Home Depot Rant #476,352,939

[DANOCHEESE]

I had the exact same issue. Needed some lumber that was up on the TOP shelf. Asked several peopel for help. THey all called someone else. Finaly I just climbed up the shelfing and started sorting. A 2x10x16 makes a big bang when it hits the floor from 12 feet up. Two forklitfs and a manager showed up in a few minutes. I said hey it is self serve. I got ten percent off, I think they wanted me to leave.

 

[Diesel-ME]

In my neck of the woods I can get same day free delivery of lumber from a local lumber yard. I don't usually pay any more that I would pay for the HD "premium grade" (read the sticks that do not have to be nailed up the same day you get them else they twist and warp) stuff.

I buy lots of plumbing/electrical/hardware etc from HD and Lowes though.

Try your local "real" lumber yard and compare.

~paul

 

[RobertN]

I'm planning on starting on my 34x20 tractor shed this weekend.

I find the local HD and Lowes dissappointing. Once in a while, I get someone who is great, but mostly have had mediocre service. And, I usually can not find everything I need at one store.

the other thing I dislike, is loading lumber on a cart, and getting that 12' or 16' stuff through the aisle. I like the "real" lumber yards for that; you pull your truck right up to the lumber. Unfortunately, they are becoming far and few between.

I'd write a letter to the store mananger, and to the corporate office. Explain this has been an ongoing issue. And, explain, that what you really want is some service. A 10% discount does not help if if you still can not get service.

 

[Soundguy]

N80, send a letter to the store manager, CC to the regional manager, CC to the head office, directed tot he president. Denote the CC's ont he letter so each person knows who else is getting it. Let the pres know that their local store staffers are letting customers walk out with 500$ of stuff still setting in their isle, because they can't get another 30$ of stuff. I can almost guarantee you the pres will hand the matter off to an underling, who will either email you or contact the regional manager, who will then rough up the store manager.. probably the store or regional manager will contact you.

I know it's too late at this point for them to actually help you in this situation.. however .. in this economy.. i think people will jump and do a dance if they think/lknow they are loosing money.. You might as well see the song and dance for your troubles.

I've had to do this with napa and TSC before because lazy counter people won't get off their but to do anything.. and personally don't care if you are not going to make a purchase as they don't feel it hits thier personal bottom line..

soundguy

 

[Charlesaf3]

I find real lumber yards are often cheaper if you are doing any sort of reasonable business with them. THough like anything, you may have to go to a few to find a good one.

But at that point you get free delivery, good prices, better quality, and MUCH better selection than HD or lowes. Yeah, the selection is out of a book, and takes a few days to get in if its something funky, but that's not a biggie.

I even often get better tool prices than Amazon.

I find myself buying less and less from the big box stores over the years. I used to love Home Depot before Nardelli ruined it.

 

[N80]

N80, send a letter to the store manager, CC to the regional manager, CC to the head office, directed tot he president.

I may do it. I'm still ticked off, not surprised, mostly just mad that it wasted a free afternoon for me.

 

[N80]

I find real lumber yards are often cheaper.

Unfortunately we only have one and their prices are about the same or higher. Its a Carter lumber so its a chain too. But, at this point I don't care if they are a little higher as long as I can get decent service.....heck, I don't even need decent service, I just want to be able to buy what they have in stock. Seems simple but apparently not for HD.

 

[Tom_H]

I still shop at Lowes & The Depot, but go there with the expectation that I will not get 100% of what I want.

I find that true for hardware as well. Fortunately we have a very large OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) http://www.osh.com/ whose stock is 3 or 4 times as varied as the box stores. Online, Grainger Grainger Industrial Supply can be exensive, but has a huge inventory. I just got 2.75" wide wingnuts for 3/4" dia. bolts from there to secure the bh to its dolly. A couple of other online places I shop are:

Woodworking Tools Supplies Hardware Plans Finishing - Rockler.com

Bolt Depot - Nuts and Bolts, Screws and Fasteners online

http://www.lara.com/

For plumbing, we have a locally owned place called C & C. They are large with 2 locations. You don't troll the aisles. You go to a counter and tell them what you want. All the salespeople are 50 y.o. or more men, most with many years of actual plumbing experience. If you have a question about something, it's like sitting in a tech school classroom getting answers from a certified instructor. They keep every transaction on individual invoice slips done by hand on quadruplicate forms. The only computer in the place is the one the owner's wife uses upstairs. The cash registers are just that, no lasers or computer components. Most of the guys don't even know how to use a computer, but they know everything there is to know about plumbing. They know their customers by name, including the owner, who is out on the floor shaking hands with them. He's the kind of guy who meets you and remembers your name forever. It's like going 75 years back in time to be in that store. I hope they will be able to afford to stay in business.

 

[ultrarunner]

I avoid the big box stores whenever possible... part of it might be due to my van being broken into twice while shopping at HD and the other big reason is that it just takes too much time to get in and out.

