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Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools review: misleading advertising 9

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Author of the review
4:56 pm EST
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Runs ads in several major magazines for 20% off ant single item in our store. Ads says you may use on any of our 7000 items in stock. However, when you get there they say it is a mistake and you cannot use on compressors, tool boxes, welders, generators or any air tools. This eliminates about 30% of there 7000 items. Would not offer any help other than call our corp. #. Says the change in policy happened Nov. 1, 2010, however, My coupons came out of a december 2010 Camaro Performers Mag. ad. So, they know there ads are wrong and they continue to let them run, there for misleading people and driving them into the stores. Never again will I make that mistake.

Update by mt in houston
Dec 02, 2010 7:26 pm EST

ISSUE IS IF YOU CHANGE YOUR POLICY YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR AD.
AD CLEARLY READS "COME SEE FOR YOURSELF AT ONE OF OUR 330 STORES NATIONWIDE AND USE THIS 20% OFF COUPON ON ANY OF OUR 7, 000 PRODUCTS. WE STOCK SHOP EQUIPMENT, HAND TOOLS, TARPS, COMPRESSORS, AIR TOOLS MATERIAL HANDLING, WELDERS, TOOL BOXES, GENERATORS AND MUCH MORE." HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING 30 MINUTES TO GET THERE, THEN 30 MINUTES OF SHOPPING, THEY THEN SAY "SORRY WE NO LONGER HONOR COUPONS ON COMPRESSORS, WELDERS, MATERIAL HANDLING, TOOL BOXES AND GENERATORS", THEN GIVE YOU A 1-800 NUMBER THAT HAS VOICEMAIL WITH A MESSAGE THAT THEY WILL CALL YOU BACK WITHIN ONE DAY( HAS NOT HAPPENED YET).
THEY SHOULD PULL ADS BUT INSTEAD CONTINUE TO RUN EXACT SAME AD WITH NO CHANGES. TOTAL WASTE OF TIME, I JUST FEEL LIKE EVERYONE SHOULD NO WHAT TYPE OF COMPANY THEY RUN. IF THEY DON'T HONOR ADS, HOW DO YOU KNOW THEY WILL HONOR WARRANTY?

9 comments
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Benny Helms
, US
Jun 17, 2022 4:16 pm EDT

I wonder if harbor freight could be sued for false advertising every time they give a discount the discount cannot be used on most of their stuff I have never been so disappointed

https://go.harborfreight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/179892_92765859.png?w=305

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Victim 2010
, US
Nov 26, 2012 5:23 am EST

Just ordered $0 worth of HB stuff with 800#. Rep assured me I could apply all my different Z20% off coupons. Got innvioce and they only applied it once, cheating me out of $13.00.

So now LISTEN HARBOR FRIGHT ### ###ING ###S: i am telling EVERYONE I KNOW ONLINE to never buy from your china crap company, and I am returning everything to your GD store, AND I will NEVER buy from you again. Real smart, huh dirtbags? I am gonna cost your company many thousands of dollars in lost sales with my online posts and emails!

Enjoy! ###ing IDIOTS! Off I go a posting and emailing all about the HF SCAM...

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dyeager535
Roy, US
Dec 30, 2011 11:38 pm EST

Already had the runaround with them regarding a plasma cutter. Won't honor coupon, although coupon plainly exempts WELDERS from sales. Contacted store, contacted corporate, will not honor coupon even with mention of notifying BBB and State Attorney General, since a plasma CUTTER is not, nor has ever been, a welder. Told them to change the ad if that's what they mean...two months later, same wording in ad.

Received promise (via chain of email with various HF reps, it's in writing) that they will give me value of 20% off coupon once I prove purchase (I pay $600 for cutter, they will give me store credit for $120). Will wait to see if they honor that agreement before I go to the BBB/AG. If I'm going to report them, it will be for the misleading coupons at a minimum, they aren't going to buy me, even if they somewhat comp me for my time with the store credit. They are still getting my money they otherwise wouldn't, I hope they are surprised when the BBB and AG hear about it.

