Not the best quality, but we buy many many tools here because the price is hard to pass up, we save thousands a year with this store, and happy with most of our tools. Service is fair, price is excellent. read more

I discovered Harbor Freight just a few months ago. I was reading a copy of Discover magazine and noticed a full page of Harbor Freight coupons near the back. They looked completely out of place and the prices and variety of the tools they listed looked to good to be true. So, I looked them up on the Internet and found that there was a store not far away. In fact, I realized I had been walking past it for years and never really noticed it. I went in one day and had to literally bite my hands to keep from walking out with about a thousand dollars worth of *stuff*. I then spent a lot of time checking them out on line and then I did start buying tools from them. What I have learned is that the cheap stuff they sell is crap. But, the stuff in the middle and top end of their price range is usually very good to excellent. I recently needed a dowel jig. I looked around the web for reviews and saw one from Harbor Freight getting lots of reviews. I saw a lot of other tools get much better reviews. After reading many of them I realized that the tool I really wanted would cost a couple of hundred dollars. But, people were saying that the Harbor Freight tool could do the same job for only about $12. (Prices are a slippery thing at Harbor Freight, because of their constant sales the price for anything can vary by 50% day to day.) BUT, you would have to do a little work. I bought the tool and took it home. It is made of thick aluminum, hardened steel, and some really soft iron. I deburred the bushing threads inside and out. And, I adjusted the self centering screw so that the tool was self centering. I then spent a few minutes reaming the inside of the guide bushings and I had a quality dowel jig that has done everything I asked it to do. It does I've had similar experiences with a couple of other of their tools. A little bit of work can turn their $12 tool into the equivalent of a $200 tool from another company. It seems like I should feel ripped off because I had to do work that the manufacturer should have done. I would be except for the fact that Harbor Freight lets me have tools that I could not afford at all. If I had had to buy the $200 tool I would not have been able to do the job I wanted to do. You do have to be very careful about what you are buying. I looked at their pipe threaders and realized that while they look just like the ones you get from Ridgid they could not be made to perform like them even if you put Ridgid cutters in them because pot metal and plastic are not the same as iron and steel. I've been eying a very nice lathe at Harbor Freight, I will probably get it sometime next year. I know what I will have to do to make it into a tool that I will be happy with. OTOH, there is a lathe sitting next to it that looks very much like it and costs less. But, the cheap one is made of sheet metal and pot metal and will not hold its shape. The one I am looking at is a machined steel casting with good dimensional stability. On the net I've found instructions on how to turn it into the equivalent of a high end lathe. A big surprise I had with Harbor freight was when I was looking at a inexpensive table saw. I looked inside, made some notes, took some measurements and went over to Sears and then to Lowes. What I realized was that the saw on sale at Harbor Freight was the same saw being sold under the Craftsman name at Sears and under the Skil name at Lowes. The only difference was the color of the plastic in the base and the lettering on the stickers. Same Everything.... I could not find one difference except that the one at Harbor Freight was selling for about $10 less than the Skil saw and $20 less than the Craftsman. The same thing happened when I was looking for a tap and die set. Harbor Freight sells at least four different levels of tap and die sets. They look the same. They often come in the same plastic package. One package didn't list what the tools were made of. One said "carbon steel". And one said "alloy steel". Then there is their "Pittsburgh" brand that are titanium nitride coated alloy steel. I took notes and compared them to the Craftsman set I was looking at. Then I realized that the Craftsman set was made in China, was alloy steel, and came in the same packaging as the Harbor Freight sets. But, the Craftsman set is many times more expensive. I finally bought the Harbor Freight alloy steel set and have been very happy with it. I still can't see any difference between it and the and the Craftsman set. The trouble is that you could get fooled into buying the unidentified metal set that also looks like the Craftsman set and wind up with tools that will barely cut threads in a hardwood dowel. Well.... it might be OK for aluminum. I look at Harbor Freight as where I buy tools I can afford that I can turn into the tools I want. But, I never buy anything there without first checking it out on line and reading the fine print very care read more

