Harbor Freight Tools, Again

[Win]

The HF airless paint sprayer went kaput, and was replaced from stock no questions asked.

Don't know the part number, but I was at the HF near our lake house ( looking for that battery analyzer that is unobtainium at the local HF - finally got one ) and noticed it's the one that costs close to a couple of hundred bucks.

The project I'm working on is a complete gut and remodel of a building where I'm putting a C-Store, so it's not really that big a job, probably less than 25 gallons before it tossed in the towel.

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: Win
Originally Posted By: Trav
There is a huge difference between buying a bigger vehicle and sending your own country down the Suwannee one screwdriver and toaster at a time.

I'm done.



Wait .... what?

These guys would be on UNEMPLOYMENT if I hadn't given them a job. So it's sending the country down the river because I also didn't buy expensive american made tools for them to beat on?

I'm sorry I even brought up that the cheap tools were holding up better than I thought they would. Sheesh.

Not to mention the people that work on ships, the dock workers that unload the ships, the truckers that move the goods, the people that put up the stores, the people that work at HF......

I prefer to buy USA products when practical, but getting on someone for not buying USA only is very short sighted.

 

[johnachak]

Tools made here are made in a factory, usually on a line by several workers (here). They are then packed by another worker, loaded onto a truck by a forklift operator and from that point on, the paths of the foreign tools and American made tools are the same. HF employees can still stock them and drivers will still deliver and unload them.
A BIG difference is that the American factory gets its supplies from American suppliers, utilities from American utility companies. The American company has support / administrative jobs here in USA. All of those employees pay US and local taxes as well as S.S. taxes. Their salaries go to support other Americans who provide them with, food, medical and other necessities. That is a large help to the American and local economies.

So, lets recap, foreign made=
non Americans make these items, package and load them onto container on a truck driven by another Non american in China (Or substitute, Taiwan or India if you like). The container is then loaded onto a freighter by non Americans in China (Or in whatever other than USA country) a small (Maybe 10 person) crew will bring these items to the US port for one crane operator to load the sealed container onto a flatbed truck for one American driver to move to a distribution point at which point the same number of Americans will handle both.

 

[JHZR2]

Good analysis.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: johnachak
for one crane operator to load the sealed container onto a flatbed truck for one American driver to move to a distribution point at which point the same number of Americans will handle both.


So there's only 1 dude handling unloading the ship, no paper work, no inventory, no office workers taking care of said unloading etc, etc.

Amazing, absolutly amazing at the efficiency of the union dock workers.

 

[Kestas]

Things aren't always easily pigeon-holed.

Originally Posted By: johnachak
... the American factory gets its supplies from American suppliers...

I've seen American auto factories outfitted with expensive foreign tooling, while they tell us on TV to "Buy American".

Originally Posted By: johnachak
The American company has support / administrative jobs here in USA.

What about foreign call centers?

 

[expat]

To get back On Topic.

We do not have HF (as far as I know) here in Canada, But we do have Canadian Tire, which is a big sorce for Canadians to buy Home use tools.
I have to say, it occurred to me just the other week, what good fortune I have had with my CT tools. My chop saw is now about 8 years old, so is my Mastercraft 'skill' saw. I have never busted a CT wrench or socket.

Interesting note.
My Mastercraft panel saw ($7 on sale) is marked, Made in Denmark!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: johnachak
for one crane operator to load the sealed container onto a flatbed truck for one American driver to move to a distribution point at which point the same number of Americans will handle both.


So there's only 1 dude handling unloading the ship, no paper work, no inventory, no office workers taking care of said unloading etc, etc.

Amazing, absolutly amazing at the efficiency of the union dock workers.


Its far different and you know it. Or in your world are the longshoremen and office workers employed by HFT or the Chinese?

Are you denying that MORE jobs are in play when stuff is made here than elsewhere? LOL!

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2


Its far different and you know it.


Yes I sure do know it. I also know its more than just one dude on a crane unloading the containers.

I'm sure you realize that also!

Now admit it!

 

[Trav]

Take it out further than that to get a real idea of what being lost.

1 Chinese ratchet.
All materials produced in China except maybe some scrap metal they buy in other countries.
The crew to man the ship could be from anywhere.
US dock workers.
A few book keepers
The customs agent
The transport company
The retailer.

