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Harbor Freight Tools Respone

range rat

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Messages
334
Location
Cudahy, Wisconsin, USA
Complaint Details

Harbor Freight Tools
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd.
Camarillo, CA 93011-6010
Contact:Support, Customer
Phone:(800) 905-5464


Malacowski, Gary

3017 East Grange ave apt 2
Cudahy, WI 53110
(414) 744-8207
garymalachowski@att.net



Below is the company's response to your complaint.

What a company does to resolve complaints is part of the information we report to the public on individual companies. To be certain that our report on this company is accurate, we need your confirmation that this complaint has been settled. Would you take a minute to tell us about your satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the response? The yellow shaded area indicates the complaint's current processing status and will allow you to enter your response in the text box.

If we do not hear from you within the next seven days, we will assume you have accepted the company's offer or explanation and are satisfied with it. However, please feel free to contact us again if the company has made an offer to settle your complaint and fails to perform accordingly.

Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau.


Complaint ID: 16043643

Complaint Classification:

Complaint Description - Posted 1/23/2012 9:06:15 AM


Description of Complaint: I recently had of some troubling circumstances which occurred at a Harbor Freight Tools Store. As the issue is important to me, I am writing you to obtain independent verification, the issue at hand is the corporate policy of Harbor Freight Tools regarding customers who lawfully carry firearms in Harbor Freight Tools Stores. According to one of your Wisconsin store Managers, Harbor Freight Tools decided not to allow concealed weapons within your Wisconsin stores.Stating Harbor Freight values the safety of all of our patrons and employees.But then why does Harbor Freight Tools allows Conceal Carry as well as Open Carry in there Stores, as far away as Kalamazoo, MI. Battle Creek , Michigan an as well as your stores in Minnesota.These States are but a few that have Conceal Carry an/or Open Carry laws for Years,an are Allowed to carry in their Harbor Freight Stores.So my Question is, Why is Harbor Freight Tools Discriminating against law abiding citizens of Wisconsin who have gone through the proper channels of state/federal background checks too obtain a concealed carry license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. As of to date there are over Forty Thousand men & women who now have there Wisconsin Conceal Carry Permit,an With 4.3 Million Men & Women over 21 years old in Wisconsin, an a projection of 1.3 Million to get their Conceal Carry Permits can you really afford to alienate even 10 percent of them ?

Complaint Summary


The Discrimination against Wisconsin men & women who are just Exercising there Second Amendment right to Keep an Bare Arms.

Resolution Sought

Cease The Discrimination against Wisconsin men & women who are just Exercising there Second Amendment right to Keep an Bare Arms. While allowing other States to Exercise Theirs


Additional Information


Date Problem First Occurred:

1/12/2012


Product or Service:

Model Name or Number:

Date Purchased:

1/12/2012


Order Number:


Amount In Dispute:

$0.00



Company's Response


Company's Initial Response - Posted 02/09/2012


Harbor Freight Tools is a privately owned company and is an occupant on the premises located at: 4698 S. Whitnall Road, Suite 13, St. Francis, WI, 53235. The Wisconsin Concealed Carry law permits owners and occupants of property to prohibit persons from carrying a concealed weapon in or on the property. In fact, a person may be subject to Class B forfeiture if he or she carries a firearm on the property after being notified not to remain on the property or remain with a specific firearm. (Wis. Stat. § 943.13(1m) (b)) Harbor Freight Tools, like most employers with customers on their premises, including retailers and restaurants, also are advising customers not to bring weapons into its stores. Harbor Freight Tools will continue to promote a welcoming and safe environment for all of our guests. I apologize for the inconvenience this matter may have caused you or the complainant. Thank you, Theasha Gonzales


Initial Response Summary

Harbor Freight Tools is a privately owned company. The WI Concealed Carry law permits owners of property to prohibit persons from carrying concealed weapons in/on the property


Consumer's Rebuttal

.But then why does Harbor Freight Tools allows Conceal Carry as well as Open Carry in there Stores, as far away as Kalamazoo, MI. Battle Creek , Michigan an as well as your stores in Minnesota.These States are but a few that have Conceal Carry an/or Open Carry laws for Years,an are Allowed to carry in their Harbor Freight Stores.So my Question is, Why is Harbor Freight Tools Discriminating against law abiding citizens of Wisconsin who have gone through the proper channels of state/federal background checks too obtain a concealed carry license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
By allowing the rest of the States to Conceal Carry & Open Carry in Harbor Freight Tools Stores amounts to nothing more then Selective Discrimination of our Second Amendment Rights. So why is this ? an why isn't Harbor Freight Tools doing this to all the States?


