The Truth About Harbor Freight, ICON Warranty, and Tool Testers 

Nothing in this video was meant to offend anyone and this is not a personal attack this is about a tool company. Nothing more. With that being said what is your experience warranting these new ICON Tools?

I took a 1/4" Icon ratchet in last week, did not ask for any information just gave me a brand new one. (Michigan Store)

Dude if you have a broken ball joint press. Go to the store and purchase another one. Return the broken one on the new receipt. That's the work around I've been doing it for years. Thanks for the video man. Keep up the good work.

I warrantied an Icon 1/2" flex head ratchet and they didn't even want to hear the story. Swapped it out with no proof of purchase and took 3 minutes. So I would say it varies by store.

Very good video. I only have 2 Icon tools. One is the ratchet and it has really been a good one. The other is the metric deep chrome socket set and they fit pretty good but they are noticeably softer than Snap On or even my older Craftsman set. They haven’t broke but at this point I question when they will start rounding bolts off. They haven’t been used on an impact at all and even the 3/8” square drive has wear on them so if they warranty them no big deal just aggravating to have to drive them to the store to exchange them. But honestly they haven’t had that much use on them at all compared to the other sets I have and show much more wear.

I used to be the sales manager for the Boise Idaho store. I am very sorry to hear about your experience with your local store. The policy that I understand (and we ALWAYS honored) was no questions asked period. you bring in a broken tool and we hand you a new one.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I definitely look at the brand differently now. Keep up the good work!

Honestly We need more people like you giving us their honest opinion. Keep up the good work

I’ve heard Snap On is doing the same thing with their tools. You have to show proof of purchase with a tool warranty

You just keep being you and you are gonna be fine. We appreciate the honesty, seriously. Thank you! Great video as always!

Thanks for the video! I appreciate your honest opinion. Thanks for keeping it real. I have purchased a few items because of your recommendations. I have also not purchased some things because of your recommendations. In the past 6 months or so I had to warranty a couple non Icon harbor freight items and they had to look up my phone number before they swapped them out. Before that, in the past they never asked for a phone number.

I bought a lifetime tape measure from Snapon and I still can't return it after it ripped lol

Thank you for your honesty. Rare in this world, I had a suspicion HF was planting reviews. Subscribed.

I know Craftsman is falling out of love, but when I was younger I used to go to garage sales and estate sales and look for broken Craftsman hand tools. I could usually explain to the seller how it was broken and they would sell it really cheap. I could then walk into my local Sears store and get a brand new tool with their lifetime warranty exchange. No receipts, no phone numbers, just Craftsman stamped on the side was good enough! I got several nice tools that way.

Hell Yes, Keeping Real Brian! That’s why I alive your channel. Thanks Bro!

Had a similar experience with a rear caliper wind back tool at harbor freight. Brought in for warranty and was told that mine was the older brand and only had 30 day warranty. Went to home depot and got a roll pin and fixed it myself (after the depot employee who stopped me and asked what I was looking for informed me that they don't sell roll pins, I showed him where they were.)

I said the same thing in my Is Snap on Worth it video. If my Snappy breaks I just get on the truck and he fixes it no questions asked, well all dealers will hassle you and give you a hard time about breaking it while they are fixing it it’s part of the banter that’s fun about the tool truck it’s like a locker room. And BOGO deals on the truck are always good buys, I got my semi deep impact sockets that way. Great video man! Keep em coming

Great video, thank you for your honest opinion. HF is a company they have to sell tools and keep an image so just like any other company they are going to send tools to someone that says positive things only. Hf is not a bad company just like you said great Pittsburgh brand lifetime warranty, and some of the icon are worth buying.

Awesome job!!! I cant agree with more then what you have said!!!! And to be honest is the old adage you get what you pay for! I appreciate you and everything that you do ! stay safe brother love all that you doing ! Keep up the great work!!

Good job don’t stop doing your reviews

I was still waiting on the 3/8 replacement ratchet. So I went into the store and told the manager. She gave me a ratchet plus I got there 1/2 big ratchet for free. And the other one to. As far as the phone number whenever I go purchase something for there they always ask for the number I give it to them and go about my business. What's the big deal about giving them your number. It's not like there are going to call you. As a matter of fact lots of stores do that Lowe's for a fact. me personally have never had a problem with harbor freight. On there bigger equipment you only get a 90 day warranty if I were you I would have tried another store. There manager at the store I go to is always helpful. Never any problem.

Sounds like they got a little butt hurt. They should know, negative feedback can be a good thing!

