Lowes low

[CDsdad]

I try to remind myself that the majority of people working at big box stores are there due to lacking of either brains or ambition. I try to be patient but generally try to stay at the local lumber yard. They're not smart at the local yard but at least I know where everything is.

 

[froggy]

That's why I go to the local hardware store, even if costs more. The service is worth it.

 

[Bedlam]

Well today I didnt let the 'slight 'inconvenience keep me from getting a new range and hood. I looked both up on the websites and knew pretty much what i wanted. Walked in and saw the sales person. Told him Id like this one if you still have one in stock and he said No problem. As he 'punched 'in the info my name and yea phone lol.he asked you need a cord, nope I said. all set thanks for reminding thou.
He said are you looking for an extended warranty I said nope. a year is fine,I looked at thew hoods they had and they didn't display the inexpensive one , but I found it.
He said go down front tell them my name and pay and they would bring it right out.
I went down front. I said I just need to pay for the range I just bought. Gave my name, and she said are they delivering it today? I said no the sales guy is coming down front with it. she said oh hmm ok.
then she ran the card etc with no troubles .
The sales guy was right there with it on a dolly. and very pleasant.
So, It does make a BIG difference with employees who seem to care.I was very impressed with this sales person.

 

[groundcover]

You need to keep an eye on the prices at HD too, they do have their sales and loss leaders but sometimes the lumber yard is just as competive ,with a much better attitude. I tried to order a V-28 battery from HD (where I bought the tools) but they did not stock it and would only order it with a credit card. I called the lumber yard,yep in stock and cheaper !

 

[ultrarunner]

I try to avoid HD only because my Van was broken into at two of their Stores... We are talking mid-day first or second space in the parking island in front of the entrance...

I now do most of my shopping at an old Hardware Store in the Heart of East Oakland... they provide security and the cashiers know me...

 

[LoneCowboy]

why should they improve their service?
They treat you (and everyone else) like crap
YET
you keep going back

serves you right.
"please sir, may I have another?" ---whack---

Seriously, when you vote with your pocketbooks, then it will matter, until then, you get what you deserve.

And no, i don't shop at either anymore.

 

[Shimon]

vote with your pocketbooks

Well said! One of the advantages of capitalism.

But some people think their only choices are Home Depot or Lowes which are, for all intents and purposes, identical. And in some cases they are the only choice because they've driven out all the smaller hardware stores.

In the end, however, people are cheap. They want a bargain and will suffer through quite a bit for a bargain. Hence the popularity of big box stores, nationwide chains and strip malls. Wal-Mart has given us low, low prices...but at what cost? I won't get into because a lot of it is "political" but you know what I'm talking about.

Hopefully, enough people will vote with their wallets and let these companies know what they think of their stores. But, I don't think that will happens because, like I said, most people are cheap.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Page 3 of this rant...my post probably won't get read, but hey, at least I'll feel better.

Was in Home Depot yesterday, in the paint section. Needed some help to see if they had any more of the stain I was looking for. Saw an associate putting stuff on a shelf, but figured he must be just a stock boy. My dad and I split up to find help. After a few minutes, we met back up, but no joy on locating an associate for the paint counter. I went to the front, told cust. service that I needed some help. They page the guy...guess who...yep, it was the stock boy I had seen earlier. That jack*&& knew that we were standing at the counter needing some help the entire time.

Oh and one more thing...let's talk Wal-Mart. How come they only have one line for tobacco purchasers. I chew a little when I'm on the tractor. I like buying it there because it's cheap. The problem is, there's only one line you can buy tobacco...it's always a very long line. That burns my biscuits and I complain every time.

Rant complete.

Podunk

 

[mjarrels]

It has been years since I went to a Lowes... Last time I was there the automatic entrance doors would not open for me, worked for everyone else... I got the message and have never been back... They don't want my money.

mark

 

[N80]

Well said! One of the advantages of capitalism.

Hmmm. I think you said it better here:

And in some cases they are the only choice because they've driven out all the smaller hardware stores.

Done and done. Can't find a decent hardware store around here. That's a disadvantage of capitalism.

But, I don't think that will happens because, like I said, most people are cheap.

