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

opnspaces
Navigator II
Mar 01, 2021
dieseltruckdriver wrote:
Since Craftsman crapped out, and I won't pay for Snapon, I have found the Pittsburg polished end wrenches are actually pretty decent quality. I do have to say that a former coworker got me hooked on Kobalt hand tools though.

Here in southern California Lowes has picked up and started selling Craftsman tools. So hopefully all is not lost.
wopachop
Explorer
Mar 01, 2021
Will be interesting to see what happens. Are new craftsmen tools being made? Or is lowes just selling off the inventory?
2112
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2021
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Sorta related...

Has anyone tried out these types of terminals off eBay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/500-50PCS-Waterproof-Heat-Shrink-Butt-Terminals-Solder-Seal-Sleeve-Wire-Connecto/293890669785?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item446d3fbcd9:g:4QIAAOSwZ05f0z8n&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkvjzWOStkxwnlDuxSI1PVVtddVeJiN3s3I%252FVEQd86S%252FE5c%252FknIOer8X7sXin9kFKSApd83DLjeUVJNjKKDETl856XLKNMKv7sD6iMwT2codeNx%252FikMtD4xUQ73omw878LqcDFAtHjO9loezwlSanguqbHpmrcqNtxkHERZyvG9H8mSlglvzBJ96uH9jXWz0bKGp1cM%252BxzmqG6EOX1B4X4mRkR7nSgP8DVvO7gKj3iXEu4hNTOLkR0SjlW7flIgxnKbDXgBB7jksWoG8Fh35cCK%252FcZMdA9QP%252BXdqLW59l4%252B7ZtZJmeMP%252FhIDIJxhjqtO2iLk%252B2OcsC%252BpRl6nDwqjYWATIPjwmVRvRpgroy7Lj3x4Tmp3Vpfivib7bwyPND2RY7%252FdeEck8p2z5WPlniewylNjGloAZ2PQ0NF0M%252Bi7OgPLJfs8qTLgCrQC8WZYcDebbuySxIvOL7pVq4bymVlwP2B%252Bs2KrAD4OjPo%252B2WjEhmnLbtitkYph9PUaTQteBBZ1wh9RS%252B%252BLrW2NS1FxKF4WPLjQTzln6DuDW%252BTOzx98RYpbOKxvYrtXXMmuQjuxKeC6jGQQ5hQPaXuovab0%252F%252Byg%252F0X1ABTrjk4PryZtlLPvZJj21R%252FE%252BsoDEhG6y2013RAXV9zTTmyT0%252FzLzRF%252Bbp6TWMmJ0YZ7NCaMMnOvCwbDWifISQGxGSqjBAFh2XUecSsGXqV28%252Bw%252BdmmMkOb3PURLTeONTdJ8Kfhf277qRle7lkNcoc2slX8UvaMcNsGS7dCJZ8tmziordyplch9f%252B9A8SEC2h5kV1EoGy4IzPPodTiNF8%253D%7Ccksum%3A293890669785a8461b55d6524c69af7f7a1acb49de4d%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

Yes, an electric heat gun is mandatory.
Not off eBay.
We use them at work to solder a drain wire on the braid of shielded cables. We are not allowed to use them for conductor to conductor splicing. The workmanship can't be inspected and the flux can't be cleaned off.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Mar 01, 2021
I was hoping for a quick and dirty way to join >20 AWG conductors. I wish true bronze terminals were available. I am lining up my work bench outfitting with permanently mounted mechanical and hydraulic hexagonal die tools to 1/0 but >95% of my terminal work now is 16-22 gauge. I am going to individually hang a solder gun and heat gun on a zero tool counterweight. Let's see if anyone else can chime in regarding the chinese terminals.
enblethen
Nomad
Mar 01, 2021
Used these on many military projects for low voltage and control circuits.
3M UR Scotch Locks
bobsallyh
Explorer II
Mar 02, 2021
Scotch-Lok, brings back memories from splicing at the telephone company.
enblethen
Nomad
Mar 02, 2021
Lot of the URs were used by phone systems.
GDS-3950BH
Explorer
Mar 02, 2021
opnspaces wrote:
dieseltruckdriver wrote:
Since Craftsman crapped out, and I won't pay for Snapon, I have found the Pittsburg polished end wrenches are actually pretty decent quality. I do have to say that a former coworker got me hooked on Kobalt hand tools though.

Here in southern California Lowes has picked up and started selling Craftsman tools. So hopefully all is not lost.

New Craftsman = Garbage........Pull the split ring on a current Lowes "Craftsman" ratchet and compare the internal parts and pieces to an older, say early 2000's or earlier, version of a Craftsman ratchet. The Home Depot "Husky" brand or Hazard Fraught "Pittsburgh" brand may be a better built tool, but thats dependent on the current batch on the shelf and who they contracted with to manufacture them.
2112
Explorer II
Mar 02, 2021
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I was hoping for a quick and dirty way to join >20 AWG conductors.
I'm not saying don't use them, just they are not allowed on current carrying conductor where I work.

We use THESE for current carrying conductors
whjco
Explorer
Mar 04, 2021
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 .

Get Harbor Freight's smartphone app. You'll often get the 20% coupon with the app.