Home Depot Stories?
Kevin
Hey all, I've been a lurker here for awhile and couldn't help but
notice a lot of references and recommendations about finding products
at the Home Depot.
I've worked for the Depot for nearly 10 years now. I've been in
every department but Garden and Electrical and I like to think I know
my stuff about all the others, and it's right inline with all the
advice I've seen so far. .
I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
stories about shopping at Home Depot? I'm not a manager or anything,
so I can't settle any scores, but I would be interested in your
experiences in my place of work (10 years, maybe my career.)
As a professional salesperson with them, it's been my pleasure to help
out probably hundred of thousands of do-it-yourselfer's and
contractors during my tour so far.
I know this is sort of off topic, but I thought it would make an
interesting thread, and I'm curious.
Thanks,
Kevin
JustBugg
>From: ke...@NOSPAMpacbell.net.
>I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
>stories about shopping at Home Depot?
***********************************
The Home Depot in Toledo, Ohio has a floor plan very similar to a Big Lots
store. (big lots is a closeout dollar store) Everything is overstacked,
overstocked and generally all over the place.
You can hardly get a cart in between the aisle shelving and the cardboard
temporary sales shelves sitting in the aisles. Not to mention that half of the
store's inventory is on the floor. The salespeople are very scarce, usually
because they are busy overstocking the shelving all the way up to the 3rd
level. OSHA would have a heart attack watching the employees jump around and
swing from shelf to shelf. Monkees? But seriously, the biggest problem is the
lack of space in the BRAND NEW building there. I have more walking room in my
attic
On the other hand, we have a 2 Lowe's within 30 minutes of myself. The Lowe's
stores near me are much larger, better prices for the same items, and the staff
is always in sight. Every time I exercised their price guarantee, there was no
questions asked. They will match the price for a "like" item (doesn't have to
be the same) and then beat it by another 10% off. I priced a water heater from
a competitor, and the price was a dollar different from Lowe's. Well Lowe's
matched the price and took another 10% off. No questions.
***************************************************
Brian UAWproud
"I want to see my comitteman"
One step forward, two steps back.
http://www.geocities.com/heartland/hills/6768 and /8685
Charlie
Kevin wrote:
> I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
> stories about shopping at Home Depot? I'm not a manager or anything,
> so I can't settle any scores, but I would be interested in your
> experiences in my place of work (10 years, maybe my career.)
I like the one in Stanton, DE. The employees go out of their way to
help. They usually could use more people on the registers though.
--
Charlie Newark, DE
To reply by email please remove antispam "TY" from address.
valk...@mindspring.com
Okay, Kevin, you asked.
I shop at three HD's for a sizeable revocation project, been spending $300
to $600 per week for several weeks now. This means nothing to the Home
Despot.
I ONLY shop at HD because they (Roswell, Cumming, GA locations) are
conveniently located along the GA 400 corridor which I run to work. In my
experience customer service at these stores is a foreign concept. I have
had "sales associates" walk away from me while ostensibly helping me in
order to wait on other customers or to visit with their pals. I have bought
several hundreds of dollars worth of heavy lumber on several occasions and
have received NO assistance loading the cart or loading my truck. At the
Cumming, GA store last week I loaded 30 sheets of พ" sheathing while this
goat-bearded teenager "in charge" of the loading assistance WATCHED me.
Only when I finished did he come over and offer to help. It seems like most
of the "sales associates" at these stores are this type of mindless
grunge-boy. By and large Home Despot Associates (at least at Roswell and
Cumming stores) have zero product knowledge, zero people skills, and even
less inclination to do anything at all that may be construed remotely at
helpful to a customer. I've complained about this before to "management"
but they always defend and condescend.
On weekends, when I have more time, I shop at Lowes in G'ville, GA, which
has higher prices and is out of my way, but has much better, more helpful,
older more experienced sales people than either of the HD locations I've
mentioned.
Yours in dissatisfaction,
Valk
A.V.
valk...@mindspring.com wrote:
> By and large Home Despot Associates (at least at Roswell and
> Cumming stores) have zero product knowledge, zero people skills, and even
> less inclination to do anything at all that may be construed remotely at
> helpful to a customer. I've complained about this before to "management"
> but they always defend and condescend.
>
I'll take issue with the above post. I shop at two different Home Depot
locations - in Nashua NH and Springfield MA. They are like clones of each
other. Not just with the layout, as of course I'm sure they all look alike. But
rather in service. I have never been to any large mall operation such as these
stores and found such expert, friendly, and eager service. I mean we are
talking sales staff stopping as they pass me and asking "are you all set?". And
this is a regular occurance. One guy I had asked a relatively simple question,
had something of a satisfactory answer, but insisted he escort me to someone
who would be more expert. We walked around and around trying to locate him.
Everyone in every departmant has shown amazing expertise and dealt with any
sort of question I've thrown at them (and there have been a lot. I've used them
as something of a walking reference book). I've since learned that there is a
requirement of having worked in the field in whatever department they are in.
Sure, occasionally there are some tight squeezes. They are very busy places and
there must be a reason for that, right? I've found myself pushing one of the
large plywood/lumber carriers with one hand - large lengths sticking out - and
pulling a shopping cart with the other past its weight limit, and other than
causing my own strain, maneuvered around just fine. And that was on a Sunday
afternoon.
One other thing. I'm someone who dreads going to malls. One of my goals in life
is to never set foot in a Wal-Mart (okay, so some of us pare our sights down as
we get older). But I just don't mind Home Depot.
I'm sure some people can prove cheaper prices, but then so can I. Their
electrical prices are absolutely amazing. As for other cheap prices ANYWHERE,
caveat emptor.
