Harbor Freight — Local services in Pasadena

I’ve had a series of negative experiences at this Harbor Freight location, and my most recent visit made it clear I won’t be returning until Harbor Freight starts investing in employees that have standard communication skills and how to act socially and with proper conduct.

I came in with my bicycle to make a quick purchase. There was no posted policy against bikes being brought into the store, and nothing at the entrance stated otherwise. I was approached not with a direct conversation, but by an employee named Breanna yelling across the store that I couldn’t bring my bike inside. When I asked her why, she avoided the question and gave no real explanation. Instead of helping, the cashier who was a large and heavy-set Mexican, deliberately invited himself into the conversation, which seemed to be a poor attempt to impress his female counterpart. His comment telling me I should go buy a bike lock from their store was quite pathetic. Ignoring him I continued to ask questions for further details to try and make sense of her nonsensical logic about that if I had come to buy a lock, she was telling me I still wouldn’t be allowed to have my bike with me. She didn’t respond, only repeating that the bike had to be outside. I explained what happened on a previous visit: I was told the same thing, left my bike near the cart area, and while I was at the register I saw someone riding off with it. I dropped everything and chased the person down. I was injured and shaken. I was walking back up the parking lot hill when the same employee who had refused to let me bring my bike inside came outside, told me she had called the police to arrest the person who had stolen the bike and now waiting at the bus stop. She also said she had put my wallet somewhere safe inside, and told me I could bring my bike in while I waited for them. None of this had been said before the incident happened, which made the entire situation more frustrating and contradictory. So, when Breanna repeated the same refusal, I asked why it was only after my bike was nearly stolen that I was told I could bring it in. That’s when she claimed it was a liability, which seemed to be the best answer she could give because she previously had no logical reason for denying it, and it was only after I gave her that idea by explaining my past experience. Which I expressed back that I would just keep my bike on me and that’s when she went straight back to the deflection. Because I didn’t want to lower myself to her standards, I kept my composure, said thank you, and left. I stepped outside and began searching and calling places elsewhere who could provide the product I needed and with better service. Each time customers walked in through the doors, the heavy-set cashier was staring and laughing at me. Breanna and a few other employees also stepped outside, looked around outside, and went back in.

I fully support justice-oriented employment programs such as those designed to assist individuals re-entering the workforce after incarceration or those with criminal backgrounds. These programs are essential for rehabilitation, reintegration, and economic equity. However, it becomes unacceptable when employers fail to ensure these individuals are given proper training in basic etiquette, professionalism, and appropriate social behavior. Support for second chances should never come at the expense of customer dignity or service standards.

I’ve never had this kind of experience at Home Depot in Pasadena. Their staff are respectful and have never given me issues about having my bike. I strongly encourage Harbor Freight management to reevaluate their hiring standards and expectations around basic customer service and...

Our house was affected by the Eaton fire complete total loss. We went 2 days after the fire to try to get a replacement hand truck, Jack and jack stands. when we got to harbor freight, The manager said very rudely, No item, no replacement even though we have an account with harbor freight and we have the warranty on all those items. We contacted headquarters where they gave us a printout of every item that we have purchased from harbor freight showing the purchase date, the amount and the warranty. this took a few weeks, when we went back a different manager said yes, We can replace the items Just come back on Monday and we can replace the items and you'll just have to purchase a new warranty. We went back on Monday to "purchase" these items and the same manager said no item, no replacement and we decide to call headquarters while in the store and headquarters even told the person that we don't have the item because it burned in a fire and it was completely destroyed and army corps of engineers cleared our lot already. But why would you want burn debris? The manager who kept saying no item no replacement was very rude and very unwilling to work with us. So we kept calling headquarters to see if we can get the situation solved. And yes we had warranty on the items. Finally, headquarters called and said if we decide that we want the items, not every item that we purchased just the six items that we wanted that one time we'd have to repurchase all the items or bring in the item to exchange it. It's very disappointing to know the store is so unreasonable regarding a natural disaster. We're not the only people this...

We've been going to this store for quite awhile now. Unfortunately, today would be the last time because of what this certain person.

One cashier was working and there was a long line. Stephanie opened up one register and called out the person next in line. I followed that person since the person in front of me was carrying a lot of items and probably didn't want to walk to another register. When I was waiting behind the guy, Stephanie asked if I needed help and I said no, I'm waiting in line. She said there's only one line so I had to go back to the original line. When I was there waiting, there were about 3 people on Stephanie's lane waiting but she never told them what she told me, that there was only one line. She also started ringing up the next person. I went up to her and asked her why she's ringing up those customers but made me go back to the "only" line. She just said, "I apologize but they were starting to make a line". Okaaay?!!! Well, that was really bad customer service. I end up just leaving the store since I was very upset. Oh, when I was on my way out, she shouted, "Have a great day ". Of course it was in a sarcastic way. Talk about...