I am happy with my Icon tools. I have had no issues with any of them including the sockets, that being said I have not used them with an impact gun. I bought the screwdriver set and absolutely love them as much as my snappy ones. I will let you know if I warranty one and my experience with it. Thanks for the video.

Yea this is how youtube works for all “influencers” who don’t have massive audiences

Bough the 1/2 drive icon flex head ratchet about 2 months ago (looks and feels just like the gearwrench ratchet I keep in the back of the work truck) so far I have snapped off the direction slide ( really sticks up compared to my snap-on) and I've stripped out the head on the replacement so on ratchet #3 my snap-on is over four years old and may have been used with a 6ft bar more times than I care to count and have not had to have it rebuilt yet, but when it does die I know I can walk on the truck and have it fixed.

My icon swivel head ratchet broke on a job and some of the parts fell into a black hole I went to harbor freight and they wanted me to mail it somewhere. I was kind of surprised because I thought it was a over the counter return policy with icon. I needed it for work the next day so the manager gave me another off the shelf.

every time I have bought a tool there they tell me if it is a lifetime or 90 day and give me the choice to upgrade it. as long as they are upfront with the terms, we agree to the terms at the time of purchase.... cant be mad or sad later if they hold us to the terms that we agree to at the time of purchase

Good talk and I agree with you on HF and there extended warranty program. That kept me away from some of HF tools. Once I add that into the price I was better off with another line at a big box store. HF will have a place with me but I will pick and choose. Stay safe...Cheers.

I had a recall on jackstands. Went to the store they gave me a gift card for triple the price of what I paid. So I bought a new professional set. And kept the difference..... i think manager was confused..

Tekton appears to have a great warranty. I hope it holds true because I've been buying quite a few of them. SK recently warrantied some tools that I can't even remember how I bought them because they were so old no questions asked

I've seen in many occasions that husky tools also are rejected from being warranted from home Depot stores. I recently also found out snap-on rejects warranty on tools that weren't bought from the original owner. I was going to look into buying new snap-ons and warranty them if they broke but after I found out this news I looked into icon which it looks like is having similar issues like huaky tools. At this point tekton looks like a reasonable brand that I've heard many times is very easy to exchange tools the only problem is it is online but if they are hassle free then that's something to consider.

Their cheap breaker bar my dad bought years ago, before I knew how to turn a wrench, I warrantied out myself, quickest transaction ever.... The other day my 12v compressor broke they swapped it even though it was past the 90 day receipt life... It all depends on the people working there, I'm a regular costumer there maybe that helped, I think your experience will vary from store to store

Damed if you do- Damed if you don't! I WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH YOU! YOU ARE REAL! YOU HAVE INTEGRITY!!! STAY HEALTHY!!

Im proud of you for stating facts.. Good job bro 😊👍👍

You, Justin Dow and Mr. Subaru all 3 of you guys said those ICON sockets were soft metal and showed too much wear too quickly. (Justin Dow did a side by side ICON vs New Lowe's Craftsman and the new Craftsman held up better) >>>>> The Only person who is still touting ICON sockets as being outstanding is the talking bear. (BTW-The talking bear is not a professional tradesman of any sort).

Good video! 👍

I took several Icon items back. They didn't ask me for anything, just had me grab a new one off the shelf and threw the broken one in a basket.

Tekton has a great warranty at a great price for people looking for a bargain

yoo bro keep the vid coming! that protig 205 does have me curious, ive been hard on the tig torch here lately getting my learning on. i had a titanium 200 multi processor and it was reasonably decent my neighbor was blown away, he took that machine and laid some dimes with the scratch start tig.its awesome field welder kinda regret selling the little guy

I like this with Harbor Freight,they email you a copy of the receipt right away if you lose it.I never had a problem with getting a broken tool replaced at Harbor Freight.Had it do it once with a 1/2 drive Pittsburgh Pro ratchet once.Told me get one off the shelf and walked out with a new ratchet

Watch and enjoy your videos because I felt you were honest, stay that way. A company looking for a shill, knows their products have issues, any reputable company would want the honest review of a professional tool user. Any tool user deserves an honest review.

It might be a cool video idea to compare actual published warranty guidelines and compare the guidelines and also compare what actually happens to the guidelines, thanks again for the videos!

Have a safe and healthy brother! .....👍🏼✌🏼🙏🏼👊🏼

I haven't had any problems with my HF tools so far other than an air grinder and I took it in to a store and they replaced it no problem.