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Irked in Penna
Pittsburgh, US
Apr 10, 2011 10:55 pm EDT

Tried to use a $4.99 coupon for trickled down charger on line and 20% off on a tool box. Put both items in my shopping cart. Entered coupon codes and the discounts were taken off. Was charged $7.99 shipping which was okay. Two days later received email that the $4.99 charger was out of stock and that portion of the order was canceled and $4.99 refunded (but not the shipping). I called customer service to cancel entire order and was told too late, toolbox already shipped. Received toolbox 3 days later. OK, decided to keep it as it was a pretty nice one. Went to website to leave feedback and saw the trickled down charger list as available and in stock. I called customer service and told them I wanted it at the $4.99 price. After 10 minutes they did honor the coupon and began processing the order. All was fine, right? No. The order operator told me that I would have to pay $7.99 shipping. I informed her that I had already paid shipping on the original order, that they arbitrarily canceled the charger when they did in fact have the charger in stock, but she said it didn't matter, this was a new order and I had to pay. She let slip that Harbor Freight's computer system does in fact cancel shipment of sales items under $10.00 then relists them at original prices. They will honor the sales price if you call, then make up the lost $$ by inflating the shipping. I no longer will shop Harbor Freight nor will my family (who has spent considerable money there over the years.)

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hfwelder151
Elizabethtown, US
Feb 05, 2011 2:53 pm EST

Same story I drove 45 miles to my nearest harbor freight to buy a 151 Mig Welder which was on sale for $199 with my 20% off coupon I was expecting to pay about $160. Got to register and my coupon which said nothing about not being valid for welders would not scan and the cashier pointed out a printout which had " coupon corrections " and said that my coupon would not work for my welder. I understand that they can change their policy however they should have to honor the coupons that are "out there" without stipulation until they expire and not try to change horses in the middle of the stream!

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hydrosolutions
Boynton Beach, US
Feb 01, 2011 6:32 pm EST

I totally agree with the above complaint, today I went to purchase a $799.99 tool cabinet from them and was told the same thing! My coupon which is valid until 02/07/11 does not state this anywhere on it, did notice that the new coupons now state these stipulations! I will also be filing a complaint with the BBB and CPA!

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HFSUCKS
kentcuy, US
Jan 29, 2011 1:40 am EST

Same here. took my 20% off coupon that expires 2/25/11 to HF to buy a stud welder. this newer coupon says nothing about not valid on welders but still the same story "we can't honor that coupon on that item." they told me there are signs around the welding stuff. The coupon has nothing on it that tells me in store signs trump this coupon. is this legal?

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kiefer805
Ventura, US
Dec 30, 2010 9:11 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Harbor Freight continues to put full page advertisements out and emails stating that "the 20% off coupon can be used on any one single item" in their stores. My friends that is a classic "bait and switch" technique that is being used by the "new HF". It is is illegal and they must honor the coupons that they've put out and continue to put out. I would recommend filing a complaint with your local district attorney's office and/or consumer protection agencies. Unfortunately, the son Eric is running this business into the ground and doesn't care about customer service or his employees like his father did.

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ajmtony
Friendsville, US
Dec 15, 2010 12:54 am EST

12/13/10 … 20% off coupon. Any item but air compressors. Expires 1/23/2011. Drove 60 miles (one way) to HF store (Scranton, Pa.) Wanted to buy a “dent stud welder tool” Got to register, would not honor coupon, store manager “we changed our policy”! Called HF headquarters talked with customer service rep., the depart manager, was given phone # of the “advertisement headquarters” talked with them, was told “that’s our policy”.
Over 30+ years have bought many thousands of dollars from HF and have been generally happy.
But this must be the “new” money hungry, customer be damned, HF.
Never will I recommend or buy from again!