Common Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes When Shopping At Harbor Freight

Shopping is typically a breeze — simply visit a store, pick out your items, check out, and be on your way, right? While that's often the case, if this is your process every time you shop, you may be missing out. You may have been taught how to save a few dollars here and there: always shop with a list to avoid impulse buys, clip coupons, and look for less expensive store brands over name brands, but those aren't the only tricks of the trade!

Savvy shoppers adjust their approach depending on where they're shopping. Harbor Freight is known for its great deals, offering a broad selection of options for anyone from the weekend DIYer to contractors, but the choice can be overwhelming, especially if you're not a pro. Picking out a power tool may not be as simple as selecting the best bunch of bananas. Even if you research products ahead of time and look for the best deals, you still may end up with the wrong tool or overpay. Here are four common mistakes that many people make when they shop at Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight offers many products from both in-house and widely-known brands, though many products, including its tools, are only available in Harbor Freight's own brands. You may be tempted to simply buy the least expensive product and be on your way — and while that's not always the wrong answer, you may find yourself with a tool that doesn't offer the quality or strength you require. Searching the company's website for cordless drills, for example, gives more than 20 options, all from Harbor Freight brands, including Warrior and Bauer. An entry-level drill will certainly fit the bill for assembling furniture or hanging curtains, but it won't keep up on tougher jobs, like building a new deck or drilling large holes for plumbing or electrical work.

Speak with a sales associate at your local store or do your research online to find the best option for your needs. Professional-grade brands will cost more up front, but you may require a higher-quality option for your project. Beyond reviews, be sure to look into product specifications and compare them to your intended use. Even when comparing Harbor Freight's own brands, remember that lower-priced products are most likely lower-grade options intended for beginners, not professionals.

Many of Harbor Freight's products are covered by a typical 90-day warranty, but it's a different story when it comes to hand tools, which have a lifetime warranty. The company guarantees that its hand tools will be "free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product", and if the tool breaks, Harbor Freight will replace it for free. You won't need to purchase a replacement unless you simply don't want that exact tool anymore. There are caveats, of course. You must be the original purchaser, for one, so if you're trying to replace your dad or friend's tool, you'll be out of luck.

To exchange a tool purchased at Harbor Freight, you'll have to visit your local store. Bring the defective or broken tool with you, as you won't be allowed to keep it. If the exact same product is no longer available, Harbor Freight will substitute it with a similar item. This warranty is only for defective or broken tools; it will not cover the item if you lose it or if it's stolen.

Membership or loyalty clubs can often feel like just a marketing ploy, but sometimes these programs offer real advantages. Harbor Freight's membership costs less than some others at only $29.99 per year for new or renewing members. You may be able to make up that cost in one or two shopping trips, and the program offers several benefits.

As an Inside Track Club member, you'll receive early access to store sales and can shop before everyone else. You'll also receive automatic savings and member-only deals both in-store and online. The savings may add up quickly if you're working on a project or you just do a lot of shopping at Harbor Freight. Featured member deals at time of writing include $30 off a socket set, $10 off a TV wall mount, and $5 off a 50-foot extension cord.

You can purchase a membership at your local Harbor Freight or online, and view exclusive monthly member deals on the Member-Only Deals page. Memberships are valid for one year, and you have 90 days to change your mind and receive a full refund.

If you're a frequent coupon clipper, then you probably already know that Harbor Freight offers extra savings with coupons, but some shoppers may not take advantage of this program or realize how extensive it is. You can visit the coupon section of Harbor Freight's website to view all of the current coupons, which can be redeemed online or at your local store. To redeem online, you simply click on "Have a Coupon?" in your shopping cart and enter the code. You can even use more than one coupon at a time. To use in-store, just display the barcode at checkout.

Harbor Freight issues a large quantity of coupons in different categories, including automotive, hand tools, power tools, lighting, and storage. These deals are only available via the coupons. You can also subscribe to Harbor Freight to receive additional coupons, including single-use, no-exclusion coupons that are exclusive to subscribers.