So I was leafing through my latest issue of Discover Magazine (October),
> and saw on Page 76 a large, full-page ad for Harbor Freight that includes
> what they call a "Super Coupon." The Super Coupon can be used on any
> single item in the store to receive 20 percent off. It can even be used
> for on-sale items--it's a super coupon after all! (They include the
> exclamation point in the ad.)
>
> The only things you can't use the Super Coupon for are Campbell Hausfeld
> products, gift cards, and extended service plans. Oh yes, and not on any
> food or beverage items sold in the store (you wouldn't want 20 percent off
> a Hershey bar, anyway).
>
> Only one Super Coupon per customer allowed, so use it for something > expensive.
>
> "Original coupon must be presented in order to receive the discount." >
> You can find Discover Magazine at newstands. Please don't tear out the
> page from the Library's copy :-P
>
> On a different topic, the full-page ad states that Harbor Freight will > beat
> any competitor's price within 1 year of purchase. I guess that means if
> you find something at another store that's cheaper than what you paid for
> it at Harbor Freight, the Harbor Freight company will refund the
> difference (plus a li'l' extra) even if you bought the item a year ago.
The catch probably is that AFAIK, Harbor Freight has house brands that nobody else sells. Electric power tools are branded Central Electric, pneumatic tools are Central Pneumatic, and hand tools are Pittsburgh. They do carry some Ingersoll Rand pneumatic tools.
In looking at their electric tools, the plastic tool body feels flimsier than on name brand tools like Milwaukee, Bosch, Dewalt, etc. and the tool seems larger and bulkier than a name brand tool with comparable capabilities. Craftsman power tools also tend to be a little bulkier.
> No, I don't work for the store, just writing this stuff down for
> future reference, in case I forget it.
>
> Finally, the ad says the store has a lifetime warranty on all hand tools.
I bought inexpensive tools for my son when he went to college, and a set of prybars for me. I've gotten a fair amount of use out of the prybars and have been happy with them. I got an Ingersoll Rand pneumatic angle die grinder (excellent), a Central Pneumatic pneumatic rotary cutoff tool (OK but bulky and uses a lot of air), and a long reach blow gun (works well). Overall, I've been happy with the limited tools I've bought there but I'd be leery of buying anything that requires a precision fit like screwdrivers, chrome sockets, wrenches, etc.
IMO, the stuff that Harbor Freight sells is OK for the shade tree mechanic, for tools that one only uses very occasionally, or where you are not that concerned about performance.
> Oops, forgot to add:
>
> The coupon expires on January 8, 2010, so you can even use it in December
> for a Christmas or Hannukah gift. Or Ramadan gift for our Muslim friends.
> Everyone's got a holiday in December :-)
>
I believe that Ramadan just ended.