Always busy here. Cheap stuff brings the cheap people like me. Be prepared for an adventure when looking for items that are on sale via the free mail catalog. The wait time in line to check out is on average 8-15 minutes. Never never a dull moment when visiting Harbor Freight. The staff never walks you to the item you inquire about they just blurt out the row number. read more

I absolutely love this place! This is where you go when you need tools, even before the big department store type home improvement stores. Good service, excellent prices and tons of choices. My only reasoning for reducing my rating by one star is the smell. I can only imagine how bad this is for anyone's health. If they figured out how to reduce the chemical smell, I'd easily give 5 stars! read more

Ignore the previous reviewer. Why even review a store that you don't intrinsically like? Should most guys review Gucci or Ann Taylor? No...let the folks who actually SHOP there review it correctly. That said, for most folks, this shop is very handy for lower prices on the cheaper chinese made goods that you see in any hardware store or even in Sears. The power tools are NOT in the same league as other higher and better well known brand names like Bosch, Makita, etc... but for the prices they charge, you could probably buy three and just dispose of them as they break. The strengths to harbor freight is for disposable stuff like chip brushes, gloves, cheap tools you may lose or break, saw blades, cheap electronics.... you get the 'cheap' part right? If you own a business where your workers walk off with gear, this is the perfect place for you where you won't mind losing a $29 4 1/2" angle grinder, (bosch is over $89). If you can shop here during the weekday, do so, weekends and nights are PACKED with daylaborers, bored guys, and a ton of weekend warrior Tim Allen's. read more

You know how like, guys sometimes get bored while their girls shop? Harbor Freight is the opposite. My husband gets so amped up looking around at welding helmets and other manly tools and machines. I follow him around not getting what stuff even is, much less appreciating its awesome engineering. I guess it might be a good hidden spot to meet guys, but then you might have to feign an interest in lawn mowers for the rest of your life. Regardless, Harbor Freight is man mecca. read more

Customer service sucks so bad. The guy working at checkout was openly complaining about how busy it was. Selection is good. I really wish Harbor Freight would open a store in Cedar Park or Leander because I hate driving all the way down to the ghetto to get something. I mostly go to Home Depot but sometimes they have great sales. Just be sure to lock your car and try not to notice the trash everywhere. read more

Deceptive advertising... On Saturday, 7/12/2014, I bought a water pump from Harbor Freight Tools #00198 in Austin, TX. I brought it to my car in the parking lot. I went into the car, and opened the box top just before I left to make sure it was the correct unit. It was not. I went right back into the store and got on the long line to return the item (I have purchase/return receipts to prove this). Upon returning the item, the cashier (Chandler) surprisingly told me that there was a 20% restocking fee and that he would be keeping $19.31 of my refund. He also checked with the manager (Clarissa) who rudely said "Yeah restocking fee". I obviously did not use the unit, the entire package was in original condition (I only opened the box top). When I questioned this Clarissa simply said "No" and further ignored me. Additional information: - Upon ORIGINAL purchase, I asked the cashier what I could do if this was not the right unit. He said "Just return it" - I was NOT advised of any restocking fee at the time of ORIGINAL purchase. - There was NO display unit for me to view beforehand. This Harbor Freight has horrible customer service and treats its customers poorly. I would like the $19.31 that was taken from me to be returned. read more

We had a very pleasant experience when we went in and we were on a time crunch. I was worried because other negative reviews say the place is always crowded, no floor staff, staff that is there is not helpful and the list goes on! We went on a Friday morning, saw at least 5-6 floor staff, three were very helpful pointing us to what we were looking for. One even went and got the item for me. Also, shout out to Elizabeth the cashier, she was very friendly and helpful and seemed to know the store quite well! She knew what aisles to tell us to go through and was patient as we remembered one last thing and also patient as we looked up a coupon online for 20% off! I would visit again just because of my pleasant experience with her! I also saw someone return something while there with no hassle. Yet other reviews said returns were a hassle?! I would definitely recommend a trip to this location! read more

Terrible customer service. This place is close to my house so I go there in desperate times, but they usually don't carry what I need. Yes, they have reasonable prices on tools, but don't go there for small things like screws or edger line. Customer service is what makes or breaks a business, and I don't like to feel like I'm inconveniencing someone just by asking if they carry a certain item. read more

