My Peeve About Hardware Stores

Iplayfarmer · Jan 21, 2009

If this were the first time or the first store, I'd just roll with it, but all four of these bolts came out of the 5" bolt bin at the local hardware store.

gerard · Jan 21, 2009

guess you kind of didn't notice the difference while at the bin???????

shvl73 · Jan 21, 2009

The customers need to be more careful where they put the bolts back as they look through the bins.
Good luck teaching them that.

Ductape · Jan 21, 2009

Looks like you got the bonus plan ??

thatguy · Jan 21, 2009

No No No.... That one is a special bolt made by Viagra... LOL

Brian

Iplayfarmer · Jan 21, 2009

gerard said:
guess you kind of didn't notice the difference while at the bin???????

I didn't. I had my boy with me and I had him get two, and I got two. I don't know if he picked up the wrong one or I did. For all I know he pulled two out of the 6" bin and lucked out to get one that was the right size.

The funny thing about it is that I have developed the habit of threading the nuts on to the bolts in the store after regularly getting a fine thread nut or two in with a bunch of coarse threads or visa versa.

It will work. I can just cut the end off the long bolt for this particular project. I know it's the customers, but that doesn't make it any less of a pain for me.

bruceatlam · Jan 21, 2009

Yep --- the customer's fault just as much (or more) than the store's fault. I learned years ago to check each item thoroughly when shopping from the bins. That's the only way to guarantee you'll be happy when you get home.

The "box' stores are even worse --- some of those bins are labeled completely wrong. Sometimes it's so obvious that it's funny; other times not so obvious.

Diamondpilot · Jan 21, 2009

When I was a kid I used too take handfuls of nails and bolts and intermix them. I still get grief when I walk through the hardware doors 30 years later. Old Man Wells don't forget a thing.

Chris

Ductape · Jan 21, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
When I was a kid I used too take handfuls of nails and bolts and intermix them. I still get grief when I walk through the hardware doors 30 years later. Old Man Wells don't forget a thing.

Chris

Perhaps you get grief because he knows you are the one still doing it??

Diamondpilot · Jan 21, 2009

Not me, but maybe my kid

Chris

Flatheadyoungin · Jan 21, 2009

i worked at a small hardware store for 7 years and i still do the same thing!

john_bud · Jan 21, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
Not me, but maybe my kid

Chris

...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?

wedge40 · Jan 22, 2009

I always check everything before heading to the counter. I'm lucky because we have an fashion hardware store in town that would have noticed that and asked if you thats what you really wanted to buy. I love the place because when it come to small hardware THEY HAVE IT. And the staff are always helpful and everyone knows exactly where everything is. I swear they make em take a test before they are let loose on their own.

Wedge

rtimgray · Jan 22, 2009

Very similar to my favorite local hardware store. I experience the same problem as the OP and the only way to solve it is to carefully check your bolts to make sure they are just what you need.

I usually buy at least a few spares because buying another .13 bolt is cheaper than having to drive back to town when I drop it down a gopher hole!

Just out of curiousity - at the small hardware stores that you guys (and I'm just speaking in general) - do they charge by the piece or by the pound? My favorite store charges by the piece, the other store I go to charges by the pound. I've never checked to see if there is much difference, but I know that their prices "per box" are comparable.

(By the way, both stores charge by the pound for nails/drywall screws/deck screws/etc. I'm talking about nuts, bolts, washers, etc. - just general threaded fasteners).

Soundguy · Jan 22, 2009

Iplayfarmer said:
If this were the first time or the first store, I'd just roll with it, but all four of these bolts came out of the 5" bolt bin at the local hardware store.

My gues is a careless custome dumpe dthe bolt in the wrong bin..

I try to match up bolts, and thread on all nuts after sliding washers on.. I occasionaly find a washer wher e the center hole didn't punch properly..

soundguy

jfox · Jan 22, 2009

That is why I always get twice as many bolts that I think I need.!!!
Then I throw the extras in a bucket.

SnowRidge · Jan 22, 2009

The unfortunate trend is to not carry anything that doesn't have a bar coded SKU. Nothing like having to clean the bar code label off of bolt threads or a PVC elbow, especially when they use the anti-switch labels that are designed to come apart when lifted.

Edit: I wanted to insert a wise crack about it getting to the point of tattooing bar codes on a certain part of the anatomy of practitioners of an ancient art form, which is generally illegal, but well known to the local constabulary. However, that would probably have violated the terms of engagement here, so feel free to insert your own joke.

Soundguy · Jan 22, 2009

Ditto on the SKU stickers.

I find that they usually stick them on the end of the pvc that has to slip into another piece.. thus making you have to take extra time to clean the sticker off before you prep the piping.

That and the stickers on the bolt shank.. some times the hole the bolt is going in is near interference fit tolerances.. and that sticker sure interferes!

soundguy

Iplayfarmer · Jan 22, 2009

rtimgray said:
Just out of curiousity - at the small hardware stores that you guys (and I'm just speaking in general) - do they charge by the piece or by the pound? My favorite store charges by the piece, the other store I go to charges by the pound. I've never checked to see if there is much difference, but I know that their prices "per box" are comparable.

At my store, specialty items (metric bolts, wing nuts, etc.) are all by the piece. All of the bulk type stuff like bolts and screws have two prices on them. They have a per piece price and a per pound price. I think the logic is that if you're buying two or three pieces it's just easier to figure by the piece. I've learned, though, that even if I'm only buying two or three pieces it's cheaper to have the clerk weigh them rather than count them.

skidsteer.ca · Jan 22, 2009

The local auto parts does grade 5 by the pound, mix and match same price. Grd 8 is by the piece though.
My fave is to get home and find all the nuts I just bought never got threaded.

and running a tap through them because the place just closed and I want it done

I have since bought a bolt bin and stocked with 1/4 to 5/8. Its a bit of a luxury at home but it sure saves a lot of trips to town. Of course now I have to gripe at myself when the bolts get mixed up

Ken