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

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!

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.

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.

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...

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~

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!

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.

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. :) :)

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!

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.

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.

Go ahead and make the part 2. I learned a lot from part 1.

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.

Dave thanks for the tips and thanks for just giving the facts!!!!! 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!!!!

Thank you Sr. Very useful info. No trashy graphics or crazy effects or any of the Photoshop madness: just 100% useful info. Great! Thank you! Thumbs up 👍🏻 !

Big fan of HF. One tip I have is to go online and before buying something read all the reviews on what you are buying. I have found them to be more "genuine" as opposed to companies like Amazon reviews. Something else is when I get home I always scan my receipts and put them in a file.

Dave, I like your style, direct, to the point in a great easygoing style. Many RU-vidrs could learn from you. Yes I would love to see part 2. Keep up the good work!

I am a wood worker. I don't work on my own cars, ever. About four years ago, I joined the ITC club for a year, however, most of the ITC discounts applied to auto work or metal work tools and I never bought enough wood working related products to recover my ITC membership fee. So now I just use coupons. I really am impressed by the Hercules line and will stick to those when possible. This was a great video and has terrific information worth saving.

I'm a manager for HF. I have never had a machete returned honestly. The biggest retuned item is the cen-tech 2/10/50 amp charger BY FAR.. We get a decent amount of the Portland pressure washers as well. Generators and compressors come back regularly as well but it's mainly construction companies that use them 24/7 and just get a warranty and new replacement over and over. Open box items(purple sticky labels) are not clearance items. Orange price tags are Clearance items. Not all stores are "As is" stores and don't get refurb as is items. 95% of our returned items get sent back. Small low cost items get "disposed". Car canopies are dispose as well. Tool boxes that are damaged get Open boxed. We never throw away a damaged tool box. Also a big thing people don't understand is the warranties are a ONE TIME replacement not over and over as many times as you like for the 1-2 years. Last thing. We can not control open box prices. They print automatically and we can not adjust them. I understand some items like extensions missing 3 pieces should be marked down more than what they are priced at. It can't be marked down more until 14 days later and again its a price we can't edit. We will haggle on the price though just ask a supervisor/manager. :)

Definitely would be interested in a part 2!!! Great informative video thank you!!!

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.

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.

Excellent, Dave! Yes, please keep the tips coming on this subject.

Haven't bought a ton of stuff from HF. But every time I've gone in over the years the employees have been helpful. And I usually find something else I need. Thank you for the tips!

You have to be older to know this, but HF started out as a liquidator of damaged and distressed merchandise coming off West Coast ships from Asia. They eventually concentrated more on machinery and tools, but their biggest boost was the sourcing of regular tool lines just when Sears went away. Their early reputation was tarnished by offering whatever China made for them, but now they're big enough to commission their own lines and specs. The limited quality in the lower lines is deliberate. Long ago Black and Decker did a survey and found the average homeowner uses a drill for a total of 20 minutes over their lifetime. That's when B&D went plastic everything.

Great video Dave. Side tip: allow them to email you your receipts that way they are just a search away. And as for the dumpsters - yes it is a thing - I returned a green house because the plastic was so thin it would have blown away even put up where I live - but I watched them roll it into the dumpster - box and all. (no I didn't even think of going back for it)

Yes !!! Definitely would love a part 2 .

All excellent, helpful, info. Glad that you took the time to interview resources available to you...past employees. Thanks!

On the dumpster diving issue.. I have on many, many occassions, checked my local HF dumpster and yielded a LOT of good items which worked fine and I think were victims of the "rental tool" scenario where someone bought the item, used it, brought it back claiming "it didn't work" and got their money back. Fuel Pressure test tool, wooden workbench, jewelers toolbox, Diesel fuel pressure test kit, shop presses, dollies, liquid siphoning tool, complete tap and die sets, (same dive, got metric AND SAE versions) and the list goes on and on. Things have been slim pickings lately, but I suspect that is just because so many people check the dumpster! Most definately have gotten thousands of dollars of stuff from their dumpster.

Are you in a home depot giving a review on harbor freight? 😂😂

Thanks for the updates

Great video. Learned a lot and you were very informative. Ty for sharing

Very precise and helpful. I will feel 100% more empowered the next time I shop HF. Thanks so much for getting the background information from former/current employees. The clear pictures of the pricing and coupons are great. I would love to hear more of the tips you have.