Andy Voda
HVAC MD
>On weekends, when I have more time, I shop at Lowes in G'ville, GA, which
>has higher prices and is out of my way, but has much better, more helpful,
>older more experienced sales people than either of the HD locations I've
>mentioned.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Home Depot provides low prices. If you
want service, you're probably better off shopping somewhere else. I shop at a
local lumberyard from time to time, where prices are about 20% higher than HD.
There, I can always count on unsolicited helpful advice and assistance in
picking lumber and other materials.
ShaunEli
I've shopped at Home Depots (four) in NJ and a new one in New Rochelle, NY.
The NJ stores were, without exception, full of knowledgeable, helpful, cheerful
employees.
In New Rochelle, I asked a woman in the lumber dept. for ACX 4X8 5/8" plywood.
She took out a tape measure, measured a stack of boards, said "These are 4X8"
and walked away.
I asked a guy in the paint department about cleaning wood of stain; he told me
to call a paint store.
A guy in the garden dept. told me he didn't know anything about gardening.
Another guy in that dept asked me why all of a sudden everyone was looking for
grass seed. I explained that it was the right time for re-seeding.
The Shadow Knows
Kevin,
Finding something in a Home Depot is a pain in the ass.
We have 3 stores near us and they all have different layouts.
I liked the old Hechenger stores. I could go into any Hechinger and
immediately find what I needed.
Unfortunately, because Hechenger was losing out to Home Depot they
changed. They are now just as bad.
I can easily spent 1 hour looking for something in Home Depot when I
should be able to run in, get the item and get out.
This is probably a marketing decision by Home Depot. They've designed
stores so people CAN'T quickly get something. They probably hope that
we'll purchase something else we see when we're looking for the item we
want.
--
<< *********************************************** >>
<< Sorry to play games with my EMail Address and >>
<< Reply-To Address. >>
<< To avoid SPAM the From & Reply-To are bogus. >>
<< Please reply to kkr...@bigfoot.com >>
<< *********************************************** >>
Lee
Had a problem with their "price guarantee" on 3/4" copper pipe. Eagle
hardware has it for $5.79/10' and another store has it for $5.89 but with a
quantify discount of over 15 pieces @ $5.57. Home Depot price is $5.87.
They would match Eagles price, but would not match the quantify discount at
the other store. So much for a price guarantee!
Lee
Cliff
ke...@NOSPAMpacbell.net. (Kevin) wrote:
>I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
>stories about shopping at Home Depot?
I went to my local HD for a piece of oak and was able to find a nice
3' length of 1x12. It must have been a cut off from a larger piece
because it didn't have a bar code or SKU# on it. Taking anything to a
check out at HD without a SKU can be a real adventure, but I really
liked the look of this board, so I took a chance. Upon bringing the
board to the checkout, the woman immediatly informed me that there was
no SKU on it, and I informed her that it was an 1x12 piece of oak. (
had I been less honest, I suppose I could of told her it was #2 pine,
upon reflection, I don't believe she would have known the difference.)
The woman then proceeded to take out her tape measure and check the
dimensions of the board, and with a straight face, told me that "No,
it wasn't a 1X12, it was slightly less than that", and she would have
to call someone from lumber to find out what it was! I was not in a
mood to explain the details of nominal lumber sizes to her, so I
waited for the lumber person to provide her with the item # so that I
could buy my "3/4 x 11 1/4". Even after getting the correct
information, I still don't think she was convinced it was a 1x12, but
I was finally on my way and off to turn my board into something nice.
Cliff
RBowles96
Blocking aisles with stacks of shtuff doesn't do much for one's tolerance
levels! Especially when the stacks are near the registers, most unattended,
and shopper try to line up further closing navigable floor space. In a CASH
ONLY, four signs making the assertion, the first person was waiting for the
credit card approval via phone lines and the next one was writing a check. I
asked a teller in one of those lines why they didn't honor the false
advertising, "If I did the customer would tell the manager and I'd get in
trouble!"!!!!!
In article <35396ffa...@news.pacbell.net>, ke...@NOSPAMpacbell.net.
(Kevin) writes:
>
>I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
>stories about shopping at Home Depot? I'm not a manager or anything,
>so I can't settle any scores, but I would be interested in your
>experiences in my place of work (10 years, maybe my career.)
>
>
rbowles96ATaolDOTcom
Mouse
But the thing is that in Raleigh, NC, HD DOESN'T have low prices... at least
not compared to LOWES!
When we bought our new house, especially, I began routinely checking both
stores for every item I bought in an effort to save money on the repairs and
improvements were were making. In almost EVERY instance, LOWES was cheaper.
Add to that that LOWES is a bit easier to get into and the people at the
particular location I shop at are friendlier, and you can see why I've
pretty much stopped going to HD at all, now!
--It all makes me wonder about those TV ads -- those HD's just aren't like
the one here, at all (BTW they say they'll beat the competitor's prices, but
what they really mean is that it has to be the exact same brand, etc., and
they try REAL HARD not to carry any more of the brands that LOWES does than
they have to...)
MOuse
ps - to respond via e-mail, remove my name
Ardy2
In my experience, the Home Depot employees seem to be more pleasant than those
working at Lowes.
In terms of which store has the best prices....Neither does. One just has to
be a shrewd shopper. Each store has items that beats the other.
Overall, I like Lowes best because it does seem to be a bit better organized
than Home Depot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gravity: It's not just a good idea, It's the law.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ROGER DE VRIES
I got to agree with Shaun's post regarding the New Rochelle HD in
Westchester county NY. I once did a reno job near there (Mount Vernon)
and was very displeased with the service/people there. The clincher was
when I went in one day to arrange for delivery of a relatively large
order- studs, insulation, doors, compound, blah, blah, blah. So I go up
to the "service" counter to order everything and pay for it, with my
complete list of all the materials that i need in detail. The guy looks
me dead in the eye and says- "you have to go and get all of the sku #'s
first, and come back here so i can ring you up".
