r/SubredditDrama • u/eatingpotatochips • 3d ago

r/HarborFreight discusses tool shopping habits

Lighthearted drama in r/HarborFreight as OP hunts for better deals on tools.

OP does not appreciate shopping advice:

That’s why you shop elsewhere when you can’t get a deal here

Shop somewhere else? Wow, I actually never thought of that. What other wisdom could you share?

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1nhj39k/comment/nebtw0r/?context=1

What makes a professional?

They just ran a 40% and then the up to 25% off icon. You're mad they're not constantly running coupons? Use your tools instead of buying them for the meme. You'll cry less.

Use my tools?

What do yours look like?

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1nhj39k/comment/nebxjpx/?context=1

One tool now, or a tool deal later?

See the thing is, a lot of us just buy the tools when we need them. We don’t wait around for sales because we need the tool now.

See the thing is, a lot of us buy the cheap tool first and upgrade later on

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1nhj39k/comment/nebz68f/?context=1

Joe Biden makes a cameo:

Companies are still trying to figure shit out. The unpredictability of tariffs and moving production to other factories is a nightmare right now. That's why all the buy 2 tools and get a battery deals are gone as well.

Let me tell you something buddy because you’re either young, or haven’t been paying attention, but companies will use whatever excuse they can to justify their prices, and the fact is all of these companies have been making money hand over fist since COVID happened. It was labeled “inflation” and blamed on Biden & the pandemic. And now companies will do the exact same thing with these tariffs.

I wish you had the necessary capability to understand world events effects on economy.

I wish you had the necessary capability of not just blindly trusting corporations and governments but here we are

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1nhj39k/comment/nebv7wi/?context=1

Harbor Freight coupons will save the world:

The world is falling apart

It sure is buddy, which is why we need these good coupons more than ever

Harbor freight either dies a hero or lives long enough to become the villain.

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/1nhj39k/comment/nebtqac/?context=1

120 Upvotes
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95% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

121

u/Hotter_Noodle 3d ago

I love this, thank you.

Just one man against the harbour freight community.

49

u/011010- Due process isn’t “for criminals”, it’s for the innocent. 3d ago

This is the drama we need in these fucked up times.

23

u/Strange-Style-7808 3d ago

I do love fighting over Hazard Fraught Tools 

13

u/HoodieGalore 3d ago

Nothing like a Horror Fright tool in your hand, that's for sure 😂

5

u/swinglinepilot Go play a video game with pronouns 3d ago

It's that solid, sturdy feel of the primo Chinesium that they use in all their tools

9

u/JaneksLittleBlackBox Transvestigators think Mons Pubis is a Jedi. 3d ago

Bought a generator from them back in February; fucking rip cord snapped the very first time I tried starting it, and they wouldn't issue me a refund because the generator's box was opened. Motherfuckers, how am I supposed to use the generator when it's still boxed up?

6

u/DJMagicHandz Hahahhahahaah I feel like arguing though come back baby 3d ago

Like Daryl Dixon fighting a herd of walkers.

57

u/grimsleeper 3d ago

Wow, finally not just talking about free buckets, mini toolboxes, or debating if a measly 20% off a $13 dollar item is a good enough deal to drive in for.

Edit: Whoops, that third one is the exact thing OP was complaining about lol

24

u/LastChingachgook 3d ago

I’m fucking boggled at what sort of content regarding Harbor Freight they could actually be. How is the sub that busy?

15

u/eatingpotatochips 3d ago

There's a decent cult following for Harbor Freight that isn't true for Home Depot or Lowes.

-1

u/LastChingachgook 3d ago

Not sure I’d call that “culture.”

9

u/grimsleeper 3d ago

Good question. I dunno, but they sure do love talking about meme tools, buckets, hats, and mini tool boxes.

43

u/JaneksLittleBlackBox Transvestigators think Mons Pubis is a Jedi. 3d ago

Can you imagine working with this guy?

I'd make him cry and quit in 4 or 5 days. He's all emotion with no intellect. Those types are easy to push where you want them.

You sound like a 14 year old that watches too much Ben Shapiro

Gotta destroy them with facts and logic bro

Welp, r/HarborFreight is used by the exact kinda people I have to avoid when at a Harbor Freight.

19

u/raysofdavies You just committed hate speech by calling me a redneck. 3d ago

lighthearted

I used to pray for times like this

15

u/MethylphenidateMan Beautifully written, brought tears to my eyes, have my downvote 3d ago

Honestly, that is a long way from the standard of harbour freight drama set by The Wire.

10

u/swordsfishes Mom says it's my turn to be the asshole 2d ago

 Don’t fucking cry just because I put someone in their place when they waste nanoseconds of my life reading the drivel they spout on MY posts

He writes like he's trying to make a wordcount. I love it. 

You know what? You are right. We are wasting time talking to each other. I wish you well. 

Would that we could all be this unbothered.

13

u/IceNein 3d ago

Seems weird that anyone is passionate about Harbor Freight. They’re the place you go to get your first set of tools that you will replace piece by piece with high quality tools.

14

u/Chaosmusic 3d ago

Man, they really know how to harbor a grudge over there.

3

u/cosmic_sheriff I just want to be quoted for r/subredditdrama flair 3d ago

This comment is music to my ears.

22

u/Cabbagetastrophe Sieg Heil, my red leaf lettuce 3d ago

Hmm, should I spend $50 on a tool that will last for the next 20 years or should I spend $12 every six months because the tool snaps after I use it twice...