Good job. Very helpful information and so refreshing to find a tool guy who just gets to the point and delivers the information without trying to act cute or crack stupid jokes. I'm going to check out your other videos just for that reason alone! Please do make a part 2!

An employee actually told me that I could use a saws all and bring it back no questions asked after he only could find one rechargeable. I had zero intention on doing that but it's nice to know. I may not use the tool often (Why I wanted HF to start with) but when I need one, I need one. Very useful information Dave. Thank you!

Would love to see a part 2 . I love harbor freight and recently found out that the managers have the power to offer you items returned or sold as is at a lot lower of a price. And I love the track membership. They always tell me things like “ oh come in this weekend because of your membership status you can just walk in and get this, this or even this! No purchase required. What other stores do that ? Just happened onto your video . I loved it ! Was not overly long but full of helpful tips . Thanks 👍

The amount of research for this video is absolutely incredible. Respect. Much appreciated. Subd!

As your newest subscriber, as of this moment. I appreciated this video on Harbor Freight. They’ve certainly improved dramatically on their quality of the past few years. Hard to beat their prices. Inside track club is definitely worth it in my opinion. Paid for itself in 3 visits to the store. Plus I’ve acquired enough free buckets that everyone is getting one for Christmas!! Thanks for the video and would love to see more

Thank you, Dave, for a very comprehensive and informative video. One of my biggest resources for best pricing is the Harbor Freight cashier. They do their best to get me the best deal, and are usually super friendly. Looking forward to part two…

This was a very informative video. I didn’t know most of these tips

My son has two storage lockers full of dumpster diving treasure. Alot of it from Harbor Freight. They were the place that got him hooked on dumpster diving. I cant get him to stop!

GREAT content and tips. I would like to see a Part Two very much. Thank you for your efforts in providing the content that you do!

Great video Dave! I have definitely learned a lot and plan to be more strategic when shopping there. Thanks!

Good info... definitely want to see part 2.

Sears tools craftsman closing down changed a lot

Yes! Part 2 would be great. I'm a big HF fan, especially since they just built a brand new store 15 minutes from my house, and I'm learning new things through your video.

Great Video! Everything I always wanted to know about Harbor Freight! Thank you.

Well done, informative, interesting, thanks

I’ve gotten tons of freebies from the dumpster that had little to nothing wrong with them. I always check the dumpster on every visit!!

I have bought two air compressors from Harbor Freight both are portable units that are capable to air up semi truck tires without any problems at all both of these compressors are over 4 years old and work great .

This video KILLED! Great work!

Great inside information!!! Feel free to share more please. And YES for part 2! Thanks

Really good tips man! I love going to HF and searching for deals. You earned a new subscriber 😊 looking forward to part 2!

This was a great video, I'm looking forward to part 2!!! Just found this channel and plan to go through your video list, outstanding presentation!

Yeah, part 2 please, good stuff, bro.

Yes please do part 2 would very much appreciate it good job on part 1. Thank you sir awesome info😊

I think their “thin” tarps are great. They make great “wheelbarrows” for leaves and grass clippings. I have been trying to wear one out for about 3 seasons now. Have a larger on that I cut halfway through to lay around bushes and trees when trimming. A lot of the cheaper stuff, I consider single or limited use. I don’t see it now, but they used to have an electric paint sprayer. With coupon it was around $20. Used it to stain a fence. Then it went into the trash. Why would I even try to clean it, especially when I didn’t expect it to have a very long life expectancy.

I'm a big fan of HF. On top of the staff being really nice, I actually was able to pay for my membership with only a couple of purchases. Clamps and speed squares at a fraction of the price of the orange or blue stores. Same with tarps and drop cloths. Their little Dremel knock offs were affordable enough to buy a couple so I don't have to change bits as often.

Nice tips! Would definitely like to see episode 2. Also, I now get ‘Manager’s because we miss you’ 25% off coupon about once every two weeks, ever since I put the Apex winch in my wish list. Now I always keep something higher priced in there and they keep the coupons coming.

Thanks part 2 please!!

ITC member here. Love shopping at Harbor freight. Very informative video. I bought a Vulcan Protig 205 back in April w/ the extended warranty. No matter what I did I couldn't get it to weld correctly. So I boxed it back up and returned it. I had the receipt and they offered to upgrade at no extra charge. I swapped it for the same model and the extended warranty restarted on that date even though I'd had it for several months. Very friendly and helpful employees. Part 2 video would be great.

