Harbor Freight — Local services in Burlington

Normally I have a good experience at this store. Lately they've been having only one cashier which makes the lines longer and delayed, especially since they have wonderful discounts and coupons that need to be used. In this case I came to exchange a cooling towel I purchased last week. (When I opened it, it looked, 'not new'. The package really has no protection at all, and I honestly didn't want it but I was told that because of COVID I couldn't return it. I'm not one to argue so I kept the darn thing, praying and trusting the cashier that told me that 'they come that way'. Really I just wanted a different one.) Anyway. Besides the point. I stood in line for 5 minutes to "exchange it" at this one opened register. A Harbor Fright Lady walks to a second register and takes two people. So I'm thinking, 'oh yeah, we're moving'. So, it happens that each of them had to run through their phone numbers, through coupons, and through accounts, etc. Ten minutes later, the initial line I was at had already seen 4 customers. So I moved back, and I was the last one, and again same issue at my newly moved line.. As courtesy, when the Lady cashier, manager, whatever, finished with the two people ahead of me should have help me, she closed the register... Well. Then!!! 4 minutes later after this cashier going through coupons and a new roll of receipt tape... When the guy at the register 'explained' to me how he couldn't take Cooling Towel back and I left, he said to the man behind me "I apologise for the delay".......

Nice & very clean store, friendly staff that helps me find anything needed, great deals, many freebies with a purchase during select promos. Has lots of hard to find tools at low pricing, great store for hobbyists like myself.

While some of their tools aren't the quality of big names, on the other hand, if using occasionally & as intended, holds up well. They also have tools for commercial usage, yet these naturally costs more. We get what we pay for, Harbor Freight has a tool for most every need & budget.

I like the store because as a hobbyist, usually has what I need, when I need any. Plus some essentials such as paper towels, while stock may vary, the quality of service at Harbor Freight Tools of Burlington are always consistent, unlike some of the big name home improvement stores. Highly recommended to others to visit.

Lastly, I'd like to comment on an unfair bad review, if one doesn't have a receipt at most any store, the same cannot expect a refund, nor even store credit. As some purchases en masse on eBay & resells the same brands of some items, the employees has no idea where the item(s) came from. Plus they ask for a phone number at every visit for security, so would know someone made a purchase & the dollar amount. Even with cash purchases, the phone number is asked for, so that's like a secondary receipt.

I've been 100% satisfied with every purchased at Harbor Freight & their small tools has saved the day for me on several occasions. Hopefully they're prosper & stay here for...

Harbor Freight sells low quality tools at extremely low prices. This low rating is not due to the quality of the tools, but the quality of the service. I was looking for a very specific engine stand that says it is in stock on the web site. I drove nearly an hour to this specific store to buy a specific item that was supposedly in stock. When I went to check out, the cashier says that yes they have it in stock, however it is the display unit and they would not sell it. This inventory conundrum is probably why they don't allow you to buy online and pickup in store.

TL;DR: Do not trust their online claims of which stores actually have stock. Call ahead and make them put...