Home Depot is getting worse

kokopelli2 · Aug 2, 2003

hey guys just wanted to share with you the newest downfall of home depot! they are getting rid of all of their manufacture reps that help at the stores and are going to one mid level service company. what this means:

all the guys that train the employees about products....gone
all the guys that actually help customers and can answer questions.... gone
all the guys that actually keep things organized and buld displays..... gone
all the guys that merchandise their product so its easier for people to shop.....gone
all the weekend events that you see, and can get good deals on ....gone

just thought i would share this with everyone. o and lowes is no good either, they got rid of their reps last winter.

chim · Aug 2, 2003

The HD near here is like two different stores, depending upon when you go there. I get in quite a bit during the week for odds and ends. During a regular workweek, especially in the daytime, I can ask almost anyone in the store if they have 1-5/16" Widgets. The answer is "Yes sir. Go about halfway down aisle 8. They are on the left on the second shelf"

Go in on a Saturday or Sunday, and do the same thing. Then the answer is "What's a Widget?". I've been in there on a Staurday night, and it looked like the land of the living dead.....................chim

DocHeb · Aug 2, 2003

Here's my old routine:
1. Need a 1 5/16" Widget.

2. Go to HD - look in box that is supposed to hold the 1 5/16" Widgets. Find three 1 1/4" Widgets, two 1 3/8" Widgets, one Flambuster, and a lid to a Slurpee. There is one 1 5/16" Widget in the box, but somebody has removed/stolen the set screw, making the Widget worthless.

3. Check the overhead racks for backstock - no 1 5/16" Widgets. The 1 5/16" Widgets have not been ordered since the stock person reached into the 1 5/16" Widget box, saw that it was "full" and didn't re-order them.

4. Clean out the 1 5/16" box, restock the wrong sized Widgets into their proper boxes, find the box for the Flambuster and restock it, and throw the slurpee lid in the pile of empty boxes on the floor. Put the 1 5/16" box back on the shelf.

5. Come back next week to see if they have received the new order. The 1 5/16" box is still empty.

6. Last chance - look up. There is a full box of 1 5/16" Widgets up in the backstock, where the stock person put them because he didn't know where they were supposed to go on the shelves. He hid them to make it look like he finished his work.

7. Wait hopelessly for a stock person to come to isle to use the moving ladder. Wait 15 minutes, go to cashier, have them page overhead two times - have nobody respond.

8. Move the ladder myself and climb three steps. Have three "associates" materialize out of thin air within seconds to yell at me for using the ladder. They get the 1 5/16" Widgets down, letting me know they're doing me a big favor for doing so.

9. Pay for the @#$^#@$ Widget.

10. Get the Widget home, try to install it, and realize that I have purchased a Schedule 30 Widget, rather than a Schedule 40 Widget that I really need. Toss the Schedule 30 Widget in a box since the mere thought of trying to return it makes me nauseated.

11. Go to the last remaining "Mom & Pop" hardware store remaining in the HD neighborhood. Promise myself to never go to HD again.

My new routine:
1. Go to "Mom & Pop" hardware.

2. "Al" takes me to the aisle where the Widgets are. He asks me what I'm doin' and I tell him. He says - you know you'll have better luck with the Schedule 40 Widget - that's the usual one for your situation. He gives me three time saving tips for installation.

3. Pay for the Widget - at a minimal premium over the HD price.

4. Promise myself to never go to HD again. Pray that enough people continue to shop at Mom & Pop so they can stay in business.

Egon · Aug 2, 2003

Lucky for us there is a well stocked and Knowledgeably staffed hardware store in town. They have better assorment of tools than many other stores. They also order in a tool if you request.

And best of all; There is one fellow whom allways gives me 10% off.

And did I mention; it's only a 5 minute walk away.

Egon

bgott · Aug 2, 2003

My sentiments exactly. My Ace store is my first stop now. I have an account there and they know me, if they're swamped I can go in the back and check stock or mix my own paint if necessary. The method I use in HD to find help if I need it is to light up a smoke. When some little buzybody on a power trip runs up to tell me to put it out I pull the old " Oops! I forgot!" routine and then I trap them until they help me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

yooperdave · Aug 2, 2003

I used to own some Home Depot stock.

After being totaly dissapointed several times many years ago, I sold out. I only go back now if it is truly a last resort.

I give most of my income to Menards. The help is a little young and inexperienced, but they do put a few people in each department. Something is on sale every week.

Why does Home Depot advertise so much showing lots of helpful employees when in reality they do not exist? They don't even staff up at the check out counter. Don't you think they would at least like to get you out of the store on good terms /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?

I hope someone who can make a difference at HD is reading your thread. They could use an awakening of customer service.

Thanks for letting me ventilate. It has been long overdue.

Yooper Dave

Taylortractornut · Aug 2, 2003

Lowes here has a knowelegeable staff. When they came in the y closed marvins in about 3 months. My brother worked there for 2 years last night was his last day because of his new schooling. Their manager had all the help that remained trained or hired someone that was knowlegable in that field. A few of the youngladies up front and that work tool world are helpful and awful purdy lol. Theyve tried to hire me a few times to workin the tool department and run a truck for them. My brother liked to policy on theft prevention, he caught a dozen folks scamming with tricks like the one where they have an old recpt and go in and get a shelf item and tell them i didnt use this to get the refund. He even caught 2 ladies one that got his attenion and the other that tried to bring an empty buggy in then get a pressure washer from the back. THey pay the employees a certain percentage of the theft items. I still ike the Mom and pop stores. Theres 3 in town i visit all week.

Gatorboy · Aug 2, 2003

I have no complaints with Home Depot.

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

knucklehead · Aug 2, 2003

Chris - I can't believe how accurately you've described the Home Dumpo experience.

We used to have a chain called Grossman's in the Northeast, and it was the one place my carpenter Father refused to go. He was griping about having to go there one Sunday when I needed to replace a kitchen faucet unit, and he was helping me learn how. We went in, found a young (Oh, no!) person who led us over to the plumbing aisle and gave us a technical dissertation on all the diiferent kinds of valves and types of faucet. We both listened and Dad appeared to be asking questions and learning things.

I got what I needed, paid, and left. We were about half way home when I couldn't resist any longer. I said that guy seemed to know what he was doing. Dad never missed a beat:

"He must be getting ready to quit".

Seems like around here when a new place opens (HD, Sam's & Wal Mart are fairly new to Maine), they get all the best employees and open the store. Then they leave and go open another one. Some places perpetuate good employees, others spiral downward. It would be tempting to say "You get what you pay for" but that is only partially true. It's also work ethic, and it appears after a couple decades of living here that there is not a good one in this area. This area kills businesses. Therefore our big chains are dustbins and everything is mixed up. They must've gotten a new Whip Man over at Wally World, because the place has been spiffed up lately and stock is moving and being kept clean. They need a Lumber **** at the big orange wart on the hill, too.