Home Depot is getting worse

ejb · Aug 2, 2003

>>I would suspect that the Executive decision they made was thought out and is the best for the company and it's shareholders.

Now thats a good one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. More likley, any decision made by executive management was made so that executive management benefits...like the year-end bonus for saving money.

I too have sworn off Home Depot and ONLY go there as a last resort. I have never in my life seen such a poorly run, poorly organized and poorly staffed store...now I do all my shopping for wood and hardware and a small, locally owned place just 5 miles from my house...some times a little more expensive, some times less, but ALWAYS pleasant, helpful staff.

My last visit to HD I spent about 2 hours meticulously getting everything I needed for a weeks work, about $400 worth of lumber and various fastners hardware etc...after investing 2 hours making sure I had everthing I need I go to the front and fine ONE register open with about 20 people waiting in line...I left the cart, walked out and never came back...and won't unless I need to.

Its a cronic problem at my local HD...plenty of HD staff standing around talking to each other, carefully walking up and down the aisles avoiding eye contact with customers, and without a doubt, the stupidest person in the store works at the register.

Once before I stood in line for about 35 minutes to check-out and NO exageration..counted *14* HD employees standing around doing *nothing*, while the lines continued to build. Years ago when I worked in retail, everyone knew how to run a register and they would open more when needed...

I really do not understand what the attraction is, nor can I understand how they stay in business....

JTD · Aug 2, 2003

About the only time I'll go into HD is 7AM on weekdays when they open up. Staff is helpfull and friendly then. However, they fall way behind when compared to our local True Value hardware store downtown run by a local family. They really try to provide the best help, advice and service. They even call later after you're done to see if everything turned out OK. My wife doesn't like any store that won't let our very well trained dog in them. HD doesn't and Lowes is inconsistant about their policy (on weekends they have a different manager who "enforces" rules no mater what). True Value has their own dog in the store and plenty of doggie biscuits & water available. Guess who gets my business.

Gatorboy · Aug 2, 2003

plenty of HD staff standing around talking to each other, carefully walking up and down the aisles avoiding eye contact with customers

Almost EVERY employee asks me how I am doing while I am walking up/down the aisles. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As for checking out -- I usually hit the SELF-SERVICE checkouts which is usually wide open.

Gatorboy · Aug 2, 2003

My wife doesn't like any store that won't let our very well trained dog in them. 

For the life of me I cannot understand why people bring their dogs to Petsmart -- Why would someone want to bring their dog to Home Depot?

Boondox · Aug 2, 2003

( For the life of me I cannot understand why people bring their dogs to Petsmart -- Why would someone want to bring their dog to Home Depot? )

I bring our dogs into HD late at night or early in the morning as part of their socialization and training. Sort of like advanced leash training. If they can stay focused on me in there, with all those distractions, they can handle pretty much any situation. And if the commotion gets too much for them, and a sit down chat won't calm them down, we leave the store rather than inconvenience people. Personally, I'd love to see small children leashed in Home Depot. The dogs I've met there are better behaved than 99% of the kids running around getting in the way.

Pete

kokopelli2 · Aug 2, 2003

um this is the same company that gave bob nardeli (ceo) an 11 million dollar intrest free loan!

the only reason they are doing this is because lowes did it and last year lowes outsold depot with 300 fewer stores. they are trying to play catch-up.

plus you have one of my stores, so i am sure you electical deparments look, for now, pretty good.

sure i am alittle biased, since i am one of the many manufacture guys getting let go, but all that has been said is true. man most of the people that help you in depot dont even work for them! this action is going to cost them more money, and make less for the stock holders. which i am one.

kokopelli2 · Aug 2, 2003

people bring their dogs with them for many reasons, one being socialization, which is important for dogs. becuase we love our dogs.

if you can get your dog in a shopping cart you will never have a problem in home depot or EXPO. i put my shikoku and pit bull in a shopping cart and go to it. everyone come up and pets them!

Gatorboy · Aug 2, 2003

I had a feeling this was a personal attack on Home Depot.

5030 · Aug 2, 2003

Boondox:

Ahmen to that. Personally, I can't stand the rug rats running around unsupervised. They always seem to be between me and whatever I am looking at.

I think I'll try the "socialization" routine with our Golden Lab. I never had a mean dog before and we got her as an abused castoff. She only has 2 people that she trusts, my wife and I. You come in our house unannounced, she will literally take you apart and I mean right now. She'd make short work of the rug rats!!