Ok I have to admit I have very mixed feelings. Had you asked me a week ago I would say stay far away you'll be better off going to the one in El Cajon but today I would say to give them a chance.
. Over all Harbor Freight's product are inexpensive but I am not to sure on how well they are built. I think if you need something for a quick small job around the house, than yes, these tools would work but with my experience if the tool is going to be needed long term I will rather head to Homedepot (which is 1 block away) Majority of Harbor Freight's tools appear and feel cheap and flimsy but yet aat the same time they guarantee their power tools. So buyer beware and don't forget to take a coupon of 20% off.
As for this store specific- The Lemon Grove store needs a lot of help. I have had several bad experiences with the staff at this location. I finally had it with the rudeness, lack of knowledge, and incredibly unhelpful staff. (which is how I would describe majority of the employees when I have gone in) so I had asked for their manager and out cam Kevin. You would think being a manager he would want to be helpful but I actually got the complete opposite. He came across as arrogant and was very unprofessional. I walked away from Harbor Freight so disgusted with this place, The last several times I went here the employees appear to hate their jobs- no one smiles and says "hello", they are rude when you ask for help,
The next day I found myself still thinking about my visit and decided to call the district manager to where I found out that Kevin was actually Only the Assistant manager. I got a completely different vibe and feeling about the store and how they treat their customers. The real store manager, Jamie, had called me a few days after my initial call to corporate. I expressed my concerns about not only his employees but also my experience with Kevin. Jamie was very appologic, understanding, and incredibly helpful. I needed a store credit so Jamie told me what days he was working as I agree to swing by sometime during the week. This is where my whole view of Harbor Frieght had really changed. Had it not been for Jamie sounding so sincere when he called me I would of never gone back into the store. Which I am glad I did.... I went in today, Jamie was with a customer so I waited and was observing the staff. It was night and Day in the staff that they had working today. The staff were actually very helpful to the clients, it was a completely different dynamic in the staff how they worked with not only the customers but also their interaction with each other. It was how you would expect customer service to be.
I don't know why such a change in the staff? Did Jamie have a sit down with the staff? (which I kind of doubt) or was it that Kevin wasn't there? The times I have went I never had seen Jamie there which leads me to believe that "The Assistant Manger, Kevin" was the poison. I will be curious the next time I go into the store to see what the atmosphere is like and to than noticed who is in charge. Your only as strong as your weakest link and if the one person is giving out negativity it only a matter of time before it starts effecting the rest of the staff.
So the jury is still out but I will give them another try. Thanks Jamie! read more