Classes over, with only a week of exams to go, I am thrilled that I can now look to testing tools again. My first test, however, is not just about tool testing. It's about testing tool manufacturers, their products, their customer service, and their memberships/deals. For my first go? Harbor Freight. Now, I've see ads and coupon pages for Harbor Freight since I was a kid. Now, in my 50s, I figured it was time to give them a go. My initial thought? Why did I wait so long?
Having taken down a number of coniferous trees last summer, I amassed a pile of limbs that need cutting and splitting. As you may recall, my cardiologist is not a fan of over-exertion (dumb aortic valve). Anywhoo... I decided to try out a manual Hydraulic log splitter. Sun Joe has offers one as do a number of other companies. Looking for the best deal to test, I came across a log splitter that Harbor Freight was selling, built by Central Machinery. Normally priced at $149, compared to other brand equivalents being priced twice that amount, I was intrigued to see that if you joined Harbor Freight's 'Inside Track' Club, you would get $30 off the normal price. Since membership was less than $30, I figured I would give it a try.
The thing I have long noticed about Harbor Freight's ads is that they often give away free tools (or even buckets) along with their prices seeming much cheaper than those at other hardware stores. We are talking True Value, Value Home Centers, Lowes, Home Depot, and many neighborhood stores. Harbor Freight's 'Inside Track Club' gives amazing deals on a LARGE number of tools. So, that $30 membership should pay off nicely. The question is, do their tools work AND last.
As for lasting, time will tell as I just purchased the log splitter today. As for the functionality of the log splitter, I did look for reviews, both written and on Youtube. Reviews for Central Machinery's log splitter were overwhelmingly positive/good. So, off to the store I went. Now, unlike Amazon, Target, and many other stores, Harbor Freight does not provide free shipping from what I saw, even for expensive items. On their website they make note of that and offer the viewpoint that stores with free shipping are at times raising prices to compensate for free shipping. Given how inexpensive Harbor Freight is for their actual tools, I'd say the lack of free shipping is a minor issue. For the record, this log splitter was $149 BEFORE the membership discount, which is about 100% off of the price of most equivalent products from other companies. Shipping would have only been $21 - $22 if I had paid for shipping. As a consequence, I'd say Harbor Freight's lack of free shipping is not really an issue.
I tried out the log splitter on one small log before the rain started. It worked as expected. The manual is quite clear in instructions. I will try the device on seasoned hardwood tomorrow. As for the pine log I tried, the splitter did well. I can give a rating until I try out hardwood. Why this post then? The customer service.
The employees I encountered were all friendly, and no one tried to see me on any junk when I entered the store. Bonus points right there. Then, when having difficulty finding the log splitter, an employee immediately approached me and offered to help me. Things went incredibly well from there. I didn't feel rushed, the employee seemed very knowledgeable about the store and its products, and he helped me with getting the log splitter to the cash register. He then waited as the cashier cashed me out, and then the employee helped me get the log splitter into my car. I've faced a mixed bag when it comes to customer service in stores to the point that I would prefer to be left alone. Harbor Freight's store personnel made the shopping experience comfortable and pressure-free.
I have high hopes for the log splitter, and I will write a new post after testing the log splitter more. As for Harbor Freight, signing up for their membership or not, they are definitely a store I will look to for tool purchases in the future.
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