loaded it for me.

Don't hesitate to ask the employees thoughts on a tool and tell them what you're wanting it for either. They don't work on commission so they aren't going to try to push one tool over another. They know what comes back most and won't steer you to something you'll have problems with. They generally aren't experts, but they normally are willing to help you in making a decision.

These are just a couple of examples of the great service I have gotten there (Including a very thoughtful card from the entire store staff when they found out I was fighting cancer... thanks guys, that meant more than I can possibly say). My point is though, remember that the employees there are people. They have good days and bad days too. It costs nothing to be nice and not have an attitude with them and make their day a little brighter and if you treat them right, they will do all they can to make your experience with the store a great one. It costs $6 to get a box of donuts where I live. I've dropped a couple of boxes off over time for their break room. Just general being nice on my part. That sort of thoughtfulness can go a long ways towards making their day a little brighter and if you can't afford a couple of bucks for a box of donuts, you really shouldn't be buying a bunch of new tools anyway.

[crooked-halo]

As an aircraft structures & sheet metal mechanic, I normally want higher quality tools than what Harbor Freight offers. However, there's something about Harbor Freight that's addicting. When I go in, I _want_ to buy stuff, often stuff I'll never use! Maybe I'm a tool enthusiast? But Lowes tool section doesn't do this to me, or Home Depot, Northern Tools, not even aviation-specific stores like The Yard or Brown Tools have this effect. I've pondered this feeling I get at Harbor Freight but haven't figured it out. I think they have some secret going on that makes people want to empty their wallets there!

[leahrowe]

I've found HF employees to be awesome. I needed to make a huge purchase from areas all over the store during the pandemic, & the employees were great, helping me find each item, getting them up to the register, making sure I had coupons, getting stuff out to the vehicle & loaded, etc~ just everything! As a disabled person, who'd never been there before, they made it the greatest experience ever & earned my loyalty, not to mention the products have been great... Kudos HF!

[rickwoodham]

1, the purple tags are open box items and orange is clearance items.
2, Warranty - I have a lot of the Hercules 20V Brushless tools, including the reciprocating saw. (The Hercules Brushless have a 5 year warranty) After 5 months of using the saw hard, cutting steal oil tanks everyday, mine started making squealing noise & not cutting right. I stop by HF on my way home, put the see on the counter, asked for a warranty exchange. Clerk asked for my phone #, found the receipt, & told me to grab a new one from the shelf, scanned it, had me sign the warranty receipt, and put the door i went. All in less than 5 minutes, never even asked why.

[Brett_Gill]

I went to my local store and looking in the open/returned items, there was a Maddox wheel bearing press kit(complete). It was marked from $140(or so) down to $95 for being used. I seen the manager and I asked her, "are them prices set in stone, or are you open to offers?" She ask what I was thinking. I said "I'll give you $80 for that bearing press kit." She said "take it" without even giving it any thought...

[Vixened]

Former employee here, best time to check the dumpsters is if you can find a new store that's opening, we literally threw out tons of useful accessories and hardware for the floor model displays!! Always be sure to check local laws, never climb inside a dumpster, and never touch one's that are locked or behind a gate even if it's left open. Honesty is usually appreciated, getting the owners approval and rules goes along way, as well as cleaning up after your done. DON'T LEAVE A MESS BEHIND IT'S DISRESPECTFUL AND RUINS OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS!!

[thedizzydj]

Former employee here, great tips and all legit! If I may add my 2 cents to this it would be: Dumpster diving is fine, but wait until after the dumpster has been emptied, we would toss stuff the next day so over the next week it would be covered up with actual trash to discourage dumpster diving. The extended warrantee is most defiantly worth it on heavily used or abused items such as the mid/upper tier hand tools, jacks, pneumatic tools, etc...If you know it will get beat up, get the warrantee. The purple tagged items are usually discontinued items and are incrementally marked down, meaning they are scanned once a month and may be marked down. If you see one have a cashier scan the price, it may be lower than what the tag says.

[stanellis]

Part 2 please! I became a hater when the coupons went away and thought they were crazy to do so, but they proved me wrong. I now actually love them and go more often.

[MagaRickn]

A lot of years ago, we had a house fire. I lost every tool I ever owned! So for about 20 years, I just did not mess with my vehicles. But, since Harbor Freight came to town, I got my old 56 Chevy out of the pasture, built a shop with a lift and have stocked it to the brim with HF tools!! THank you HF! If it were not for you, I would not be able to afford to restore my old car. :) :)

[vibesmom]

Great tips here! I had such a good experience at Harbor Freight today. I’m a member and shop there all the time. Today I went in for a rolling tool bench that had been on sale. No one in Western MA or Connecticut had this item. I was so bummed because I really needed this and it was pretty much all I could afford.

The cashier said she could look up within 100 mi on her computer and found 1 . She called the store, and they saved it for me and I drove two hours down to get it. When I got down there they had my name on it and they were ready to load it in my car.

Both stores were so over the top nice, I just wanted to shout out East Springfield and Saugus MA stores.

[stuartmarkman]

As a retired person I try too save money on everything I buy, and I have been aa Harbor Freight customer for years. I have never had a tool break and I don't buy their best just their regular tools. I have a mig welder that cost just 129.00 and it is great too have in the shop to repair my yard tools and equipment. Don't underestimate their quality.

[ybloodyangely]

If you are signed up with your phone number at Harbor Freight and give them the number every time you check out, you would not need your receipt to do a return, they can look up purchases from your phone number.

[cdy]

Back about 10 years ago I went to harbor freight and was looking at an open box 21 gallon air compressor. They had it marked $110 down from $150 but they wanted me to take it bad and offered it for $55. I still use it all the time and has served me well.

[clydedrive]

Dave thanks for the tips and thanks for just giving the No stupid jokes, no satire no stupid memes just a great run down. You had a lot in there so anything in part 2 would be a must watch. I appreciate you making this with so much info. Worth the time to watch. THANK YOU!!!!

[frankdivincenti]

I agree with you! If you are a construction person or use your tools for a living, perhaps stay clear of some HR items. Example: I bought a HF reciprocating saw in 2010 for $17 to keep at the deer camp. It is used like maybe 40Xs per year to cut through pelvic bones, limbs and necks. Today 2024, still a charm with same blade. I know for sure if we used it daily to cut through 2 X 4"s it would not be alive today. For your average DYI, HF is the way to go but do not complain. I once needed a concrete hammer drill to drive some anchors for home project. HF product was working but it was a struggle. My neighbor heard the cursing and came over with his high end tool. It was like busting butter. So easy. There was or more expensive Impact drills from HF but I picked the cheapest one. The drill I purchased is fine going into mortar. Concrete was a struggle. Hand tools, grinding tools, cut off wheels and cut off machines are awesome from HF. As you said, careful on the power tools and do not complain.

[kenfrutiger]

I purchased a roll pin set about 6 months ago. I finally needed a 5/16" x 2" roll pin so I got out my set, found the 5/16" inserted the roll pin in the hole and it fell straight through onto the ground! I got my calipers and measured all the 5/16" roll pins. They averaged .303" to .306" diameter, 5/16" is .3125" and they should have been approximately. 010" over .3125" or .3225" diameter max! The manager said I needed to call the corporate office myself because the corporate office didn't listed to employees, only to customers!