Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Here (Northern California) in Home Depot there's a good chance that the senior clerk in plumbing, lumber, paint etc is a retired tradesman or contractor. Or if female, then younger, and likely grew up in a trades-related family so she speaks the language. Maybe a third of the employees on the floor have this sort of background and their advice is solid.

Then maybe 50% are well meaning and well trained but the customer likely knows more than the clerk. The remaining few percent are the usual idiots who should be limited to restocking shelves and will always refer you to somebody who knows something.

It sounds like HD hires retired tradesmen when they are available, and are willing to be paid less than when they were out in the real world working far harder. That's not a bad job for someone who just needs a few more quarters to qualify for SS, for example.

 

[IslandTractor]

Here (Northern California) in Home Depot there's a good chance that the senior clerk in plumbing, lumber, paint etc is a retired tradesman or contractor. Or if female, then younger, and likely grew up in a trades-related family so she speaks the language. Maybe a third of the employees on the floor have this sort of background and their advice is solid.

Then maybe 50% are well meaning and well trained but the customer likely knows more than the clerk. The remaining few percent are the usual idiots who should be limited to restocking shelves and will always refer you to somebody who knows something.

It sounds like HD hires retired tradesmen when they are available, and are willing to be paid less than when they were out in the real world working far harder. That's not a bad job for someone who just needs a few more quarters to qualify for SS, for example.

That's a pretty good description of the situation in the Boston/Providence area too. I guess some areas where HD opens stores they don't have the pool of retired or part time journeymen to draw on so their staff are more like the generic Walmart crew. I'm always happy to find an experienced guy (or in paint dept often a gal) who knows the field well enough to bounce ideas off of and whose advice I respect.

 

[dragoneggs]

Here (Northern California) in Home Depot there's a good chance that the senior clerk in plumbing, lumber, paint etc is a retired tradesman or contractor. Or if female, then younger, and likely grew up in a trades-related family so she speaks the language. Maybe a third of the employees on the floor have this sort of background and their advice is solid.

Then maybe 50% are well meaning and well trained but the customer likely knows more than the clerk. The remaining few percent are the usual idiots who should be limited to restocking shelves and will always refer you to somebody who knows something.

It sounds like HD hires retired tradesmen when they are available, and are willing to be paid less than when they were out in the real world working far harder. That's not a bad job for someone who just needs a few more quarters to qualify for SS, for example.

Yeah I think you nailed it. I look for those guys that have the look if I have a plumbing or electrical project.

 

[TomSeller]

HD would be a good job after retirement from the day job. Lots of exercise, get to meet people, see the new stuff, give dogs treats.... All the fun stuff.

 

[lexluther]

What is the point of this thread?

 

[dragoneggs]

What is the point of this thread?

Read the title... or just move on.

 

[California]

Entertainment.

On a more related note - I inquired here about HF's old and new version pressure washers. I got a reply that someone had compared them to more expensive models at Home Depot and thought the similar HD model was a better buy, even considering the higher price.

I started a similar comparison and discovered the little suitcase-carry Ryobi washer was priced about the same as the HF and had better reviews. I bought the Ryobi, and used it for the first time yesterday. Its a keeper. More different tips than the HF one, far more convenient than a washer on wheels, more convenient soap reservoir than the old pressure washer it replaced, just an all-round good buy. Discussing pressure washers in this thread got me started on finding the ideal one. Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiry a few pages back.

 

[IslandTractor]

What is the point of this thread?

All manner of HF quality related stuff. The current discussion on retail sales help relates to the quality of in store customer service and advice at HF and competitors. Clear?

 

[newbury]

What is the point of this thread?

If you are confused by the last few posts and want to understand this thread go back to post 1 and start reading, then if you still have questions after reading the 7,174 posts come back and we will try to explain it to you.

Note- My first post was back at #536 and I read up to that and ever since.

 

[downsizingnow48]

There are 3 HF stores within about 5 mi. They are all pretty much the same in terms of what is out on the floor and service. I would say the service is pretty good. All I ever need is someone to get something out of the back room if it is not on the floor, and they are good at that. There are two HD and two Lowes about the same distance. They are all four pretty awful for customer service. Hard to find people to help and usually uninformed when you do find them. The best by far is the local Ace hardware, there are always several people available to take you to the right place and help solve a problem quickly.