Harbor Freight class action settlement

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gr0uch0

Master of the Pit
Original poster
Apr 30, 2016
1,230
139
Displaced Texan in Door County WI
Just ran across something where Harbor Freight has settled a class action suit, and thought it safe to assume that some/minority/many/majority of this site have shopped there.  In a nutshell, the company was taken to task over what was being listed as a regular/previous/prior/"compared to" price, when that price wasn't in play for at least 28 of the 90 days proceeding the "sale" price.  As a result, HF has decided to settle and offer either a check or HF gift card provided final approval is granted by the court on July 7.  For further info, the article and how to file a claim is linked below--enjoy.

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2017/03/15/SF12369
 
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Aside from the Class Action Lawsuit, I really like Harbor Freight ! 
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  Sale price or not, a person needs to be knowledgeable enough to know, you get what you pay for there. This isn't a bad thing if you do your homework first to know what you are buying. 
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Example being,  a 1/2 drive air impact gun priced at $9.99 sale priced or NOT? is just that!
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 Now on the other hand, a Quality 1/2 drive air impact gun from a more  reputable tool company let's say, No need to mention any names, like Ingersol or CP. LOL 
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 Those quality  made air tools will cost you in the starting range of $300.00 and up! 

Main reason, besides quality and material that goes into making the quality air tool is this, Air Supply. A cheaper less expensive air tool requires more CFM to make the air tool function half way right. Below I copy and pasted correct standard air PSI info.

"Output Pressure: Factory air lines normally operate between 80 psi and 120 psi. Most pneumatic tools, including air guns, need high pressures to operate effectively. OSHA requires that when an air gun is dead ended (the tip of an air gun is blocked), the static pressure at the point of blockage is no more than 30 psi.Feb 12, 2014"

Because of product liability reasons, Any SAFETY RELATED equipment, like Jack Stands etc. are manufactured tested for twice their listed capacity. Meaning just because the Jack Stand says it will hold 2000 lbs doesn't automatically constitute you just purchased a 4000 lb Jack Stand for less!

This just means that the manufacturer, went up and above the posted Safety Ratings of their equipment to help assure if JOE BLOW, wasn't spot on with the Correct weight and was a little over, the user should still be Safe as long as the Jack Stand was being used properly as outlined in the Owner's Manual.

Next Question? What's the Owner's Manual Right, who reads that first unless there is problems? 

So I will watch sales and buy stuff like Jack Stands for my shop because I am aware of the product liability involved with Harbor Freight selling them. So when I can score a Smoking Deal and help save on a little shipping, I will buy from them! 
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I like HF as well, especially for some oddball, one-off tool that I'm not likely to use on a regular basis.  For contractors who do use their tools exhaustively, it's probably not their store of choice, but I've bought countless things there and only a couple of times had to return something because of defect.
 
 
I like HF as well, especially for some oddball, one-off tool that I'm not likely to use on a regular basis.  For contractors who do use their tools exhaustively, it's probably not their store of choice, but I've bought countless things there and only a couple of times had to return something because of defect.
One of my FAVORITE tool purchases was a large Magnet on wheels for About $25.00 back in the Day when I bought it. I am a Welder and do a lot of my Larger repair projects out in my gravel driveway.

I am really good about picking up all my small 3" and less burned welding rods, they have a funny way of turning them self into a perfect sized nail to put a nice little hole in your tire if you leave them around on the ground. Anyway, this Large Magnet on wheels is Amazing for picking up the small steel welding rod tips and or other tire hole poking items you had no idea was also on the Ground just waiting? LOL   

Just in prevented tire repairs expenses alone that magnet has paid for itself tenfold! Then also my Buddies like to borrow it for their Roofing projects to find all the nails in the Grass when they are done and cleaning up their Roofing mess. 

I have a cool arrangement with my Buddies when they come to Barrow it, First it comes back in the same condition it left in and within a week's time of them using it. The best part is, it reappears with a little extra gratuity for them using it.
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  So yes that Big Magnet was a smoking deal all the way around from HF ! 
 
If, after payments for all valid claims have been calculated, the total amount paid to Class members, plus administrative fees, plus attorney’s fees, is less than $23 million, Class members with valid claims may be eligible for additional compensation on a pro rata basis. The amount of the additional compensation will depend on what kind of documentation you provided with your Claim Form, whether you opted for a cash payment or a gift card, and the number of Class members who submit valid claims.
 
Interesting.  Ya know virtually every purchase I have made over the past years has been on my credit card.  I signed up for their on line specials at some point in time.  They email me an additional receipt even if I do not want it.  Wonder why I have to jump through all the hoops to get a settlement, their records are most likely better than mine.
 
 
Interesting.  Ya know virtually every purchase I have made over the past years has been on my credit card.  I signed up for their on line specials at some point in time.  They email me an additional receipt even if I do not want it.  Wonder why I have to jump through all the hoops to get a settlement, their records are most likely better than mine.
This is typical of any type of CA suits.  Payouts depend upon how many respond, how they respond, what the dollar amount of the total claims are, judge's acceptance of settlement figure, and so on.  If you still have receipts/statements, you'll fare better than the $10 gift card provided (maybe) than if you don't, but it may only be marginally better.  Can't win if you don't play, but I wouldn't expect to be made whole on total purchases--even with the receipts.

BTW, Driver, did you see the frequency result on the ThermoPro?  Unfortunately, it's the same as what you currently have....
 
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If, after payments for all valid claims have been calculated, the total amount paid to Class members, plus administrative fees, plus attorney’s fees, is less than $23 million, Class members with valid claims may be eligible for additional compensation on a pro rata basis. The amount of the additional compensation will depend on what kind of documentation you provided with your Claim Form, whether you opted for a cash payment or a gift card, and the number of Class members who submit valid claims.
Wow!   for your first post..........so legal like.....................I like it
 
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Just ran across something where Harbor Freight has settled a class action suit, and thought it safe to assume that some/minority/many/majority of this site have shopped there.  In a nutshell, the company was taken to task over what was being listed as a regular/previous/prior/"compared to" price, when that price wasn't in play for at least 28 of the 90 days proceeding the "sale" price.  As a result, HF has decided to settle and offer either a check or HF gift card provided final approval is granted by the court on July 7.  For further info, the article and how to file a claim is linked below--enjoy.

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2017/03/15/SF12369
Nothing has changed as far as I can tell and they're not the only ones doing this.

Greed in its green form is an ugly and destructive beast!
 
 
POP !!    There goes that bubble  - LOL  Many more to come.......
Sorry, chief. 
 
Nothing has changed as far as I can tell and they're not the only ones doing this.

Greed in its green form is an ugly and destructive beast!
Age old shell game:  show that "regular" price has been marked up significantly to make the "sale" price appear more attractive.  It's done everywhere, just a matter of who gets investigated and busted.
 
 
I like HF as well, especially for some oddball, one-off tool that I'm not likely to use on a regular basis.  For contractors who do use their tools exhaustively, it's probably not their store of choice, but I've bought countless things there and only a couple of times had to return something because of defect.
Great for the one-off things I might need occasionally.  The furniture blankets are an especially great deal.  You can buy new, clean blankets for what it costs to rent the filthy ones from UHaul.

Have a contractor friend that buys HF tools for his crew.  His point is "nobody steals HF", and when he bought a new Makita power nailer because it was a good deal and he had some work at his home he wanted to do, that sucker disappeared in 3 days.
 
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