jofromga: Yea and drop the "employees only" sign off to the side. I am an employee only, just not an employee at Home Delay. Push it a few feet and that shreaking sound of metal sliding across concrete will bring employees off their breaks. Years ago, I needed to buy a pallot of concrete bricks (640). Got the skew# and paid for the pallot and was told someone would be there shortly to load them for me. 20 minutes later I got pissed off and went over to a parked forklift. Put my left arm on the ROPS and my butt in the seat and immediately heard from 50 feet away, and quickly getting closer, "Sir, you can't drive the forklift." Since I was a certified class 5 forklift operator, I said "Oh yes I can" as I reached for the ing. key. By now, less than 15 seconds of my mount, the emp. 50 feet away was right there and 2 more were less than 20 feet away and one of those 2 was on the handheld radio asking for a manager. Poof! instantly a manager appeared. He politely asked me to get off the lift. My reply was "If I get off, you WILL get on and load my bricks RIGHT NOW. He acknowledged my request with a "yes sir" and less than 5 minutes later I was driving out of the parking lot with my bricks. (The manager was right that I couldn't drive it...I hadn't done my "daily pre inspection" prior to using it!}:laughing: Come to think of it, I haven't seen any unattended lift trucks at either Home Delay or Blowes in the last 10 or so years, but I know where they hide um! Ace is my place and I will continuously support them so they will be there in the future. (I hope.)
The Demise of Locally Owned Hardware Stores?
- Thread starter ultrarunner
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Industrial Toys
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I like to start messing with the in house phone to try and get the front desk or like walking into the back of grocery stores. Usually you find six employees packed into the smallest office possible back there. Believe me, you yanks would not put up with the crap Canadians seem to. Highest prices, highest taxes and the worlds poorest service is the norm. Now, just to add insult to injury, add smaller product sizes!
I think the employees hide in the break room because theu really will come running if you mess with their stuff.
I always cut my own chains, sometimes climb ladders to get stuff, load whatever I want when I want because otherwise you'll just be waiting for someone less competent to do it slower.
I use my pocket knife to cut security stuff off so I can get it in my buggy and go pay for it instead of waiting. I'm really the worst yet best customer to have because I already know what I need and I don't usually need help.
I go to sam's club a lot and I go inside the big freezers to load my stuff because waiting is for women. I used to buy bulk sugar from a grocery store and I would go behind those dreaded double doors to buy the bulk cases and I found that if you act like you belong there people will assume you do.
With in ten miles I have access to 3 home depot, 3 Lowe's, at least 2 ace, 2 true value, 2 do it best, and 4 lumber yards.
Also a few welding shops, hose makers for hydraulics, custom metal fabricators and other specialty places like doors and windows and other things that are hard to get.
But having it all in one place sure is nice sometimes. And if I can wait a day amazon will bring me almost anything imaginable.
I always cut my own chains, sometimes climb ladders to get stuff, load whatever I want when I want because otherwise you'll just be waiting for someone less competent to do it slower.
I use my pocket knife to cut security stuff off so I can get it in my buggy and go pay for it instead of waiting. I'm really the worst yet best customer to have because I already know what I need and I don't usually need help.
I go to sam's club a lot and I go inside the big freezers to load my stuff because waiting is for women. I used to buy bulk sugar from a grocery store and I would go behind those dreaded double doors to buy the bulk cases and I found that if you act like you belong there people will assume you do.
With in ten miles I have access to 3 home depot, 3 Lowe's, at least 2 ace, 2 true value, 2 do it best, and 4 lumber yards.
Also a few welding shops, hose makers for hydraulics, custom metal fabricators and other specialty places like doors and windows and other things that are hard to get.
But having it all in one place sure is nice sometimes. And if I can wait a day amazon will bring me almost anything imaginable.
Alien
Elite Member
Our local Mitre 10 store just closed recently and whilst it was convenient, we had a choice of another one who had better prices on many items.
I always felt that the franchise owner was greedy and his prices reflected that.
REASONS given for closure. His lease expired and the building owner refused to negotiate a new lease. (was there bad blood?) He could not find a suitable position to re-locate.
It was announced last week on TV that a new Bunnings store is to commence operating soon so maybe there are more underlying reasons. The Mitre 10 store would not have survived with his pricing once Bunnings started operating.
Me? I am happy that I don't have to drive 35 klm to a Bunnings store in future. 12 klm suits me.
I always felt that the franchise owner was greedy and his prices reflected that.
REASONS given for closure. His lease expired and the building owner refused to negotiate a new lease. (was there bad blood?) He could not find a suitable position to re-locate.
It was announced last week on TV that a new Bunnings store is to commence operating soon so maybe there are more underlying reasons. The Mitre 10 store would not have survived with his pricing once Bunnings started operating.
Me? I am happy that I don't have to drive 35 klm to a Bunnings store in future. 12 klm suits me.
OP
ultrarunner
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I confess to self-help at Home Depot...
Needed some chain and the bolt cutter was padlocked so I went to the tool section picked up a bolt cutter and cut my own chain and handed it to a guy that was waiting like I was...
Needed some chain and the bolt cutter was padlocked so I went to the tool section picked up a bolt cutter and cut my own chain and handed it to a guy that was waiting like I was...
QRTRHRS
Elite Member
Lowe's no longer sells the Whirlpool whole house water filter housings or filters but they still have them in stock on line only. They still have the best price on the Whirlpool brand and offer 10% off on lots of three with free shipping.
There may be other items that they no longer stock so before you get frustrated, check the website.
This goes for HD and Slowes...
Seems to me that every time I need help not a d*mn soul can be found that works there. Then, you go in on a time constraint, don't have time to mess around, know exactly what and where each item you need are, you can't turn a corner without some body wanting to help you.
I love the local hardware store, all bolts, lag screws and such are one price by the pound, a little more for lock washers and grade 8.
Best part is I've never had to deal with this crap there.
This really happened to me at Lowes yesterday.
om21braz
Veteran Member
Still got one here in town. They can handle most any request from parts for old oil furnaces to galvanized wash tubs to high tech paint matches. They have done very well despite the poor economy of the immediate area. A poor customer service at the local Lowes probably helps. Plus everyone knows it's a one-stop shop - need not worry about going somewhere else to find "it".
Sorry to hear about those that no longer have a good store left.
Sorry to hear about those that no longer have a good store left.
OP
ultrarunner
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I guess depending on traffic it's about 45 minutes each way to a good store... it is just not on the way to anything I've got going on.
We have a chain called Orchard Supply and they were quite good and still OK... people are helpful to get you pointed in the right direction... it's just they have shifted to a lot of garden and patio seasonal items... and less hardware.
We have a chain called Orchard Supply and they were quite good and still OK... people are helpful to get you pointed in the right direction... it's just they have shifted to a lot of garden and patio seasonal items... and less hardware.
WM75Guy
Elite Member
My problem with our local Ace Hardware is they are a satellite for their main store 22 miles away. If they don't have it they try to send you to the main store. There is another hardware store a little further down and across the street and a Lowes on the way to their main store that they don't tell you about. Most customers never make it to the main store and get mad when they learn they could have been told to go down and across the street to get what they needed. And Ace wonders why they don't get a lot of repeat customers.