21 Piece SAE/Metric, Go-Thru Socket Set from HF

[Sayjac]

Quote:
HarborFreight has a no questions asked warrenty
Not sure where you're getting your information. The tools I've purchased have what's called a 'limited lifetime warranty' * meaning HF "warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. "

To take advantage of that, "the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date, and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we will either repair, or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement." If no defect is determined, no replacement or refund and one must pay for return.

I'd hardly call that a no questions asked warranty. And certainly not like the Craftsman return the tool, get a repalcement.

That said, I've purchased several tools from HF and because I don't use them professionally/regularly, they work for me for what I'm willing to pay for occasional use. If I had to make a living with them or used them daily/regularly I wouldn't be counting on HF for durability. And, I'm certainly not counting on the 'limited lifetime warranty'. The 30 day satisfaction guarantee is the most I count on.

*HF Warranty Information.

 

[jcwit]

I stand corrected!

 

[Newtonville]

It's about jobs in America, or anywhere except Asia. There aren't any jobs making tools in the USA I would guess, while China hires. I guess that's OK as long as I have my funding coming in.

I paid $50 for hf cordless circular saw couple years ago. They sent a replacement for the distorted base which was even more distorted. It was weak and a tool you could see was just made to sell. Not an honest product. It is in my storage shed, next place will be the dump. I made like two cuts with it. I saved the blade off it. Terrible purchase. I bought the HD ridgid which is also made in China and is a good tool, lifetime warranty even on batteries, but not cheap. Then I searched for a corded model and was able to find a Milwaukee for about $150, Made in USA. What a difference.

I'm retired and live on a fixed income with lots of expenses. But I drive an economical car and under 65 mph. It costs me $24 to travel 400 miles at $3.10 a gallon. That is where I save my money to buy a good tool now and then I guess. I find a good tool enjoyable, surely others do also.

 

[mechanicx]

I don't own a lot of HF tools partly because the few that I have gotten just weren't very nice or worked that good so I don't use them much and get by with other tools. I'd buy more if I didn't question the quality so much. I'm not saying that they are not any good and don't work OK for ocassional use. Some of it is half decent and they have a lot of different tools. It's just the quality seems to vary and I don't have much faith in the quality. I can sure understand not wanting to pay the high price for some other brands. I just think the quality could be better even at the price level. I think Craftsman is better value.

Basically I think generally HF is not a good value because of lacking quality and at the other end brands like Snap On are not a good value because of price. The middle ground is lacking but as far as I know Craftsman and Craftsman professional line is the closest if you buy on sale.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: Newtonville
It's about jobs in America, or anywhere except Asia. There aren't any jobs making tools in the USA I would guess, while China hires. I guess that's OK as long as I have my funding coming in.

I paid $50 for hf cordless circular saw couple years ago. They sent a replacement for the distorted base which was even more distorted. It was weak and a tool you could see was just made to sell. Not an honest product. It is in my storage shed, next place will be the dump. I made like two cuts with it. I saved the blade off it. Terrible purchase. I bought the HD ridgid which is also made in China and is a good tool, lifetime warranty even on batteries, but not cheap. Then I searched for a corded model and was able to find a Milwaukee for about $150, Made in USA. What a difference.

I'm retired and live on a fixed income with lots of expenses. But I drive an economical car and under 65 mph. It costs me $24 to travel 400 miles at $3.10 a gallon. That is where I save my money to buy a good tool now and then I guess. I find a good tool enjoyable, surely others do also.


Why in the world would you not return it and get your money back? To keep it and then complain about how poor it was just doesn't make sense!

 

[mechanicx]

I don't want to spend my time returning tools maybe in the middle of something for another tool that might not work either. but yeah return the bad tools but would you buy again from there?

 

[UNC197]

Before buying anything from Harbor Fright, consult this thread first: The Harbor Feight PASS/FAIL thread...

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't want to spend my time returning tools maybe in the middle of something for another tool that might not work either. but yeah return the bad tools but would you buy again from there?


