Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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In this episode we cover the history of Harbor Freight tools.
From the beginning in 1968 as "Underwriter's Purchasing & Supply"
selling hardware that had been written off by insurance companies,
to Harbor Freight Salvage in 1977, and the present day lawsuits.

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Moar Harbor Freight Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-fhNrtmTAv3U4o2Yop9lZixW9CYwzyjM

Moar history:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbor_Freight_Tools
slashgear.com/1480137/history-of-harbor-freight
forbes.com/profile/eric-smidt
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Smidt

California Business Lookup (type in business name to search):
bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business

Trademark Assignments:
assignments.uspto.gov/assignments/q?db=tm&rno=2946255

Buy Now & Save Corp:
books.google.com/books?id=x61ZAAAAYAAJ&q=%22central+purchasing+inc%22

1980's Ads:
books.google.com/books?id=d-MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA177&dq=harbor+freight+salvage+co
books.google.com/books?id=_-MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA153&dq=harbor+freight+salvage+co
books.google.com/books?id=ZOQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA143&dq=harbor+freight+salvage+co
books.google.com/books?id=HOQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA131&dq=harbor+freight+salvage+co

1990's Ads:
books.google.com/books?id=FNXlnH3HML0C&pg=PA89&dq=%22harbor+freight
books.google.com/books?id=_pcmMWnxp80C&pg=PA94&dq=%22harbor+freight
books.google.com/books?id=dIa9Js7xV_IC&pg=PT43&dq=harbor+freight+tools

1997 Harbor Freight Website:
web.archive.org/web/19971016084527/harborfreight.com

2010 Alan v Eric lawsuit:
archive.vcstar.com/business/harbor-freight-ceo-accused-by-parents-of-looting-company-ep-368199642-348750891.html
sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/07/21/founder-of-harbor-freight-tools-sues-ceo-son
eastvalleytribune.com/local/mesa/founder-of-harbor-freight-tools-sues-ceo-son/article_ef2de0ba-94fe-11df-bbe8-001cc4c002e0.html
archive.vcstar.com/business/employee-speaks-about-troubles-at-harbor-freight-ep-367972732-348484531.html
luxurylaunches.com/transport/oceanco-infinity-megayacht-owner.php

2011 3M Blue Tape Lawsuit:
archive.org/details/gov.uscourts.mnd.120902

2016 "Fake Sales" Lawsuit:
topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/harbor-freight-tools-class-action-alleges-fake-sale-pricing
web.archive.org/web/20170503032331/http://www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com
web.archive.org/web/20181017202037/http://www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com/faq
web.archive.org/web/20180816194820/http://nationalsalepricesettlement.com/docs/Settlement%20Order%20and%20Final%20Judgment.pdf

2017 Snap-On Jack Lawsuit
casetext.com/case/snap-on-inc-v-harbor-freight-tools-united-states-inc
biztimes.com/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case
patents.google.com/patent/USD730612S1

2021 SATA Black Widow paint gun lawsuit:
archive.org/details/gov.uscourts.cacd.775225
patents.google.com/patent/USD552213S1/en?oq=d552213

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:16 Underwriters Purchasing & Supply
01:03 Harbor Freight Salvage
01:10 The Internet Era
02:50 Every Single Harbor Freight Trademark
04:15 Harbor Freight House Brands
05:10 Father Sues Son
06:22 SATA Lawsuit
06:54 3M Lawsuit
07:14 Price Settlement
08:26 Snap-On Lawsuit
09:18 Present Day
09:46 Outro