Fair Warning....

["Steve Rubano" <srubano@xxxx>]

[MODERATOR'S NOTE: I don't want this to expand into a prolonged discussion about Harbor Freight. It's information worth passing on to subscribers but this one post pretty much says it all.]



To all list memebers,
I know this is not directly D related but in one way or another it 
is. Most people that are on this list are either restoring a D, 
fixing one or does there own maintence on their D. I just wanted to 
let everyone that if you order anything from HarborFreight.com (tools 
or supplies) be careful. 

I placed an order last week and it got all messed up. I ordered about 
10 items from them and I asked them if they were all getting shipped 
at the same time and if they were all getting shipped using the same 
shipper, I was assured that everything was in stock and it was all 
getting shipped UPS and I would recieve everything in 5-7 buissness 
days. I called them about 4 other times (for various reasons) and 
before hanging up I asked them the same question about the shipping 
on that order. Well the 4th time I called I got a different story, 
this is right after my order was processed and on it's way out the 
door (to late to make any changes). I was told that only one item was 
being shipped UPS (5-7 days) and all the other items were broken up 
into several boxes (to keep the weight down) and shipped using the 
Post office (almost 3 weeks ship time!!). When I called their 
customer support line the story I got was this: Their sales team does 
not have the same computer system as the Customer support team does 
where it gives them detailed information like shipping. Also they 
cannot determine the exact shipping untill the order is processed by 
the warehouse. But get this...after the order is processed, you can't 
make ANY changes at all, including the shipping! If you order any 
supplies or tools from them be careful and call back frequently to 
check on the status of your order. So as of now I will be recieving 
one item in 5-7 days and the other remaining 9 items I will be 
reciving randomly over the course of 3 weeks since they are all 
packed in 5 different boxes. Also I was told that is I wanted 
guarenteed delivery through UPS or FedEx I would have to pay 
additional fees which I would have gladly have done if I was informed 
about this AS I was placing the order and not led to be belived that 
it was being shipped UPS ground.

I told one of my friends about this expieirence and he said he had 
one even worse. He ordered an Acetylene torch kit from them and he 
said that after using it for 1 day, the gas line ruptured (luckily it 
didn't catch fire and no one got hurt). He said he was lucky that he 
was using it outside at the time and that the tanks were far enough 
away for a buddy of his to shut the gas off quickly before it ignited.

Anybody else have a bad expierience with HarborFreight.com or are my 
friend and I the only ones?

Sorry for using the list for this.

Steve
P.S I also cancled a small order with them before it was processed 
(same day) and later found out while I was on the phone with them 
about my big order that the small order was processed and ready to be 
shipped. Go figure, I guess I should have called back a second time 
to confirm the canceled order also.