Here's Why You Want To Look For Purple Tag Tools At Harbor Freight

If you love a good home improvement project, you probably spend a ton of time wandering the aisles of Harbor Freight. It's a paradise for budget-conscious DIYers looking for everything from power drills to nuts and bolts. However, many shoppers tend to walk right past the best deals because they don't know what to look for. While they hunt for bright yellow sale stickers, real insiders know it's all about the purple tag. These labels indicate open-box merchandise, and they're the best way to stretch your project budget further. In fact, they're one of the best free perks you can get at Harbor Freight.

Seeing a purple tag does not mean that you're looking at a broken or junk item. In fact, many of these products are in near-perfect condition. The term "open box" just means here is that the item was either a floor model or something a customer returned to the store. It has all of its original components, like cables or batteries, just without its original box. For example, if you return a miter saw because it was too large for your workbench, the store can't sell it as new since the original cardboard packaging is torn or missing. 

Harbor Freight still wants to sell these items, though. To help make them appealing, the retailer slaps a purple tag on the product and puts it back out on the sales floor. If you buy it, you'll still get the same great performance without the brand-new markup. It's a total win for your wallet and your workshop.

The main reason you should track down these purple tags is the sheer value they offer. These items are typically heavily discounted. For a high-end tool brand like Icon or Hercules, those savings can result in up to $50 off depending on what you're buying. And since Harbor Freight associates usually inspect returned products to make sure all the parts and safety guards that came with it are still included, you won't sacrifice any quality for this discounted price. This is why ignoring purple tag items is one of the biggest mistakes you can make while shopping at Harbor Freight.

To find these hidden gems, you'll need to tweak how you shop when you're in the store. Purple tag items are rarely featured in the main center aisles. Instead, you'll likely find them tucked away on end caps or sometimes even in a specific section near the back of the store. It turns your shopping trip into a bit of a scavenger hunt, but the payoff is worth the extra few minutes of browsing. Always remember to give the item a good once-over to make sure it'll do what you want and isn't missing any important components before you head up to the register. With an eagle eye, you can snag a discount can help you upgrade your tool collection while staying well under budget, whether you're a new homeowner needing tools or simply looking to upgrade some worn-out favorites.