No individual tools at HF

[MarkB_MI]

I needed to cut the box end of a 22 mm wrench to make a flare nut wrench, and I didn't feel like wrecking my Craftsman wrench. So I stopped off at Harbor Freight (The Store I Love to Hate), to pick up a cheap wrench. What I found was a very large display of all kinds of end wrench SETS, but NO individual wrenches. Same thing with the socket wrenches: Sets only, no individual sockets. Even the things normally sold individually, like socket wrench extensions, are only sold in sets. An HF employee confirmed that they don't sell individual wrenches anymore.

I suppose the HF bean counters did the math and realized they were losing more individual tools to pilferage than they were selling, so they discontinued selling them. I have no idea what they do if you try to return a tool for warranty replacement. And if you lose a wrench, I guess you're supposed to buy a whole set.

I went down the street to HF and picked up a Husky 22 mm for ten bucks. It worked just fine.

 

[stevieb49829]

Mark, for that kind of purchase, I go to my local, large Pawn Shop. They have racks and bins of individual tools. Some may even not be stolen. steve

 

[MarkB_MI]

Mark, for that kind of purchase, I go to my local, large Pawn Shop. They have racks and bins of individual tools. Some may even not be stolen. steve

Mark, for that kind of purchase, I go to my local, large Pawn Shop. They have racks and bins of individual tools. Some may even not be stolen.

Many years ago I had a number of tools stolen, including my MIG welder. I took a trip down to a second-hand tool store and sure enough my MIG welder was sitting front and center. A year or so later that store closed after they were found to be buying tools taken from the HD half a mile down the street.

 

[Mad Farmer]

We have a used tool dealer nearby. He has all sorts of hand and small power tools.

You can find USA made: Snap-On, Craftsman, Williams, S-K, etc......and imported junk too. Individual and sets.

If you want to make a proper flare nut wrench you'll need to find a six-point 22mm. That will be a tough nut to crack, pun intended.

 

[710ltd2002]

I get individual sockets and wrenches at Autozone. I never see large mm at the home improvement places. Autozone says they say they have lifetime replacement on hand tools but I haven’t tried. Also looked like Menards only sold 12 point sockets.
Dave

 

[Jeff NWOH]

I think if you need a warranty replacement, they just pull the tool out of a set that it comes in. At my local store there are always tool sets with a piece or 2 missing for sale in the clearance section.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I needed to cut the box end of a 22 mm wrench to make a flare nut wrench, and I didn't feel like wrecking my Craftsman wrench. So I stopped off at Harbor Freight (The Store I Love to Hate), to pick up a cheap wrench. What I found was a very large display of all kinds of end wrench SETS, but NO individual wrenches. Same thing with the socket wrenches: Sets only, no individual sockets. Even the things normally sold individually, like socket wrench extensions, are only sold in sets. An HF employee confirmed that they don't sell individual wrenches anymore.

I suppose the HF bean counters did the math and realized they were losing more individual tools to pilferage than they were selling, so they discontinued selling them. I have no idea what they do if you try to return a tool for warranty replacement. And if you lose a wrench, I guess you're supposed to buy a whole set.

I went down the street to HF and picked up a Husky 22 mm for ten bucks. It worked just fine.

Mark,
A Flea market in Florida sold individual tools. I was looking for a 14 mm deep socket 1/4 drive.
$.25.
Menards sells individual tools.

 

[MarkB_MI]

We have a used tool dealer nearby. He has all sorts of hand and small power tools.

You can find USA made: Snap-On, Craftsman, Williams, S-K, etc......and imported junk too. Individual and sets.

If you want to make a proper flare nut wrench you'll need to find a six-point 22mm. That will be a tough nut to crack, pun intended.

If you want to make a proper flare nut wrench you'll need to find a six-point 22mm. That will be a tough nut to crack, pun intended.

Yes. I needed a wrench to remove an NOx sensor from the exhaust on my Duramax. It turned out to be not too tight and my ersatz flare nut wrench easily broke it loose. It was tight enough I didn't want to risk using an open-end wrench.

 

[JOCCO]

Mark, it seems to be everything and everywhere. Around me there is very little individual items it's all packaged. Window screen they used to cut it per foot or yard, no more it's in a prepackage roll. O rings and hardware type items used to be individual all the stores now sell some assortment.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I needed to cut the box end of a 22 mm wrench to make a flare nut wrench, and I didn't feel like wrecking my Craftsman wrench. So I stopped off at Harbor Freight (The Store I Love to Hate), to pick up a cheap wrench. What I found was a very large display of all kinds of end wrench SETS, but NO individual wrenches. Same thing with the socket wrenches: Sets only, no individual sockets. Even the things normally sold individually, like socket wrench extensions, are only sold in sets. An HF employee confirmed that they don't sell individual wrenches anymore.

I suppose the HF bean counters did the math and realized they were losing more individual tools to pilferage than they were selling, so they discontinued selling them. I have no idea what they do if you try to return a tool for warranty replacement. And if you lose a wrench, I guess you're supposed to buy a whole set.

I went down the street to HF and picked up a Husky 22 mm for ten bucks. It worked just fine.

Most auto parts stores have loaner tools one set being O2 sensor tools.

