13 Ways To Save Money At Harbor Freight

If you love scoring deals and need to replenish your toolbox without blowing your budget, Harbor Freight is worth a look. This national tool store has more than 1,600 locations in the United States and carries everything from generators and lawn equipment to power tools and basic shop supplies. What sets it apart from other tool stores is that it sources directly from factories, which means some items cost less than at other hardware retailers. But, to make the most of your dollar, there are some strategies you can take: use coupons, shop sales, apply for instant savings, get a paid membership, join warranty programs, and more.

If you're a new Harbor Freight shopper, a big difference you may notice between it and other home improvement stores is that you won't find name brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita on its shelves. Instead, Harbor Freight primarily carries its own in-house brands. However, if you're open to trying one of its brands and doing a little legwork to find the best deals and promotions, you can walk away with some significant savings.

Harbor Freight's Inside Track Club (ITC) is a paid membership program that may be able to save you some money at the hardware store, depending on what kinds of things you buy. It offers early access to sales, exclusive discounts, and automatic savings both in stores and online. The membership is $29.99 per year, and you can use it by entering your email address or phone number upon checkout when shopping in store, or by logging into your account and purchasing online. This program is highly rated by its members, with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from over 25,000 users. "I've been an Inside Track member for over a year — love the savings. Best membership I have," says one reviewer. Others say they can pay off on larger purchases or make up the difference when Harbor Freight increases prices.

Harbor Freight regularly releases coupons on its website and app, which can be used for online or in-store purchases. Coupons are organized by category, such as automotive, outdoor, air compressors, etc., making it easy to see if there are any savings available for the item you need to purchase. For online purchases, simply create a free account, and save the coupons you'd like to use. They'll be automatically applied at checkout. Use them in-store by presenting the coupon's barcode upon checkout or by printing out the coupons before you head to the store.

Does Harbor Freight still do parking lot sales? The short answer: Yes. Harbor Freight's Parking Lot sales used to entail employees pulling sales items from the store and placing them in the store's parking lot, hence the name. While some locations may still do this, you can find parking lot sale items online and in stores during promotional periods. These sales only happen a few times per year, featuring big savings on top products. Keep up to date on these events by checking the Harbor Freight website or app. If you're an Inside Track Member, you'll get early access.

Many higher-priced items at Harbor Freight come with a warranty, meaning you don't have to fret if a tool breaks and needs to be replaced. It won't cost you any extra money if it's under warranty. The company also offers a trade-in program that can save you money or, at the very least, help you break even. The store offers a lifetime warranty on hand tools and a 90-day warranty on other products. If a product shows manufacturer defects within the allotted time period, Harbor Freight will replace or refund the item. Likewise, the return policy gives you a 90-day window to return items you're unhappy with, though restocking fees may apply to some items. To avoid restocking fees, you can "trade up" by purchasing an upgraded product in the same category.

Harbor Freight issues many coupons, most of which cannot be combined with other coupons. However, you can combine coupons with "instant savings," which are essentially discounted sale prices. In some cases, you can find a percentage-off or dollar-off coupon that stacks with an instant savings price, allowing you to score a great deal. You can filter instant savings items on Harbor Freight's website, making it easy to see whether the item you need is on sale. While you won't always find what you're looking for, a few minutes spent checking can potentially result in some significant savings.

If there are certain items you use up frequently, like shop towels, electrical or duct tape, or project supplies, stock up on them during major sales. Parking lot sales, holiday sales, and special events are three times when you should check for savings on your essentials. But you may also find your frequently used items on a regular sale or with coupon savings, making it a smart idea to check Harbor Freight's "deals" page a couple of times per month. When you spot a good price, stock up on at least a few months' worth of inventory to save yourself some cash.

Whether you're looking for savings on a large purchase or are a frequent shopper who wants to save a little extra on every purchase, the Harbor Freight credit card may be worth applying for. When you open an account, you'll receive 10 percent off your first purchase. Then you'll get to decide on one of two promotional offers: 5 percent back in Harbor Freight money every time you purchase something, or 0 percent interest on your purchase of $299 or more, when you make equal monthly payments. There are no annual fees, and credit card savings combine with other discounts or coupons. This is a reasonable option if you shop at Harbor Freight frequently and pay your balance every month, but can end up costing you more money if you're using it for quick cash flow or you struggle with impulse spending.

Looking for significant savings without having to coupon? Check Harbor Freight's open box and as-is inventory, only available in stores. "Open box" items consist of products where the box has been opened, most often due to customer returns. "As-is" items have been tested in a Harbor Freight facility to ensure they're in working condition. Open box and as-is items don't come with a manufacturer's warranty, and you only have five days to return them. Once you get them home, check the products out and make sure all pieces are included so you don't miss your chance to take them back, if needed.

The clearance section features items that are being discontinued, and browsing it is one of the best ways to score deals at Harbor Freight. You can find clearance online and in store, although in-store deals will vary by location. While the online clearance doesn't label the percentage you're saving compared to the regular price, the Harbor Freight website claims these are "huge deals." We love that there's always a wide range of products in the clearance section, from saws and generators to ropes and hammers, and just about everything in between.

Harbor Freight carries many brands, and not all offer the same quality. To determine where products stand, look at the price, reviews, and warranty information. Often, the better the warranty, the higher the quality of the item. It's also smart to check out the top 10 Harbor Freight tool brands ranked by consumer popularity if you're unfamiliar with the company. Compare and make a purchase based on your needs. For example, if you need a tool for a one-off project, a budget brand will probably do the trick; however, if you need something long-lasting, splurging on the highest quality version may save you money in the long run.

Bundle deals are exactly what they sound like — multiple products sold as a package for more savings. While you can almost always find product bundles, like a drill with a battery, the company sometimes runs special bundle sales that let you save on certain brands. An example is buying a battery and charger and getting a free power tool. If you were going to be purchasing a power tool anyway, these sales can score you a great deal of savings. Signing up for Harbor Freight's emails or texts is one of the best ways to stay in the loop on the latest promotions.

If you're shopping in-store, download the app before you go. Harbor Freight's app is chock full of helpful features, like price scanning, quick access to sales and Inside Track Club member promotions, and the ability to pull up digital coupons at checkout. You can even save coupons to your account, making them easy to access in a pinch. Harbor Freight's app also lets you check your local store's product availability, so you don't waste a trip if the item you need is already out of stock, saving you time and gas money.

Harbor Freight sells scratch and dent items if you're looking to score a deal (up to 40 percent off) and don't mind some minor cosmetic damage. You'll especially want to check these deals if you're looking for a work center or toolbox. You can view the available deals online, but you will need to call them to place an order and arrange shipping. Shipping is free, but scratch and dent products don't come with a warranty, and all sales are final. Fortunately, the condition of each item is listed as "excellent," "great," or "good," so you have an idea of how much cosmetic damage to expect.