I was like "WHAT!!- You have GOT to be kidding me!!"
Well, he wasn't kidding me, and no, the computers were NOT down or
something at the time (that's what I figured at first). So there I went,
spent the next 1-1/2hrs finding and writing all of the sku's down for
this multi-zillion dollar company.
Couldn't wait to get back to my home town HD (Wappingers Falls)- I
actually HUGGED each and every one of them there (except for the guy who
cuts the wood for you at the radial arm saw- you can never find him for
some reason :)
Roger D
Al Brakovich
Kevin wrote:
> cbr...@aol.com (CBress1) wrote:
>
> >>I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
> >>stories about shopping at Home Depot?
> >
> >I normally shop at HDs in Broward or Palm Beach counties, but on one occasion I
> >was in the Miami area. I stopped in at the HD in Hialeah. I was trying to find
> >vents that I could put into the soffits.
> >I could not find them and even worse I could not find anyone who spoke enough
> >english to understand what I was looking for!
> >
> >Would the last American leaving the Miami-Dade area please bring the flag.
>
> ROFLMAO! I've never been to Florida, but thanks for the preview. In
> CA we have a hard time keeping up with the Spanish speaking customers.
> The associates who speak Spanish are a definate minority, and we have
> to page, sometimes several times, before we can locate one who can
> help.
>
> I've gotten pretty good at understanding their needs in my tour.
> Sometimes they'll come up to me and ask "habla espanol?" And I"ll
> smile and say, "No, but I speak fluent broken English. What are you
> looking for?" Nine times out of ten, I can figure it out, from
> similarities in language and hand motions. I normally get a laugh out
> of them too, in the process.
>
> Kevin
Well Kevin this has been quite a thread. Did you know Home Depot has a website?
Complete with a 'Feedback' address? http://www.homedepot.com/
I nominate you to be the answer man there..;o)
Sorry, I don't buy your tile products..
--
Al Brakovich-Tile Man
.
paull
HVAC MD wrote in message
<199804191412...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
>>On weekends, when I have more time, I shop at Lowes in G'ville, GA, which
>>has higher prices and is out of my way, but has much better, more helpful,
>>older more experienced sales people than either of the HD locations I've
>>mentioned.
.............................................................
>I think you've hit the nail on the head. Home Depot provides low prices. If
you
>want service, you're probably better off shopping somewhere else. I shop at
a
>local lumberyard from time to time, where prices are about 20% higher than
HD.
>There, I can always count on unsolicited helpful advice and assistance in
>picking lumber and other materials.
...............................................................
Working as a plumber-handyman, I used Home Depot in the Orlando/Daytona area
1991/92. Later I used Home Depot in the Baltimore/Washington DC area
1992/97. I tried all the other home center types in both regions.
My experience was Home Depot floor personnel were very knowledgeable about
construction trades. Some of the Home Depot personnel were not
knowledgeable. But in comparison to the other home centers I purchased
from, Home Depot knowledge was definitely superior to the others. The
worst in my experience was Builder's Square.
Over the years I found all of these large home center warehouse stores have
a common problem. Every store, no matter what company name, is out of stock
in the plumbing, electrical and lumber departments.
I prefer Home Depot and generally drive out of my way to shop at their store
locations. Of all the store locations along the East coast I have shopped
at, only one Home Depot is below the standard I expect at their stores.
The Alexandria, VA store is a disappointment.
CBress1
JustBugg
>From: jev...@ghg.net (jim evans)
>Amazing! You've had 140,000 hits on your web page? Amazing!
>jim
****************************
The web page has been up for quite a long time now. The counter I have is
directly from Geocities, and they all start at zero. They don't want anybody
to cheat by rolling the counter to a high number. this way, we compete for
monthly awards based on traffic.
JustBugg
Bottom Line:::::::
Lowe's will match any competitor's price then beat it by another 10%. It DOES
NOT have to be the exact same model. As long as the features are the same.
Case in Point.. (as I said earlier)
Carter Lumber had water heaters for $150. The brand was Richmond, electric, 50
gal, and 10 yr warranty. Lowe's had their own brand for $153 electric, 50gal,
and 10 yr warranty. Lowe's matched Carter's price, then slashed it another 10%
for a total of $135. No questions asked.
Ben Randle
On 19 Apr 1998 21:44:21 GMT, in all Ardy2's glory these words were
uttered:
>In my experience, the Home Depot employees seem to be more pleasant than those
>working at Lowes.
Same here, I am presently on a Boycott of the Lowe's in Tulsa. My
in-laws spent over $200 on stuff to help us window coverings for our
new home. Then I spent around another $500 to get our new fridge.
They sent one guy to deliver the fridge. He made my mother-in-law
help him move it into the house. (She had volunteered to be at our
house for delivery.)
We went that night to get a kit to hook up the water line since the
old fridge used a different connection. The guy in appliances says I
can't help you that is a plumbing issue. The guy in plumbing never
showed up. Back to the appliances. Oh sorry I forgot to send someone
over to plumbing. I don't know much about plumbing I just stock
stuff, but I know where everything is. If you can wait 10 minutes the
master plumber will be off the forklift. No, I've already been here
30 minutes I'll go to Home Depot next door.
I give Lowes one more shot. I stood with another $150 dollars worth
of stuff for twenty minutes trying to check out. There were only 2
checkers. One lady couldn't figure out how to ring up a washer in one
lane. The other kept sending people back for SKU's. The staff at
Home Depot has been very nice for the rest of my new household items.
