Harbor Freight Tools - Company History & Lore

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2021 SATA Black Widow paint gun lawsuit:
https://archive.org/details/gov.uscourts.cacd.775225
https://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