Harbor Freight — Local services in Utica

Disappointed with Product Quality and Customer Service

I usually try not to leave reviews, but my recent experience at Harbor Freight has been frustrating enough to share. On March 5, I purchased a two-shelf service cart to use at trade shows--both for unloading my trailer and as a display stand. Right from the start, the cart felt flimsy and unstable, as if it might collapse at any moment. I put merchandise on the top shelf during the show, but it was so weak that I eventually stopped using it altogether out of fear it might break and injure a customer.

Since I still needed a cart, I went back to Harbor Freight on March 10 and bought a flatbed cart instead. While there, I asked about returning the faulty service cart, and an employee told me I'd need to speak with a manager. I didn't have the cart with me, so I called the store later to confirm I could get a refund before making another trip. After speaking to an assistant manager, she put me on hold and left me there for 17 minutes before I finally hung up.

With no resolution over the phone, I drove back to the store to request a refund in person. That's when the store manager told me no refunds because it was used. I had already been upfront about using it when I first asked about the return, and he claimed they couldn't resell it--which I completely agree with since it was unsafe and poorly made. However, instead of a refund, they only offered in-store credit. If they had told me that earlier, I would have waited to buy the replacement cart with the credit rather than paying out of pocket. The manager's response? "Well, you already bought stuff again, so I guess we won't lose a customer." His dismissive attitude was just the cherry on top of a terrible experience.

To make things worse, the flatbed cart I bought to replace it also has issues. I had to use thread lock on the bolts because they would loosen right after using it of the box. Even after tightening them properly, two of the wheels started wobbling after just 30-40 minutes of use.

Overall, this was a horrible experience with both the products and customer service. I expected low quality garbage from them, but at least be able to use the product as intended for a time or two. Plus a bit more respect / customer service when dealing with defective products. Definitely won't be making future purchases from...

Normally I wouldn’t do this but I was treated so rudely by a supervisor at the Utica, MI location. I went to make a return a large welding cart, I first took my receipt to the register and informed the cashier that I need help unloading the large Vulcan welding cabinet from my truck. She proceeded to call the supervisor John S, he looked at my receipt and made his first of several complaints about my return. First complaint was “ you didn’t even buy it at this location” I asked does it need to be returned to the same location of purchase, he said “no”. Second, he proceeded to complain that it was assembled and that it shouldn’t be his problem since it was not bought at that location and asked “ why are you returning” I said it’s just to big and hard to move around. Too big! Several times he questioned me on my reasoning for returning and I answered the same every time! Third he complained that they would have to resell it in store. I even unloaded it by myself. Mind you it comes on a pallet and was loaded with a high low. How unprofessional John S. I proceeded to leave after returning and I went home and gathered everything I have bought in the last 90 days from harbor freight, and returned it to the location that I originally bought the large welding cart Clinton township, MI. I will never shop harbor freight as long as John S is a supervisor at Harbor Freight Tools in Utica,MI Little does John S know I originally went to the Utica location to buy the welding cart but non were in stock. So I had to drive to a...

Bought a compressor. 2 weeks ago. They. Buy extended warranty for $36 this way you don't need your receipt or anything to bring it back. It already has a one year warranty. Bought it with my bank card. Pulled it out of the box on a job to do trim. It works. It holds air but the thing never shuts off I'm on the job. So I took it to the closest store near me. Took it in. Do the Sterling Heights store location. Now I bought it two weeks ago why would I carry the receipt. And if it comes with a one-year warranty why would I buy the extended warranty. Are they telling me you need to buy it because it's junk. Besides that took it in told wouldn't shut off and try to exchange it but I don't have my receipt I told them can you look it up on my bank card. Because I'm an hour away from my house. sorry we can't do anything without receipt. but everybody knows when you buy from Harbor Freight. your phone number is automatically in the computer. they are a joke. Will not buy another...