How do you vote with your wallet when there's nowhere else to go?

I hate Lowes AND Home Depot. I watched them shut down the local hardwares. Before the local and smaller franchise units were gone, both Lowes and Home Depot were fairly decent. Once they were gone, things went down hill and are still there.

I hate them both and avoid them like the plague. But when you need stuff, you need it.

They were my main source of building supplies when I built my cabin. (We have an 84 Lumber, same prices, slower service. Even though I was building my own house I wasn't technically a contractor and couldn't get the time of day from them.) On any given trip for supplies we would inevitably have to go to both stores (Lowes and Home Depot) to get what we needed. It didn't matter if it was nails, plumbing, electric, you name it, neither store EVER had all of what I needed and trust me folks, there was NOTHING weird or unusual about the supplies I needed.

Ah. That felt good. Next!

 

[aczlan]

The problem is, there's only one line you can buy tobacco...it's always a very long line. That burns my biscuits and I complain every time.

that is probably because you have to be old enough to use tobacco to be able to sell it, that way they only have to make certain that one cashier is qualified to sell cigarettes... (read cheaper)

Aaron Z

 

[Podunkadunk]

The problem is, there's only one line you can buy tobacco...it's always a very long line. That burns my biscuits and I complain every time.

that is probably because you have to be old enough to use tobacco to be able to sell it, that way they only have to make certain that one cashier is qualified to sell cigarettes... (read cheaper)Aaron Z

"Qualified" to sell cigarettes? You mean like "qualified" to sell beer? Hmmm, although I occasionally pick up a few barley pops in a specified area of the store, I can check out at any register...even "self checkout" (as long an an associate comes over and verifies my age). It seems that same qualification could bleed over into the tobacco category!

The Tobacco line in Wal-Mart is ridiculously long and in fact, ridiculous altogether. God forbid you get in a short line and ask an associate to go pick you up a pack of Levi Garrett They'll tell you quickly that you'll have to go stand in the line.

Podunk

 

[toy]

I have three lowes within an hour and a half from where I live and each one of them seem to have a different attitued. One of them has outgrowed the size of their store and is in a desperate need to expand and because of the cramped quarters and the large number of customers it seems like their attitude sucks. One of them is kinda pleasant to shop at, and the third one fits somewhere in between in shopping experience. I have been meaning to respond to this thread about an experience I had at a local sears store but I haven't been able to remember exactly what I was asking about[been a long time ago but the experience is still fresh in my mind about the way the salesman took care of me] . Anyway I went into the tool department and there was an older like salesman working there and I thought finnaly I'll get a salesman that knows what he is talking about. So I asked my question about a tool, and he pleasantly replied I don't know a thing about this section but that he would get someone to help me that worked that section. Off the salesman went before I could say anything and a minute later he came back with a young girl[ she didn't look more than 16 years old] so my sarcastic thoughts was this is going to be a waste of time. Anyway she asked if she could help me and I asked my question about the tools. Then she started answering me, and was I ever pleasantly surprised she knew as much about tools as anybody else that I ever talked to and she was eager to talk about all of the power tools what their advantages were and any shortcomings they had and I knew that she was very knowledgable about tools and I don't beleive her knowledge came soly from being a sales person in the tool department but that she had been around tools for a long time. In my mind as I left was that some dad or grandpa had a real sidekick in their shop and that I bet they was real proud of her, she was a joy to talk to.

 

[Bedlam]

Toy good experience, thanks for sharing
I believe in the 'old' days Home Depot prided themselves on encouraging retired electricians etc to join the store. I would think this would have been good also for the associates not familiar with allot of the items. This practice in my area at least seems to have died out. I no longer 'feel' that the sales person has more knowledge than I.
I used to do allot of business with sears. But shortly after they eliminated the catalog, I slowed and stopped.
Occasionally I will get in there with a warranty tool to replace, (a ratchet usually) and these have been my main beef. My original ratchet was a hand me down from my dad who worked as a mechanic. It sure was well built, but broke and I exchanged it. and in the period of about three years Ive replaced it some 4 or 5 times and I only use it occasionally.
Sometimes ill get a clerk that smiles and exchanges it no troubles and then there is the occasional one who squawks.
Example the tape ruler with the 32nd marks worn off.(occasional use) One woman said that she would replace it as no one uses those measurements and it wasn't broken.
Well after a few bends back and forth in my hand from the frustration, the blade snapped and then was 'broke' and she replaced it.
I tend to take things for simple. there is a sign just as Wal Mart outside that says 'SATISFACTION GUARANTEED' and sears as well.