1 US made ratchet.
US made steel from an American foundry.
Transport steel from foundry to tool company
American workers to forge and manufacture the tool.
American workers in the power plant producing the power for the plant.
American workers built the plant.
American truckers delivered the materials to build the plant.
The American workers employed by the various window, wood, steel, and building materials plants.
The stores where these workers bought their clothes, their lunch, their shoes, etc.
The book keepers, admin people at the plants.
The truckers who take the ratchets to the warehouse.
The warehouse workers .
You can go back forever and remember every one of these people paid taxes.

 

[jcwit]

In the final end tho is the fact, you purchase what you want, I shall purchase what suits my needs.

There is no way I'll convince you and the same holds true for you.

At my age I'll never change the world and its very doubtful you will either.

Furthermore I seriously doubt anyone on this forum will even help in the demise of Harbor Freight, or WalMart either for that matter. Actually its more than likely this holds true for any company, such is life.

 

[johnachak]

[/quote]
So there's only 1 dude handling unloading the ship, no paper work, no inventory, no office workers taking care of said unloading etc, etc.
Amazing, absolutly amazing at the efficiency of the union dock workers. [/quote]
Ever heard of computers? The containers are sealed at the point of shipping and only opened at the point of distribution. I live in NY and I drove a truck between the airport and the warehouses at the piers. I know what I am talking about. The same number of people handle the paperwork between China and here as from Kentucky to here except for customs. The number of support jobs for American factories is far greater. Wouldn't you prefer those customs agents be doing paperwork on EXPORTS?

 

[johnachak]

Hey, JC, I honestly don't care what you buy. I just hope for the future of this country, it doesn't spread. I have kids and grandkids that need to make a living here. I'd hate for them to have to move to China to get work.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: jcwit

Furthermore I seriously doubt anyone on this forum will even help in the demise of Harbor Freight, or WalMart either for that matter. Actually its more than likely this holds true for any company, such is life.


What makes you think anyone here is looking for the demise of HF or Walmart? No way, I just want them to sell more American made goods. They employ American workers. Wanting more American goods in stores in no way is trying to harm established American stores. I have no idea where that came from nor do I see how you ever read that into any of my posts. I repeatedly said HF employees would be used in stocking and selling the USA made itens.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Things aren't always easily pigeon-holed.

Originally Posted By: johnachak
... the American factory gets its supplies from American suppliers...

I've seen American auto factories outfitted with expensive foreign tooling, while they tell us on TV to "Buy American".

Originally Posted By: johnachak
The American company has support / administrative jobs here in USA.

What about foreign call centers?

I didn'T mention auto factories and Thank goodness foreign call centers are being rebelled against. What is it you have against providing jobs for Americans anyway? Do you like things as messed up for us and our kids as they are?

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: jcwit


There is no way I'll convince you and the same holds true for you.

At my age I'll never change the world and its very doubtful you will either.



The above still says it all.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
I just want them to sell more American made goods. They employ American workers. Wanting more American goods in stores in no way is trying to harm established American stores.

I'll take trickle down wealth over trickle up poverty any day.

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: johnachak
I didn'T mention auto factories and Thank goodness foreign call centers are being rebelled against. What is it you have against providing jobs for Americans anyway? Do you like things as messed up for us and our kids as they are?

Your rhetorical questions come out of nowhere. There is no opinion reflected in my post. I'm simply pointing out some hypocricy.

 

[doitmyself]

Adding to Kestas' comment about hypocrisy:

I just wonder if those so passionate here for American made tools hold this level of integrity for all of their other personal purchases?

Footwear? Underwear? Pants and Shirts? Do you guys not buy Carharts anymore because they are made overseas?

While I do look for U.S. made stuff within reason, I find it tough to not be a hypocrite when I rely on foreign made items to cradle my family jewels.

In fact, IF this account of the Fruit of the Loom company is correct, I am ashamed of myself for worrying more about tools than I am/was about underwear:

http://www.outsaurus.com/2012/03/02/outsourced-fruit-of-the-loom/ Summed up in two sentences "Fruit of the Loom was wildly successful for well over 150 years. Then Fruit of the Loom got greedy. They realized they could pay foreign workers a fraction of what they were paying American workers."

 

[johnachak]

Sorry, I was tired and I misread... my bad.