So I guess it depends on the locale...
--
Ben Randle
http://www.ionet.net/~firetech
ShaunEli
Despite my horrible experiences with Home Depot in New Rochelle, I feel
obligated to point out that their prices are way lower than the other hardware
stores in the area (Pergament, Tru-Value, etc.).
When I bought my house I wanted to replace all the outlet and light switch
plates. 79 cents each at Tru-Value. 19 cents at Home Depot, and that was
before the discount for buying in quantity.
When the local politicians here tried to stop them from building a Home Depot
in New Rochelle I voted for the political party I really hate, for the first
time in my life.
Kevin
>On the other hand, we have a 2 Lowe's within 30 minutes of myself. The Lowe's
>stores near me are much larger, better prices for the same items, and the staff
>is always in sight. Every time I exercised their price guarantee, there was no
>questions asked. They will match the price for a "like" item (doesn't have to
>be the same) and then beat it by another 10% off. I priced a water heater from
>a competitor, and the price was a dollar different from Lowe's. Well Lowe's
>matched the price and took another 10% off. No questions.
Sorry for snipping so much, but for some reason my FreeAgent won't
post if my reply is shorter than the orginial message. I hope I saved
the most important comment.
I understand about the aisle space, I've been in three stores during
my tour and this happens a lot in stores that don't have the sales to
warrent a Night Crew to put away the frieght yet. Normally they are
new stores that are just begining to build their customer base and
sales.
Imagine trying to work in those aisles. : )
As for the competitor adjustments, it's policy in my store, (I work in
CA) that if it's less than 10%, just do the markdown and satisfy the
customer. Have you ever asked to talk with a manager? Even a
Department Head should be able to authorize a markdown like that.
Kevin
Kevin
just...@aol.com (JustBugg) wrote:
>Bottom Line:::::::
>
>Lowe's will match any competitor's price then beat it by another 10%. It DOES
>NOT have to be the exact same model. As long as the features are the same.
>
>Case in Point.. (as I said earlier)
>Carter Lumber had water heaters for $150. The brand was Richmond, electric, 50
>gal, and 10 yr warranty. Lowe's had their own brand for $153 electric, 50gal,
>and 10 yr warranty. Lowe's matched Carter's price, then slashed it another 10%
>for a total of $135. No questions asked.
I find it hard to believe that a manager at the Depot would pass up a
$135 sale , not to mention the heater straps, connectors, teflon tape,
etc. The policy is the exact item, but there are gray areas with
customer service. If it was explained to me, like you explained it
here, I'm sure I could talk a manager into honoring it. Especially
since it is such a small markdown, compared to the sale.
Kevin
Kevin
Charlie <de...@earthlinkTY.net> wrote:
>
> I like the one in Stanton, DE. The employees go out of their way to
>help. They usually could use more people on the registers though.
>
Okay, guess you've dawn me out on this one. I totally understand,
becuase I'm work on the front end (registers) at my store.
Hopefully you don't wait too long in the lines and that the lines
aren't consistant at your store.. There seems to a flow to customer
traffic, a low tide and high tide, if you will. That's my term for
it. We normally staff so that we can handle mid tide no prob, which
is most of the time. During High Tide, we rely on department people
who are certified back up cashiers to help out. Their response time
varies, but normally lines don't get too out of control, unless there
as been a lot of sick calls, which sometimes happens.
At my store, you can also check out at any commercial regester,
doesn't matter if you are a contractor or not. A lot of customers
pass them up, thinking they are only for contractors, even if the line
is shorter. You can also check out at the Special Services desk, or
Returns, if it's small items. Not to mention the Tool Coral
registers, or the garden registers. Chances are, if it's high tide on
the front lines, it's low tide somewhere else. Just depends on how
much of a hurry you're in.
Hope this helps,
Kevin
Kevin
> At the
>Cumming, GA store last week I loaded 30 sheets of พ" sheathing while this
>goat-bearded teenager "in charge" of the loading assistance WATCHED me.
>Only when I finished did he come over and offer to help. It seems like most
>of the "sales associates" at these stores are this type of mindless
>Cumming stores) have zero product knowledge, zero people skills, and even
>less inclination to do anything at all that may be construed remotely at
>helpful to a customer. I've complained about this before to "management"
>but they always defend and condescend.
>
>Yours in dissatisfaction,
>
>Valk
>
>
Hey Valk,
I used to work in lumber, so I know what you're talking about. That
would have sucked. 30 sheets of 3/4? You could have had that brought
out on a forklift and lowered or put into your truck. I can't even
believe you did that on your own. What was that, 3 lumber carts?
I chuckled at the goat beard reference. I don't care for that fashion
either.
Next time, just go to the cashier and tell them what you want.
They've got that sku in their books, or at least they do in my store.
Then have them call the dept and have them bring it out. Or, first
call the store, and if you do most of you transactions with CC, you
can talk to the phone sales associates or the PBC rep, "Homers," and
you can pre-pay over the phone and put it on will-call. Tell them
when you are planning on picking it up and they'll pull it for you.
All you have to do is go to the Special Services Desk and sign off on
picking it up. After that, relax in your truck and they'll bring it
out.
Kevin
Kevin
hva...@aol.com (HVAC MD) wrote:
>>On weekends, when I have more time, I shop at Lowes in G'ville, GA, which
>>has higher prices and is out of my way, but has much better, more helpful,
>>older more experienced sales people than either of the HD locations I've
>>mentioned.
>
>I think you've hit the nail on the head. Home Depot provides low prices. If you
>want service, you're probably better off shopping somewhere else. I shop at a
>local lumberyard from time to time, where prices are about 20% higher than HD.
>There, I can always count on unsolicited helpful advice and assistance in
>picking lumber and other materials.