 

[tallyho8]

When Home Depot first opened in our area about 25 years ago, many hardware stores and supply stores closed down almost immediately. Home Depot then hired many experienced people who used to work at these stores and had a pretty experienced staff at their stores. These workers have since retired or quit and since there are no longer any hardware or supply stores left to train people, Home Depot has to hire inexperienced minimum wage people who can offer you little assistance. Since there is no competition anymore either, Home Depot has no incentive to try harder to please their customers.

 

[toy]

Toy good experience, thanks for sharing
I believe in the 'old' days Home Depot prided themselves on encouraging retired electricians etc to join the store. I would think this would have been good also for the associates not familiar with allot of the items. This practice in my area at least seems to have died out. I no longer 'feel' that the sales person has more knowledge than I.
I used to do allot of business with sears. But shortly after they eliminated the catalog, I slowed and stopped.
Occasionally I will get in there with a warranty tool to replace, (a ratchet usually) and these have been my main beef. My original ratchet was a hand me down from my dad who worked as a mechanic. It sure was well built, but broke and I exchanged it. and in the period of about three years Ive replaced it some 4 or 5 times and I only use it occasionally.
Sometimes ill get a clerk that smiles and exchanges it no troubles and then there is the occasional one who squawks.
Example the tape ruler with the 32nd marks worn off.(occasional use) One woman said that she would replace it as no one uses those measurements and it wasn't broken.
Well after a few bends back and forth in my hand from the frustration, the blade snapped and then was 'broke' and she replaced it.
I tend to take things for simple. there is a sign just as Wal Mart outside that says 'SATISFACTION GUARANTEED' and sears as well.

I don't shop at sears as much as I used to, seems like the quality of their tools to me are not as good as they used to be, I bought a set of screw drivers at sears that the straight bladed drivers had little cut lines across the blade and the tip on some of them bends if you put much pressure on them, but the other stores aren't very impresive either. I guess American consumers have got what wallstreet says that we want a cheaper product. They are a lot cheaper in quality and only cheaper enough in price to sway the consumer into buying them rather than buying a good quality product that will last. and when the good tool makers have went out of business or lowered the quality of their tools then the price of the cheap tools can assume their rightful place , very high. I read one poster a while back on another forum that said that this was a global economy and that you either get on the train and ride or get left behind but I would like to know where I'm going before I get on that global train to ride and from what I can see I don't like where it is going. This is just my opinion and I know others will have different opinions but that is ok, I just hope that when this cycle goes thru that there will be enough skill left in America that we won't have to reenvent the wheel on our road to rebuilding the great nation that our forefathers have entrusted to us.

 

[ultrarunner]

I tend to take things for simple. there is a sign just as Wal Mart outside that says 'SATISFACTION GUARANTEED' and sears as well.

My local Sears store removed all references to "Satisfaction Guaranteed" a number of years ago... It could be found at all the entrances and at every register.

 

[Bedlam]

Wow runner. I hadn't noticed that here.At sears it might well be true.Seems like if the store isn't willing to make it right then the next step is to use the credit card safeguard and withhold the payment.
But I know Wal Mart at least locally here always seems to give satisfaction, you might have to push for it.But they do want the customer happy in the long run. Its all up to the Manager. And he or she too can be persuaded if you feel you need to go to the district manager. or higher.

 

[Shimon]

I guess American consumers have got what wallstreet says that we want a cheaper product.

If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you are blaming "wallstreet" for the prevalence of cheap products. I think they are somewhat to blame but I think the brunt of the blame has to be on the consumers. We live in a society where money talks. If people don't want cheap stuff they won't buy it and soon enough the "wallstreet" people will act accordingly. There are still excellent tool out there for more money but people don't want to spend more money. If everyone wanted excellent quality you would be able to buy Snap-On tools everywhere. Imagine someone walking into a Wal-Mart or Home Depot and seeing a Snap-On 3/8" drive socket for $11 and right next to it a made in China socket that looks almost identical for $1. They both have "lifetime warranties". Which will sell more?