According to their policy all of their lifetime warranties are to the original purchaser. I have never been asked for a reciept to exchange a broken tool by them though. I do know that more and more companies are requiring a receipt for replacement. Especially any lifetime tool bought at most auto parts stores. At least Harbor freight keeps your purchases on record so you dont have to keep the receipt and will give you a replacement from the floor.

You definitely shed some light on RU-vid guys with a shiny new “shop”. I’m gonna go into my local HF and ask if they will honor a lifetime warranty on a tool that was gifted to me. I can’t say I know what number if any was used during purchase, knowing my boss....no. If so I might just leave it with them and bite the bullet now instead of whenever it decides to fail on me.

2.5 years using the Pittsburgh pro breaker bar finally broke went to get a new one and they asked for my number and asked how long ago I bought it. Had to wait for the guy to scroll through the computer only took a few minutes. Never have had them do that before on other products

Good video brian

I don't have any Icon stuff but I do have a bunch of Pittsburgh tools that live in my "road boxes" and as stuff that I'm willing to loan out. The reason being that if I lose it, or it doesn't get returned, it's not a big deal. I've never had a problem with any of it-except for a Pittsburgh strap wrench. I broke the handle off and they actually gave me the set of 2 under warranty, rather than being bothered putting the small one on the discount shelf. For stuff that isn't allowed more than 10' outside my shop, it's S-K all the way for me! I was raised on S-K and still have/use many of dads and grandpas old tools!

You do know that if you go to any auto parts store to warranty out a lifetime starter, they'll ask for a phone number. It's how they track purchases. Every single thing I've ever bought from Harbor Freight they ask for my phone number, never once have I argued with them because it's a process.

You’re an authentic guy. That’s just who you are and why we watch your content. Eric from Harbor Freight has shown he’s an authentic guy also. I think your experience was the result of front line people and not that of company as a whole. I keep it real on my channel as well. Stay safe and keep being you brother.

Thanks for your honesty I watched your channel quite a bit before you got into the icon tools and once you started your videos seemed to be about how great icon was and that’s it I was actually surprised to see the video where you pointed out the problems with them I have recently came back to watching your channel again I guess it just shows harbour freight didn’t want a honest opinion on there tools Justin Dow is still pumping the icon and the last few comparison videos he has done seem pretty biased in icons favour and you can tell he spends more time demonstrating icon than the others most people on you tube want a honest review not a boughten one keep up the great videos 👍

It’s sad to here this happened to you, I have been a big HF fan and have a set of icon sockets, I might go back toTekton I hear now they are a great source with a no nonsense warrant process. Never know about the HF in regards to the icon torque wrench could be a local store being picky but hard to say. Keep up the good vids love the channel!

Love the videos, I hear what your saying. I am a DIYer that loves quality tools. Snap on and other tool truck companies make if very difficult for me to warranty a tool if I can’t prove it was purchased from an authorized dealer. I feel this is no different from what happened to you at Harbor Freight. The tool truck cuts you a brake because they know you. Just take it in no questions asked went away with Craftsman. That’s my opinion.

Silly question but here it goes... where did you get your mac tool banner? I have been trying to get one for a few years and never could get it because the mac dealer in my area had some health issues and never came around and we never got anyone else to pick up his slack. Keep it up with the good honest videos!

@Redemption Garage You probably know this but your video has banding climbing vertically if you look at it closely... maybe lighting or frame refresh rate. Good video.

Broke one of there icon snap ring pliers which are excellent by the way. Had a bit of a hassle since they know I am a mechanic by trade. But overall they did exchange it for me.

You can’t tell it like it is anymore people’s feelings gets hurt when they hear the truth..

I have taken some of the icon tools back to be replaced and no questions asked they gave me a brand new one. Dallas Texas!

I buy some tools from autozone. They are pretty good quality and no problem getting warrantied. I think they are made by gearwrench. Between autozone and home depot they do very well. Craftsman warranty is a pain in the ass.

The hardest pill to swallow - honesty

Like that your honest.

Great video. Warranty should be warranty I agree 100% I’ve had the same issue a snap on when I moved to the area where I live now I didn’t the snap on truck said you didn’t buy them from me I don’t have to warrantee them same kind of deal

I have always enjoyed your stuff and your direct no bs presentation is one of the reasons. I have another channel if I want a guy dressed as a bear shilling cheap tools.😆

I returned my 3/8” flexhead ratchet due to recall back in what.......October? STILL haven’t got an answer as to when the new ratchet will be released. No managers in 3 different stores I went to no anything either. You know damn well I saved my reciept. That’s the only thing I warrantied and due to the situation I have them my phone number. As far as their power tools, come on man! A bunch of booty-ass brushed tools with a whopping 90 day warranty? I don’t care what anyone says that’s championship bull crap right there. I have Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Ryobi, Rigid, Bosch, and Craftsman. All have 2-5 year warranties. Thanks Redemption Garage appreciate your real honest feelings here!