Usually I come here because of coupons and deals. Reasonable price! I dealt with a employee (long hair-young man) very helpful and shows me the camping stuff they have, really nice for him to guide me! My complaint was the cashier (acne face/woman), I think she's on training she saw me standing and ignored me, so I have to ask if she's open, ask her if we are members, then do we get the special price, the other cashier was helping her, but, after all, I still got charged full price. She did not look at me at all or shed a smile. She needs more training and need to learned to have a positive demeanor. Don't work at a place like you don't have customer service ability! Now, I have to go back fix my receipt! read more

Crap products. Bought a big jack...it quit working. Attempt to speak with somebody with no success. Cheap prices = cheap products. Save your money. Spend a few bucks more and get quality products. read more

The change in hours is dumb. You failed to update the hours other than on your door and caused many people to waste gas, time, and money coming to your store. read more

I've been down to this Harbor Freight a couple of times. And each time, I received great service from their employees. I called in the morning to put a hold on laser markers (which will work great on my sewing machine) and they were there waiting for me later in the day. Their personnel always knew how to help me find what I was looking for and graciously took me to that item. Great value and great prices! Way to go Harbor Freight!! read more

The store is headed in the right direction. I can tell the staff is new with a different management team in place. The shelves are full and ready for business. Spot on service levels with a smile and great prices to save us money. Thank you to the my local Harbor Freight for finally getting it right!!! read more

I got my new compressor and nail gun for my husband a price i could afford. He loves to work on our house and he needed some improved tools to do it. The harbor freight people told me all about the tools and what i should look for when i buy a nail gun. Now I just have to supervise my husband more closely! read more

Great prices and lots of tools . I love going and just walking around. If you need a small , you can't beat their prices and inventory on small engines. read more

I normally love this chain of inexpensive hardware stores, but this location needs help! The staff is horrible and just downright rude. They're all too busy flirting with one another to even notice customers and good luck getting assistance with anything. I tried asking multiple employees questions regarding my purchases and not a single one knew anything about tools or even attempted to care if I was helped. The lady at the cash register was flirting with another employee the entire time she was checking out my purchases and ignored every word I said to her. Another employee gave me the wrong information about which items I could use a coupon on too. This store needs better management fast! read more

It's kind of hilarious to see everyone griping about customer service. This is not a store you should expect to be hounded by salespeople trying to walk next to you through your whole shopping trip. It's Harbor Freight. Go to a specialty tool store or shit even the big box stores if you need your hand held finding a part. But expecting white glove service from Harbor Freight is like expecting the clerk at 7-Eleven to act like your waiter and take your order. Harbor Freight is the place to go if you need a really basic tool for cheap, period. That's it. Expecting more is ridiculous. read more

I'm a big fan. Amazing selection of tools at great prices. They have things you might not expect and also things that you can't find at other local stores. Tools may not be the highest end, but I'm finding quality to be pretty good and definitely worth what I'm paying. read more

Wow! They close @ 8 and I arrived at 7:58.. And they wouldn't let me in? I suppose that what I should expect from a dollar tree equivalent hardware store! Guaranteed I'll buy some more cheap crap from them, and return my partial used or shoulda been used parts to them! Congrats! You win, & I win.... But who eats it? read more

Definitely don't get the airbrush and compressor kit! It is terrible! Great selection of tools, but all of them aren't of the highest quality. I guess you get what you pay for! read more

Honestly, I don't know how this place stays in business. One two separate occasions, my wife and I both experience the same thing: walk into the store looking for a tool, can't find anything like it, and there is NO ONE around to help. I wandered around the place for 10 minutes looking for a tool to help me with the water shut-off valve, and I couldn't even figure which aisle would host such a tool. I didn't see a single person who could have helped me, either. At least at Home Depot, I know where the tools are supposed to be. read more

Sometimes this place gets too busy for the staff, but they always manage to help. Great place to pickup those not so easy to find specialty tools and the prices are good, some stuff is "you get what you pay for", but in my experience, sometimes using tools not exactly in a way they were meant to be used, well allows you to not hurt your pocket book too much. read more

