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Business Profile

Hardware and Tools

Harbor Freight Tools

Headquarters

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Harbor Freight Tools's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Harbor Freight Tools has 273 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 331 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 82 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/22/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      July 10 at 1:57 pm i returned an item at the ************ harbor freight and the return went to a closed account ive been actively trying to figure out a solution and have offered a paper signed my my bank saying they never got anything. My bank said they never got anything because my account is closed. Please help me get my money. I have several options i can provide to prove the account was closed.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/18/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased equipment from Harbor Freight and was told that if it did not work, I could exchange it or get a refund minus a restocking fee no questions asked. Of course the machine broke immediately and I brought it back to the store. They refused to replace or refund it.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/18/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Applied for Harbor Freight credit card to take advantage of the 24 months 0% interest, bought a toolbox and chest for $2400+, after looking at recent bill I noticed interest charges, called the number on the statement, the lady informed me I have been charged interest from the start, apologized for the misunderstanding and informed me there was nothing she could do about the interest, refused to credit my account or fix it going forward, she was plenty happy to cancel the account but was not willing to do anything about the fraud and deception

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/18/2024

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have ordered two items from Harbor freight on (6/17/2024) and was given a ***** day shipping timeline. I was updated that my two items would be shipped separately. I received the tissue dispenser but never received the tool cabinet. I saw that harbor freight labeled my cabinet as delivered via their website even though this never happened. After calling harbor freight, I was told that it would take 5 days for a response from the third part shipping company they hired named, Energy transport Logistics. After 5 days of waiting and no response I called Harbor Freight for a 3rd time and was told theres no case number they could provide me to make sure someone was keeping track of this issue. I was told I would be called back with a resolution/update and was not. I simply want a refund for the shipping and cost of the tool cabinet. I listed the full price I paid for both items and am not looking to receive that full amount. Please help.-Energy PRO #: ********** -Harbor Freight order#: *********

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/10/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On 05/06/24, I purchased a ************ Powered Earth Auger for $199.99 from Harbor Freight @ *******************************************************. I bought and installed the recommended gas and oil mix for this auger-even confirmed it with the sales manager at this store. I wanted to avoid any start problems. I tried starting this auger on 05/25/24 and was unsuccessful after more than 30+ pulls on the start handle/rope. Two landscapers witnessed my struggles and came to assist me in starting the auger. These landscapers pulled on the start rope 30+ times and the auger finally started. I dug one hole, turned the auger off and was not able to get it restarted.There is a defect with the start mechanism(s) in this auger that did not enable it to be started. I about collapsed from the heat and labor involved in attempting to start the auger. Many repeated pulls on the start cord is very hard on your arms and elbows! Due to all the emotional and physical stress caused by this auger-I lost complete confidence in it. Clearly it did not go through any type of quality checks or controls before being packaged and sold.Even though I bought an extended two-year warranty showing my intent to retain this product for the long haul, I decided to return it because it was too laborious and frustrating to use. When I returned this auger to Harbor Freight in ****, they slapped me with a $40.00 restocking fee. Im very displeased with the product quality and unwillingness of Harbor Freight to stand behind their products. Harbor Freight hits consumers with a restocking fee because they assume we are all dishonest and using the equipment for jobs and then returning it.There are numerous disgruntled customers that purchased this auger and experienced the same complaint as mine read your reviews and act upon them! Fix the quality issues with this auger! Harbor Freight is cheating its customers out of their money because their augers are flawed. I demand that this $40.00 be paid back to me.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/01/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On 12/10/23 my wife bought me a gift card as a christmas present. When I went to the store to use it I was told there was something wrong with the card and there was nothing they could do about it. I then contacted customer service and they told me to send them a copy of the receipt and the card #. This I did got no further response. So after a few weeks I sent them another E-mail. I was told they couldn't find the copys i had sent. So I sent them again. This time they told me they had looked into it and found that in January ***************************************************** **. Well if they did give someone a replacement gift It wasn't given to me. I have the original card and receipt so why would they give it to someone without proof of purchase. I find this very suspicious. Can you please help me resolve this.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/27/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On 6/26/2024 I was shopping for a belt sander and stopped into Harbor Freight. I found one that was listed on Sale for $15 off. When I checked out I was charged full price. When I mentioned it was on sale the woman at the register asked if the sale price had a blue tag. I didn't recall. She explained that the blue tags are member prices. After making my purchase I went back and took a photo of the sale price and showed it to the woman. I explained that the tag did not indicate that I needed to be a member. The store manager joined our conversation and immediately said that a customer must have hidden part of the tag. He said this repeatedly as we walked back to look at it. Once there he pulled the tag down revealing small print indicating a preferred price. I explained that I could not be responsible for the manner in which the product price was posted. He refused to refund me the difference. Judging by the manner in which the woman at the register responded, she has received the same question about sale pricing from other consumers. Also, judging by the initial response of the manager indicating that the tag was moved by a customer, he knew exactly what the problem was before we walked back. I have a photo of the regular price with the sale price. I feel that Harbor Freight has a deceptive method for posting product pricing. The should refund the $15 difference and clearly label their pricing to distinguish between preferred pricing to avoid this discomfort to consumers.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/25/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      My husband *********************** and I set up a harbor freight credit card. We bought a generator on the card. They gave us the 6 months no interest however we wanted the discount. We paid off the credit card immediately and they said that they would give us a credit in rewards to our account. They were supposed to credit us over worth $200 and the points they gave is 200, which 500 points equals $5. We have been dealing with this since december. Keep contacting and them saying wait 1 to 2 cycles. Nothing has changed. Harbor Freight owes us money.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/25/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Bought 4400 psi pressure washer it worked for about an hour before the pump overheated & shot hot hydraulic oil everywhere I returned ********* charged me a 20% restock fee to return a defective pressure washer I didnt want another of the same model after it failed so quickly I dont understand how they can charge me a fee for returning a defective product I just want the ****** they stole from me with this fee

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/20/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Harbor freight is running a scam by charging their customers a restocking fee for returning defective non-functional merchandise that never worked and not providing the option for a replacement.I bought a Predator 6500 generator and cable for $715.48 on 6/18/24 transaction #*****. I brought it home and tested it and half the circuits were faulty and did not work.The next morning on 6/19/24 I went to exchange the product for one that actually worked but they were sold out. They had no more in stock. So a return was suggested. After processing all of the paperwork I was informed there would be a $130 restocking fee (transaction #******). I asked to have this removed as the product was defective and they didn't have another in stock. They refused to refund the restocking fee and yelled at me.To summarize Harbor Freight sold me a non-functional product and when trying to return it less than 24 hours later offered me no form of resolution to make me whole. They didn't offer a replacement. They refused to give me a full refund. Then they charged me a $130 restocking fee for returning a defective product.I understand charging a restocking fee if someone returns something they didn't like or changed their mind about. I can not fathom how it is legal to charge a restocking fee on a non-functional defective product. They are leaving the customer with no options to be made whole. They are financially penalizing their customers when THEY sell defective products.Note: The amount paid field shows the total of $715, the refund I am owed is $130.

    Harbor Freight Tools is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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