same with their batteries. Trash. Not even worth the hassle of "free" to replace them rapidly.
I was a big proponent of HF years ago. Not that I bought everything there, but I saw the value in some items as a homeowner, needing perhaps a more advanced tool, not wanting to spend "Home Depot money", HF had a lot to offer. And sure enough I have a bazillion of the free blue and black flashlights and the other gizmos they offered.
Then they got uppity during covid, they thought they could shift their image to be more like a HD/Lowes by upscaling their store brands, and they ditched coupons virtually overnight. I basically stopped going - not some sort of boycott, just HF doesn't have the value it once did. some items might still be worth it, but if I need 10 things for a job, and I can get maybe 8 ONLY at Home Depot, why am I going to make an extra trip/stop at HF to get the other 2 items?
Maybe the resurrection of coupons is a hint that they've realized they dumped their core consumer base.
Can never have enough of these screwdrivers in random places around the house.
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I once got stuck in line at Harbor Freight behind a guy rummaging though his accordion folder stuffed with Harbor Freight coupons. I was pretty annoyed, but then he offered me a "super coupon" as he was leaving. I didn't take the coupon (I already had one), but the gesture somehow made me a little less annoyed.
I absolutely hate HF for this reason. All the boomer retirees with their coupons thinking they hit the lottery for a free mini flashlight or tape measure. Fumbling around. Getting the wrong free item because it is one number off even though it's the exact same item. Bringing their entire family in to use free coupons like they are getting one over on a billion dollar corporation (evidence in this thread). And the check out process is so damn irritating. "Phone number?" "No thanks." "Do you get our flyer in the mail?" "No." "Do you have an email address to get our coupons digitally?" "No, I'd just like to buy this." "OK do you want the extended warranty?" I know they have to ask and it's part of their business model to sell your information but for the love of God, don't act like I just killed your cat when I don't want more spam.
I absolutely hate HF for this reason. All the boomer retirees with their coupons thinking they hit the lottery for a free mini flashlight or tape measure. Fumbling around. Getting the wrong free item because it is one number off even though it's the exact same item. Bringing their entire family in to use free coupons like they are getting one over on a billion dollar corporation (evidence in this thread). And the check out process is so damn irritating. "Phone number?" "No thanks." "Do you get our flyer in the mail?" "No." "Do you have an email address to get our coupons digitally?" "No, I'd just like to buy this." "OK do you want the extended warranty?" I know they have to ask and it's part of their business model to sell your information but for the love of God, don't act like I just killed your cat when I don't want more spam.
In addition to all that, the Harbor Freight I go to used to always ask for identification when paying with a credit card, which is a direct violation of Mastercard's merchant agreement.
I seldom go to Harbor Freight anymore. I haven't put a lot of thought into why I stopped going there beyond the higher prices and online alternatives, but I think subconsciously everything you mentioned has a lot to do with it. Going there has just become a bad experience.
Harbor Freight is seemingly thirsty AF, post-makeover attempt. I swung by today (the first time in a long while) and left with two free screwdrivers and a free pickup tool, no coupon needed whatsoever. I almost LOLed on my way out. Even in Harbor Freight's yesteryear era of free items on the regular, a coupon was always required. Now, it seems they are throwing free items at customers.
Harbor Freight. Back to the freebies. The sad thing is half their customers (boomer retirees) Don't do computer coupons. My dad used to spend all kinds of money on crap at HF because he got a mailer and wanted a free flashlight. Then bought a bunch of other crap he didn't need. This Coupon? he will never know about it. He won't go and waste any money.
If they wanted to make money they would still send mailers to old guys.
Harbor Freight is seemingly thirsty AF, post-makeover attempt. I swung by today (the first time in a long while) and left with two free screwdrivers and a free pickup tool, no coupon needed whatsoever. I almost LOLed on my way out. Even in Harbor Freight's yesteryear era of free items on the regular, a coupon was always required. Now, it seems they are throwing free items at customers.
I never went to a local harbor freight store but I did buy some items like multimeter online from them in the past.
I went to check the free items at HF yesterday for the first time in my life.
I couldn't find the free items and when I asked an employee he told me that they were sold out even though I was checking the availability in store using the tool online on the product webpage and it showed instock for the specific store.
I guess HF only put out a limited number of free items for each day and won't restock the shelves for free items even if they have plenty in the back.
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I was a big proponent of HF years ago. Not that I bought everything there, but I saw the value in some items as a homeowner, needing perhaps a more advanced tool, not wanting to spend "Home Depot money", HF had a lot to offer. And sure enough I have a bazillion of the free blue and black flashlights and the other gizmos they offered.
Then they got uppity during covid, they thought they could shift their image to be more like a HD/Lowes by upscaling their store brands, and they ditched coupons virtually overnight. I basically stopped going - not some sort of boycott, just HF doesn't have the value it once did. some items might still be worth it, but if I need 10 things for a job, and I can get maybe 8 ONLY at Home Depot, why am I going to make an extra trip/stop at HF to get the other 2 items?
Maybe the resurrection of coupons is a hint that they've realized they dumped their core consumer base.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I absolutely hate HF for this reason. All the boomer retirees with their coupons thinking they hit the lottery for a free mini flashlight or tape measure. Fumbling around. Getting the wrong free item because it is one number off even though it's the exact same item. Bringing their entire family in to use free coupons like they are getting one over on a billion dollar corporation (evidence in this thread). And the check out process is so damn irritating. "Phone number?" "No thanks." "Do you get our flyer in the mail?" "No." "Do you have an email address to get our coupons digitally?" "No, I'd just like to buy this." "OK do you want the extended warranty?" I know they have to ask and it's part of their business model to sell your information but for the love of God, don't act like I just killed your cat when I don't want more spam.
I seldom go to Harbor Freight anymore. I haven't put a lot of thought into why I stopped going there beyond the higher prices and online alternatives, but I think subconsciously everything you mentioned has a lot to do with it. Going there has just become a bad experience.
If they wanted to make money they would still send mailers to old guys.
I went to check the free items at HF yesterday for the first time in my life.
I couldn't find the free items and when I asked an employee he told me that they were sold out even though I was checking the availability in store using the tool online on the product webpage and it showed instock for the specific store.
I guess HF only put out a limited number of free items for each day and won't restock the shelves for free items even if they have plenty in the back.