 

[Loosehandle]

Probably going to use the only sold in sets to get out of warranty like craftsman

 

[Jim.ME]

It is likely more cost effective due to handling and inventory tracking to sell the sets rather than individual wrenches and socket, from the supply order all the way through to the out the door sale. Based on the quantities they deal with I expect they can pull a wrench, socket, etc. out of a set for a warranty and put the remaining pieces in the Open Box section and still at least break even (likely they still make some money).

 

[MarkB_MI]

Most auto parts stores have loaner tools one set being O2 sensor tools.

Most auto parts stores have loaner tools one set being O2 sensor tools.

Actually, I have an O2 sensor wrench that I'd forgotten about.

 

[Tgrasher]

I've noticed they have a clearance table that has a number of tool sets with missing pieces. Wonder if customers are pilfering the individual pieces they need?

 

[Gambles]

I think if you need a warranty replacement, they just pull the tool out of a set that it comes in. At my local store there are always tool sets with a piece or 2 missing for sale in the clearance section.

^This. About a year ago, I bought this HF screwdriver set for my daughter. She had recently purchased a house and needed some basic hand tools. Would a professional mechanic own this? No. Not unless he would have it to give it to the techs who are always wanting to borrow your tools. Is it a good set for a lady owning a house and needing a set of light-duty screwdrivers? Yes, especially for the $6.99 that they sell it for and that includes a lifetime warranty on the manufacture's warranty.
Anyway, when I got her set home, I cut all of them out of the cheap bubble wrap that the set comes in and there immediately was a problem with one of them. Inside the Lucite (generic term, dunno what HF calls it) handle, there was a huge bubble of air. So much so, that it didn't clamp around the steel shank and you could turn the blade while holding the handle still. There's a little "lifetime warranty" marking on the package, so I took it to the counter and showed them a problem with their product. I immediately get the arms-crossed, warranty denial from them. Both the manager and the associate were muttering that you can't except any warranty from a $6.99 set of screwdrivers. It just so happened that they had a set hanging right by the cash register. I grabbed it and pointed out the "lifetime warranty" ink on the package. Without another word from each of them, the store manager took out his pocket knife and cut me out an individual screwdriver from the bubble wrap. There was nothing but silence as they marked down the price and set it on their "Island of Misfit Toys" counter.
BTW, one thing to remember at Harbor Freight's "returned tools" counter. You only get a 5 day warranty on anything, including their tools that have a 5-year warranty. That was confirmed to me yesterday by two employees. They had a returned drill there that has a 5-year warranty when purchased new. I was somewhat interested in it. I asked two employees about the warranty on it. "5 days only" was the reply from both employees.

 

[Gambles]

I've noticed they have a clearance table that has a number of tool sets with missing pieces. Wonder if customers are pilfering the individual pieces they need?

While the customers might be doing it, my money says the employees do it. See my other post.

 

[Caryc]

I needed to replace the oil light pressure switch on my Dodge Grand Caravan. Went to Nappa and was happy they had one in stock. I knew I had the special socket they sell for those things. When I got home I discovered another problem. The special socket for the thing didn't work because of the large plastic plugin on top of the sensor. I had to go back to town and get another special socket. It was the same thing but it was a deep socket. to reach the metal below the plastic connector. So if you buy a new sensor, take your socket with you to make sure it will fit. That is if you do have an oil switch socket.

 

[jimg.allentown]

I have found that Harbor Freight does sell a few individual tools. At least they used to. I remember getting a spare 21mm impact socket there, and I seem to remember that there were a few other common sizes available individually.
In the "old days" when they first opened their store in my area, if you broke a socket, you had to bring in the entire set and exchange it for another set.
I never heard about that 5-day warranty on a 5-year warranted tool. If they tried that on me, we would be having a BIG problem because I would be calling every consumer protection agency I could find. Then we would see about that 5-day stuff.

One thing I don't understand about store employees, though. Since they don't lose anything, and money does not come out of their pocket, why should they give you a hard time about replacing a lifetime warranted item? Even if it is a $6.99 screwdriver. A defect is a defect, and you are at least entitled to get what you paid for. It isn't like you bargained them down on the price. You paid the asking price and expected a properly made product. What could possibly be wrong with that?

 

[showcrop]

I can buy any individual wrench nor socket I want at my local independent parts store. They don't charge any more than half of a whole set.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I have found that Harbor Freight does sell a few individual tools. At least they used to. I remember getting a spare 21mm impact socket there, and I seem to remember that there were a few other common sizes available individually.
In the "old days" when they first opened their store in my area, if you broke a socket, you had to bring in the entire set and exchange it for another set.
I never heard about that 5-day warranty on a 5-year warranted tool. If they tried that on me, we would be having a BIG problem because I would be calling every consumer protection agency I could find. Then we would see about that 5-day stuff.

One thing I don't understand about store employees, though. Since they don't lose anything, and money does not come out of their pocket, why should they give you a hard time about replacing a lifetime warranted item? Even if it is a $6.99 screwdriver. A defect is a defect, and you are at least entitled to get what you paid for. It isn't like you bargained them down on the price. You paid the asking price and expected a properly made product. What could possibly be wrong with that?

That's a training issue. The employees are given a blue shirt and about 10 minutes of verbal instruction before they're sent out on the floor to deal with customers.