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Humanity loves making stuff, and in today's day and age, we have a wide selection of tools that allow us to make just about anything we can imagine — for a price. DIY-ing often starts as a smart way to save money, but it can end up being expensive after all the materials are purchased.
The good news? If you're looking to save money on your latest project or home improvement, then you might want to keep an eye on Harbor Freight. The retailer is known for its great deals on tools and other accessories. But before you head to the store, learn about these common mistakes so you can avoid shopping blunders.
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Not doing research on materials
Preparation can save you from costly mistakes that have you running back to the store for more tools or materials. Before starting a new project, make sure you compile a list of tools and materials you'll need.
Employees will, of course, try to help provide you with information about your specific project, but it's better to approach them with a solid list and let them provide additional details about what is common with other customers working on similar projects.
Forgetting to check the return policy
Harbor Freight has a generous 90-day return policy for customers who are unsatisfied with their purchase. You will need to provide proof of purchase, but they will refund or replace most purchases.
Just be aware that there are some exceptions for replacement parts, abrasive media, pumps, sprayers, and other opened products that could provide a safety risk. Showing up to the store in an attempt to return a prohibited item (or one that's past the due date), could mean time and money down the drain.
Not reading product reviews
Most people remember to compare prices before purchasing, but make sure to check product reviews as well before spending your hard-earned money.
The most helpful reviews won't be immediately after purchase, but instead will be after the product has been tried and tested for a while. Only looking at "unboxing" reviews can leave out important factors like quality and longevity.
Skipping the store coupons
Many customers don't realize the full extent of Harbor Freight's coupon offers, but you have to actually look for them if you want to get the maximum savings on your purchases.
Browse current offers on their website, and subscribe to receive additional text and email alerts so you won't miss out on any deals. Coupons can also be accessed through the Harbor Freight app.
These coupons can offer significant savings, too, especially on more expensive purchases that you'll be planning for anyway.
Forgetting about the lifetime warranty
Harbor Freight offers a Hand Tool Lifetime Warranty, so customers can save money over the years on replacements if something breaks. The company states that they will replace any hand tool that fails to work properly during the lifetime of the original purchaser, and if an identical item is not available, they will substitute it with a similar item.
The official policy does require the receipt to be saved; however, many customers report that this can be bypassed under reasonable circumstances.
Forgetting about the warranty on hand tools could mean losing out on huge savings. Another mistake is missing out on the full details of Harbor Freight's warranties. For example, power tools are only covered by the 90-day warranty, so be sure to know what protection your purchases have before you bring them home.
Skipping the Extended Service Protection
Eligible products can receive an additional 1 to 2 years of protection for a small additional fee, and it kicks in when the manufacturer's warranty ends. This can be a great savings option for products that tend to break right after the warranty ends.
The extra fee for protection could be cheaper than having to replace it yourself every year when something breaks. You will want to save your receipts in case a claim needs to be filed, but it's easy to do at any Harbor Freight location.
Assuming the in-house brands are the same quality
Harbor Freight has many in-house brands that offer lower prices than brand-name options, however they offer differing grades based on needs.
The lowest-priced products are often for beginning-level projects, but they also offer professional-grade options that are higher quality. Know which side of the spectrum is for you and check with sales associates. They can help tell you which in-house brands are top of the line and which are for more casual users.
Forgetting to check the items on clearance
Harbor Freight's clearance section offers deeply discounted equipment and tools that could save you big bucks at checkout. Products that are overstocked or discontinued can get significant price slashes, so be sure to check online or in the store to see if something you need is marked down to the lowest price.
Not following Harbor Freight on social media
Flash deals and exclusive promotions are often shared on the official social media accounts. These deals aren't always advertised through traditional methods, which means avoiding this mistake can score you better deals that aren't widely publicized.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Missing seasonal sales
Off-season purchases are often marked with higher prices, so it can save you money to time your buys with the big seasonal sales. These often coincide with traditional big-sale holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. The savings can be significant, too, with the most recent Labor Day sale featuring 20% off.
Buying tools you'll only use once
We've all been in the position of needing a specialized tool we're probably only going to use on one project, and those always end up adding significantly to the final budget.
Before committing to ownership, check local hardware stores for rental options, which could help lower the final cost of DIY projects. You may be able to rent those niche tools for a fraction of what you'd spend on buying them outright.
Saying no to the Inside Track Club membership
Paying $29.99 for membership can actually save you significantly more than that, sometimes even just on one purchase.
Members get early access to sales and exclusive promotions not shown to non-members, and joining the membership program is particularly beneficial for customers who shop there many times throughout the year.
Bottom line
Homeowners looking to save money often turn to DIY for home improvement projects that would be too expensive otherwise. But overlooking the deals at Harbor Freight could mean you end up paying more by frequenting other hardware stores that don't offer the same savings.
Get yourself the best deals by keeping an eye on Harbor Freight's prices and combining offers and stacking coupons — and don't forget to join their membership program, where the store's biggest deals are automatically applied for Inside Track Club Members when you check out.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 12 ways to pocket up to $300
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 10 little weird hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
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