Ideally, we strive for unsolicited help at our store, but it's very
busy at times. The associates get outnumbered frequently, and though
this may not happen at a small lumber yard, it's a fact of life at HD.
Don't hesitate to ask for help, that's what we are there for.
You might also try the phone sales method, to get help with loading
and pulling of lumber. There are people who do only that.
Kevin
Kevin
ar...@aol.com (Ardy2) wrote:
>In my experience, the Home Depot employees seem to be more pleasant than those
>working at Lowes.
>
>In terms of which store has the best prices....Neither does. One just has to
>be a shrewd shopper. Each store has items that beats the other.
>
>Overall, I like Lowes best because it does seem to be a bit better organized
>than Home Depot.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Gravity: It's not just a good idea, It's the law.
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I agree about the prices, it's a tug of war to make a profit in this
industry. We actually sell somethings below cost just to bring the
customer in, hoping they'll buy smaller lower dollar items to make up
the margin.
I've never seen or visited a Lowe's so I don't know about
organization, but I've been in 3 Depots and the main thing to remember
is that items are sorted by departments. If you know what department
has what merchandise, then regardless of the layout, you can go to the
general area and it's fairly basic after that.
The big orange signs help out, plus in my store we have what I call
"bumblebee" signs, yellow and black arrows at the top, that say
individual items which are in the aisle.
Hope this helps,
Kevin
Kevin
"Mouse" <mMOUSE...@ipass.net> wrote:
Lowe's isn't in CA, so I'm not familar with them, although I have
heard of them. They are apparently a major competitor in the East.
Out here we have HomeBase, Orchard, YardBirds, and a few others.
Like I said in a previous post, even though the policy is exact items,
I've seen markdown on similar ones, especially if it's a small
markdown compared to the sale.
If Lowe's is as big of a competitor as they seem to be, I can't
imagine a manager passing up that sale and effectively making you a
Life Long Lowe's shopper in the process.
I don't know what good it will do, but I think I'll print out a few of
these messages about exact item adjustments and give them my store and
reginal managers. It seems to be a major gripe, a repeated one, and
IMHO, a valid one. Especially in the case of the water heater, same
warrenty, same gal, etc. If this is an issue, between us and Lowe's,
it needs to addressed.
I like my company. : ) I'll see what cages I can rattle.
Kevin
p.s. I'll only do it if you give me permission to print your posts,
btw. I'm clueless about copywrites, and wouldn't want to use your
words without your permission.
Kevin
>
RFLMAO! Great post, thanks, this is the funny stories I wanted.
Good lead in.
I really hope that these are exagerated experiences and not actual
ones.
Thanks for the laugh,
Kevin
Kevin
jev...@ghg.net (jim evans) wrote:
>You've hit a nerve.
>
>Once upon a time.
>
>We used to have a big old-fashoned hardware/lumber store near us. It
>had been the major store in the area since the earth cooled. It was a
>real joy to visit. Every clerk was 60+ and must have worked there
>most of their life. A few--not most--were a little crotchety. They
>never hid from customers. They knew their stock like they knew their
>children, and they knew their business. They virtually always knew
>what you needed to do, to solve your problem. Really knew--didn't
>just make it up in real time. And, whatever you needed, they had it.
>There were areas of that store that hadn't been visited more than
>twice in the past 5 years. The had stuff I hadn't seen since I was a
>child at our farm. I bet they had buggy whips in there.
>
>Then came the home centers . . . . . . .
Damn man, I'm with you. Great post.
Besides working at the Depot, I'm also a writer, sometimes poet.
I romanticize the past simpiler times too. I miss it too, though I'm
probably younger than you. I turn 30 this month. Started working at
the Depot when I was 19. I remember those old hardware stores too.
I went to them with my dad as a kid.
They had a certain smell, just like libraries do, or used bookstores.
I've thought about it and I guess in my own mind rationalized it out.
Big Home Centers were bound to come, just like the big
grocery/clothing centers. It was in the cards, it was in the way that
big buyers can get lower prices in our society.
Since it was bound to happen, I feel lucky to have hooked up with one
that did it, and IMHO, one that tried and tries to do it right. When
I first started, there was a store philosophy that we were many stores
within a store. We were supposed to the small paint store (I started
in paint) within HD and the same with all the other Dept. I liked
that alot.
When I was Department Head of Paint, about 2 years ago, I took that
attitude to heart and send out Xmas cards to all of our contractors.
Hell, I get them from my dentist. It seemed only right to do the same
for our regular customers. I talked to a few people about making that
policy but it went nowhere.
I miss the past too, but we do with what we have.
Kevin
Kevin
>
> Unfortunately, because Hechenger was losing out to Home Depot they
>changed. They are now just as bad.
>
> I can easily spent 1 hour looking for something in Home Depot when I
>should be able to run in, get the item and get out.
>
> This is probably a marketing decision by Home Depot. They've designed
>stores so people CAN'T quickly get something. They probably hope that
>we'll purchase something else we see when we're looking for the item we
>want.
>
I don't know anything about Hechenger. But like I've said in a
previous post, the thing is to know what departments have what
merchandise. Once you know that, and look at the signs, orange and
bumblebee, you shouldn't have too much of a problem.
Each store encourages autonomy by the Department Heads and sales
associates. They encourage new ideas in merchandising and displays,
hoping that in the end, it will better serve the customer. In many
cases, I think this policy has been very productive. It's also been a
pain, becuase things get moved around, but I sort of agree with the
company that innovation is better then stagnation.
Most departments only have 3 or 4 aisles.
Lumber - wood, plywood, table legs, table tops. Signs: Lumber.
Building Materials: brick, concrete, gutters, roofing, windows,
doors, glass, insolation, drywall. Signs: Doors, Drywall, Windows.