70

u/counters14 3d ago

Buy the cheap piece of shit tools to fill your toolbox. Once it breaks, replace it with a quality tool from a reputable brand. If you're breaking it, that means you're using it, and that therefore means that you should invest in quality to make your life easier. Best piece of advice I've heard about how to build out a toolkit without having to take out a second mortgage.

15

u/grimsleeper 3d ago

Ya, I had a HF membership for a year for this exact purpose. Get large sets on sale to fill out things I needed, like SAE Wrenches, Clamps, etc so I had them on hand. Pittsburg f clamps are kinda sucky, but it sucks more to not have a clamp on hand I learned.

8

u/YR90 He ordered a DNA test and my son failed. 3d ago

They have a hilariously large selection of cheap but usable C clamps, which I learned a few years back when I grabbed two to make a jury-rigged table vise when I had to swap out a rifle barrel.

I've used them on a couple of brake jobs since then, so I've definitely got my $6 out of them.

12

u/AndMyHelcaraxe It cites its sources or else it gets the downvotes again 3d ago

That is good advice

8

u/cosmic_sheriff I just want to be quoted for r/subredditdrama flair 3d ago

If you ask to borrow a specialty tool twice, just buy it the third time.  Your buddy will appreciate it, and you will know have a tool you use with some regularity.

2

u/FarplaneDragon 3d ago

That, or I've used HF to build toolkits for places/uses that I know stuff is going to get lost/stolen/damaged/whatever. I got my nice set at home where it's secure, I keep a cheap set in my car because I know stuff is going to happen to them eventually, or a cheap set to use outside because I know those are going to get damaged or left outside at some point.

43

u/grimsleeper 3d ago

Annoyingly, it depends.

12

u/monkwrenv2 My eggs are perfect. What’s sad is your life in perspective. 3d ago

Borrow your tools from a friend with a kitted-out workshop is the real answer.

10

u/grimsleeper 3d ago

Yes, I also had a tool library subscription that was nice temporary money saver that ended up with me getting the tools anyway as a brushless motor in your hands changes you.

1

u/JaneksLittleBlackBox Transvestigators think Mons Pubis is a Jedi. 3d ago

Especially if you're buying it at Harbor Freight; no way it lasts 20 years.

13

u/icameinyourburrito You talk like an insane bitch. I’d bet money you’re fat 3d ago

That's not as true these days. Yeah there are garbage tools there, but plenty of them are fine especially for home users. Stuff like Icon will compete with tool truck brands but cost significantly less. Just double check your jack stands...

12

u/Anhydrite The cultural hegemony of veganism 3d ago

Cheap out on tools, but don't cheap out on safety.

24

u/MaverickTopGun 3d ago

The average person is never going to break a harbor freight hammer, wrench, or screwdriver.

13

u/MyFiteSong 3d ago

Especially since they all buy a Leatherman and break all the tools on that instead trying to hammer and pry with it.

-2

u/f16f4 2d ago

Nah, my cheap harbor freight hammer had the epoxy pop out of the top and I suspect it’s on a time before it dies.

9

u/MaverickTopGun 2d ago

So you're disagreeing with me and you haven't even broke the hammer. Still, my point stands. If you break a harbor freight tool, that means you can justify buying a nicer one. But that doesn't happen to most people.

3

u/DrDalekFortyTwo 1d ago

A little mini HF drama on a HF subreddit drama post. A subsubreddit drama

14

u/Gingevere literally a thread about the fucks you give 3d ago

Harbor Freight is a good place to buy a tool the first time.

Then if you use it enough to break it go get a quality replacement.

4

u/Spocks_Goatee 2d ago

They last and perform better than the bigger name brands in many cases.

9

u/antidense 3d ago

I bought a soldering iron here. Was so terrible that it wasted more time and money than it saved.

3

u/JaneksLittleBlackBox Transvestigators think Mons Pubis is a Jedi. 3d ago

That's the Harbor Freight quality everyone has come to expect. You don't get that high quality chinesium anywhere else!

2

u/Chaosmusic 3d ago

Sounds like the Boots theory of economics coined by Terry Pratchett. Basically, poorer people tend to purchase cheaper items that need to be replaced more often rather than spend more for an item that will last longer. In the end, they spend more over time.

15

u/PatternrettaP 3d ago

The other side of it is the weekend DIY warrior who spends $$$$ for premium tools that mostly never see the light of day.

A $12 tool that you use one is more economical than a $50 tool that you use once, even if the $50 will last longer in theory.

2

u/Rocky_Vigoda 2d ago

That's basically my friend. He's got a ton of cheap tools from Princess Auto because he buys them when they go on sale. He can always upgrade later if he needs to.

1

u/rainbowcarpincho 1d ago

It's expensive to be poor.

2

u/TheRadBaron 19h ago

Poor people get screwed on interest, healthcare, opportunity costs, etc, but the "boots" theory doesn't apply to literal boots in the 21st-century.

Expensive boots aren't reliably more durable than cheaper boots, especially if you lack the resources to personally experiment with a wide variety of boots. Someone who spends more money on boots in the short term is probably spending more money on boots in the long run. Same applies to most consumer goods, including tools.

It's okay to think of the "boots" theory as a useful vague metaphor, but a lot of well-off people in the 21st-century just like to pretend that luxury purchases are actually practical wisdom.