Ordering online from HF?

[LinuxRandal]

I've never ordered online from them, about the time I thought of it, they opened a local store. Now there are a couple of things I want/need, and at least two of them aren't carried local (the third is still out of stock locally).

How are their shipping rates? (reasonable, high, etc)

How quick do they ship?

All I have ever heard about was replacement parts (long boat from China), so I am unsure about the click.

Thanks

[Tom Slick]

Shipping rates are reasonable, they used to be free.
they ship very very slowly. I live 150 miles from their main warehouse/headquarters, it will take 2 or more weeks to get orders.

[mater]

I have heard others comment on here about the slow shipping.

[LCHIEN]

The rates are reasonable. THe shipping slow - 1-2 weeks, but considering most items of tools are somewhat heavy for size, the rates/speed are a reasonable tradeoff.

[stormdog74]

You can usually find a coupon here (small, but it helps) to offset shipping a little if you spend enough:

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthr...29432&t=560808

[gwyneth]

I've never been in a HF store, have ordered only on line. I think the shipping is actually quicker than it used to be when it was free.

If you see a lower price for an item, in one of the many catalogs and fliers that come in the mail than shown online, be sure to use the "Order from printed catalog" box and enter the product number associated with the lower price.

Also, the online-only Inside Track "club" is ten bucks a year (same specials and prices as the non-online-only version, but cheaper)...depending on what you buy, it can result in big savings (some machines are a third or more off via Inside Track).

[ironhat]

My gripe with their shipping is the handling charge of $5 in addition to the shipping. I alway factor in the price *after* adding the additional charges to see if it's still worth it. Usually, I just buy something else to justify the added charge ;-)

[LCHIEN]

My gripe with their shipping is the handling charge of $5 in addition to the shipping. I alway factor in the price *after* adding the additional charges to see if it's still worth it. Usually, I just buy something else to justify the added charge ;-)

Yes, I agree, I usually save up and order 2-3 or more things fom them on-line when i do, esp. small items going for 2-3 bucks that would not be worth placing a single order for. Even if they backorder all but one item they will NOT add another $5 handling fee or any additional shipping charges which is qute reasonable, which menas the additional shipments come at no add'l fees.

If they backorder for more than a month then they will send you a postcard to return if you want to be kept on backorder in which case you won't be charged for the item until it ships and you still won't pay add'l fees for shipping or handling. I think they still keep sending you postcards once a month until it ships or until you cancel or they decide they will never again get that item. If it was something i really wanted and it was on a great sale price I keep sending the postcard back...

[eezlock]

ordering from HF

I was thinking about this very subject the last two days and decided to contact HF by email to see what their response would be. I asked them about the digital angle guage # 95998-OVGA for $34.99. I asked them if this
item would be available in their retail stores and for how much, their response was (1) "we don't have any prior information on sales and promotions." (2) response was:" thank you for your inquiry about our retail stores.Please be advised that we do not have access to Retail Store inventory information. To obtain more information about availability and pricing you must contact your local store." (3) local store manager....
doesn't seem to know anything about this item except that it is an item
that can be obtained thru internet or from sales ad in the mail...DUH!

What is going on with these people? They send out ads for items to be sold
and no one seems to know anything......Duh! It is just like there is a left
and right hands on the same person....but they don't work together or
even know what the other hand is doing.........

Their sales ads (mail type) always has items I might be interested in....
but they are never in the store....sounds like another way of sticking it to
the customer....making him wait and wait and them charging them extra
handling charges plus freight charges to get the item they want!
Think about that.....before ordering the next time. eezlock

[garymuto]

I used to order from them once a year or so. If you spent $50, shipping used to be free. We have a store nearby so I just go there. It beats getting the postcards when things are backordered.
They have a email coupon program that's pretty good, so I go too much now. I picked up the digital angle finder for ~$20-25 using coupon so I would look out for those. Lately I only buy stuff when it's discounted and/or has a coupon.
The angle finder is pretty good. I'd say ±½°