Floor and Wall: vinyl flooring, ceramic tile, carpet, ceiling tile,
vinyl tile. Signs: Flooring, Tile.
Paint: paint, stain, tape (masking, clear, packaging), drop clothes
and plastic, caulking, pressure washers, paint sprayers. Signs:
Paint.
Hardware: power tools, hand tools, door knobs/locks, signs,
rope/chain, safety goggles, gloves, screws, nuts, nails, tool boxes,
mail boxes, locks garage door openers, velcro,
key-cutting, rekey of locks. Signs: Hardware, Fasteners.
Plumbing: fawcets, tubs, tubing, washers, stems, toilets,
showerheads, vanities, TP and towel holders, snakes, etc.
Signs: Plumbing, Toilets, Fawcets.
Electrical: Wire, wire nuts, conduit, phones, motion sensors,
malibu lights, most lights, light bulbs, etc.
Signs: Electrical, Lighting.
Garden (seasonal): Custodial supplies, shoves, rakes, hoses, mowers,
barbeques, plants, fertilizer, killers (bug, rat, slug, roach, etc),
wheel barrows. Signs: Garden.
Sorry for the length, but I hope that helped.
Kevin.
Kevin
I wish I could have quoted it all, because I laughed pretty hard.
That was funny. I know exactly what you're talking about.
Nominal and actual sizes. Hehe.
We tell our cashiers to measure everything, for inventory control.
It's not a matter of distrust, just making sure we're running our
business right. There have been times that the amount was less than
the customer said, and we've saved them money, and kept our stock
level accurate.
She must have been a newbie. It sounds like you humored her. Thanks
for that. She'll learn soon enough.
Kevin
Kevin
"Lee" <den...@hotmail.com> wrote:
If you were buying over 15 pieces, I don't see why that would be a
problem. That's an 80 dollar sale and a 4.5 dollar markdown.
Like I said in a previous post, I'm going to print, with permission,
some of your posts and give them to the higher uppers. This is one
that I'd like to print.
I don't understand why they didn't do it and get the sale, plus make
you a satisfied customer. If it had been at my store, and you had
talked to me, I wouldn't have had a problem with it at all.
Kevin
Kevin
rbow...@aol.com (RBowles96) wrote:
>Blocking aisles with stacks of shtuff doesn't do much for one's tolerance
>levels! Especially when the stacks are near the registers, most unattended,
>and shopper try to line up further closing navigable floor space. In a CASH
>ONLY, four signs making the assertion, the first person was waiting for the
>credit card approval via phone lines and the next one was writing a check. I
>asked a teller in one of those lines why they didn't honor the false
>advertising, "If I did the customer would tell the manager and I'd get in
>trouble!"!!!!!
>rbowles96ATaolDOTcom
This does happen sometimes in the cash only lines. I have my cashiers
say to each customer, "Is this going to be a cash or charge
trasnaction?" If so, fine, charges are just as fast as cash, and the
10 item restriction is pretty obvious, though we make allowences for 1
or 2 items over.
Sometimes a check customer will get in line and that won't be said.
The cashiers are too busy ringing up the next customer to notice and
only do once they've waited in line and their items have already been
wrung up or at least started to be wrung up. That's a tough decision
at that point. Do you finish the sale and just process it as fast as
possible, or do you call a Head Cashier, have it voided, and then tell
the customer to go to another line? Most times it's just easier to
grin and bear it, of course letting them know that they'll go ahead
and take them "just this once" and apologizing to the ones behind.
I've actually seen near fist fights break out over this between
customers and it's not pleasant to be in the middle of. We attempt to
discourage this as much as we humanly can, and if it still happpens,
we try to let the customer know that's a cash/charge only and hope
that it won't happen again, with THAT customer.
Kevin
Kevin
ar...@traveller.com
My question: Why do you buy lumber from these companies? 30+ years
experience in two cities has taught that you get much better prices
and quality at a good local lumber company. I can't see how you really
could build anything with the lumber available at HD, Lowe's, etc. Much
of their material is little better than firewood. Of course, other
products are name brand and are OK.
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading
Kevin
Hey all, I'm going to try to reply to all of your posts. Thanks for
the input. If this thread contintues at this rate, I'm not sure I can
reply to each again. So no promises alright?
Thanks for the input, and the laughs,
Kevin
p.s. Keep it up. I've enjoyed several of these. If you've got the
time and the stories, I'll read them. It's a nice way to relax after
a day at the Depot.
Kevin
Now this is a post that I can finally just relax and say "Good! At
least they are doing it right there." It sounds like my store. We
have several people there like me, who've been there 10 years or
longer and they know their stuff, and they love teaching and helping.
The customers make my job. Not just money-wise, but interaction-wise.
Bad customers are few and far between at the Depot, and I love the
feeling of helping others and then when they say "thank you" (perhaps
shaking my hand), and truely mean it, well, hell, it just makes my
day.
I know several associates that feel the same way. I'm glad you have a
store near you with associates of that calibre. That's what the Home
Depot strives for, and what it's meant to be.
Kevin
Robert Allison
Kevin wrote:
> <Snip>
> I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
> stories about shopping at Home Depot? I'm not a manager or anything,
> so I can't settle any scores, but I would be interested in your
> experiences in my place of work (10 years, maybe my career.)
> <Snip>
> Thanks,
> Kevin
Howdy Kevin,
Being a general contractor, I do not go to Home Depot unless I just need a
little something. What I have found is that they are not knowledgeable in
the things that a contractor needs. They do not get loads ready for you
on time even when you call ahead. They do not stock all sizes of lumber,
just the most popular ones, so if you need a large order, you have to
settle for lengths that do not always work best. I noticed that they
don't even stock yellow pine studs!!