Rebuttal

The complaint is waiting for BBB to process. No edit is allowed at this point. (RebuttalID: 467237)



Company's Final Respons

Final Response


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© Copyright 2010 The Better Business Bureau of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis
 

MKEgal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
4,383
Location
in front of my computer, WI
Proofreading is your friend.

This made me laugh:
Harbor Freight Tools will continue to promote a welcoming and safe environment for all of our guests.
When did they start doing it?
Looks to me like they're not welcoming certain people because of their peaceful, legal, exercise of protected civil rights. In fact, they're spending money to turn people away.

And apparently they haven't figured out that the statute that allows them to turn people away also removes their immunity from liability when something bad happens (like Aldi's).

And apparently they haven't figured out that signs don't stop criminals (like Aldi's & thousands of other places).
 

wsad

New member
Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
4
Location
Madison
The Harbor Freight in Madison moved it's sign to the window above the door, you would never see it if someone did not point it out to you. I only know because I congratulated them on removing the sign and the manager said it is still there and pointed it out to me. The manager said they moved it because too many customers complained about it. I was also told it was put up because they "are in a bad neighborhood". When I was in Columbus, Ohio (a concealed carry state) they were not posted.

But the biggest question to ask is Why do they continually advertise in the NRA magazine if they are so anti weapons.

I think the NRA should refuse advertisement money from them on this principle.
 

Brendon .45

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
282
Location
Peoples' Republic of Madison, Wisconsin, USA
The manager said they moved it because too many customers complained about it. I was also told it was put up because they "are in a bad neighborhood". When I was in Columbus, Ohio (a concealed carry state) they were not posted.

So people were complaining about the sign, they move it to a less conspicuous place, and still expect the people from the "bad neighborhood" to obey the sign. Being in said "bad nieghborhood" is even MORE reason not to post! I know, preaching to the choir here...

If I hadn't already thrown away the packaging/receipt I would return the engine stand I bought there (while armed) two weeks ago. I looked pretty good at the entrance way and didn't see any signs when I was there - nothing on the doors or to either side.

I again call for a statutorily standard sign as well as standard placement.
 

jpm84092

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
1,066
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Harbor Freight in Salt Lake City is not posted. Indeed, except for some hospitals and their clinics, very few locations in SLC are posted, even though UT law allows them to post.
 

apjonas

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
1,157
Location
, ,
Ever Hear the Phrase

"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"? Now everybody in your town knows to look for the sign. Don't see a sign? Shut up and carry. Nothing to be gained by congratulating anyone.

The Harbor Freight in Madison moved it's sign to the window above the door, you would never see it if someone did not point it out to you. I only know because I congratulated them on removing the sign and the manager said it is still there and pointed it out to me. The manager said they moved it because too many customers complained about it. I was also told it was put up because they "are in a bad neighborhood". When I was in Columbus, Ohio (a concealed carry state) they were not posted.

But the biggest question to ask is Why do they continually advertise in the NRA magazine if they are so anti weapons.

I think the NRA should refuse advertisement money from them on this principle.
 

apjonas

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
1,157
Location
, ,
Why?

So people were complaining about the sign, they move it to a less conspicuous place, and still expect the people from the "bad neighborhood" to obey the sign. Being in said "bad nieghborhood" is even MORE reason not to post! I know, preaching to the choir here...

If I hadn't already thrown away the packaging/receipt I would return the engine stand I bought there (while armed) two weeks ago. I looked pretty good at the entrance way and didn't see any signs when I was there - nothing on the doors or to either side.

I again call for a statutorily standard sign as well as standard placement.

Is it your mission to reduce lawful concealed carry? Glad you didn't visit that Aldi's before the shotgun robber did. With thinking like this no wonder you guys had to wait a decade for cc.
 
H

Herr Heckler Koch

Guest
Don't ask, don't tell, works for social networking too.
 

SovereignAxe

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2011
Messages
791
Location
Elizabethton, TN
The Harbor Freight in Madison moved it's sign to the window above the door, you would never see it if someone did not point it out to you. I only know because I congratulated them on removing the sign and the manager said it is still there and pointed it out to me. The manager said they moved it because too many customers complained about it. I was also told it was put up because they "are in a bad neighborhood". When I was in Columbus, Ohio (a concealed carry state) they were not posted.

But the biggest question to ask is Why do they continually advertise in the NRA magazine if they are so anti weapons.

I think the NRA should refuse advertisement money from them on this principle.

ha...haha...hahahahahahaha.

