Home Depot Woes

slowrev · Sep 8, 2005

The few Home Depot's and Lowes that are in a more rural area usually have a lot better help. They actually have people that plan on working that job for a long time, unlike a college kid or other transient worker type that you have more of in the larger urban areas.

Ben

Bird · Sep 8, 2005

( 'how about you let me worry about what I want it for )

That's not the way I answer because sometimes when I tell a knowledgeable fellow what I want it for, he might have a better idea. It's happened before, so I tell'em what I want it for and see what suggestions he might have. Sometimes good ideas, sometimes not. I know sometimes I get a clerk that really doesn't know what he's talking about, but I also know there are some folks around who know more than I do, so I don't take a chance on missing a good thing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

texbaylea · Sep 8, 2005

Bird
The one near me has transformed itself into a ranchers supply operation. They still have building materials and all that but not as much as they did. Seems to be doing well. It is closer to me than the others so gets a lot of my business. TSC is a 35-40 mile round trip so gets my business only when I have a lot of errands that take me near.

Vernon

boustany · Sep 8, 2005

Ah, yes, in the good old days there would be a guy who would know what you SHOULD use, and help you out.

Now, the odds are 20:1 you'll get somebody who hasn't even got a clue what you want, let alone what you should be using.

I so bad, that when I overhear an HD guy explaining to somebody what to do, I wait till he goes away and I tell the customer what he should actually be using and how he should do it.

In fact, I've had a few HD customers try to hire me. I just tell them 'they couldn't afford my rates' /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

California · Sep 8, 2005

( I remember two of the old hardware stores. One was in ... Sacramento. The stores opened in the late 1890's and still had a bunch of inventory on the shelves that was there when they opened. -Farwell )

The Sacramento one would be Newberts. I was in there a lot in the 1970's when I was a Carpenter. They stocked all the wierd stuff that was original on the 50 to 100 year old houses in downtown Sacramento.

Plus a lot of stuff that was just plain wierd - like the model of Coleman lantern that had a hotplate on top.

As somebody pointed out, traditional business hours weren't convenient for homeowners. I think Newbert's doors were open 9:30 am to 5:00 pm with a 'last call' about 4:40. Plus 3.5 hours on Saturday for the homeowners.

I think there is still a traditional hardware store somewhere in the gold country, maybe Nevada City, stocking washboards, gold pans, and who knows what.

Jstpssng · Sep 8, 2005

( As somebody pointed out, traditional business hours weren't convenient for homeowners. )
I'll agree there, and it isn't just limited to hardware stores/lumber yards. However If I can get to my local store it's a quick trip in and out; then I can drive around and back into the warehouse, where they help me load what I need.
Going to HD entails a 45 mile drive one way, then fighting the crowd; and checking out through their "automated checkout" seems to be designed to lock you in, so you can't get tired of waiting and leave. Plus they often have grat deals on locally sawn lumber. In this area at least, most local outlets are competitive with the "Box stores", on lumber anyways.

I suspect it's like shopping at "WalMart"; either you love it or you hate it. That's what "Freedom of Choice" is all about.

escavader · Sep 8, 2005

I am a licenced lumber inspector at a lumber company here in MAINE.I have got to tell you,if i tried to push the crap home depot,and lowes does,NELMA would come and pull my licence.ThE stuff they sell for pine is way off grade,and you know what...our customers know it too,thats why we are so successful,even with a depot,and lowes in towns where we have retail outlets.Our moto is a happy customer is a return customer,aint it true!!!!Their deleverys stink. I f you want building materials,you get them when they"have a truck in your area".This aint cool if you are a contractor.
ESCAVADER

boustany · Sep 8, 2005

Oh, yeah, I shoulda mentioned, the proper answer is:
"gee mister, here is where we keep the left handed muffler bearings! what do you need one for"

That way, I get what I want, and he provides me with a education, if need be. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

If he answers 'what do you want it for, chances are, he doesn't know what what I want is, and, more likely than not, I'm the one doing the teaching.

JSUnlimited · Sep 8, 2005

You know its funny this post came up! In my town, there is a Home Depot getting ready to open RIGHT NEXT to Lowe's in the next week or two. The funny thing is, a year or two ago at Lowe's it was like a ghost town trying to find the grumpy old man in plumbing who always asked "well why do you want to do it that way, you should buy ten more elbows instead of keeping it simple!" But today with HD almost ready to open, you have to beg people to leave you the **** alone at Lowe's. All I can say is that in this town....competition is GOOD!

RichNJKubota · Sep 8, 2005

I just read all the posts.
Wow, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has 'had it' with the big box stores. I'm not alone.
HD and Lowes are a pain. They never have what I want and if they do carry it - it's out of stock. I've learned enough times that I will never go to HD or Lowes when I need something. I could not count how many times I even called before I went to HD and they said on the phone that - yes indeed they have it. I get there and when I can't find it I ask an employee and they say they don't carry it. OUCH. I am lucky I never went POSTAL at that moment.
It happned today. I needed a particular Rust-Oleum oil based paint. Called Rust-Oleum. They confirmed they made it and to check HD. Called HD. They claimed they could mix the color. Got there and the lady just looks on the shelf and says - we haven't had the proper base stock here for months. WELL THEN, WHO DID I TALK TO ON THE PHONE!
This web server does not have enough disk storage for all the HD stories I have!

I go to the remaining local suppliers and I may pay a little more BUT they have what I want AND they know what they are selling.

Rich
NJ