We are in the early stages of making an addition to our house, and we've been in the process of purchasing materials. I have to admit that I like the convenience of one-stop shopping that is available at Lowes/HD, but I also like to try to support locally owned stores so that hopefully I'll have them as an option on future projects. However, recent experiences have turned me away from the local stores.
In one instance, I found a really nice, big round topped window on a local classified ad site and the contact was a lumber yard in a town an hour away. I called the lumber yard and spoke to a gruff fella who confirmed the availability of the window, and I proceeded to purchase it over the phone (based on prices of windows I had looked at, this is probably a $1200 to $1500 window for sale for $300 - it was one that had been ordered and not used and had set around for 2 years). Anyway, I go over to pick it up on Saturday. When I walk in the store, there is a fella behind the counter playing on his cell phone. I say "Good morning - how's it going?". The fella briefly looks up, says nothing, goes back to playing on his phone. I begin to wonder if he works here - but he is setting behind the counter next the register. After a few more moments, he finishes, looks back up and says "Whattaya need?". I explain that I bought the window from the ad and am here to pick it up - he directs me to back my trailer up to a certain overhead door, so I go do that.
When I had talked tot he fella on the phone, he said they had lots of doors and windows available similar to my window - i.e. new old stock. We go in the building to get my window and there are lots of doors/windows stacked around. I ask this guy if this is there selection of windows/doors available, and he acknowleges that they are. After loading the window on my trailer, he just walks away without a word.
Now there were several items that I looked at, and had some interest in, but not enough to deal with that guy again. As much as I would like to support a local business, I'm not going to tolerate that kind of service.
Later in the week, I needed to pick up some 20' long lumber - in my area, Lowes and HD don't carry anything longer than 16'. So I call the local yard and they confirm that they have it. I ask what time they close and there is a pause and then they say "oh, about 10 after 4". It thought to myself that is a very odd closing time. It turns out they close at 4:30, but don't really want to do anything for the last 20 minutes of the day.
By contrast, my recent interactions with Lowes and HD have been fantastic - I've been helped by friendly people in each store and have had no problem getting quotes, special orders, and deliveries arranged.
I would have expected that smaller stores would try to compete with the big-box stores via friendly customer service, but at least in these instances, that does not appear to be the case.
I will also say that our local Ace Hardware store is still my preferred place for the items that they have available (plumbing, electrical, hardware, etc.), they just have limited selections of other building materials. However, their customer service and knowledge of their products is outstanding, and I always leave feeling very happy with my transaction.
That's just my rant - sorry if it went on too long. I may be the exception that has good luck with the big box stores, but I have enjoyed the business that I have had with them recently, and am disappointed in the smaller places.
Good luck and take care.
In one instance, I found a really nice, big round topped window on a local classified ad site and the contact was a lumber yard in a town an hour away. I called the lumber yard and spoke to a gruff fella who confirmed the availability of the window, and I proceeded to purchase it over the phone (based on prices of windows I had looked at, this is probably a $1200 to $1500 window for sale for $300 - it was one that had been ordered and not used and had set around for 2 years). Anyway, I go over to pick it up on Saturday. When I walk in the store, there is a fella behind the counter playing on his cell phone. I say "Good morning - how's it going?". The fella briefly looks up, says nothing, goes back to playing on his phone. I begin to wonder if he works here - but he is setting behind the counter next the register. After a few more moments, he finishes, looks back up and says "Whattaya need?". I explain that I bought the window from the ad and am here to pick it up - he directs me to back my trailer up to a certain overhead door, so I go do that.
When I had talked tot he fella on the phone, he said they had lots of doors and windows available similar to my window - i.e. new old stock. We go in the building to get my window and there are lots of doors/windows stacked around. I ask this guy if this is there selection of windows/doors available, and he acknowleges that they are. After loading the window on my trailer, he just walks away without a word.
Now there were several items that I looked at, and had some interest in, but not enough to deal with that guy again. As much as I would like to support a local business, I'm not going to tolerate that kind of service.
Later in the week, I needed to pick up some 20' long lumber - in my area, Lowes and HD don't carry anything longer than 16'. So I call the local yard and they confirm that they have it. I ask what time they close and there is a pause and then they say "oh, about 10 after 4". It thought to myself that is a very odd closing time. It turns out they close at 4:30, but don't really want to do anything for the last 20 minutes of the day.
By contrast, my recent interactions with Lowes and HD have been fantastic - I've been helped by friendly people in each store and have had no problem getting quotes, special orders, and deliveries arranged.
I would have expected that smaller stores would try to compete with the big-box stores via friendly customer service, but at least in these instances, that does not appear to be the case.
I will also say that our local Ace Hardware store is still my preferred place for the items that they have available (plumbing, electrical, hardware, etc.), they just have limited selections of other building materials. However, their customer service and knowledge of their products is outstanding, and I always leave feeling very happy with my transaction.
That's just my rant - sorry if it went on too long. I may be the exception that has good luck with the big box stores, but I have enjoyed the business that I have had with them recently, and am disappointed in the smaller places.
Good luck and take care.
