I've shopped at the local retail store several times and the service is always great. I honestly expected the online experience to be the same... Well, it's been over a week now and the package still hasn't been delivered to UPS, the CS rep directed me to a faq that states processing can take up to 4 days, delivery to the carrier 2 weeks and another 2 weeks in the hands of the carrier. Thats worst case time in real days vs. business days, But either way a month to get a product from CA to TX????? It reminds me of that commercial of the fat guy running with the Gateway box! Their prices are great but if you really need the product I'd suggest looking for a local supplier.  
Thanks again to the guys at the San Antonio store for amazing service, I wish corporate new the value of customers!

I have ordered from Harbor Freight many times and until now have been VERY satisfied. Shipping time, cost and service have all been very good to excellant. This last order however has been a nightmare. While cost is good, order has not arrived after 9 days (UPS still does have physical package, but billing occurred 1/17/06 - only 1 day after order was placed). Realizing H/F says upfront that delivery may take 7-10 business days I contacted the on-line customer service rep to find out when UPS would have physical custody of package. I think this customer service person has a standard response, "7 to 10 business days". She was no help in locating the UPS hub the shipment was sent to and absolutely no help in assurring me that order is not lost. While I recommend purchasing from Harbor Freight, I would recommend they invest in some customer service training before letting their employees deal directly with the consumer. Had I not had several good prior experiences with this company I would never order from them again and would not be recommending now. Over all I would rate the company "9" on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most highly recommended. I would rate their customer service a "2".

Ordered a automotive battery filler 1/16/06. Contacted customer service 1/24/06 and they gave me a tracking number ups cannot find. They asked I wait the 14 days they say it may take for the package to arrive then recontact them. I don't understand the delay and no tracking info.

In May of 2005 I ordered a fire pit as a Christmas gift for my sister. Instead of sending the fire pit, they sent a two ton hydraulic jack. Then they gave me a hard time when I asked them to send UPS to pick up the jack they mistakenly sent and send me my fire pit. They finally agreed and said the fire pit would arrive before Christmas. This promise was made on November 29, 2005. The fire pit finally arrived on January 9, 2006, too late to be a Christmas gift for my sister. I will never order from this company again.

Harbor Freight offers good customer service with excellent prices! Shipping is always fast, although items are sometimes back-ordered. While stock information isn't always up to date, the low prices definitely make up for it!

First time buyer. Purchase was a "Haulmaster" complete small boat trailer kit made in Twaiwan by Long Chih Industrial Co. Before ordering, I called HF to confirm that they had the item in stock and got an estimated arrival date -- three weeks. Northern Tools had same kit for $30.00 more. The kit arrived in three heavily taped and very damaged boxes within the three weeks. However, all the parts were there and in good shape. Each box was dropped off by UPS over three days. Assembly was fairly easy and instructions were clear enough. I'd buy from them again. I need a spare tire.

This review on HF is generalized since i have placed several orders with them. I like the prices and selection. I also have had no problem with support. My gripes are the fact I have to call or use the online support in the first place. Orders are very slow taking usually 3 weeks (sometimes more) here in Michigan and the online order status doesn't always work. When you need a tool thats a long wait. I have experienced a sorted order this time around on a fuel injection tester I realy needed. They did ship it without a hastle once contacted but again had to wait. Always had english speaking support calls which helps. Products are usually beter than expected for the price.

I've needed a torque wrench for years but never got around to buying one and have always ended up borrowing one from someone. I then questioned where my one friend purchased his from due to the quality and ease of use of his wrench and suggested to purchase item# 239-3VGA from HFT. I highly recommend this torque wrench to anyone.

I purchased a #90385 air compressor from HF back in August '05. I received the compressor within 3 days. I assembled it and put it in my store room. About 3 weeks later, I went to use it and found all of the oil on the floor. I called HF and they promptly sent UPS to pick it up. I recv'd the compressor about 2 weeks later. Again, I assembled it, put oil in it and put it in my store room. A few weeks later I went to use it. It ran for about 30 seconds then quit. I called HF and they again sent UPS to pick-up the compressor.  
 
