Harbor Freight — Local services in Lake Forest

I have reviewed this store before. What I still remember most, is the men didn't really want to give me their best as a representative of the company. I was there to purchase quite a lot and when I was checking out, I forgot one item. I asked the man that was ringing up my order, to help me find that last item. He merely pointed toward the location. I stood my ground. I'm close to positive that my heart tilted a degree or two. My mouth didn't gap open in surprise. Long line behind me building with many deep sighs and harrumphs in chorus. I stood undaunted and starred at the "gentleman" at the register. His jawline falling more slack as the clock ticked, the line shuffled and the sighs grew in unison. Finally!, Another fine employee tries to slip through the gathering group, trying to be invisible. The clerk points out to him and asks in a rather "put-upon" tone in his body language and his voice. " Get what this customer wants so wee can all go home!?". I giggle and agree "here! here! " Beside everyone else, I felt the most put-upon and if I were a smaller/weaker personality, I would have cried. Now, I try to be positive and a lady but I will never allow anyone to blame me or use me as an excuse to NOT do their job as they were hired to do. I will go back for the great value. I do know this is a store I will mentally prepare myself as I enter the doors. Should I...

In general, if you need a tool once and can spare the cussing of the tool kinda working exactly once before exploding, harbor freight is the place to go. Be sure to have a current coupon (check online) to get your 20% off one item and free tape measure or whatever.

There are some really good deals to be had. For example: an automatic center punch at the home depot across the street costs $15, harbor freight has one for under $4.

The best thing HF has done in the past few years is head towards a Good/Better/Best system. This means you can still get dirt cheap tools if you want, but there's also nicer quality tools that still are a bargain compaired to other house-brand tools (Husky, Kobalt, Kirkland...) and even some tools that compete with high end discount brands (e.g. Blue-Point). The quality of the nicer ratchets and wrenches has exceeded my expectations, and even some of the flashlights are impressive.

The main negative is that in my experience, this location in particular usually ends up with long checkout lines and a confusing queuing structure. Maybe it's when I go, but there's usually someone doing a complicated transaction and another person getting something loaded in their car stalling...

They're like the 99cent store for auto and home. Well, not really .99 but you get what I mean. Their pricing is terrific but when they have a coupon sometimes the pricing is absurd. They have just enough in every department to cover the basics and more. Bought the best garden hose ever here. Best price on a car jack, torque wrench, clamps, etc. You have to stop in and check it out but before you go, go online and check the coupons.

Update and a word of caution. Before you buy an item that is not returnable to the store check the details. I learned a huge lesson when I bought a sump pump. The cashier told me it was returnable but not to the store and told me to check the receipt for details. I was sure the sump pump would meet my needs but when I tested it I was wrong. It had been an hour since purchase but unfortunately I had opened it and used it so I had to go to a website and file a claim. Sucks! Days to confirm claim and I will only get a gift card in 3 weeks. NEVER will I buy an item I can't return to the store. It's to easy to go online to Amazon and buy a similar product with a 4 yr warranty and no return issues for equal or...