Orchidians,
My husband ordered me a Throatless Shear for Valentine’s Day from
Harbor Freight Tools. We received a note that it on was on backorder,
then a second note it was still on backorder. Now a third note has
arrived :
“due to continuous overwhelming number of orders” it is still
on backorder and we must return a postcard at once to Harbor
Freight or they “are required to cancel the backorder and issue
a refund.”
The shear has been on backorder for over three months and they have
had my $100 for this time. Can anyone comment on delays with Harbor
Freight Tools? Is it possible that there has been “continuous
overwhelming number of orders” for this shear? Should I look for
another source or are Harbor Freight tools really worth a long wait?
Thanks for any recommendations.
Mary A
Mary, I have not had a problem with HF but then I rarely order from
them…we have two stores in our area in SOFL.
However, having worked in places like HF I can suggest the
following. Most (if not all) of their products are made in China.
There is the first hint of delay. There could be thousands of reasons
why…the boat sank, the train ran off the tracks, the Taiwanese
manager of the factory quit,…I could go on and on. In addition,
often outfits like HF will only make a factory order when they have
4-500 orders for a specific item…everyone saves money on bulk
orders! It could also be US customs who have been known to hold up
shipments for months for some unknown reason. Finally, it could just
be the “overwhelming number of orders”!!
The last factory I worked at, we had some terrible stories about not
getting our supplies, parts or even finish machines. And most of
them were US companies. Never did learn why in most cases. Right now
I have been waiting for 4 months for a custom item from a well known
US supplier that normally meets their orders in days. The last
communication from them was, “If you don’t want to wait, just cancel
the order!” Of course they are the only one I know of who makes this
specific item.
I know this doesn’t get you your shear but at least you know there
are others out there…waiting…waiting…waiting!!
Cheers, from Don in SOFL
Mary, You may want to look at what Grizzy Tools has, basically same
stuff as HF, but Grizzly seems to have a warehouse full of their
product. http://grizzly.com/
Hope this helps,
Jerry
The shear has been on backorder for over three months and they
have had my $100 for this time. Can anyone comment on delays with
Harbor Freight Tools? Is it possible that there has been
"continuous overwhelming number of orders" for this shear? Should I
look for another source or are Harbor Freight tools really worth a
long wait?
When they run out, they have to wait for another production run to be
shipped from China or something. yes, that can take a while. But in
my limited experience, they will eventually ship you one. That shear
is of course a cheap copy of the good european or american made
version. By cheap, in this case, I think the original is something
like four or five times the cost, if I recall. I’ve not seen the
cheap one sold elsewhere at all. If you want the best, cancel the
order and fork up the money for a real Beverly shear (that’s what
they’re called, I think). If price is important, wait for Harbor
Freight to get their next shipment in. It’s not going to be quite as
good as the original costly tool, but may be quite good enough, and
certainly a lot less money.
Peter
Every order I have placed with them has had one or more item always
on back order ow by the way watch what happens if you return
sometime or cancel a order you get charge a restocking fee. But they
will replace stuff that is still covered under warrantee with out
question. Personally I no longer do business with then. Living on a
island the only way to get anything is through ordering it. But
northern just is not worth that hassle.
Hey Mary - I ordered/received a Throatless Shear from Harbor Freight,
along with a rolling mill. It was about a year ago and had no
problems with backorders. You might want to try Customer Service to
see just how long a wait it’ll be. I’ve had good luck with them with
past orders/backorders & they do try to make it right. Give it a try
hope it all works out for you!
Sue Johnson
If price is not a consideration, I would suggest that you get a real
Beverly shear. I have had mine for over 25 years, and it is working
perfectly. I get great cuts—straight when wanted, and curved when
wanted. What you will be paying for are the blades. Mine are still
cutting sharp and clean after all this time.
Alma Rands
Orchidians,
My Harbor Freight Shear HAS ARRIVED !!
Thank you to all who sent words of encouragement as I waited three
months for this. I hope to assemble it in the next few days.
Gratefully,
Mary A