Harbor Freight

Thank you Fernando a couple of days ago i bought an air compressor and a conventional 2 quart pot. You are very professional and you had all the right answers you were not trying to sell me a Mercedes Benz but just what I needed. I hope your supervisor give you a pat on the back! It is people like you who we can come to and trust that we know we are going to get the right advice or suggestions that may encourage us to make the right purchase… thank you so much for steering me the right way to thumbs up for you and the staff at Harbor Freight… because of you I became a member thank you!!!.

I love and hate coming here! They have so many things that I end up spending way too much!

Great store, can’t believe this place is selling products at wholesale prices.
The location is in the heart of Lemon Grove and has parking and a variety of tools, workbenches and just about anything a handyman could desire.
Highly highly recommend.

Garbage is garbage! My fault for even going in. Smelled like China 10 miles at sea in the parking lot. Bought 2 major tools twice and returned them twice because they didn’t work and broke each time on each 1^st use.
The people that work thier were great, my review is just based on the junk being sold. Yes, my fault I know better but got caught up on all the tools.

All the employee are so nice and helpful. The store is always clean and they have a great return policy. I also love that let my dog always come in with me!

Awesome deals on tools and various items. Quality isn’t always the best but you can’t beat the prices.

These guys are the best Harbor Freight in San Diego.
Jaime, Angy, Arturo, Brianna, and Martha are the best! always help me out like family. Love this place can’t get enough of it!!!

You may think that all they have is tools but they also have some pet supplies, cheap batteries and some RC cars. This location is very clean, the a/​c is nice because it’s super hot in Lemon Grove and the employees are just okay. The parking is a little difficult if it’s gets packed but there is a little more parking in the back of the building. The prices here are wonderful and that’s because the quality isn’t the greatest but for the price you really can’t beat it. They have just about everything for a great price and they even have some ammo boxes which I couldn’t believe and guess what? It was very affordable but not top of the line but I will continue to shop here when I’m on a budget.

Tool heaven! I never knew this place was actually a store! I have always loved the adds and dreamed of the fun I would have in a store like that!
Dream come true on a day of exploring! Amazing prices, great products and love the variety and options!
Looking forward to the next visit!

Ok I have to admit I have very mixed feelings. Had you asked me a week ago I would say stay far away you’ll be better off going to the one in El Cajon but today I would say to give them a chance.
. Over all Harbor Freight’s product are inexpensive but I am not to sure on how well they are built. I think if you need something for a quick small job around the house, than yes, these tools would work but with my experience if the tool is going to be needed long term I will rather head to Homedepot (which is 1 block away) Majority of Harbor Freight’s tools appear and feel cheap and flimsy but yet aat the same time they guarantee their power tools. So buyer beware and don’t forget to take a coupon of 20% off.
As for this store specific– The Lemon Grove store needs a lot of help. I have had several bad experiences with the staff at this location. I finally had it with the rudeness, lack of knowledge, and incredibly unhelpful staff. (which is how I would describe majority of the employees when I have gone in) so I had asked for their manager and out cam Kevin. You would think being a manager he would want to be helpful but I actually got the complete opposite. He came across as arrogant and was very unprofessional. I walked away from Harbor Freight so disgusted with this place, The last several times I went here the employees appear to hate their jobs– no one smiles and says «hello», they are rude when you ask for help,
The next day I found myself still thinking about my visit and decided to call the district manager to where I found out that Kevin was actually Only the Assistant manager. I got a completely different vibe and feeling about the store and how they treat their customers. The real store manager, Jamie, had called me a few days after my initial call to corporate. I expressed my concerns about not only his employees but also my experience with Kevin. Jamie was very appologic, understanding, and incredibly helpful. I needed a store credit so Jamie told me what days he was working as I agree to swing by sometime during the week. This is where my whole view of Harbor Frieght had really changed. Had it not been for Jamie sounding so sincere when he called me I would of never gone back into the store. Which I am glad I did… I went in today, Jamie was with a customer so I waited and was observing the staff. It was night and Day in the staff that they had working today. The staff were actually very helpful to the clients, it was a completely different dynamic in the staff how they worked with not only the customers but also their interaction with each other. It was how you would expect customer service to be.
I don’t know why such a change in the staff? Did Jamie have a sit down with the staff? (which I kind of doubt) or was it that Kevin wasn’t there? The times I have went I never had seen Jamie there which leads me to believe that «The Assistant Manger, Kevin» was the poison. I will be curious the next time I go into the store to see what the atmosphere is like and to than noticed who is in charge. Your only as strong as your weakest link and if the one person is giving out negativity it only a matter of time before it starts effecting the rest of the staff.
So the jury is still out but I will give them another try. Thanks Jamie!

