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Business Profile

Hardware and Tools

Harbor Freight Tools

Headquarters

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Harbor Freight Tools's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Harbor Freight Tools has 270 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 348 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 114 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/14/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased a generator from Harbor Freight 8/2024. I was told it would be left in the back with a copy of my receipt on it. My partner was suppose to pick it up and never did. Purchased to use for 2025 ice cream season. While doing my taxes, I came across the receipt and went to get it out so I could make sure everything was smoothly running. Found out 3/2025 it was never picked up. After checking my credit card and not seeing a refund I called the store and was told theyd look into it. After a week went by I went to the store having heard nothing. I was given an 800 number and was told they dont hold items. Theyve held a generator previously. I was then transferred to **************. I was told the inventory counts were correct and they couldnt just give me a generator. Considering I paid $800 plus a warranty I wouldnt call it free. I assume one of their workers has a new generator courtesy of my small business. This location is *****, **. I know there will be no resolution, but there should be a record in case something similar happens to someone else.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/12/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      date brought on 5 of Dec 2024 from *********** il. it was adjustable tow bar which i needed to pull my jeep back home ok i had it installed on the 6 of Dec 2024 and on the 7 i left the motel i was staying in for work i checked out of my room headed back to ***** as leaving the motel i didn't get a block down the road as i pulled out the motel turned left about 2/10s of a mile i stopped to the stopped to the stop sign and i pulled off slowly from the stop sign crossing the road as i cross the road i feel hear something pop then the jeep started to pull to one side so i started hitting my breaks very easy so i want mess up nothing. so when i came to a stop i got out of the truck to check and see what was wrong i seen the whole front of my jeep Liberty was tourn off my jeep and i seen where the tow bar has broken. the Equipment was defected part that i had brought from harbor Freight Tools. so i was able to get help by the policeman and woman to help push the jeep in the parking lot. after ive disconnected it from my 2003 ***** 4+4 and i seen the the part tow bar was any good so i had to go and rent a Trailer so i can pull the jeep home the whole front grill and bumper in fender was messed up on the jeep so when i made it back to ***** from IL. and when i made it back to Tx i was able to return it with a full refund and the manger there told me that these tow bar has been brought back many times and that i was not the first ****** to bring one back. so i filed a Complaint with the company Harbor Freight to repair my jeep it went on and on. the Guy for the company **** ******** kept giving me a hard time about the part and about what it did to my jeep as it malfunctioning from Dec to March 2025 now **** say it no the company fault every question **** ask me i answer then and he try to contradict me on every answer i give him like the make of the jeep and the weight of it and the 4 by 4 when i told him that both Drive Shaft was taken off the the jeep to be towed...

      Business Response

      Date: 04/04/2025

      I'm in receipt of the complaint filed by ***** *****. I am sorry to hear about our customer's recent purchase experience. Our ***************** has been in touch and the claim was denied as the warnings and instructions on the item and the manual for his vehicle were not adhered. The vehicles manual states not to use a bumper mounted clamp with a tow bar on the vehicle instead to tow the vehicle on a flatbed or a method where all wheels are off of the ground. In addition, based on the photos of the vehicle provided by the customer, the damage on the vehicle clearly shows it was due to the frame of the vehicle not being strong enough to tow with a tow bar. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/10/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I or*ere* a tool box on Feb 7. It was sche*ule* to be *elivere* 3/7, between 10:30 an* 1:30pm to my shop. At 10:10 I get a confirmation that the box was in route. At 11 I get a Text saying the box was not available to be picke* up. I cal * the *elivery company, ***** Last Mile, tol* me the store was close* whe they went to pick up in Morning. I calle* the store, the store manager tells me they have been open since 7. The *elivery company says I have to wait another 72 hours to even resche*ule. I calle* an* spoke to a manager in customer service at ********************** an* she acte* very concerne* an* sai* she will fin* out an* call back, never hear* a wor* back. No one taking responsibility, not a goo* look.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/22/2025

      I reached out to the customer and was able to confirm that he did receive his order and we have closed it out on our end. I was able to ********** the situation and the customer was satisfied with the resolution of a $250 digital gift card for the inconvenience of the delivery issues. We have escalated the report internally for visual purposes. 