That's like saying Isreal should give up their nukes because they live in a bad neighborhood.
 

bigdaddy1

Regular Member
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
1,320
Location
Southsider der hey
Just for the record, I called the three locations in this area. West Allis, St. Francis and Racine all verified that it is corporate policy that no weapons are allowed in their locations. I do not know if Harbor Freight Tools are a franchise, or all are owned by one corporation.
I did send an email today, and added all three to the friend or foe list. Here is the email I sent. I know from experience that we can make a difference if we join in the common cause and fight for our rights together. Feel free to use my text as a base to send them your own message.
To whom it may concern;

It has come to my attention that your corporate policy is to prohibit law abiding citizens the right of self protection by posting no weapons signs at your Southeast Wisconsin stores. As Aldi's grocery store recently discovered, criminals will not turn around and leave because you have a no weapons sign by the door but may take it as an invitation. The only people that those signs will deter from entering your stores are those law abiding citizens who carry legally. Wisconsin has recently passed legislation that allows citizens to carry a concealed weapon only after a strict background check by the Department of Justice and firearms safety training. The criminal will not have any of those credentials. Businesses that choose not to prohibit weapons also enjoy immunity from civil liability from that decision. I would hope that you are willing to see past any irrational fear, and realize that people licensed to carry pose no threat to your employees or customers and stop preventing us from shopping at your locations. To give you a brief idea of how many potential customers you are alienating, the Department of Justice has issued over 60,000 concealed carry licenses to date. I will not patronize your stores until you choose not to prevent my ability to protect myself and family, and remove the signs from your stores.

Thank you for your time.

 
Last edited:

deepdiver

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
5,820
Location
Southeast, Missouri, USA
Maybe I should write more letters but I think they would end up sounding snarky. My question has always been which they think is safer and less likely to lead to problems: my loaded, unattended handgun in the center console of my locked car in their parking lot, me standing in their parking lot unloading my handgun before leaving an unloaded, unattended handgun in the center console of my locked car in their parking lot or my loaded handgun left in a proper holster untouched on the hip of this background checked trained firearm owner peacefully shopping in their stores.

I know, I know, background checked/gov't permitted, etc however, I'm not arguing about constitutional carry but rather making about point about their short sightedness overall.
 

range rat

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Messages
334
Location
Cudahy, Wisconsin, USA
Just for the record, I called the three locations in this area. West Allis, St. Francis and Racine all verified that it is corporate policy that no weapons are allowed in their locations. I do not know if Harbor Freight Tools are a franchise, or all are owned by one corporation.
I did send an email today, and added all three to the friend or foe list. Here is the email I sent. I know from experience that we can make a difference if we join in the common cause and fight for our rights together. Feel free to use my text as a base to send them your own message.
To whom it may concern;

It has come to my attention that your corporate policy is to prohibit law abiding citizens the right of self protection by posting no weapons signs at your Southeast Wisconsin stores. As Aldi's grocery store recently discovered, criminals will not turn around and leave because you have a no weapons sign by the door but may take it as an invitation. The only people that those signs will deter from entering your stores are those law abiding citizens who carry legally. Wisconsin has recently passed legislation that allows citizens to carry a concealed weapon only after a strict background check by the Department of Justice and firearms safety training. The criminal will not have any of those credentials. Businesses that choose not to prohibit weapons also enjoy immunity from civil liability from that decision. I would hope that you are willing to see past any irrational fear, and realize that people licensed to carry pose no threat to your employees or customers and stop preventing us from shopping at your locations. To give you a brief idea of how many potential customers you are alienating, the Department of Justice has issued over 60,000 concealed carry licenses to date. I will not patronize your stores until you choose not to prevent my ability to protect myself and family, and remove the signs from your stores.

Thank you for your time.












Here is the Address an Person.



Harbor Freight Tools
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd.
Camarillo, CA 93011-6010
Contact:Support, Customer
Phone800) 905-5464


Attn: Ms, Theasha Gonzals
 

msteinhilber

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
125
Location
Verona, WI
More or less the same response I got. I noticed the sign at their Madison, WI location a while back and promptly walked next door to the Auto Zone which had no signs posted and had the heat shrink tubing I had intended to purchase at Harbor Freight. I e-mailed a scanned copy of my Auto Zone receipt in response to an e-mail I received from them to give them evidence they are losing business.
 

bigdaddy1

Regular Member
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
1,320
Location
Southsider der hey
Believe me its hard to word these so they get the point across without sounding condescending. I still recommend sending something to them but try to make it somewhat diplomatic.

The original versions (there were several) had informed them that I added them to the friend or foe listing but decided that may sound a little threatening. I thought mentioning the 60k plus CCL holders should get the same effect. I did add them to the FoF list though :lol:
 
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