Harbor Freight Rant

[Tractor Seabee]

I have one of their O/A welding sets. The torch handle and cutting attachment were stolen. Called customer service about getting replacements. There price for the two pieces was 75% of the cost of the new whole set. What a profit center that is for them. As there O/A sets are compatible with Victor I will use it for parts and the other pieces. Another HF buyer beware. Should have lied and tried to claim a warranty issue; but, that is not my forte. Glad I never bought it new but at a garage sale el cheapo. Don't really need it. Good regulators are worth $30-40 each to the unwary.

Ron

 

[Shaneard]

Give it time. When the person who stole it realizes what it is and where it came from they will return it and you won't have to buy anything :laughing:

 

[4get gto]

Many manufacturers do the same thing so I'm not sure why this singles out HF. Anybody that has ever bought battery tool knows this all too well. Buying one battery costs almost as much as the kit.

 

[RandyT]

I see it all the time in my mower repair business. Honda float valve $24.88 in a $18.99 complete carb. $749 transmission in a MTD rear tine tiller that sold new for $599.

 

[BukitCase]

Used to be mfrs were required to maintain spare parts for 7 years, that's apparently long gone - but price gouging was quite a few companies' way to make up for the expense of maintaining parts while still complying with the 7 year thing... Steve

 

[yomax4]

When I worked for Victor, Often times the cutting attachment with new tip cost as much as the whole kit. This is because the list prices are 3X more than the selling price. Smith and Harris are the same way.

 

[Diggin It]

Replacement ink for an printer anybody?

 

[yomax4]

I see it all the time in my mower repair business. Honda float valve $24.88 in a $18.99 complete carb. $749 transmission in a MTD rear tine tiller that sold new for $599.

Welders and Plasmas are no different. $800 inverter welder or plasma, Main board $1500.00. The world we live in.

 

[dragoneggs]

Disposable society these days... manufacturers/retailers both hate to stock extra sku's to support DIY repair efforts.

 

[WranglerX]

Many manufacturers do the same thing so I'm not sure why this singles out HF. Anybody that has ever bought battery tool knows this all too well. Buying one battery costs almost as much as the kit.

Sort of like 1 battery for $79 or 2 battery kit for $99........

Dale