Good Job

Your in the right I want honesty not bull shit and I have had problems too with there warranty too your all good in my book keep up the word

Ball joint press had one warrantied by matco a few years ago had my snapon ball joint press warrantied for stiffness in the threads no issue either and had a adapter warrantied through snapon when in mushed and split a little so I'll say the extra cost with full warranty priceless

If you look into the tool trucks warranty it's also in there fine print that warranty is only good for original purchaser

I seen their prices. They are there with Gearwrench and Craftsman. If you have a Menards nearby, their store brand Masterforce is a decent tool brand. I know I won't buy anything from Harbor Freight to use on a hazardous job.

still have yet to invest in any icon tools, but I’m kind of on the fence if they’d be worth my time and money. Granted I only wrench on my own stuff in my free time, but I like to have the best that I can afford. We’ll just see what happens, but in the meantime keep putting your honest feedback out there man and keep up the good work that you do

You should keep doing you, the honest opinion is welcomed and I just subscribed to your channel. After using mostly Snappy products (that were purchased by my employer) as an aircraft mechanic for many years, I'll say my opinion is most of the tools currently available that are lower in cost are also lower in quality. There are exceptions though, and the tool community in general usually covers this topic pretty well. After needing and purchasing tools to work on my personal stuff, I've found that you can get good quality tools for a fraction of the top-quality price. In a non-professional setting, they likely will all last me a long time. I'm not loyal to any brand in particular and usually try to get the best quality tool I can afford at the right price. I've got some Tekton, Sunex, Gear Wrench, USA made Craftsman, DeWalt, Carlyle, Husky, Cobalt, Irwin, and a surprising amount of Harbor Freight tools. We all want to say our 1/2" x 25" breaker bar that was $14.99 at Harbor Freight is as good as any insert your favorite brand here __________ for X times the cost. But, in most cases it's not (and yes I've watched the comparison videos). Before I purchased this tool in particular, I already knew I'd be putting a long steel pipe on the back and standing on it if I needed to break something nearly welded loose. Long story short...when it comes to the cheapest category of tools, even with the smallest amount of research, the DIY'er should know what they are getting, let alone a professional. The biggest mistake of all is thinking one can get the highest quality tool at a place that is known for selling the vast majority of their tools in the lowest tier of cost. This is exactly the concept the HF catalog wants you to believe is possible. Most of their tools also list a comparative brand and then the "savings." I don't expect a great T-bone steak when I go to a burger joint for fast food and we shouldn't expect it in general with tools (setting aside the examples of incredible values we find on a case by case basis). It's really the honest sharing that helps the members of the tool community get the most value for their money. Let's keep it going and thanks again for sharing your opinion.

Had the same problem. It's not like any one else has the tool name of icon what is so hard about that. The snap on guy dosnt give you a bunch of trouble he just gets it done not like harbor freight were they make it a big problem.

I've taken in a broken craftsman ratchet and got a new one free a few years ago no questions asked. This life time warranty sounds more like the life time of the original purchaser. I never give these places my phone number, I don't want them selling my number to solicitors.

That’s why I chose to go with Tekton tools for my last purchase

FWIW I’m trying my hardest to say what I think no matter the consequences. I struggle with this especially with family members

I see where you are coming from but as I honestly don't see a problem as long as if I broke it and they give me a new one right there. I will be pissy if I have to mail it out and all that crap. How do Home DIY guys get tool truck tools without getting them online? Do I have to ambush the Snapon truck at the gas station?

So I used to work for harbor freight they are a decent company to there employees. Now the phone number is what every employee is told to get no matter what it helps track warrantys. Every store is different but at my store we only needed a receipt if you weren't in the system. I warrantied anything that was from HF I didn't care. Now the warrantys you have to buy those are commission based the employees make money on selling but because you bought that it's supposed to be no questions asked.

I just saw that kobalt 24v cordless ratchet at lowes I'd like to see a video of you reviewing that tool and more on the 24v line of kobalt

Sorry for all my comments on your Icon videos. I’m just getting caught up. Thank you for being honest!