I have 2 Orchard Supply Stores that I frequent often... although the selection has changed since the merger with Sears/K-mart...

I also will go out of my way to shop at an Old Time family owned hardware store because I get great service...

I second Tom_H in recommending Grainger... I can order a case of light bulbs on a Thursday afternoon and they will be delivered the next morning...

 

[Podunkadunk]

I've been in your situation before. Here's the remedy-

If you want some service, climb up to the top, start cutting the bands holding the boards, start dropping them down onto the concrete below (post wife as lookout to keep passerbys safe). 2x12x10's make a really loud sound when they hit concrete 10 feet below! Oops, a couple of them cracked...better drop a few extra down then.......!

You'll be surprised at how quickly they'll get someone to help you.

Don't ask how I know this secret!

And yes, service is horrible at Home Depot. Lowe's too, at least in lower Alabama.

Podunk

 

[rcrcomputing]

Why would they offer service? People go for price. And they'll take a heck of alot of bad service for price. Folks may get mad, but next time they buy, it'll be for price. Sad, but true.

This is not true for everyone, but is for most. Even those that won't readily admit it.

In my town, the local yard will not have it in stock. Doesn't much matter what it is.. Last week, cheap single glass window of any size? Nope, no windows of any kind.. Amazing...

 

[mikim]

I hate the big box stores as much as anyone ... but they're driving everyone else out of business! I prefer McCoy's and always buy my lumber there - but then I have to go across the street to HD for hardware because McCoy's can't stock the variety or quantity that HD does. They do a better job though of stocking the strange items that country folk need. Things for their wells & septic etc. HD corporate has a more urban mind set.

 

[Tom_H]

I second Tom_H in recommending Grainger... I can order a case of light bulbs on a Thursday afternoon and they will be delivered the next morning...

And I thought mine came so quickly because Grainger in West Sac. is next door to the regional UPS center. It is true, things often do show up the very next morning.

 

[450EXC]

The good part is when I get to the cashier.

A local Home Depot is closing and having a 10 - 30 % off sale so I stopped in yesterday. I track down all the 30 % signs and stock up on stuff I need and force myself to hold off on the wish list. I did cave in and grab a Ryobi lithium drill kit at 10% off. I get the cart full and tell myself I better leave.

I am next in line at the cashier and a girl comes over and starts to open the next register. She sees my cart full to the brim and starts having second thoughts. She finially smiles and waves me over. I am slowing her down since I'm checking the prices to make sure they ring up right.

Here's the good part. Some items start ringing up way low, she looks at me, smiles, and throws them in the paid cart. Half way through I pull out the Ryobi Lithium and jokingly say I only want to pay 20 bucks for this. She laughs and says probably cant help you with that. It rings up at $ 6.35. I figure , here we go, 20 minute delay. She puts it in the paid cart and keeps right on rolling.

I briefly think I should have her re-scan it, but think of all the times I hiked 20 aisles looking for help and tell myself, ok, were even.

A good day at the Depot.

 

[N80]

A local Home Depot is closing

Good. They deserve it. From what I've heard, their CEO has run the business into the ground. He'll probably get fired and have to fall back on a little $100 million golden parachute...poor guy.

I hope Tony Stewart loses at Darlington tomorrow night.

 

[dgl24087]

Good. They deserve it. From what I've heard, their CEO has run the business into the ground. He'll probably get fired and have to fall back on a little $100 million golden parachute...poor guy.

I hope Tony Stewart loses at Darlington tomorrow night.

Bob Nardelli resigned last year (Jan. 07) with a huge payoff ($210 million), he's running Chrysler now.

 

[N80]

That's unreal.

 

[Barton]

I hope Tony Stewart loses at Darlington tomorrow night.

Man, you really are mad! But I dont't like Tony Stewart anyway.

 

[Redbug]

Just thinking about these big stores...I would believe most of the stock on the shelves is sold during the weekends when most people are off and can shop. Monday would be the worst day to get something since it is after the weekend. So...I would suppose that Friday would be the best day to load up since they have restocked and are ready for the weekend. Good logic or if the store really stinks, (like the TSC in Lexington, SC), it dosen't matter...

 

[N80]

I got off work this afternoon at 5 and decided I'd get my lumber today rather than wasting my Saturday morning doing it. The local lumber yard (Carters) closed at 6. So I went to Lowes.

Now, I've had plenty of bad experiences at Lowes, but at least this afternoon they were night and day compared to Home Depot. All of the lumber racks were full. Imagine that.

At the check out, as usual, there were two people in a row ahead of me with stuff they couldn't figure out prices/discounts, etc etc and the line started to pile up. Another guy came up to help and it seemed like he was being a jerk to the cashier who was getting flustered, but the cashier really shifted gears and got us through. My bill was right at $500. That's how much HD lost.

Edit: Dave, I posted this before I saw your post. Maybe that's why Lowes was better prepared. Still, if a place isn't prepared when I'm there....shame on them, not me. I shouldn't have to plan which day of the week to shop on.