      Thank you,

      Blue B

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/10/2025

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Was charged $136 for a restocking fee on a product that didn't work

      Business Response

      Date: 03/23/2025

      Hello,

      In response to Mr. ******* current complaint. Some items do carry a 20% restocking fee. The policy is listed on the shelf below the price tag, on the receipt, and on the website, under Product Overview. If you have any further questions regarding the policy. It can viewed here: ******************************************************************************************

      The policy states the conditions under which we waive the restocking fee:
      Item is unopened and in new condition
      Item is exchanged for an upgraded product in the same category
      Item is replaced under an **************** Plan
      Item is replaced under Manufacturer Warranty

      It none of those conditions are met, the return is subject to a 20% restocking fee. We apologize for any frustration or inconvenience this causes.

      Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Thanks again for contacting Harbor Freight.

      Thank you as well for providing this opportunity to respond. 
      Customer Support at **********************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/27/2025

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I January 2025 I opened a commercial billing account and this has been an absolute horrible experience to the point I will not be a Harbor Freight customer ever again.I set the account to pay directly, however it opted to the autopay. The bill was $63.59 and as it hit my bank prior to a payment clearing, unexpected payment and I was over drafted then charged $50 for the ***, the next days the payment was made and paid the $50 NSF. I was billed another $50 for another NSF that never happened.Tried communicating with then, however they are not speaking fluid English and had zero success dealing with them I have provide proof of payment clearing, yet they insist I how owe then another $50 NSF fee, this people have lost their ******* this point, I have invested hours of my time addressing this nonsense, to the point I an demanding compensation for my time.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/13/2025

      I am in receipt of the complaint filed by Mr. ****** *******. In response to the complaint, I have reviewed the concerns mentioned and forwarded them to our Harbor Freight Commercial Account card partners managed by ***** Pay for review.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/13/2025

       
      Complaint: 22996174

      I am rejecting this response because:

       

      this is not a resolution, this is more lip service from the company that's refusing to hold accountability for their lack of professionalism.
      Sincerely,

      ****** *******

      Business Response

      Date: 03/21/2025

      In response to ****** ******** concerns, I am sorry to hear about his recent experience. This is not the experience we want our customers to have while shopping with us. In regard to his concerns with the Harbor Freight Tools Commercial Account, while this is a service offered by Harbor Freight Tools, the Harbor Freight Commercial Account card is issued and managed by ******** and any inquiries regarding his account should be handled by TreviPay directly. 

      We will make sure this information gets to our ******** partners to get the help that he needs. 

      Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to address ****** ******** concerns. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/18/2025

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I returned a welding machine and was charged $80 restocking charges and I think its crazy if the item was never used. And I wasnt giving back all of me cash. They return $107 to my card and giving $235 in cash in which I had to wait for over a hour and half to get that. I feel that if I have the receipt for the item and you can look in the book and see that it has never been use I should have been giving my full return. Now they will put that same item back on the shelf and charge the full price for it. Harbor freight this Has to Stop.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/26/2025

      Hello,

      I am in receipt of the complaint filed by ****** Gold.  In response to Mr. ****** current complaint, some items do carry a 20% restocking fee. The policy is listed on the shelf below the price tag, on the receipt, and on the website, under Product Overview. If you have any further questions regarding the policy. It can viewed here: ******************************************************************************************

      The policy states the conditions under which we waive the restocking fee:
      Item is unopened and in new condition
      Item is exchanged for an upgraded product in the same category
      Item is replaced under an **************** Plan
      Item is replaced under Manufacturer Warranty

      It none of those conditions are met, the return is subject to a 20% restocking fee. We apologize for any frustration or inconvenience this caused.

      Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Thanks again for contacting Harbor Freight.

      Thank you as well for providing this opportunity to respond. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/06/2025

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased and paid over $3,000 for two tool boxes on Dec. 15th 2024. They have been delivered to the store on 1/30/2025. They wont let me pick them up, Someone was supposed to call me and set up a delivery. No one has called me. I have spoken to customer service four times, including a supervisor named **. Everyone says they will look into and call me back and no one is doing anything about it. They have my money and my product and will return neither. I asked for his supervisor and was refused. I asked for their legal council and was refused. I don't know what else to do at this point. PLEASE ADVISE

      Business Response

      Date: 02/17/2025

      In response to Mr. ********* concerns regarding his recent purchase, we have been in direct contact with him and addressed his concerns. We hope that he will give us another chance and that his next experience will be much better.

      Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to respond to our customer's concerns.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/29/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On 1/19/25 my wife and I purchased a generator under false pretense, we where told it was tri fuel got home tried to hook it up and it was not spoke with a lady on the complaint line and very nice lady was as helpful as could be but was told that I would not have to pay a restock fee do to the miss understanding etc.. so I packaged the generator up in the original box. There was never fuel oil or anything put in it it was taken out and put back in. The storm passed and I was finally home off work so took the product back to the store spoke with a lady explained everything with intention of returning the one we had and purchasing the original one we wanted it was not in stock and to avoid the hassle of me having to lug around in and out of a vehicle this generator I returned under the assumption I wasnt being charged a restocking fee, I later as in with in the hour realized I wasnt being charged charged a 468$ restocking fee so I called the company explained everything to them was told they could not refund the restocking fee asked if the could just sell me the one I originally wanted and apply a credit of the amount of the restocking fee to that purchase and ship the product to my house and we understood we would have shipping cost etc was told the would not do that sorry and got sent a 25$ gift card via email for our troubles. My problem lies with the customer service being less than par do to the fact I was sold something that I didnt want but was told it was something else and I also feel the restocking fee is a little absurd in price I understand the need and reason for a restocking fee but a reasonable one.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/27/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On December 8, 2024 I purchased a drain cleaner from Harbor Freight. ($14.96 plus tax) The item turned out to be clearly defective so I tried to return it. I was told that due to the nature of the product, I would have to submit an online request at ******************. I did this immediately. After a few weeks of no response, I submitted it again on 1/2/25. Still as of today, (1/26/25) no response. No calls, no email, nothing...

      Business Response

      Date: 02/05/2025

      Hello,

      I am in receipt of the complaint filed by Mr. *** ********. In response to the complaint, Mr. ******** received the refund in question on December 24th, *************************************** the amount of $16.11. The refund was returned to the customer's **************** credit card. I advise Mr. ******** refer to his banking institution to inquire if the funds were returned.

      I would like to thank you for providing us with the opportunity to respond to Mr. ********** complaint. Thank you.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/27/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I bought a Central Machinery manual hydraulic log splitter from Harbor Freight in **********, **, and I purchased an extended warranty. I loved the log splitter; it worked just as I hoped it would. But then the hydraulics starting leaking oil. Not just a little, but a lot. I took pictures of the leakage and emailed ******************************* twice, the first time on December 22, as the designated service and warranty email. I have not heard back. In looking up ***************** it looks like they may be a proprietary brand of Harbor Freight, I'm not sure? I provided not only pictures of the leakage problem but also the serial number in my emails. I'm attaching pictures, please note the oil staining the cardboard I put underneath the log splitter I would like help in clarifying a few things: - Can Harbor Freight be helpful to me in pursuing this or do I have to only pursue Central Machinery?- If Central Machinery, can you help me to get them to be responsive instead of ignoring me?The resolution I hope for is either:- repair the log splitter - replace it with the same model - replace with an electric model that won't leak hydraulics.Thanks for any help you can be here. **** ****

      Business Response

      Date: 01/31/2025

      With respect to Mr. ******* ***** concerns as referenced within his complaint, we have reached out to the customer directly to provide additional assistance troubleshooting his defective product and offering alternative solutions if needed.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/04/2025

       
      Complaint: 22861641

      I am rejecting this response because:

      The company says: "we have reached out to the customer directly to provide additional assistance troubleshooting his defective product and offering alternative solutions if needed."  I have double-checked my inbox at this email ********************* and also checked my spam folder, and I have received no communication from them.  I am pleased they say they have responded but I haven't received anything.

      Sincerely,

      ******* ****

      Business Response

      Date: 02/16/2025

      Hi there,

      I am in receipt of the complaint filed by ******* ****. In response to the complaint, I will need Mr. **** to send me a copy of his receipt as I was unable to locate this on my end.  Please note I have sent an email to the customer to request the proof of purchase and explained that the photos provided were of a "Lumber ***** log splitter not as stated a "Central Machinery".  Harbor Freight does not retail the brand "Lumber ***** **** I get a copy of the receipt, I can review the matter further and respond to his concerns. I would like to thank
      you for providing us with the opportunity to respond to Mr. ****** complaint.

      Warm regards,

      -***** C

       

       

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