Harbor Freight - what happened to the 20% off coupons and the "free" trinkets like little flashlights,etc. Haven't seen any of these coupons in a few months, at least in Florida .

JoeH wrote:Harbor Freight - what happened to the 20% off coupons and the "free" trinkets like little flashlights,etc. Haven't seen any of these coupons in a few months, at least in Florida .Covid happened.

They also dropped their paper catalog and went to a digital catalog.The stuff they used to give away is now being offered at a lower price, with a coupon.And they are coming out with better quality (?) merchandise.At least that's my observations.

larry cad wrote:JoeH wrote:Harbor Freight - what happened to the 20% off coupons and the "free" trinkets like little flashlights,etc. Haven't seen any of these coupons in a few months, at least in Florida .Covid happened.Actually HF dropped the "free" trinket thing "BC" (BEFORE Covid)at least two yrs ago, 20% off coupons and printed "catalogs" (which were nothing more than a 6 page sales flier which had higher prices than in store pricing) are a more recent thing..I remember a time when HF used to send out real catalogs..And by the way, don't bother signing up with your email address, all they do is spam you with all the "new additions" in hopes to lure you into buying it..You can get the same info by accessing their online "catalog" from their website..SEE HERE"HAVEN'T RECEIVED A PRINT CATALOG FROM US? HERE'S WHYWe've changed the way we deliver the great savings you count on at Harbor Freight. We've moved from sending printed coupons and mailed monthly catalogs, to a digital format that makes it possible to send you even more savings, more often. You can find our very latest offers on our website—the same website you're on right now—but the best way to learn about our promotions is by email. When you sign up to receive our emails, you’ll get great savings sent directly to your inbox. You can also find the latest savings and deals on our new Harbor Freight Mobile App for IOS and Android phones. It’s free and available for download at both the App Store and Google Play.Why did we make this change? We're always looking to make everything we do better for our customers—the tools we sell, the values we provide, and the way we help you save. And providing these savings digitally offers a lot more for our customers: No more lost or late delivery—just check your inbox or our website You learn about the latest deals the instant they’re available—no more waiting a month for new deals and savings by mail Click on any item to get product information, reviews, product videos—everything you need to choose the right tool for your needs"Honestly, they have used multiple sales gimmicks with catalog pricing, in store pricing, sales flyer pricing, 20% off pricing it made trying to figure out if it was a good deal or not.. Must of been hard for their accounting staff to figure it out themselves..Now they seem to be using the "one low price strategy" which pretends to lower prices by removing coupons and discount pricing.. I would bet that the "buyers club" pricing has gotten leaned up..

With Sears headed toward extinction there aren't a lot of places to buy tools, especially automotive stuff. Their quality is headed upmarket with new brands like Icon and Bauer. I just bought a $69 Bauer trim router and it's almost identical to the $99 Makita at HD.If you the math, the ad coupons are always about 20% off, and the general 20% off coupon excluded compressors, welders, Bauer, and a laundry list of other stuff to the point it was only good on a bag of zip ties.Honestly I like where they are going...you can still buy the cheap junk I-only-need-it-one-time tools, but you can get some quality stuff too, so you pay for what you need.

Harbor Freight - what happened to the 20% off coupons

okhmbldr
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
I remember when J.C. Penney's always had coupons and special sales, BOGO, etc. Then a new CEO decided to do away with coupons, and you can see how that helped them. Near bankruptcy. I really think Harbor-Freight is going in the same direction. They are rebranding a lot of tools, and painted them in exciting colors, but they're the same tools; just cost more and you think you're getting a premium tool. I'll miss them!
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
Direct buying via eBay and Amazon carved the heart out of Harbor Freight. When it started in the early eighties it was known as HARBOR FREIGHT SALVAGE. Garbage ¼ and ? socket sets cost $3 and were worth half that. Today a purchase means standing in line for ½ hour to pay if you can find a parking spot.

Their major counterpower is their garbage is returnable. Buy through eBay and extended delivery time items from the far east are chew & spit. I accidentally tried tools from Auto Zone and the quality was very noticeably better. I put on my reading glasses and read TAIWAN

Simple INDIA hand tools are of tolerable quality. Korean made electrical gizmos are also tolerable. But I am fussier than hell about my electrical tools. GERMANY. Canada OLSA has a brand new forged bench vise that is magnitudes stronger than the old benchmark WILTON. About time.

I need to get the kids a HF 2cycle 800 watt generator. But which Spark plug brand replaces the OEM no start?
okhmbldr
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
Funny thing...my morning email had a Harbor Freight ad; guess what it said?
10% off everything, no exceptions, and if you're an Inside Track Member ($30 yearly fee) you get 20% off, no exceptions. Good today thru Monday.
I guess they read my post from last night and decided to send me a coupon!
wopachop
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
I got the same 10% message as a text. Good time to buy a larger tool. I havnt been following prices to know if many items normal price went up to prepare for the 10% discount.
jjrbus
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
HF, they are what they are. I have many HF one time tools laying around and will miss the % off sales.

At the VA hospital I seen construction workers using HF tools and was very surprised. I asked and the guy just happened to be the contractor. He said I buy them by the case, someone walks off with one or drops it off a ladder I just go get another one out of the case, no great loss. Makes sense to me.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2021
Never bought **** tools and I was a Commercial Construction Superintendent. Far better to buy quality.
GDS-3950BH
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
At least without the free coupons you will not have to wait in line at the door with 30 geezers before the store opens, who are there to get a free $0.15 flashlight that doesn't work lol.
RobWNY
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
GDS-3950BH wrote:
At least without the free coupons you will not have to wait in line at the door with 30 geezers before the store opens, who are there to get a free $0.15 flashlight that doesn't work lol.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA So True!!!!!
Durb
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
GDS-3950BH wrote:
At least without the free coupons you will not have to wait in line at the door with 30 geezers before the store opens, who are there to get a free $0.15 flashlight that doesn't work lol.

Maybe, but how would you know that happens? :B
MrWizard
Moderator
Feb 28, 2021
Im retired, 72 yrs old, does that make me a geezer,
I don't wait in lines for any store to open, if I can avoid it, not HF, not 99cents, Not Walmart,
The exception being the second week of Covid19 lock down when we were out of TP, and I waited an hour in a long line at the grocery, then when still not open, I said forget..was lucky we had a bunch of napkins,
I do get stuck waiting In check out lines sometimes
The last time I got up in the Wee Hours to be first inline was back in the 70s for a "Toys for Tots" Concert , with an All Star line up of Hit record performers, groups and singles, i didn't even do that to get tickets for Eric Burton and the Animals in the 60's or the Highwaymen Tour in the early 90's ? Yes I did attend those shows, but the only lines I was in, was the one going into the shows, tickets had seat numbers first in or last thru the door, didn't make any difference, tickets were pre-purchased,

Wait inline for a free flashlight ? Nope, nada
Maybe for a free laptop PC