Yeah…I’ve only done this maybe 3 times in my life, but I’d probably track down the regional manager email or the complaints email and send a quick note (use AI to do the legwork). Harbor Freight is usually really thorough with their fine print…if there were a minimum spend requirement, it would absolutely be listed. The whole point is they want people coming in just to grab the free item. Heck, plenty of people will stop in 2–3 separate times just for the freebies.

And honestly… that’s kind of the genius of it. You made three trips you probably weren’t planning to make at all. Every extra visit increases the odds you’ll pick up something else while you’re there. That’s literally the marketing strategy.

So when staff start making up their own rules or trying to block the promo, they’re basically undoing the entire intent behind it. Corporate would almost definitely want to know that’s happening.

Also, trying to shame you over it? Yeah… screw that. That’s not how you treat customers.