Horrible customer service! It was my first trip to Austin Harbor Freight on Parmer Lane. A friend texted me about a sale on bike racks and he texted me a picture of the coupon. I called to see if they had any left.The person who answered the phone talked so fast, I couldn't understand him. I asked if I had reached Harbor Freight and did they have any of the bike racks on sale. He put me on hold. A different person came back to the phone, so I had to explain what I needed again. He put me on hold for 6 minutes and never came back to the phone. I called again and spoke to a 3rd person. He said he was a supervisor and he just clocked in. I asked why no one came back to the phone. He said he didn't know and I had to tell my story a 3rd time. I asked if I had to have a coupon to get the $29.99 price on the bike rack and he said no. After work, I went to get my bike rack and check out. There was only 1 cashier with several people in line. I showed the cashier, Clay, my coupon on my phone. He said I couldn't have the sale price because my picture didn't have a bar code. He accused me of taking a picture of the sign outside.I told him I spoke to a supervisor who said I could have the sale price without the coupon. He argued with me said that must have been somebody new that told me that. I said no, he was a supervisor. I asked for the supervisor who came and said yes, I could have the sale price. The cashier ,Clay, got very irritated and said loudly, "I'll need an override!" Clay asked me 3 times for my member number, and 3 times I told him it was my first time there and the 3rd time, I said I don't need a number because I'm never coming back because of the bad customer service. As the supervisor did the override, Clay said sarcastically, "I think I'll start taking pictures of everything." I don't know where they found this cashier, but he has no idea how to treat a customer. If I could give zero stars, I would. read more

Harbor Freight is my firt stop for all manner of tools, auto accessories, I just bought a 500 pound cargo carrier that hangs on the back of your car's trailer hitch. I also bough a small fold up trailer that my wife assembled, and it is incredilbe for the price. She built a floor and we put on sides we bouht from Harbor Freight. We use it for hauling top soil compost sand, all kinds of stuff. It carries about 1,500 lbs. I love Harbor freight and bought a bunch of stuff online too. I kinda like the congestion on the Lamarr store. Its always full of, like working guys, that can't afford to pay the 'professional' prices. That means me. read more

Man, I love this place. It can be dangerous at times. The entire time I'm in the store I ask myself over and over, "How can this possibly be so cheap?" And then, "How can I possibly NOT buy this, it's so cheap!" I also love that everyone in there seems to know what they're doing, sometimes more so than the employees at Home Depot. They have always been friendly and eager to please, help me find something, or answer a question about a project. I needed a heat gun, but I'm never going to use it again. So should I buy the $50 at Home Depot, or the cheapy $17 one at Harbor Freight? If it works once, that's good enough for me. They also have high quality stuff, and still for less than the other hardware places. I guess you're not going to find mulch and fertilizer and a huge array of lawn mowers or BBQs, but if you need a tool, cheap, you can find it here. Their sales are killer, too. If you want the name brand with the lifetime warranty, go to Sears or Home Depot. If you want something that will work, or to give as a graduation or "first car" gift, or something you're only going to use a few times, come here. If you want to shoot the sh*t with some cool guys, come here. If you want more bang for your buck, come here. read more

So I went in this store looking for a cargo carrier for the back of my car. I found what I was looking for on a wall display. .7 seconds later a young man passed me and I asked for his help getting one of these. He said "let me punch in first and I will help you". 30 seconds later he wheeled that sucker to me on a dolly and said it would be waiting for me up front. Now on to shop. Just about the time I wondered about an adapter to put it on my second car another gentleman asked me if I needed help. Seconds later he showed me the adapter. $13.95 - cool. On 2 other occasions I was asked what I needed help finding. It was awesome to have so many helpful people there. Even the guy at the checkout, probably the manager, was friendly and helpful asking if I needed help getting this to my car. AWESOME customer service. I did find this cargo carrier on craigslist a few days before and it was more expensive than brand new in the box at HF. THANKS fellas - and the one lady working that day. Carry on. read more