Harbor Freight Free Perks That Are Worth Knowing About

When it comes to shopping strategically, the overall goal is to get the most bang for your buck. At a glance, this can look like a laundry list of savings at the end of your receipt; a variety of deals and discounts that help lessen the toll your shopping trip has on your wallet. However, the perks that help you make the most of your shopping trip don't have to deal with just numbers alone. Instead, when you peruse stores like Harbor Freight that offer a variety of free perks, you can find benefits that go beyond your total at the register.

When you think of the perks stores offer, your mind may immediately go to coupons. Perhaps you receive a free email each month, detailing special sales and providing you unique codes to help you save on your next purchase. While Harbor Freight does have quite a few printable and digital coupons that can help make your everyday shopping a little less expensive, this store also offers perks that can make your shopping trip easier, such as a digital list and a resource catalog to help guide you through your next project.

One of the most crucial parts of any DIY — whether it's a large-scale project like home renovations or a simple afternoon project to pass the time — is planning. Before you even head into your work space, planning begins with choosing the right tools and supplies, as well as making a note of things you don't already have on hand and need.

Harbor Freight offers a digital list that you can access for free by creating an account. This allows you to shop online and add items to your list rather than purchasing them right away. As a result, you can keep track of those future purchases without any commitment, allowing you to keep an eye out for any coupons or sales that may pop up in the coming months.

While this perk may seem small, it does well when paired with the other free benefits Harbor Freight offers shoppers. Coupons and sales are one example, but this digital wish list can also come in handy when you're using one of Harbor Freight's other benefits: its mobile app. This allows you to plan your shopping excursion and check for availability of items at home before stepping foot in a store. 

The bread and butter of free perks, coupons are one of the most notable benefits an establishment can offer, and one of the biggest mistakes you can make at Harbor Freight is not taking advantage of these savings. While you can search for manufacturer's coupons yourself, having a store-curated library of coupons can make this process much easier, as well as save you the hassle of navigating store policies and seeing whether or not your coupon will be accepted.

Harbor Freight has a webpage dedicated to coupons that can be used in conjunction with the app. These coupons can be printed out and used in-store if you plan on shopping in person, or they can be applied to your online order. When using your free account, you can click and save your desired coupons to your profile. Then, you can access your personal coupon library to check for expiration dates and find information on how to utilize these savings.

While you're browsing the online website, you can also choose what category of coupon to look for. If you're searching for savings on a particular item, this can be a beneficial feature. Currently, Harbor Freight's website offers 11 different coupon categories, ranging from air tools to welding supplies. Each coupon also includes a picture of the item, which can also help when you're looking for a specific product.

When discussing both the digital list feature and the online coupons available, you also learned a little bit about Harbor Freight's app. This is actually another free perk that's worth knowing about, even though it won't affect your checkout total. Overall, the Harbor Freight app isn't too different from visiting the website itself. On the app, you can shop, as well as curate and revisit your list. However, the two main benefits that come along with this free perk are the accessibility and push notifications.

Having the ability to create a list or coupons while you're at home is nice, but once you reach the store, you may find yourself at a loss if you didn't print out the information beforehand. With the app, you can quickly scroll through your wish list and see the coupons available, helping you shop in-person as effectively as you would online. You can also opt-in to push notifications through your phone's system settings. With many phones, this service is completely optional, but it can help you learn about sales and deals as they happen. This can make it easier to stay up-to-date on potentially important information. For example, if you know that a new Harbor Freight tool for DIYers should be in stock soon, you can take some of the guessing out of waiting, as well as reduce the likelihood of missing the drop.

One of the biggest barriers-to-entry when it comes to starting DIY projects is a lack of knowledge. When you're tackling a project that branches out from an area you're familiar with, it can put you at a disadvantage. You may find yourself unsure of what tools will be needed, and once you find them, they might be tools you've never used before. The Harbor Freight website offers a library of resources, including buying guides, product selectors, and safety information. This provides a single webpage where you can familiarize yourself with common tools and their purposes, as well as navigate the store's available options.

The product comparison selector feature currently provides 12 different categories, ranging from generators and power stations to winches and gloves. Selecting a category initiates a short quiz that filters your options. You can also find additional information about the selected tool through an FAQ section that answers questions about usage and specifications. There are also buying guides that provide more general information, such as explaining generators overall or their sizing differences. It currently spans over a dozen topics, with details on the various types of that specific tool, how it's used, and if extra supplies — such as batteries or safety goggles — are needed.

For some people, DIY projects are about making necessary improvements on a budget; saving money that can then be allocated to other areas around the home. However, for others, DIYing offers other benefits, like the chance to improve their skills and express creativity. In fact, tackling do-it-yourself projects can be an enjoyable hobby; one that gives you access to unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with a story. When you're looking for a creative outlet, you'll also want to find the right DIY for your needs, skill level, and budget, which can be a challenge.

There are many places online where you can find DIY projects, such as social media or dedicated platforms. Harbor Freight also offers inspiration. Alongside the company's buying guides and product and safety resources, they also have a dedicated area on their website for different projects. They aren't all home improvement related, either. Currently, Harbor Freight's DIY project catalog includes guides for various home decor projects (including seasonal pieces), as well as guides for outdoor sports equipment like cornhole boards.

Each guide includes a list of supplies, as well as a selection of tools and materials sold at Harbor Freight. This can be helpful as you learn the different purposes of tools and their applications. As far as completing the projects themselves, you can download a PDF of the steps or view the process directly on the webpage.