In the end the general public has gotten what it wants and deserves. The ones who suffer who those who appreciate quality.

 

[toy]

If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you are blaming "wallstreet" for the prevalence of cheap products.* I think they are somewhat to blame but I think the brunt of the blame has to be on the consumers.* We live in a society where money talks.* If people don't want cheap stuff they won't buy it and soon enough the "wallstreet" people will act accordingly.* There are still excellent tool out there for more money but people don't want to spend more money.* If everyone wanted excellent quality you would be able to buy Snap-On tools everywhere.* Imagine someone walking into a Wal-Mart or Home Depot and seeing a Snap-On 3/8" drive socket for $11 and right next to it a made in China socket that looks almost identical for $1.* They both have "lifetime warranties".* Which will sell more?In the end the general public has gotten what it wants and deserves.* The ones who suffer who those who appreciate quality.

I am glad that you answered the way you did I can see the young man looking at a tool to buy. The young man knows that the $12 dollar tool is a much better quality tool but the $8 tool will do what he needs to do for the short run, and he thinks about it now he only has $30 until payday. If he buys the $12 dollar tool he will have $18 left minus whatever the taxes is, if he buys the $8 tool he will have $22 dollars left minus the taxes and it is easy to see where he is coming from and that is the short sighted veiw that he sees. I would say that just about every one of us have had somewhat of a similar experience. What this young man doesn't see is the person that made the $8 dollar tool working in slave like conditions with no safety considerations and no environmental standards. Now that $12 dollar tool used to cost about $9 before they had to lay off the second shift and the third shift at the plant that made the tool.* Now when the $8 tool was competing with the $9 tool they sold that one for five dollars see they could do that because the expense for making their tool never increased because they are using forced labor with no safety standards that are being enforced. That kinda resembles what was going on when we had a great civil war to end slavery and thru hard fought gains the other unmentioned slavery[endentured servants] gained a better living standard. Families being throwed out of company houses in the dead of winter because they wanted a fair share of the profits for their assets{their time and labor], a time when it was thought ok for the company to go by their tent encampment and shoot with ,from my understanding machine guns, and with out regards to whether it would be a child or a mother that would be hit. Yes we need to consider what we are giving up when we buy these cheap uncontrolled foreign goods. The large companies seem to think that the wrong side won in that great civil war in those hard fought battles to end child labor. It seems that these ceos think that there wasn't any thing wrong with slave labor just as long as they are not the slave of course. If it was to be made known that one of the foreign suppliers to these big companies was using forced child labor and in deplorable conditions that these companies would quickly come out in defence of their practices saying that they didn't know this was going on. Seems like that is what happened just last year seems like a woman company spokes person maybe a ceo [being motherly and nurturing you know] said that she felt violated, I never understood why she would feel that way though, she wasn't the slave. We need to fully understand where our nation came from and the sacrifice that got us here and the neglect that is taking us down. But after puting a lot of the blame on the consumer and just lightly touching on the greed of Wallstreet I beleive a lot of the blame should go squarely on the shoulders of our leaders that sign trade deals with countries that share none of the high princibles that our great country is supposed to beleive in. This is a conversation that America needs to have in the worst of way and I know many don't share my veiws but a conversation needs to begin to see what the direction of our country is going to be. We used to pride ourselves in being number 1 in manufacturing now we are getting our clocks cleaned, we used to be the food basket to the world now we are being fed with contaminated food, quality that used to be regected is now excepted as the way to go, families being torn apart by drug addict members and a government upholding the drug dealers bringing it in to us. I want to see America raise from its sleep stand up proud once again and be a true leader of nations. I know not many veiw things the way i do and i didn't mean for this to be veiwed in any way as argumentative but instead to say that I am concerned I love my country and want for it to always be number one. Please don't no one take this the wrong way it was meant to encourage us to demand more and not to antagonise anyone, because that would only start a shouting match and nothing would be gained.