Maybe I'm not hard on my tools or something. I've only had 1 item that didn't work out well from H/F. It was a viberating tumbler that I was going to use to polish brass for reloading. The motors were equiped with bronze bearings and I tried 3 of them with failing results before I asked and got my money back. No questions asked, no problems. I've got an air compressor from them thats 10 plus years old and works like a charm, I have many many air tools from them with no problems, many hand tools with never needing a replacement, electric tools and motors with no problems. Air nailers and staplers that were used daily for 5 to 8 years in my wood shop that was one of my wife and mine 3 businesses.

So I guess my satisification level would be A+.

BTY the tumbler that replaced the chinese one from H/F was american made except for the motor which was made in china, go figure.

One last thought my time has never been so short or valuable that I didn't have time to return something to a vendor to demand a replacement or my money back.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: CharlieJ
Before buying anything from Harbor Fright, consult this thread first: The Harbor Feight PASS/FAIL thread...


Took a quick scann of this sight, my opinion of the sight as a whole? garagejournal.com---FAIL

Not my experiences at all, but then we all have our opinions.

 

[severach]

The mail in warranty is crippled by the need to ship the item. From what the sales people tell me the walk in Pittsburgh Forge hand tool warranty is as good as Craftsman.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: severach
The mail in warranty is crippled by the need to ship the item. From what the sales people tell me the walk in Pittsburgh Forge hand tool warranty is as good as Craftsman.


Found that with my Stanley set unfortunately

Wife bought me the set. I broke both the 3/8th's and 1/4" (well, my friend actually broke the 1/4" but that doesn't matter) ratchets.

Went up to Canadian Tire to get them replaced. They told me that I had to call Stanley directly.

So I did.

That was 4 weeks ago.

They told me they were shipping me two new ratchets, but it would take at minimum 2 weeks for them to arrive.

So I went and picked-up two Snap-On ratchets. They fit right in the case and if I bugger them, I can have a new one tomorrow. I've already used both of them MUCH harder than the Stanley ones, and they haven't skipped a beat; including a 24" bar on the end of the 3/8th's to get the water drain plugs out of the block on the Expedition.

 

[Vikas]

Why did you do that to me? Now I am out of $25 but owner of the said Gearwrench Vortex set! This set is unfortunately is Chinese made and the quality is not that great. As a matter of fact, the 1/4 ratchet has the dreaded "changes direction" syndrome. Before this set, I used to wonder what people meant when they complained about that syndrome. I might try to find how GearWrench customer service is by calling them about this problem. A great deal for $25 but once again I would be disappointed if I had to pay full price for it.

I was also able to purchase 8mm combo ratcheting wrench(non-flex) on sale for $5! I really could have used that couple weekends ago when I replaced the cabin air filter on the Odyssey.

Later, I will post the side by pictures of HF vs Gearwrench sets and compare them.

- Vikas

 

[UNC197]

From my experience with GearWrench C.S. is that you will send back the malfunctioning tool and they will send you a new one.

 

[Vikas]

Yesterday, I received those couple of sockets from HF under warranty. I am impressed with HF warranty handling.

In the meantime, I also called GearWrench about the faulty 1/4 ratchet. They are sending me a new one. I will provide update when I receive it. My experience with GearWrench C.S. was very good.

- Vikas

 

[Vikas]

Update:-

Gearwrench sent me new 1/4 ratchet. I got the locking flex version of it! It is great *except* it is little bit longer than the one from the set and does *not* fit in the molded case. But I am not complaining as the new ratchet is far far better with more functionality than the broken one.

With the included standard socket adapter, this is now my favorite 1/4 ratchet. It is light, slim, low profile, well-balanced with locking flex head. It is easily worth almost as much as the entire set

I am thrilled with Gearwrench customer service and can not recommend them highly enough. I am glad and thankful to whoever gave the tip about the Sears sale. Just don't do it too often or I will go broke

- Vikas