I went to warranty a 24 mm icon wrench and they also wanted my number . Not cool

N8ureboy here,Wooooooo! Kudos B! I ain't mad atcha! Im,glad youre standing your ground good sir! In the words of Wildman Walker former WEBN personality Tekton tools forever,Icon hand tools NEVER! LOL

im almost scared to call matco to see if i can get help with my maxme obd2 scanner idk who did it but it got factory reset n i dont have the registration codes anymore .. hopefully its not a paperweight with wifi

I think if your given tools to try out, and you honestly want to maintain a partnership with the company, it's best to not do the review if it's a negative one. I know, it's against your principle, but if you want that relationship to continue you have to balance it out, because their dependant on you to put them in a good light, and you are dependant on them for content. But they are not going to stop you from going out on your own and purchasing the item to do an independant review.

For decades my family had zero issues with Snappy warranty.. but lately, they want proof of original purchase. After spending many 10s of thousands over many many decades with Snappy, they stopped coming by our business. We will be buying Icon, Teckton, and Knipex from other sources... I'm done with Snappy.

I'm not sure about about the icon line but all of HF tools with a lifetime warranty will be exchanged with no questions at my local HF. I've even bought broken ratchets at flea Markey dirt cheap and I've exchanged them for a new ones.

I think that the Icon stuff isn't holding up that well and they are having a high return rate on them. For a Pittsburg socket exchange, it's so cheap that it doesn't cost them much. Frankly I like the Pittsburgh socket and tools. I have great luck with them. I can't see spending that much on Icon. I would rather got with a brand like Carlyle for that money. That's what we all want. I tool that doesn't break often and when it does there is not hassle in getting it replaced. Kind of like Sears used to be back in the day.

Had the same issue with icon ratchet literally broke in 3 days and they were arguing with me about it not a good idea to screw people and I had the box and receipt.

Agree w/ the tool truck warrenty. I have never had any problems or ask my phone #. I buy alot of broke tools second hand and even share that w/ my dealer no problem getting them warrentied, never

Hi Brian, I'm sorry ☹️😔 you had trouble with getting a new ratchet. I haven't bought any ICON because I'm a DIYer, but I have warrantied other items with no problems. Is there a different HF store you can go to?? Sounds like that manager needs a tampon !!!! I am lucky I guess?? I made a point of learning all the Manager's names and know some of the employees too. I am friendly and ask how they've been or about family and then when I get a chance to ask for a discount especially on open box item?? Sunday afternoon and it could be 50% or 75% he thinks to himself.... this guy's a nice happy dude lete make his day a better one !!! As far as the phone # they ask me that question every time I check out. Gives me a electronic receipt. I think you got a manager on a bad day. Good luck my friend. I didn't catch it in the video, did you get new ratchets after the 30 minutes?? Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and videos Rodney

Oddly enough I had an snap on allen set where the ball end broke off. the snap on rep asked for a phone number or account number. I had to have a friend that had an account talk with the rep before it was warrantied.

Good video dude. If you go back to last years videos you will see I was one of the guys that gave you a hard time about the Icon stuff. But I remained subscribed to your channel as I liked your honesty. One of the reasons I am losing respect for Justin Dow and completely unsub's to the Den of fools channel. I have a lot of tools of different brand, and will be the first to admit that Snap On will exhange anything at any time with the least amount of questions. Thats why I keep on buying from them. If HF wont stand behind their Icon range for exchanges, they really kicked their customers in the balls and made fools of them. Keep up the good work dude. 🤘

At my hf they have a number they put in for you if you don’t have a # for warranty

Warranty a 3/8 ratchet with no questions asked. Walked in dropped it on the counter and said I need to warranty this the switch keeps switching when any kinda side load is put on it. They gave me a new one and said have a nice day (harbor freight in Wayne Michigan)

I have had issues with Snap on and Matco not honoring their warranty if you aren't the original owner.

You can warranty snap on if you have an account on the truck if not then maybe snap on will if you send it back not really a lifetime on the tool

Heres my take. I am not a pro, I am a DIY guy, and have mostly Craftsman stuff from 20 years ago, and have no complaints. When working on a car, I want a tool that I have confidence in. If the car, which is my daily driver is on jack stands with parts off of it, I dont want my ratchet or sockets to break and I am stranded until my wife gets home with the second car. Harbor freight may replace them, but if I have no way to get there or it breaks at night and they are closed, I am stuck. Now for a tool where it is for a wood wood working project ir something like that where it does not need to get done right away, no problem. I guess it depends on your needs for that tool. For pros who time is money and need good tools, I would not go HF.

I mean, that sounds exactly like what I've heard Snap-on is like with warranties. They want proof YOU bought the tool.

Well put….

I took a stubby ratchet wrench icon the harbor freight and got a warranty with no problem (Atlanta store)