Since they initiated "Pro Desk", they have called our company and sent
the catalogue and wanted input on what I needed so they could better serve
me. I tried them a few times and they are alright for small amounts but
for anything over $2000 dollars, I have to go to the regular lumberyard
(here in Austin, TX my favorites are Stripling Blake, Furrows (and they
are getting a little weird) or Calcasieau.
I recently brought in an advertisement for 1/2" CDX plywood from
another store and wanted them to beat the other stores advertised price.
(This was for only 40 sheets of plywood.) The sales guy told me that they
couldn't beat the price because the other stores plywood was "imported"
and theirs was domestic!!!! (The dept. manager straightened him out, but
they would only match the price, not beat it.)
All in all, because all of the above named lumber yards give me a
discount (and will also beat Home Depots price if I do the research), I
find that I save money and time and material waste by shopping at the
contractor supply stores.
As for funny stories, whenever I do go to Home Depot or Lowes, and I
ask a clerk a question and realize that he doesn't have a clue, I just
say: "What I really need is 40' 2x4s,...can you find out if you can order
them for me?" Never has failed to get rid of them.
--
Robert Allison robert2...@ix.netcom.com
Rimshot, Inc.
Please remove NOSPAM from address to reply.
chita jing
Kevin <ke...@NOSPAMpacbell.net.> wrote
>
> ROFLMAO! I've never been to Florida, but thanks for the preview. In
> CA we have a hard time keeping up with the Spanish speaking customers.
> The associates who speak Spanish are a definate minority, and we have
> to page, sometimes several times, before we can locate one who can
> help.
I'm in San Diego and see this problem a lot. There are specialty
dictionaries now with "worker Spanish" in 'em, including construction
terms. Another way to handle it: use a visual dictionary. Heck, you've got
a good Home Depot book with lots of pictures. Keep a couple around and page
through the sections. People can communicate without language per se. We
have lots of Asians here too, but hardly any who will work in a store like
Home Depot. Pictures would help them too.
Robert Gracie
Well I must say I think HD is the best! Let me tell you why. First of all
I am in there allot, so I pretty much know where things are at. So
immediate service is not a great issue.
When we bought our new home we spent over 7,000.00 at HD. Three months
after we finished the renovations we received a welcome letter giving us a
10% off coupon deal. Well by this time, we had completed the renovations.
So just out of curiosity I called the local HD and asked to Speak with the
Manager. To my great surprised and delight, he gave my 10% off everything I
had a receipt for. I bought all the supplies over a months time, but he was
going to give the discount on everything. I received, with tax, 721.00
back. Now that's is customer loyalty.
--
Robert Gracie
Come Visit Us!
http://home1.gte.net/rgracie
Kevin wrote in message <35396ffa...@news.pacbell.net>...
>Hey all, I've been a lurker here for awhile and couldn't help but
>notice a lot of references and recommendations about finding products
>at the Home Depot.
>
>I've worked for the Depot for nearly 10 years now. I've been in
>every department but Garden and Electrical and I like to think I know
>my stuff about all the others, and it's right inline with all the
>advice I've seen so far. .
>
>I'm just curious if any of you have good, bad, interesting, or funny
>stories about shopping at Home Depot? I'm not a manager or anything,
>so I can't settle any scores, but I would be interested in your
>experiences in my place of work (10 years, maybe my career.)
>
>As a professional salesperson with them, it's been my pleasure to help
>out probably hundred of thousands of do-it-yourselfer's and
>contractors during my tour so far.
>
>I know this is sort of off topic, but I thought it would make an
>interesting thread, and I'm curious.
>
>Thanks,
>Kevin
chita jing
ar...@traveller.com wrote in article <6heuoc$afn$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
> My question: Why do you buy lumber from these companies? 30+ years
> experience in two cities has taught that you get much better prices
> and quality at a good local lumber company. I can't see how you really
> could build anything with the lumber available at HD, Lowe's, etc. Much
> of their material is little better than firewood. Of course, other
> products are name brand and are OK.
WHOA... not all Home Depots are alike, I'm sure, but I've shopped three of
'em in my area and I get way (WAY) better service, quality and prices than
I ever got in years and years of shopping at the so-called "pro" places
locally. A woodworking hobbyist, especially one who isn't a rogainer, gets
absolutely no respect at many of these "good local lumber companies".
Sorry, maybe I only buy small quantities compared to a contractor, but that
still doesn't excuse rudeness and poor management.
Why in the world would I want to buy anything from a store where the 150
year old owner and his unwashed son scratch themselves lazily as they
demand I pay in advance for five sheets of Baltic birch, which arrive
anywhere from one to three weeks later, all dinged and dusty because nobody
can be bothered to call me back for such a small order? Why in the world
would I bother with such people when I can find a friendly clerk at Home
Depot's Special Orders desk who asks what I'm building, recommends
associated products, takes my order, gets it there two days later, CALLS me
when it arrives, charges 30% less and not one thin dime up front?????
Puh-leeze. I was nuts to listen to old bags whine about "big stores putting
the workin' man outta bidness" for all that time. The ugly truth is that in
many cases, those old bags haven't been working men for some time. They've
just been Good Ole Boyz. Fine. It's no longer my problem. It's not exactly
a prime time commercial, I guess, but I've never noticed BO from a Home
Depot clerk!
BTW, clerks in various departments have been super helpful to me too, it
isn't just lumber. They offer free classes in all kinds of things. They're
good about taking back stuff. Their mechanic's tools are GOOD - not just
great for the money, they'll take broken Crapsman stuff in trade with more
politeness than SEARS does. In fact, I've stopped buying Crapsman hand
tools due to the PITA I got from a squirt "Assistant Manager" who tried to
give me some cheapo Chinese wad in trade for a broken Craftsman socket. In
exchange for the "lifetime" tool I brought in, which cost me double what it
should have when I bought it, he wanted me to take some sleazy Chinese tool
with a one year warranty.
