Shopsmith Forums

I've also had good luck returning items to Harbor Freight. Just keep the receipt, otherwise you might get a hassle. Their warranty generally is for 90 days, but you can get an extended warranty for a few bucks more, which probably is worth the money if you plan on trying to get heavy use out of the item. Caveat emptor, as they say.

I had purchased an item and had an accident the next day. Three weeks later I felt good enough to unpack it, I discovered it was short parts. I drove over there and was informed I need to be more careful when unpacking and that I had waited too long to try and return it. Thus I do not shop in their store. Other merchants seem pleased with their decision. I should add that the local store seems to be plagued with poor help. Jim

fjimp wrote:I had purchased an item and had an accident the next day. Three weeks later I felt good enough to unpack it, I discovered it was short parts. I drove over there and was informed I need to be more careful when unpacking and that I had waited too long to try and return it. Thus I do not shop in their store. Other merchants seem pleased with their decision. I should add that the local store seems to be plagued with poor help. Jim

Three weeks is too long? And insulted besides! That A H was still standing when you left? I would say to talk to a 'manager', but he was probably 'it'!:rolleyes:

fjimp wrote:I want to hear a success story from someone attempting to return faulty goods to harbor freight. My only experience had me leaving the store with steam shooting from my ears. Jim

OK, I'll jump in here. I bought the 14x40 lathe on sale (under $100) and since it was cheap, I added the extended warranty. It turned out to be a genuine POS (won't bore you with the details) and I left it mounted on the bench I had built for a lathe for the better part of a year. Finally, one day I got tired of seeing it over there, dug out the paperwork, called customer service, told them what didn't work on it, and they promptly gave me a return authorization number. I took it back to the local store with the number and they gave me a store card charged up with the full amount.

I have taken stuff back long past 30 days or 90 days and gotten exchanged/refunded.

I have their cheapie drill and have put it thru heck and it still runs. I thought I had finally jacked up the keyless chuck on a job, threw it back in the bucket of tools I haul around, and then decided I would take it apart and see if I could fix it. (I don't believe in throwing away anything.) Darned if the chuck wasn't working just fine.

I've got the cheap 1/3 sheet sander and I put it thru the mill sanding a subfloor the other day, leaning a lot of my weight onto it, and it's still ticking.

They always ask if I want the extended warranty, and I tell them (with the exception of that lathe thankfully) "No thanks, it's so cheap that if it craps out I'll just buy another one."

Which is exactly what I did with the $19 oscillating tool that has become my favorite handyman tool. I rarely tackle any project in my work that doesn't see it come into play at some point.

OK, enough ranting from me. Somebody tell me what size of bolt I need to fix those clamps so I don't have to go out to the shop and remember to size it sometime while I'm out there.

Bottom line, Jim, I think it has everything to do with the crew at the store and very little to do with company policy.

Oh, yeah, I bought that $10 wood plane (http://www.harborfreight.com/no-33-benc ... 97544.html) even with it's unconventional design and I use that sucker all the time too. Amazed me, but can't argue with what works. I did tune it up a little (like any plane) but it is holding an edge and makes really nice shavings.

JPG40504 wrote:Three weeks is too long? And insulted besides! That A H was still standing when you left? I would say to talk to a 'manager', but he was probably 'it'!:rolleyes:

Yeah he was still standing. He was a foot taller, built like a blocker and about 50 years younger. I suspect he is the manager. Doesn't matter, no way I will visit that place again. I detest being treated rudely. I never thought about it until now, I haven't received any mailings from that outfit in a long time. I guess that means they no longer desire business. Jim