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Harbor Freight Tools

Engaged employer

Fast Growth, little chance to survive - Store Manager Harbor Freight Tools Employee Review

1.0
17 Nov 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pay scale for management is fair. The company is growing at the rate of 50 stores per year. There is opportunity to grow with the company.

Cons

I spite of the preaching to improve work/life balance, there really isn't any for the store manager. Core hour for store managers are 47.5 per week, but most weeks it will be more like 55 to 60. There are so many special events each year that require extra hours to be worked. The company has an average of 5.2% labor for the year. I know of stores that were forced to work with less than 4.8%. That means managers spend most of their time doing rather than managing. Managers have little power to uphold return policies, because if the customer calls corporate, the manager must do the return and apologize to the customer, and give them a gift card for 10 to 50 dollars for their trouble. District managers work with store managers that will suck up to them, but will turn their backs on the managers who won't play their power games.

Explore other reviews about Harbor Freight Tools

5.0
23 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

love it best place to work

Cons

no cons nothing to complain about

4.0
16 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great benefits, fast paced environment, good teamwork. I liked the hours, you get an education about tools, whether from your coworkers or the customers. And speaking of the customers, they were on the better side for retail. Most are down to earth and easy to converse with.

Cons

Supply chain issues, many parts would never be replenished, despite being featured, advertised, and on display. That would often lead to tensions with customers. Aggressive time constraints on tasks. Sidewalk sales, holidays, and also coincidentally inclement weather days, can be quite busy and therefore stressful. Especially if there's call outs, but if you have a good management team, you'll have good staff that will want to work for them.

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