Harbor Freight — Local services in Town of Cheektowaga

honestly if I could do half a star I would, but not very happy with them, I had a power washer that the motor blew on it went, so I ordered a new motor, once that motor came in I went to start it and it did not start, I tested for spark and it had none, I went back to the store, that lady that helped me return and replace it was not nice, she had an attended and not very friendly, I walked out with a different motor, I let that project sit for about a week and half to two weeks because I had other things I needed to get done, once I found time to do it this motor would not start either, I went back to the store and the same lady went "now I guess that didn't last very long now did it" in a not so nice way, I ended up returning that motor and got my money back, this lady took off my member ship without telling me or anything, i ended up going a week later to buy a whole power washer thinking that would be easier, I bout it for 369, I went to use my member ship and this guy said that I didn't have one, but I told him I did and it had the exact date on it of when that lady took it off, he told me he would add my member ship back free of charge, I could not figure out why it came to $500. on the way home I looked at the bill and he ended up charging me for my member ship, I also had missing parts with this power washer as well, this power washer would not start, and after a bit me and my friend checked for spark and we had no spark what so ever, this is tow motors and now the whole unit and now it became a pain, I called the store and asked to speak with the manger, he gave us a very very hard time over the phone, I said heck with this place, he then told me they would give me back my $500 I paid, we went to the store the next day and this guy said he had to take off a 20% restore fee, I said NO, I spoke with the manger and he said the whole $500 I would get back, we were giving each other attitude and he said I have to take off this 20% restock fee and that is the stupids thing I've ever heard, this item does not work and they r going to charge me for that, I never had to pay for a stock fee, I ended up getting only $426 back and canceled my member ship, NOT HAPPY AT ALL, never going to harbor freight again, they are a waste of my time and not good customer severe, I have the receipt if anyone wants to me to take a picture and add it, I would be more then...

First, I love shopping here and shop here almost weekly for various cheap tools and things I don’t need for professional use.

I purchased an OBD2 scanner here a week or so ago to clear an ABS code on my (Asian) car after a repair. The packaging said it would work (on Asian cars). When I bought it, I asked the cashier if I could return it if it didn’t work, to which she replied “yes, no problem for up to 90 days.” - so I bought it.

Long story short, it didn’t work. I ordered a nice one on Amazon and went to return this one a few days later. The cashier was friendly but told me there would be a 20% restocking fee. I (politely) told her I didn’t think I should have to pay a restocking fee as the item didn’t work as advertised and that I’d be happy to go show her on my car.

She said she would call her manager over and that “he can waive the fee, he does it all the time, but it just depends on his mood”. Great.

RJ, the store manager walked up looking miserable and I knew right away what the employee said about him was true (it depends on his mood) and that he’d turn me away. And he did, despite me clearly showing him on the box what it says it will do, but does not do. He obviously wasn’t listening and didn’t want to hear it and said, “we can give you a new one or you can upgrade to a better model without a restocking fee”. I already ordered a new one and didn’t want to do that, and re-emphasized to him that the item wasn’t broken, it just did not work as clearly advertised on the box. Again, he just said “no”.

I wasn’t going to argue with him, so I took my refund minus 20% and left. I called HF customer service and they were quick to sort it out and refunded the remainder. They were great.

RJ - listen to your customers. I had a legitimate complaint about the item not working as advertised. I shop here weekly, and while I understand you have a job to do, refunding my measly $12 would’ve been an easy way to have a happy (and already loyal) customer. Don’t be the manager your employees say “depends on his mood” about. This reflects poorly on you, your store, and ultimately...

Store is clean, well stocked, shelves are maintained regularly. Shelves are neat, clean, and misplaced products get returned to the correct area. Staff are friendly and courteous. They aren't always helpful unfortunately. Half of the staff I've questioned for help weren't familiar with the product in question and seemed at a loss on what to do next... Call a fellow employee over the radio and no response. Tried to use the scanning device to scan the bar code and it is supposed to give some details on the item. Device was useless and slow. I ended up going to the website and getting the info myself while the employee was still anxious trying to get the info. 10 minutes with employee and no answers to my questions. The one answer I was given seemed to be wrong. Their info said over 30 items in store and on the shelf. Shelf location was empty and they checked stock in back and there was none. The website confirmed that store had zero on hand. To be fair the employee did everything he knew to try to answer my question. None of the other employees tried to help him get the info (I was only customer in the store at the time). The hand held device was soooo sloooow to the point it was more aggravating than not having any device. Similar situations have occurred in the past. Essentially not all employees know the products they're selling. Annoying, but unfortunately not entirely unexpected. Overall I would say my store experiences are mostly good and pleasant. Just don't ask a young employee a question and expect an acceptable answer. If you get one consider it a bonus. Either way you can walk away happy instead of frustrated and aggravated. you get what you pay for. Not something I would use as a tradesman for work, but perfect for a one off project or occasion around the...