Definitely more more... PART 2 For sure! The handiest tip I learned from that was the warranty trade up. That's sweet! I will use that from now on when I feel like I need the better tool after all. The receipt pic was great also! Thanks.

GREAT VID! I'd be down to watch a part 2!

This video is exceptional! Thanks so much for all the tips. I love harbor freight and had no idea you could get these discounts. Thanks for the great content and please make more!

I first started shopping at a HF store in the early/mid 90's near where my best friend lived at the time, about 20 miles from my house. Bought what they sold at the time which was mostly simple hand tools, a floor jack for my cars, hand trolly, that sort of stuff. And most of it I still use to this day.

The as is table is great. Recently my local HF had a tile saw priced around $110, down from $190. At checkout I applied a 40% off coupon and got it for $65. Got it home and it worked fine with no missing parts. It hadn't even been used. It's the best buy I've made at HF so far.

I would like to see part 2, thank you for part 1😊

Dave, my man ! This is great stuff AND perfectly timed as I've been researching Hercules brand items. Looking forward to more from ya.

Dave, please do a part 2. Thank you for the Tips.

Returned HF tools for a higher price at a Ross! That’s amazing.

I would really enjoy seeing part deaux

Make that part two, love the videos Dave!

Yes. I bought a large tool set and the discount was so significant by joining that i basically got inside track for free and saved about 5 bucks as well over the standard price. So by signing up for the club i saved only 5 dallars at that time but got the club for a year

My only suggestion on coupons is to watch them and track the items you want most. In the case of a tool box that was couponed for $219, also was couponed down to $199. So track coupon rates. Secondly- always consider opening a credit card as this takes an additional 10% off the first purchase. Would be great to pair this up with a 20% off coupon for a US General or Icon tool chest. Great savings their too.

Thanks, Dave!

"Free rental" is a common problem in retail. I worked at an office supply store and we once had two women buy 20 8' plastic folding tables on a Friday and they returned all 20 for a full refund on Monday. One of the employees overheard them talking about their family reunion that weekend.

Yes, wait till you want to buy a big ticket item before you join the club membership. I'm a Harbor Freight club member maybe 1 year out of 3. P.S. Well done Dave.

I used to have a lot of success at Harbor freight on the scratch and then type stuff. But the local stores in my area have moved away from that model. Because it was getting so common it discouraged people from buying their new merchandise. The other problem with dumpster diving is although it is legal, the harbor freight stores in my area locked down their dumpsters, and so it is not possible. Because of the homeless problems in the big cities we have around here, they also discourage it because they don't want people getting hurt dumpster diving.

Great info, thanks!

Thanks, and yes please do a part 2. ITC member here, and it paid for itself the day I signed up for it, because I needed so much stuff and the discounts are often pretty steep.

Ive had an employee apply a one item coupon discount to the entire transaction. They did without me asking. That was really cool of them 👍

Yes, part 2.

7 years ago I bought a 1 1/2 ton Pittsburgh low profile floor jack. 70 lbs of steel, still works today. Part 2 please.

I've had success with dumpster diving. I don't do it routinely, but will check one out if I'm there. For instance, went to Tractor Supply to fill propane cylinders. Went to their dumpster to get rid of some trash in the jeep. Pulled out a chainsaw that was returned for throwing chains (said so on the tag). $400 chain saw that just needed a chain. I imagine it was a 'weekend rental' kind of deal.

Thank You Dave for the Information, I would like to hear more-

Great video. Thanks!

At True Value in the late 80s we had to throw away all damaged or returned products, that’s where I got all of my tools and appliances at the time👍

I’ve never had any issue with my HF power tools. due to their price point, I never was as diligent in taking care of them, but they’ve endured regardless. While I probably wouldn’t recommend them for commercial use, they’re definitely more than enough for household diy

Yes! I like your tips! Please give more!!

Thanks for the tips🎉🎉🎉

RU-vid algorithm got me this video. That was very well done and hope you get tons of subs 👍🏼

Yes, I think Part 2 would be fun to see and will educate us on how HF operates. And if it saves us money all the more reason to do a Part 2. Thank You.

Appreciate your thoroughness

Great video thank you

Love to see part 2!!

I would love to see part 2!

Ready for part 2 great video

Yes, please do a Part 2. Great tips.

Please, I want to hear more ! !!

Thanks for Watching - The response to this video has been amazing and Part 2 is up now! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cezv-gDIiBk.html Also, Subscribe to my channel here: ru-vid.com