Yesterday I recv'd the 2nd replacement (3rd compressor). Upon opening the box, I found the entire compressor drenched with oil. I had no intention of cleaning it and plugging it in because the electric motor was full of oil and a potential fire hazard. I called HF and they offered me a refund (upon receipt of the compressor) which I reluctantly excepted. I have found that it takes 2-3 months to receive credit for defective items that I have returned.

This review was modified by its author, wkavery, on 1/10/06 6:02 PM.

For a do it yourselfer, I don't believe that every tool I own needs to be a name brand tool. Many tools I buy, I buy for a particular project that requires it. Chances are I'll use that tool again maybe once or twice a year. All the items I bought fall into this catagory with the exception of one item. I bought a bench vise for a really good price and it works perfectly. I priced out belt sanders at about 175 dollars at other stores and bought one at Harbor Freight for 26 dollars. I bought a 2 year free replacement policy for 10 dollars, so I spent 36 dollars. It worked perfectly on the project it was intended for.

I hadn't ordered from Harbor Freight for about 10 years and never had issues before- and this time was no exception. Ordered 8 5" heavy duty casters some magnifying glasses and scissors and they packed them with foam peanut shells but everything arrived in working order other than a mangled box that the glasses came in. 27lb box for $8 shipping to my front door in 7 days I am very pleased.

I mean, what's going on? Your system shows shipping dates which are inaccurate (UPS tracking numbers are assigned quickly but packages aren't PHYSICALLY mailed right away). TWO weeks from New Jersey to Washington DC is insane, I feel bad for pacific coast customers unless there is a distribution center there). I finally received my item, like I said, about two weeks later and whaddya know...broken. They issued a call tag which arrived more than 7 business days later (there was no way of knowing when they would arrive) so I handed the package over and here it is, August 6th, a whole month later and I still have nothing. My first and last with this company.

This review was modified by its author, OneTonHammer, on 8/6/05 7:12 PM.

I have ordered items off the back of cereal boxes that arrived quicker. I placed my order 2 weeks ago and nothing. After talking to customer service I was informed my order was not scheduled to arrive for another week. 3 weeks is ridiculous.  
 
If you can't find in a local store DO NOT buy from the internet. The wainting time is horrible. The downside is that Hrabor Freight marks price up on store items. Sometimes you can bring in a print-off of the online price and they will match the price.

Do not buy from this company. With Harbor Freight, you get what you pay for and their dirt cheap prices are not worth the dirt-poor service you get in return.  
 
Highlights from my first (and last) shopping experience:  
1. My item apparently was backordered when I placed my order. However, nothing on their site indicated this. It wasn't until I emailed them 3 days later that they informed me that the item would be backordered for 2 weeks.  
2. When my item was finally "shipped" and my CC billed, the item didn't leave their warehouse for another 2 weeks.  
3. In all, it took 3 1/2 weeks to receive my order.  
4. It takes their CS department 2 business days to respond to emails.  
5. I used a $5 off coupon on my order. My order confirmation showed the order total with the coupon applied. However, my CC was billed for the full amount.  
 
In sum, Harbor Freight's low prices just aren't worth the very poor service you get. Knowing what I know now, I would have just bought the item from Sears.com (or a similar store). It would have cost twice as much, but I would have received a higher quality product, delivered within a few days, and backed up by decent service.

The prices are low at this store but its anly to draw you in. Don't be fooled. This store can backorder their products up to a year. I ordered from them two months ago and my item has been on backorder for those two months. Ontop of all that, it takes 12-14 business days for the item to get to your house from the store after they get it in stock.  
 
I will never order from this store again.  
 
NEVER...  
EVER  
 
Dont be fooled, this is a bad store with extremely bad service.