I walked outta there, drove to the nearest Home Depot and got a freebie
right off the hanger without missing a beat. Eventually, I bought a 90+
piece set of Husky. I only wanted the deep sockets, but the cost of the big
kit was nearly the same as buying just the same quality sockets would be
elsewhere. I've used Husky ever since. They even have the pop-off button on
the ratchets. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the mid-grade Husky tool
chest too - a MUCH better buy than the Craftsman of the same aproximate
range. You get more for the money - all the little details like the
handles, the lack of sharp edges, even the paint finish - MUCH better in
the Husky line. I liked 'em so much, I bought two, in different drawer
configurations.
Wood isn't the only thing Home Depot does well. It's one of MANY things
they do well. I got a Medallion (cast iron) CH compressor from them for
almost the same price another store was selling refurb cheapos with a
smaller tank for. That's what competition is about. That's why they're
winning.
RBowles96
That is direct conflict of a father that posted last year his college graduate
son had trouble finding a job that used his degree, he went to work at HD.
After a short training they put him in the flooring section. A customer asked
a question, he requested help from "management" and got the response "Just wing
it". Requirement?
In article <353A00B5...@together.net>, "A.V." <av...@together.net>
writes:
> I've since learned that there is a requirement of having worked in the field
in whatever department they are in.
rbowles96ATaolDOTcom
Victor Rey
I recenttly had a great experience with the home depot in Portsmouth NH. After
buying a 100+ year old house, in need of a lot of help, I received a coupon for
10% off of any one purchase at the home depot. I needed a ridiculous amount of
stuff and actually spent about 8 hours, over 2 days shopping at the home depot.
The staff at this store were extremely knowledgible and willing to spend time
answering questions. They also manage very well to keep their cool in a
crowded store where people are pulling them in every which direction. They
were friendly, supportive and even loaded my van for me. Other businesses
could take a lesson in customer service from this particular store.
With respect to the lumber at this store, I found it to be of good quality,at
least for the one-stop store. The fact that you can pick it over is helpful in
getting good pieces.
Vic Reyes
Christa
OK, Kevin, I wasn't going to respond, but after reading everyone else's
post, I just had to. Here in Bucks County, PA (north of Philadelphia)
the Langhorne store ALWAYS pisses me off. Besides the aisles so full of
stock that a cart can't get through, only 2 out 25 registers open with
huge lines, etc., etc. Everyone else has listed these problems. We
just bought an old house and are doing a lot of work ourselves. My
husband was buying about $1000 worth of lumber and could get no real
help. He saw this southern yellow pine tong and groove at the Home
Depot in Lawnside, NJ (about 1 hr away near his parents). Figuring he
could get it at the local HD, he went there. Not in stock. After
searching high and low for a sales person, he was told -- don't stock
it, can't get it, try the bigger store in Bensalem. OK, that wasn't
much further away. Called Bensalem HD on the phone -- don't stock it,
can't get it, don't care that other HD's have it. My husband finally
ended up buying it from the HD in Lawnside, and hauling it an hour
home. We would LOVE to boycott HD, but in the end we're suckers for a
good price. That lumber cost us about half or less than anywhere else.
90% of the time we go to our local lumber yard and pay 20% more in price
but 100% less in frustration.
--
Christa
E-mail to: jc...@worldnet.att.net or lac...@bms.com
RBowles96
They're so good about taking things back people "buy" the can of gel stain,
used a little of it then got their refund. I've bought several items bisides
the stain and found the same thing, I was not the first to open the container.
In article <6hfhk4$d...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>, "chita jing"
<ch...@worldnet.att.net> writes:
>They're good about taking back stuff.
rbowles96ATaolDOTcom
RBowles96
Kevin I'm afraid you missed the point there WERE FOUR SIGNS STATING CASH ONLY
in addition to the lighted sign! I told the checker at the grocery store how
much her action was appreciated when she turned away a woman with a cart full
of stuff at the LIMIT 10 ITEMS register. Customer behind me seconded the
comment. Seems as though "management" considers the bulk of the customers to
be less than observant, especially when the register amount differs "slightly"
from the posted price. If it is really CASH ONLY and cards and checks are
honored WHERE IS THE CREDIBILITY??!!
In article <353adf16...@news.pacbell.net>, ke...@NOSPAMpacbell.net.
(Kevin) writes:
rbowles96ATaolDOTcom
RBowles96
Masochistic tendancies for sure! Glad you can laugh at yourself, it's a
pleasure reading your posts.
In article <353ae501...@news.pacbell.net>, ke...@NOSPAMpacbell.net.
(Kevin) writes:
> It's a nice way to relax after a day at the Depot.
rbowles96ATaolDOTcom
chita jing
RBowles96 <rbow...@aol.com> wrote in article
<199804201923...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
> They're so good about taking things back people "buy" the can of gel
stain,
> used a little of it then got their refund. I've bought several items
bisides
> the stain and found the same thing, I was not the first to open the
container.
While we're on the topic of returns -- did you return the unsatisfactory
goods?
chita jing
RBowles96 <rbow...@aol.com> wrote in article
<199804201923...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
> They're so good about taking things back people "buy" the can of gel
stain,
> used a little of it then got their refund. I've bought several items
bisides
> the stain and found the same thing, I was not the first to open the
container.
Hey - that's a shame on the CUSTOMER, not Home Depot. All kinds of people
shoplift. Apprently, that includes woodworkers.