Harbor Freights Tools Lost an ordered replacement part that takes 10-12 weeks to come from outside US. Offered me only to place the order again. California

I purchased a greenhouse last year, but accidentally broke a part while I was assembling it. As it was a part of the ceiling structure, I’m not able to complete assembly without it, and in the meantime, what is assembled is structurally weak and at risk even from moderate winds. Regardless, I understood it was my fault, and simply wanted the replacement.

Initially, HF was helpful, and the process to order the part was straightforward and expected. I ordered the part, was advised it would need to be manufactured in China, then shipped via boat to US, where it would enter Customs, then go to one of two HF warehouses. I would receive a written letter with payment instruction, complete the process, and would receive my part.

I placed the order in October 2018. I called for a status update in March, and was told that the part had been manufactured and was onboard a ship, waiting to sail to US. I wasn’t too concerned, and was aware that China-US shipping relationships were and are probably stressed, so was no angry about any possible delay. I was told that it was expected to reach US Customs in May.

 I called in April for a status update, and was advised the ship was on its way, that my part was aboard, and it would leave Customs on time with ETA end of May.

In June I called for a status update, and no one could find my part.

In July I called for an update, and was told that my part had been accidentally shipped to an incorrect warehouse. Someone would grab it, get it to the correct warehouse, then get it to my local area (Seattle) where it would then be shipped to me. They told me they were waiving the cost of the part and shipping for me. Nice.

Now, I’m told that no one can find the part, and my only options are to either start the order process over (10-12 weeks which seems to read as “45 weeks” in Harbor Freight time) or they can initiate a “warehouse check.” I had been under the sad impression that whenever they were looking for my part, they were doing some version of a “warehouse check.” I had also been under the impression that any time someone was telling me the status of the part, they were able to do because the actual status of the actual part was actually tracked in some type of system that actually tracks such things.

They did also offer me a $20 gift card for my time and trouble.