Harbor Freight gets million dollar fine

rhagfo wrote:
:h
Maybe HF had a moment like this when trying to figure out how to comply with the requirements of the law, and I and 1000% sure the NHTSA, didn't give them much help in complying.
Fine doesn't fit the problem.

The actual fine, $400,000, amounts to about $0.50 per unit sold. The additional $600,000 is due only if HF continues to be non-compliant.

I've been pretty disappointed in anything I've purchased from Harbor Freight. Screwdrivers and chisels shattered and a 10 ton jack blew a seal the first time I used it to lift a 3.5 ton truck. I decided I would rather spend the money on quality tools and only have to buy them once.

agesilaus wrote:
Fine

My rule has been that anything more complex than a screwdriver or combo wrench is not safe to buy from HF. Their power tools are certainly junk.

"Your rule" is.... *your* rule.

Disagree with "your rule"!

HF stuff does "Fine" - including 110v power tools, etc.

Now - if you are a contractor -or- use tools for heavy and frequent use (and "abuse"), you probably should have name brand (some of which are *also* mfg in China).

One poster noted....the battery in his HF cordless drill doesn't last very long..:(

Well duh!! - Let common sense prevail.
You won't get a Lithium Ion battery in a $15. drill..:S
I prefer a Bosch, and a spare batt is about $50!

Hmmmmmmmmm....
maybe HF will have to stop offering 20% off coupons to offset their silly penalty??..:@

Don't think so..:W

~

:h
Maybe HF had a moment like this when trying to figure out how to comply with the requirements of the law, and I and 1000% sure the NHTSA, didn't give them much help in complying.
Fine doesn't fit the problem.

Maybe NHTSA went after all the landscape trailers they could make more in real fines!

majorgator wrote:
5 pages...and ZERO people actually commented on the "real" fine.
Straight from the article, the fine is $400,000. It only reaches $1M if HF doesn't comply.

But either way, what will $400K get the government? Salary and expenses for another 2 or 3 agents? Or does it go into some sort of class action suit for the buyers of the faulty products? Of course, you would be entitled to about 25 cents after the government took out the administrative fees.

For all the trailers I see going down the road with no operable lights, thank you NHTSA for making sure that a business is fined because they didn't meet every dot and tittle of the regulation.

Perhaps the NHTSA can take that fine and dedicate the funds to the government agency responsible for border control. Yes, we're worried about a few little side-lights while illegal immigrants are casually strolling across the border. What if an illegal immigrant, who doesn't have a driver's license, gets caught pulling a trailer with the HF light kit? Is that HF's fault too?

Just remember, Harbor Freight Lives Matter too.

Actually several people commented on the "real" fine. And the fine has nothing to do with selling the light kits. The reason for the fine:

"Harbor Freight Tools did not report the issue to the feds in the appropriate timeframe, nor did it issue a recall for the incomplete kit within the five-day period required by NHTSA. It also was tardy in notifying consumers about the issue."

So the fine wasn't for selling a non-compliant kit, it was for not recalling the kit. Somebody got notified, somebody blew it off, and it came back to bite them in the a$$. They knew about the issue in October and did nothing until February. Pretty stupid on their part.

5 pages...and ZERO people actually commented on the "real" fine.
Straight from the article, the fine is $400,000. It only reaches $1M if HF doesn't comply.

But either way, what will $400K get the government? Salary and expenses for another 2 or 3 agents? Or does it go into some sort of class action suit for the buyers of the faulty products? Of course, you would be entitled to about 25 cents after the government took out the administrative fees.

For all the trailers I see going down the road with no operable lights, thank you NHTSA for making sure that a business is fined because they didn't meet every dot and tittle of the regulation.

Perhaps the NHTSA can take that fine and dedicate the funds to the government agency responsible for border control. Yes, we're worried about a few little side-lights while illegal immigrants are casually strolling across the border. What if an illegal immigrant, who doesn't have a driver's license, gets caught pulling a trailer with the HF light kit? Is that HF's fault too?

Just remember, Harbor Freight Lives Matter too.

Gjac wrote:
Trailer lights regulations vary from state to state. I am responsible to comply with my state laws not HF or Walmart. I would rather let the free markets sort out what product is good or bad rather that out govt and its lawyers.

Trailer and other over the road vehicle lighting must meet standards set by the Federal DOT. Individual states have no control over them.

FEDERAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT LOCATION REQUIREMENTS

I bought those trailer lights in question for my boat trailer for $9.99 from HF. I bought the side marker lights from Walmart because they were not part of the kit and paid more for the marker lights than the HR kit. The gov't is not protecting us by this fine. The real problem I had with this kit was the wiring coating was thick on the outside but the wire itself was very thin maybe #22 instead of #16 or 18. It lasted only one season and had to be replaced. Having said that when I broke one of the lights I bought another Kit for $9.99 with a coupon and replace just the light and gave the wiring away to be used for indoor audio and now have a spare light. Trailer lights regulations vary from state to state. I am responsible to comply with my state laws not HF or Walmart. I would rather let the free markets sort out what product is good or bad rather that out govt and its lawyers.

I think, if one looks at the ruling, it has nothing to do with the fact Harbor freight sold the item. It has to do with the fact, once they (harbor freight) were made aware that the item did not comply with federal safety standards, they did not issue a recall in a timely manor as required by federal law.

That is why they were fined, not for the actual selling of the item. Whole different deal than just being fined for selling it. Which was not the case.