Clean store with nice employees. With the Easter sale lots pdf traffic but they handled it with ease.

Called in and spoke with «Arturo» for availability of two items. He was very efficient. Drove down there, easy in and out and plenty of parking. Store was very clean and organized. Arturo helped me get my two heavy items and was very knowledgeable of inventory location. I am a retired GM «award winning» Parts Manager for Cadillac. If I was still working, I’d hire Arturo in a heartbeat! Store is VERY WELL managed. It takes a lot to impress me and I was impressed!

great stuff !

Thought this new store was really cool until today. Traffic was light, and went to pay for my signal item. The second cashier mentioned she had closed. Waited in line, as the one cashier was helping with a return. Other store employees were around the checkout area. After waiting for approximately 15 minutes, decided I really wasn’t going to wait anymore. Dropped my item and departed. I’ll come back another time and see if customer service continues to be a problem.

First time to this location in Lemon Grove. What can I say its just fun walking through all the rows and looking at the cool stuff they got. Although I may not need everything they have, I still like looking. Parking was ok, but not the best. But hey, I found a spot across the street, so no complaints here. I’ve shopped at harbor freight for a couple of years now, and there prices are cheap for reasonable quality tools.

Con:
Their customer service can be hit and miss but I don’t mind as long as I’m getting what I need. I’ve been to the Mira Mesa, El Cajon, Chula Vista and now this Lemon Grove location which is closest to me and there is always a mix of rude and friendly workers.
Inside Trader Club leaves much to be desired. All the tools I’ve needed have been bought through the regular ad or coupon prices. None of the ITC deals are very desirable to me for my needs (mainly automotive).
Pros:
Definitely sign up for their E-​Mail fliers! They have great deals and also check your mail! They have deals in the Union Tribune and individual fliers that may not be in the E-​Mail (this is where you’ll usually find the 20% coupons and occasionally 25% coupons).
They have some pretty lame tools but they also have great tools at incredible prices. You really need to look at the reviews on the site before purchasing. I have a bunch of Snap-​On tools and still buy things off the truck but nothing beats a great bargain. Some of the things I’ve bought and love are:
2 ton engine hoist
½ ton engine stand
2 ton load leveler
1 ton engine support bar
The new lineup of extra long, flex head ratchets (awesome for the price and they take a beating!) Not nearly as good as Snap-​On 80 tooth ratchets but they’re ¼ to ¹⁄₅ of the price and very, very good for the money.
8 piece Pittsburgh Pro screwdrivers with the TPR handles
Cro-​Moly Pitsburgh Pro impact sockets
CR-​V Pittsburgh Pro sockets
Super Lube
Six gallon 150psi oil-​less compressor
60 gallon 135psi oil lubed compressor (brother’s)
48oz dead blow hammer
Red five drawer tool cart
1000lb mover’s dolly (sat my 4 cylinder engine w/​trans attached on it overnight before I bought the engine stand)
Brake pad service kit

They’re not the best tools on the market, but for the price and depending how often you’ll use them — you can’t beat the price.
Sad thing is, they usually run out of items and it’s so far taken weeks and they have no idea when they’ll get replacements.
They claim they’re on their order but obviously they have a supplier problem.
The staff is always friendly, nice and accommodating.

I always find what I want that a much lower price than Home Depot just a couple of blocks down the street. SO nice not to have to drive to El Cajon or Chula Vista.

This place smells like rubber products, but it is still one of my favorite stores. This location is large and is a project persons dream! I would recommend you to come in and check it out. Just do not be impulsive! I dare you. The only downfall is their parking lot.

Good harbor freight. Can get congested at times but it never feels too packed. Inexpensive solutions for people that aren’t hardcore diy’ers. Finally a store that isn’t el cajon or chula vista. Thank you